Curiozity Corner

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Vandor Summer 2010

16 oz. Ruby Slippers Mug
Stainless Steel Ruby Slippers Water Bottle
Dorothy Luggage Tag
Wooden Coaster Set

Thursday, June 17, 2010

The modern Dorothy, Miss Dorothy Gale, will be available this month. The vintage Dorothy, Glinda, and Wicked Witch of the West will follow around the first of July. You can see Miss Dorothy Gale here:
http://curiozitycorner.blogspot.com/2010/02/2010-barbies.html

More photos of the vintage Barbies here:
http://curiozitycorner.blogspot.com/2010/02/vintage-barbie-assortment-toy-fair.html

Click on photos to enlarge.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Toddlers from Adora

Media Contacts

Adora

Peggy Vicioso

949-788-8800 x777

Adora – Official The Wizard of Oz Licensee

From somewhere over the rainbow comes a cast of characters

like you have never seen…Wizard of Oz™ Adora dolls

Laguna Hills, CA, June 7, 2010: California-based designer, developer, and marketer of award-winning dolls, Adora, announced today that it has launched an officially licensed collection of Wizard of Oz™ dolls, through a license agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products. The collection will make its debut to wholesale buyers at the Dallas Gift Mart, June 23rd - 29th and the Atlanta Gift Show July 14th - 21st. Shipping to retailers will begin in early September 2010.

The Wizard of Oz is one of the most beloved and iconic motion pictures of all time filled with timeless sentiments and values cherished by multiple generations. Originally released in 1939, more than one billion consumers have experienced the classic story of Dorothy and friends in the Land of Oz. The Adora Wizard of Oz™ introductory collection of 20” vinyl dolls of Dorothy, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, Glinda and the Wicked Witch are age-graded for doll enthusiast’s ages six and up.

“We are especially proud of the Cowardly Lion,” says Peggy Vicioso, VP Marketing & Product Development for Adora. “You can imagine our excitement when upon sending the Cowardly Lion sample to Warner Bros for product approval and the approval was granted saying, ‘The best Cowardly Lion we have ever seen!’.”

The dolls were sculpted in the Adora studio and capture the facial characteristics of each beloved the character as a toddler, they are all easily recognizable and endearing. All Adora dolls are made in a fine collector quality vinyl with soft-sculpt weighted bodies and life-like hair. Each one has been hand crafted, one-by-one with meticulous detailing, each endearing face has been hand painted and each costume individually sewn.

Hi-Res Digital Image Available Upon Request

About Adora

Adora is a Laguna Hills, California-based designer, developer, and marketer of award-winning dolls. The Company’s products can be found in specialty retail stores throughout the United States, and various catalog merchants. www.charismabrands.com

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

# # #

THE WIZARD OF OZ and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Turner Entertainment Co.

(s09)

Glinda and the Wicked Witch are still pending approval. Photos available soon. Dorothy will be accompanied by a plush Toto. The dolls will start arriving at retailers mid-September. Suggested retail price is $119.95 each. Click on photo to enlarge.

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Wicked Ornament Update

Long Island Treasures will begin accepting pre-orders on May 28th. Please scroll down to see a picture of the Elphaba Defying Gravity ornament and pricing/ordering info.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Lori Mitchell Figurines

Folk art Halloween series continues with the additions of the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. Last year started with Off to See the Wizard and King of the Jungle.
http://curiozitycorner.blogspot.com/2009/10/oztober-updates.html

Scarecrow stands at 7 inches and Tin Man at 7 1/2" They retail around $20.00

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Carlton Cards Wicked Ornament

Ornament plays 30 seconds of Defying Gravity as sung by original Broadway Elphaba Idina Menzel. The Wicked ornament will be available in American Greetings stores at the end of August for the SRP of $27.50 or you can pre-order from Long Island Treasures. http://www.litreasures.com/xcart418/product.php?productid=18307&cat=0&page=1
Long Island Treasures is selling the ornament at a 20% discount. Shipping is yet to be determined based on size and weight of the ornament but is expected to be around $5.65.

