Hallmark Ornament Debut Reminder

 

 

October 5 -13

 

The Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary tablepiece and the It's a Twister Keepsake Ornament are available starting this weekend

 

We're Off to See the Wizard

$89.95

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBNLZ5l31LM

 

 

 

 It's a Twister
$29.95 

And great news for Oz collectors who buy a lot of Hallmark Wizard of Oz cards.   The Rewards program is now set up so you can get credit no matter where you buy Hallmark cards.  See this site for details:  http://www.hallmark.com/card-rewards/

 

Closer Look at Official 75th Anniversary Companion by William Stillman and Jay Scarfone

 

October 26

SRP: $40.00

This book is a must, must, MUST have for any Oz fan!!!!

Please Click on Photos to Enlarge for Detail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

QVC Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary Follow Up

Wow, wow, WOW!!!!   Last night's show was incredible!  All of the allotted inventory for the live show SOLD OUT!  The show was cut a half hour short.  Undoubtedly, The Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary Show exceeded expectations.  

 

Special guest host John Fricke, with his usual pithy, personable self, was on hand to entertain with anecdotes and facts from his incredible wealth of knowledge of The Wizard of Oz and Judy Garland. Make sure you check out his new book The Wonderful World of Oz coming soon!!!

 

The product line up was wonderful and there was truly something for everyone!!  Some items sold so fast they didn't get much air time if any at all.  But not to worry, QVC's live shows are given a certain amount of product. When that is one they are announced as sold out.  On Air.  You can still go to QVC's website to view and order from The Wizard of Oz line.  The jewelry, shower gels, and nail polish are all exclusive to QVC.  And the packaging!!!!!  Julep and Jacmel's packaging is incredibly beautiful!  They went above and beyond to present their product.  If you missed the show last night, many items on the Wizard of Oz page have video clips.  WATCH THEM!!!  Everything is SO much more beautiful on video and I'm sure everything will be just gorgeous in person.   I also rather liked Philosophy's bottles.  Once the gel runs out I plan to get glass beads from a craft store to fill the bottles with so I can keep them as a collectible.  The ruby slippers jewelry was all VERY nicely done and it was really neat how Jacmel made the ruby slippers three dimensional so the ruby slippers can stand on their own.  This will allow them to display beautifully for collectors who have their jewelry in display cases.  The Official 75th Anniversary Companion by William Stillman and Jay Scarfone is a marvel unto itself.  I hope QVC will get a video clip up of the book.  It's going to be a MUST HAVE. A lot of thought and reverence for The Wizard of Oz went into this anniversary product and it shows. 

http://qvc.co/Curiozity-QVC 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations and thank you to Warner Brothers, QVC, all the licensees that participated, and John Fricke for a job well done!!!  You've made the QVC Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary Show an event to remember!!

 

**Retailers, current and potential licensees......I hope you were watching and paying attention.  The Wizard of Oz is more popular than ever and people want Oz!!!**

 

QVC Reminder

 

SEPTEMBER 26           9 PM - 11PM  EASTERN

CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS

 

 

Blog entry from QVC host Carolyn Gracie:
http://community.qvc.com/blogs/jewelry-talk/topic/405849/were-over-the-rainbow-about-the-wizard-of-oz-75th-anniversary.aspx

Be sure to check the website for items not shown on air!

 

http://qvc.co/Curiozity-QVC 

 

Please see this previous entry for more QVC product!

http://curiozitycorner.blogspot.com/2013/09/qvc-wizard-of-oz-75th-anniversary-show_6.html

WIZARD OF OZ IN IMAX 3D PLAYING NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

 

We've been seeing Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary product for some time now, but the official kick off was held September 15th in Hollywood at the Chinese Theater (formerly Grauman's Chinese Theater) where the original movie premiere took place in 1939. 

 

Celebrities and Oz dignitaries were in attendance and treated to an Ozzy after party.  Of course no self respecting gala would be without swag.

