Happy Halloween!!

Spend this Halloween in Oz!
Gilroy, Calif. -- Oct. 21, 2007 -- In time for this Halloween, Whitfield & Dodd Publications announces the availability of BOOK ONE in its Alpimar Series of Oz books -- Halloween in Oz: Dorothy Returns, and the free download of Chapter 1.

Entitled “Oz and Aftermath,” Chapter 1 introduces the new series, telling of Dorothy’s problems in the wake of her mysterious trip to the Land of Oz. The download is at http://www.halloweeninoz.com/files/HIO_Chap1r.pdf

Harry’s gone -- but Dorothy returns! With 553 pages, Halloween in Oz is written in the fuller style of twentieth-first century fantasy. However it keeps the spirit of, and remains in the era of, L. Frank Baum’s classic: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, written in 1899.

Those who miss Harry Potter and grieve for Hermione will welcome Dorothy Gale back. And Dorothy is as feisty as Hermione ever was. Some of the boys at school in rural Kansas call her a spitfire when they tease her about her tale of Oz. But Dorothy is right. Oz was not simply a dream, as portrayed in the famous movie, but a real place -- as it was for Baum. And in Halloween in Oz, it is revealed that the Land of Oz is part of a larger alternate Earth, a world called Alpimar -- where magic reigns, not science and technology.

It’s a few months after the tornado, and Dorothy wants to visit Oz for many reasons: to prove to herself that Oz does exist, to escape the Kansas of 1900, where only boys are expected to do so many things, and to find an old tintype that was lost in Oz -- the only picture she had of her parents. (She had been orphaned only a year before, when her home near Bowling Green, KY, burned.)

Then, suddenly, the ghostly voices of her parents in a Halloween-night dream summon her back to Oz. Dorothy discovers that the opportunity for evil witchcraft is at its peak during Ozian Halloween -- which lasts for a "witch-week" of thirteen days! She finds old friends, like Scarecrow, Tin-man, Lion, the Munchkins, and new friends, like a mysterious boy with purple hair, a flight of bats, and her Kansas pumpkin-head magically brought to life.

The book can be obtained at Amazon.com -- or expeditiously via the web site: http://www.halloweeninoz.com/ Contact alpimaroz@gmail.com ISBN 9780979856204
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Wizard of Oz Fabric

Karen Owens posted pics and is currently accepting orders for the new Wizard of Oz fabric coming in mid-December. WOW!! The prints are loaded with MGM characters and scenes, even the sepia fabric looks colorful. The crafting possibilities are endless and I can't wait to see how this fabric inspires. I will try to get more detailed photos to post. If you are interested don't wait too long. Oz fabrics have always been very popular and fabric based on the movie isn't very common so these prints will be HOT!

http://www.wizardofozland.com/fabrics.php

Ease on Down the Road February of 2008

According to Digitial Bits, The Wiz 30th Anniversary Edition will be released on February 5 2008. Details so far at dvdactive.com: http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/the-wiz.html

Mattel does it again

Remember last year how we all were scrambling because the 2007 Oz line was released early at WalMart? Then remember, again, how we scrambled, again, to find the Winkie and Winged Monkey giftset at KB Toys and Toys R Us. Mattel undoubtedly will upset a lot of the Wizard of Oz collectors who already have the Glinda and Wicked Witch dolls with this little gem. The Lullaby Munchkin is a Toys R Us exclusive. But, for now, she's only available packaged with the Glinda/Wicked Witch of the West giftset. I can only hope right now she's a teaser release for 2008 and that she'll be available for single purchase next year. As a collector and doll lover, I'm growing increasingly irritated with Mattel. It wouldn't be so bad if their reps were more forthcoming for info. So to all the folks who haven't purchased the witches yet.....congratulations. You get a free Munchkin. The rest of us just have to wait to see what the future holds.

New Addition to Barbie line

How cute is she??! Exclusively at Toys R Us.

Avon Watch Online

http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.asp?pf_id=32142&from=search&find_spec=Wizard%20of%20Oz&camp=200722&dir_delivery=1&rep_delivery=1

Wicked Candy Update

I was just informed by a See's Candies rep that the Wicked candy will be available at all See's Candie's shops in the month of October. They are expected to be for sale through the See's Candies website this week. Keep checking http://www.sees.com/ for details.

Candy and DVDs

It's October and the season of the witch is in full swing!!

The Paul Lynde Halloween Special featuring original Wicked Witch of the West Margaret Hamilton and rock icons KISS. Originally, slated for release on the 2nd the DVD has been delayed but is still expected within the next couple of weeks. Thanks to Jim Whitcomb for the reminder and release update.

To order from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lynde-Halloween-Special/dp/B000TEUSMC/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-3344219-6374335?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1191544775&sr=8-1

Another DVD, the long awaited documentary that follows the 2003 Broadway season of several Broadway shows including the mega hit WICKED, from rehearsals all the way until the night of the Tony Awards. Available October 16th.

To order the Show Business Documentary:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UAE7NG/ref=s9_asin_image_1/104-3344219-6374335?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=1XX9EQ83MNRN73XK637J&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240701&pf_rd_i=507846

For spell casters with a sweet tooth....Wicked Candy from See's Candies! Elphaba may feel unlimited, but the candy is not! Only available at See's Candies in Los Angeles throughout the month of October. Scare up a box while you can!

Candy photo courtesy of Defy Gravity07 at witchesofoz.com

The Show Business Documentary and Wicked candy are perfect to acknowledge the fourth anniversary of Wicked October 30th.

Hallmark WalMart Update

I have to say I have the best readers a blogger could ever want. You guys are really on the ball and so great about sharing photos and information. It's very much appreciated especially since finding the Hallmark merchandise at WalMart is so frustrating for many of us.

Eugene DeMarco wrote to let me know of yet another Hallmark card. I love how it spells out Oz when you open it and I really like the illustration of the Scarecrow. Here's a couple of photos courtesy of Mr. DeMarco. Also shown is the wonderfully wicked Halloween card.

The Wicked Witch card has to be seen in person to be really appreciated. The border, hat, and dress are coated in black glitter! The card comes with an orange envelope decorated with jack o'lanterns. Very Halloween!

It seems like new Hallmark merchandise at WalMart is cropping up all the time. If you are at WalMart in search of Oz be sure to go over everything with a fine toothed comb. I expect to see more as the winter holidays approach.