***Pre-orders with Long Island Treasures will be accepted at the end of May. No definite order date as of yet. Orders before approved date will be deleted. Please keep watching Long Island Treasures or The Curiozity Corner for updated information***

Photo Courtesy litreasures.com

Thanks to Karen Owens for the heads up!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Hallmark 2010

Tin Man $16.95

To the Rescue $34.95

Run, Toto, Run!! $9.95 Limited Ornament Sold only during Hallmark Premiere July 10 & 11

Tin Man and To the Rescue pics courtesy of David D. Run, Toto, Run courtesy of Marc

Friday, April 09, 2010

Best of Oz 2009: Inspirations of Oz Fine Art Collection

In commemoration of the 70th anniversary, Warner Brothers Consumer Products commissioned 14 of the hottest names in contemporary art to create interpretive works for the Inspirations of Oz Fine Art Collection. Imagination took flight with subjects ranging from profound to humorous and all submissions were striking in their own right. Each artist applied their signature techniques and unique insights to instill more depth to familiar characters.

Angelo Aversa
Dream Oz
woodcut print using Kitakata paper and Charbonnel inks

Romero Britto
Yellow Brick Road
acrylic on canvas

(see art under news and events - special projects 2009)

Phillip Graffham
Father Oz
mixed media, beads, recycled objects

Gris Grimly
Anyplace But Home
acrylic on wood

Marcus Antonius Jansen
E. Pluribus Unum
oil enamel collage on canvas
(look under paintings 2009)

Johnny Johns
Il Mago di Oz
acrylic paint on cotton canvas

William Joyce
Where Happy Little Bluebirds Fly, Winged Monkeys Sit Nearby
oil on clay board

Joel Nakamura
Tin Man's Dream
polymer and resin on metal

Nelson De La Nuez
Ditching Dorothy
mixed media using acrylic paints, watercolors, and oil pastels on canvas

Glen Orbik
Emerald Beauties
oil on bristol board

Ragnar
Girl From Kansas (aka Vanquished The piece was given the more Oz friendly name for the purposes of the Inspirations of Oz Fine Art Collection)

Alex Ross My Pretties
gouache on bristol board

Todd White
Bar Tales
oil on canvas

Yakovetic
Surrender Dorothy oil on canvas

Please enlarge photos for more detail

The Inspirations of Oz Fine Art Collection debuted to much acclaim at the famed Art Basel Miami Beach show where it was displayed alongside The Ruby Slipper Collection and Gentle Giant busts. The collection traveled to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and finally to New York for the 70^th anniversary gala celebration. Pieces from Romero Britto, Angelo Aversa, Todd White, Nelson De La Nuez, and Yakovetic were auctioned to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation.

Several pieces from the collection were featured on 70^th anniversary limited edition postage stamps with a portion of the proceeds going to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. Stamps are available here.

In addition to their Inspirations of Oz pieces, Nelson De La Nuez, Todd White, and Yakovetic have created more Oz works and made them available to art collectors and Oz enthusiasts. Yakovetic’s art can be purchased in Ozzy frames embellished with ruby slippers and flying monkeys.

Yakovetic is set to unveil two more Oz titles, Inside the Cyclone and In Tune with the Infinite, at the Twin Oaks Gallery’s Hollywood 1939 art show featuring art inspired by Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz on May 1^st. Special guests for the opening reception are Ann Rutherford and Roger Baum.

More to come from the "shadowed" world of Yakovetic. Please stay tuned......

Inspirations of Oz Fine Art Collection scans courtesy of Joe Yakovetic

Special thanks to Joe Yakovetic, Gabe Copp, and Lou Berrillo

Inspirations of Oz Fine Art Collection TM & © Turner Entertainment Co.

