The Origins of Oz
Aka The True Story of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz
No other fairy-tale has imprinted itself on American popular culture nor any other American children’s story been so enthusiastically embraced around the world as has The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Written by L. Frank Baum, the story has been adapted and re-invented by every generation since the book was first published in 1899. More than 80 years after the release of MGM’s version starring the young Judy Garland, the movie has been seen by more people more times than any other film in the history of cinema.
This is the surprising, heart-warming true story behind Oz written by a remarkable man who happily gave the world his greatest gift: A story whose memorable characters discover the difference between what things seem and what they truly are. Narrated by the American singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant. Produced for The Smithsonian Network and the BBC.