 

Attendees of the IMAX showing were given stickers and bookmarks

Photo Courtesy Ryan Jay

 

 

Adults at the After Party were given canvas tote bags with an exclusive Wizard of Oz IMAX glass, a Thomas Kinkade wrapped canvas,  and The Wizard of Oz: 75th Anniversary Limited Collector's Edition. Children were given the new 75th Anniversary Barbies.

 

Photos Courtesy Alex Kirk

 

Photos from the after party:

http://blog.chuckjones.com/chuck_redux/2013/09/world-premiere-party-for-the-wizard-of-oz.html

 

Here's Ryan Jay's review of The Wizard of Oz in IMAX 3D. 

http://www.ryanjayreviews.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-wizard-of-oz-3d-imax.html

 

Ryan Jay's red carpet interviews:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrXNGOuNQ0Q&feature=youtu.be

 

 

Check out the fabulous reviews!!!!!!

http://thedigitalbits.com/columns/inside-cinema/wizard-of-oz-75th-3d-remaster

 

http://www.cleveland.com/movies/index.ssf/2013/09/the_wizard_of_oz_3d_showing_ju.html

 

 http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20737238,00.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/the-wizard-of-oz-gets-a-3-d-imax-makeover/2013/09/18/4ea70528-1ecf-11e3-b7d1-7153ad47b549_story.html

 
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/09/19/wizard-of-oz-imax-3d/2711897/

http://variety.com/2013/digital/news/the-wizard-of-oz-imax-3d-conversion-1200610859/

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2013/09/19/the_wizard_of_oz_3d_brings_more_magic_out.html

http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/wizard-of-oz-75th-anniversary-3-d-imax
 

From Oz/Judy Garland expert John Fricke:

http://xfinity.comcast.net/blogs/movies/2013/09/20/the-expert-of-oz-reveals-secrets-of-a-movie-classic/

Posted below are my thoughts which I found difficult to put into words.  It was like staring at the sun for 2 hours.  It was that dazzling!!  How do you describe that??!

In spite of the overwhelmingly positive reviews, I was still apprehensive. Could 3D be done well with a film this old and recognized? I did read one negative review but I couldn't take it seriously. First of all, the author hadn't bothered to view it in 3D. I should have stopped reading there, but pressed on and the author stated this is not what the original filmmakers intended. Okay, MGM put EVERYTHING they had into this film. Beloved stars, state of the art special effects, the best song writers, everything. Had MGM had the technology at the time to make Oz 3D and have it look as good as it does now, there's no doubt in mind they'd have done it. My main concern wasn't the professional reviews. What were the Oz fans and the general public going to think? They are the ones that have kept the movie going for 75 years.

I went into the theater not intending to do a professional review of any kind. I went to have a good time and to revel in the anniversary. I have to say this was probably the most exhilarating movie experience of my life.

When we arrived to the theater the IMAX auditorium was half full. I'm sure it would have had a bigger turn out if not for a bizarre incident that was wrapping up as we were in line at the concession stand. We hadn't watched the news or listened to the radio so we were blissfully unaware.

We sat towards the front and middle of the auditorium and everyone else was in the stadium seating above and behind us. I missed most of the opening credits which I could tell right away were 3D, but as soon as the title hit the screen, this huge swell of applause came rolling up from behind us. So enthusiastic was this crowd you could barely hear the overture. The Wizard of Oz is very emotional for me anyway, as it is for many, and sitting there enveloped in this reverence and joy, it came bursting out of me too and I started laughing and sobbing. By the time Dorothy ran to Auntie Em to complain about Miss Gulch, I'd gotten myself together.

Now Kansas is supposed to be this dry, dreary place, but the wizards at Warner Brothers made it look positively inviting! The sepia tones were sumptuously warm and as gorgeous as anything in Oz. I've since decided there is nothing in the world more beautiful than Dorothy and Toto in 3D sepia.

The definition and detail are astounding. I was afraid the faults in the, archaic by today's standards, special effects would really come out. The tornado approaching the Gale farm looked amazing! Easily, as good or better than what can be done today. Dorothy's ride to Oz is more thrilling than ever!