Monday, April 05, 2010

Gentle Giant Update

With the exceptions of the 1:3 scale Dorothy bust (released last year) and flying monkey due this summer, the Oz line has been put on hold indefinitely. There was a lot of anticipation for this line and I had hopes the series would continue into Gentle Giant's animated maquettes. Really too bad.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Danbury Mint Ruby Slipper Necklace

$187.00 plus $9.00 shipping. Payable in monthly installments.
http://www.danburymint.com/jewelry/prod/Wizard-of-Oz-Ruby-Slippers-Pendant_12731.aspx

Thursday, March 25, 2010

2011 Calendars: Mead, Library of Congress, and Silver Lining

Wherever your Oz fandom lies or whatever your needs may be, there's sure to be a 2011 calendar to suit you!! Lots to choose from this year.

Wall Calendar

Engagement Calendar

Box Calendar

Fun Shaped Wall Calendar

Library of Congress Wonderful Wizard of Oz Engagement Calendar

Also listed on Barnes and Noble.com are Wicked Engagement and Wall calendars.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Best of 2009: Harrods

Christmas is a time for fantasy, magic, and goodwill toward all. What better theme to encompass the spirit of the season than the Wizard of Oz? Warner Brothers Consumer Products and Harrods department store in London commemorated the 70^th anniversary in grand style with hopes of generating much needed donations for The Great Ormond Street Hospital, the Elton John Aids Foundation, and The Retired Greyhound Trust.

Harrods underwent a dazzling months long transformation and integrated the Wizard of Oz into all seasonal festivities. Holiday decorating began in July and the 10,000 square foot Christmas department in August. Christmas World was divided into color coordinated sections titled with Ozzy names. The store website featured lovely Oz graphics to promote holiday fare. During the annual Christmas parade several tap dancing Dorothys and costumed characters of the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion heralded the arrival of Father Christmas who gave children souvenir Wizard of Oz storybooks. Harrods hosted the Emerald City Ball gala event with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Elton John Aids Foundation. The Pet-a-Porter fashion show featured several Oz costumes for our canine companions. Profits were donated to The Retired Greyhound Trust.

The Oz motif enveloped the store inside and out. After nightfall, Harrods’ 11,500 light bulbs cast an ethereal green glow over London’s streets in homage to the Emerald City. Magnificent window scenes from The Wizard of Oz were painstakingly recreated 21^st century Harrods style. Seven mannequin costumes were created by Vicky Barkess and Dance Sport International giving conventional Oz characters a “glitz and glamour makeover.” The suit worn by the Tin Man weighed 22 pounds and sparkled with 85,000 hand applied Preciosa rhinestones. More than 656 feet of fabric was used for maximum dramatic effect as the Wicked Witch of the West stands over a fearful Dorothy while menacing winged monkeys and a feisty Toto look on. Shoppers and tourists crammed the sidewalks to take in the Ozian splendor.

The pièce de résistance of the exterior décor was a gargantuan pair of Ruby Slippers installed on Hans Crescent on December 1, giving the illusion that Harrods has vanquished the Wicked Witch of the East. Passersby were greeted (or perhaps startled!) by a 12 foot high pair of Ruby Slippers on striped legs that protruded 22 feet from the building. More than 45,000 Czech crystals were donated by Preciosa for added luster.

Once inside, visitors were pleasantly inundated with Oz. Banners hung from the ceiling and the yellow brick road was underfoot. Stills and television monitors playing the 70^th anniversary edition of the film were everywhere. Oz songs were interspersed with Christmas carols. Even the escalator stairwells were ozified. A Tin Man made of Fissler stainless steel pots and pans was poised in the cookware department. Seventeen pairs of shoes from The Ruby Slipper Collection were on display in the women’s shoe department.

