July 15, 2014
$24.99 (US)
ISBN: 9781480350625
6" x 9"
Paperback 400 pages
Applause Theatre and Cinema Books, an imprint of Hal Leonard
Just in time for the 75th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz's Hollywood debut comes The Wizard of Oz FAQ (July 15, Applause Books, $24.99). This addition to the FAQ series is a fact-filled celebration of the beloved 1939 fantasy masterpiece starring Judy Garland. It's all here – from L. Frank Baum and his Oz novels to the complete background story of the movie's conception, development, and shoot, with special attention given to the little-known parade of uncredited directors, casting difficulties, and on-set accidents and gaffes, as well as more than 75 sidebars devoted to key cast members, directors, and other behind-the-scenes personnel.
In The Wizard of Oz FAQ, you'll find a wealth of fun facts: How MGM overworked Judy Garland before, during, and after Oz; why director Victor Fleming had his hands full with the Cowardly Lion and Dorothy's other friends; what it was about Toto that really bothered Judy; the physical horrors of filming in Technicolor; the racial Oz gag that was scripted but never shot; when the Wicked Witch was going to be beautiful; why The Wizard of Oz owes a lot to silent-screen star Mary Pickford; the story of deleted scenes, and a full two weeks of shooting that had to be scrapped; why MGM star Mickey Rooney was part of the movie's traveling publicity blitz; how the Wicked Witch was literally blown off her broomstick one day; the place where lions, tigers, and bears really do live together; singers you hear but never see; the day MGM fired Judy Garland; and much more. Just follow the yellow brick road!
David J. Hogan has written about film since 1973. His first book was published in 1980 and has been followed by several others in the United States and abroad, including Three Stooges FAQ and Film Noir FAQ. He has contributed essays to numerous multiauthor books and is a prolific magazine reviewer. A onetime entertainment journalist formerly based in L.A., Hogan has worked on the editorial side of Chicago book publishing for more than twenty-five years.
Copyright © 2014 Applause Books, All rights reserved.
Photo and info courtesy Applause Theatre and Cinema books.
Applause has also published The Wizardry of Oz by Jay Scarfone and William Stillman
