Greetings,
Okay, it is officially Halloween, and though, like I said, I don't do the Halloween thing, I am giving you something scary today. Well, there is a witch. Sort of. Not exactly, but you see the creation of one. Look, today, I'm reviewing a 1990 TV movie called The Dreamer of Oz, which is a bio (TV) pic about the life of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum. And I think this could possibly be my favorite TV movie ever.
Now this one is quite different from your average TV movie. It is shot in a way that is so incredibly cinematic and colorful and larger than life, you'd swear it was meant for the big screen. Frankly, if they did take this and release it in a theater, it would look amazing. And I think I like it so much because I am a writer, and, for a writer, it is very inspirational and motivational. It's just fantastic. So let's get to it.
Though I referred to this as sort of a biopic, it does not take us though the entire life of L. Frank Baum. Instead, it focuses mainly on his life with his wife and sons, how he does whatever it takes to support them while keeping his passion for writing alive, and eventually creating the world of Oz.
The movie begins at the premiere of the film, The Wizard of Oz, in 1939. The press is clamoring over the cast of actors, Judy Garland and whatnot, but one young reporter notices an elderly woman and pulls her aside to talk with her. Turns out, it is the widow of L. Frank Baum, Maude, who is played fantastically throughout the film by Annette O'Toole (what's up, Mrs. Kent!), and I'm pretty sure in this scene she's got her old lady make up on. Anyway, Mrs. Baum is quite surprised but flattered that this young man even knows who she is. Actually, he is quite interested in learning about the true story behind THE story, so Maude begins to tell the tale of her life with her beloved husband.
At this point we flash back to eighteen hundred and . . . something, where we are introduced to L. Frank Baum, played brilliantly by John Ritter. I actually this is the best thing he ever did in his career. Anyway, we see the first meeting between Frank (yeah, I'll just call him Frank from now on) and Maude Gage, daughter of Matilda Gage, played by the great Rue McClanahan. Wow, I am being VERY descriptive about these actors. Anyway, Frank is hesitant to meet Maude because her mother is a serious nineteenth century feminist, and he finds her a little scary. But alas, Frank, who is a poor actor at the time, and Maude fall in love, mostly because of his ability to be so creative and make up these beautiful worlds to describe to her. There's some pleasant foreshadowing for you. Despite her mother's objections, Maude does marry Frank.
So throughout the film, we follow the life of Frank, Maude and the sons they would have. There is also a lot about all the jobs Frank had in order to take care of them. Like I said, he starts as an actor, but also, while his family lives in the Dakota Territory, he opens a store, and then goes on the road as a salesman. According to the film, it is this that takes a great tole on his health. Eventually, he takes his professional writing seriously, getting a book of children's stories published, with the help of illustrator W.W. Denslow, who would go on to illustrate the Oz books as well. Now it is that first publication that gets him some recognition and money, but he does not give up on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Through his persistence and hard work, it is one day published. Of course, there is mention of the books that would follow, but it is the first around which the film is centered.
One of the best things about this movie is how we see the Oz story being developed over the years. He tells it, piece by piece, to different people, be they his wife, his children, their friends, even his mother-in-law, who does warm up to him and his great talent. We also see how certain events and people he meets in his life inspire the story and the characters, from the munchkins to the Cowardly Lion to Dorothy herself. S he was writing his greatest work. sometimes, without even really knowing what he was creating. Again, as a writer, I love the way it shows that, if we pay close attention to our lives, we can be inspired enough to create something great, which is certainly something that L. Frank Baum did.
Honestly, the most disappointing thing about this TV movie is the fact that, after that initial airing, I don't recall that it was ever shown again. Maybe it's just where I live, but that is sad. And though I've tried, I also cannot find this thing on DVD. But I'm sure it's out there somewhere, so if you can find it, watch it. Seriously, it won't disappoint. It may not be as good as The Wizard of Oz, but hearing the stories of how that came to be, I think, can bring about the same nostalgic feeling of that classic movie. So go ahead, find it, watch it, enjoy it!
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