Amidst all the spectacle, Harrods stocked up on tangible “wizorabilia” such as original works of art, novelties from Half Moon Bay, ornaments, dolls, 70^th anniversary DVD sets, designer purses and limited edition Ruby Slippers. A small nook in Christmas World was dubbed The Ruby Slipper Boudoir complete with sales girls wearing Dorothy attire. The shoes were made in a Mary Jane style for children and 2 ½” heeled pumps for juniors and women. The shoes aren’t exact replicas of the shoes in the film, but they sparkle brilliantly nonetheless. Reportedly, 4000 pairs were made and were strictly limited to one pair per person. They arrived in two shipments which sold out very quickly. The shoes were affordably priced between $30.41 and $45.65 and packaged in an attractive Harrods Wizard of Oz 70^th anniversary gift box. A portion of the proceeds was donated to the Great Ormond Street Hospital. All of the “wizorabilia” was very popular, but the Ruby Slippers were the stars of the season.

Harrods launched their most ambitious holiday display to date and created a wonderland of enchantment that will not soon be forgotten. Harrods most assuredly makes a difference in the lives of those less fortunate by bringing attention to charities in need of our assistance. Isn’t helping others a big part of what The Wizard of Oz is all about? Thank you Harrods and Warner Brothers Consumer Products for your support of these worthwhile causes.

**Harrods Interior Photos and Simple Window Photos Courtesy Cleo of the Ruby Slipper Fan Club**

Wizorabilia Sampling

Harrods Magazine - December 2009

Harrods Store Guide with Oz cover

Ruby Slippers in Toddler, Junior, and Women’s sizes $30.41 - $45.65

Dorothy Dresses in Child Sizes

White Frilly Socks

70^th Anniversary Emerald Edition DVD Paper extras include Photoplays Study Guide and

Ruby Slipper Glitter Ornaments

White Chocolate Ruby Slippers covered with edible red glitter

Kurt Adler Figurines, Nutcrackers, Polonaise and Glass Ornaments, Nutcrackers, Glinda Tree toppers

Department 56 Bejeweled Boxes

Red Shoe Tea Lights

Set of Three Pins of Parade Costumed Characters

Tonner Doll Company Dolls – Wicked Witch (2005), Glinda (2005), Tin Man, Lion, Scarecrow, Dorothy Gale, and Lady Emerald

Half Moon Bay magnets, luggage tags, tins, lunchboxes, key chains, mugs, alarm clock

Luxury Items

Pampet Custom Dog Costumes

Mungo & Maud Friend of Dorothy Dog Sweater

Lola’s Kitchen Ltd. Giant Emerald Cupcake priced at $72.23

Escada Swarovski Crystal Shoes advertised as a 2009 update on the Ruby Slippers Edition of 15 $896.12

John Wilson ‘The Yellow Brick Road’ Acrylic and mixed media reverse perspective painting 3-D painting 47” by 27” Original sold at $11,970.42

Sarah Graham ‘Somewhere Under the Rainbow’ oil on canvas 43” x 33” Original sold at $16,568.55 Also available as signed boxed canvases 26.5” by 39” Edition of 70 $677.67

Sarah Graham/Helen Rochfort Purse $188.19

**American prices are approximate as exchange rates fluctuate

Please peruse the links below to see the gorgeous Harrods windows and various events staged for the holidays.

Harrods Links

Harrods Facebook Photos
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=131760&id=188213917457

Harrods Lighting Video
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=101706863188106&ref=mf

Website page and commercial
http://www.harrods.com/HarrodsStore/oz

Cleo’s Images and Video
http://s804.photobucket.com/albums/yy323/magpie5774/

Great Ormond Street Hospital
http://www.gosh.org/companies/corporate-christmas/christmas-at-harrods/

Harrods Magazine
http://sublackwell.blogspot.com/2009/11/festive-feeling.html

http://www.harrods.com/HarrodsStore/GlobalPages/EventArticle.aspx?Id=833c23ae-5136-4f15-95d3-a907dab21196

Windows
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzlS0giyNlI&feature=related