Once we got to Munchkinland, everything was so incredibly vivid. I could see the freckles on Judy Garland's face and Bille Burke's chest. And the flowers! What really got my attention was Dorothy's little bouquet from the Munchkins. I could see all the different types of flowers. The definition on everything was so clear and sharp.

And this movie sparkles like never before! The brilliance that came from Glinda's dress was blinding at times. The ruby slippers never looked more magical. I got a big kick out of seeing flashes of ruby as Dorothy moved through the poppyfield. Truly mesmerizing!!!

The biggest wow moment for me, and there were several, was when Glinda appeared to rescue Dorothy and friends from the poppies. The ethereal Glinda casting a spell of snow was RIGHT THERE. You could almost touch her.

As they approached the Emerald City the smaller spires in the front extended out onto the yellow brick road. The first sighting of the Wicked Witch's castle and the flying monkeys in the haunted forest were other awe inspiring moments.

The only original faults I noticed that were really brought out were the lines where Margaret Hamilton's chin and Bert Lahr's mane are attached. You see them, but you're already so engaged it really doesn't detract. It's just interesting if you're into Hollywood make up.

As usual, with multiple viewings of the Oz the viewer picks up on something they haven't noticed before. In IMAX 3D there's SO much more to see!!!! My favorite new detail that I never noticed before is that while Dorothy is in the Emerald City getting her hair curled she's also styling Toto's hair a bit as he sits happily in her lap. You can see the hairs sticking up on his precious little head!!

I don't care how many times you've seen The Wizard of Oz, be it in the hundreds or thousands of times, you have NOT seen The Wizard of Oz until you see it in IMAX 3D. You'll be astounded at what you've been missing all these years.
**There have been some reports of 11 by 17 posters given out to theater patrons, but mine either didn't participate or I missed out going to a later show even though I bought advanced tickets.**

List of IMAX theaters showing The Wizard of Oz
http://judygarlandnews.com/2013/09/08/complete-list-of-imax-theaters-showing-oz-in-3d/

 

 

 

 

Startling Stories Wizard of Oz Prints by Andrea Alvin

Beautiful Wizard of Oz prints by Andrea Alvin

Pricing $99.00 to $2949

One Kings Lane Wizard of Oz Sale until Monday September 23

https://www.onekingslane.com/sales/25878

 

 

 

 

 

Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary Happy Meals 2013

The official kick off isn't until tomorrow, but some stores started selling early.  I was able to get 4 of the 6 characters this evening.  And they are beyond ADORABLE!!!!   They stand about 3 inches or so tall.  They each come on a yellow brick road base that will interlock with other characters' bases.  Each characters package, the insert and the bottom of the base are all marked 75th Anniversary.  The Oz characters are only on one side of the Happy Meal box.  These are going to be a big hit. I can see people buying multiple sets to use as Christmas ornaments or cake decorations.  They are all very cute but the Cowardly Lion is especially darling.  Prices very by location.  Mine were $1.70 each and you can purchase the toys separately from the food. 

 

 

Happy Meal Box

 

 

Happy Meal Toy Package

 

 

Happy Meal Toy Insert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toys are shown in order of release.

 

Dining Room Poster

 

 

 

Drive Thru Translite

Toy Display

 

Be sure to visit www.happymeal.com to see the Wizard of Oz commercial and to download coloring pages and activity sheets

 

Please see these blog entries to see previous Happy Meal promotions:

Yellow Bricks and Golden Arches

Happy Meal Madame Alexander Dolls

Follow the Yellow McRoad

Happy Meal 2013

 

**If any of the fine folks at the McDonald's I visited tonight check out this page, THANK YOU!!!  I came there feeling somewhat dejected and you guys were awesome!!!! Thank you so much for your patience and for digging through the toys for me!** 

 

AND DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE WIZARD OF OZ IN 3D AT IMAX THEATERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY!!!!!!