Toto's Grave Situation

After a full life of joyful celluloid antics and as a beloved family pet off screen, the little female Cairn Terrier who was Toto was buried in a modest grave on the kennel property of Hollywood dog trainer Carl Spitz around 1945. Much has been lost in the name of “progress” and Toto’s final resting spot was a causality of the expansion of the Ventura Freeway in 1958 when Spitz was forced to relocate. The kennel grounds were destroyed and apartments now stand where the most famous film dog in history once played.

The past can not be undone, but there is an effort underway to ensure Toto has a permanent tribute in the Los Angeles Pet Memorial Park.

JP Myers is becoming a champion to memorialize the lost, but not forgotten souls of Americana. He raised funds for a beautiful headstone for Jack Norworth who penned the lyrics to “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Now JP Myers has teamed with author Steve Goldstein (L.A.’s Graveside Companion: Where the V.I.P.s R.I.P) to take up the cause for Toto.

The Wizard of Oz brought Toto immortality, but she has appeared in at least 14 other films alongside such notables as Shirley Temple, Spencer Tracy, and Greer Garson. It’s difficult to fathom such a symbol of loyalty and bravery was once a timid little creature that was wary of strangers. A frustrated couple incapable of house training her properly had left Toto in the care of Carl Spitz and ultimately abandoned her. Toto was discarded by a couple, but in that simple thoughtless act she was given to the world. The gentle perseverance of Carl Spitz brought Toto out of her shell and one day she would journey over the rainbow winning the hearts of millions.

In the book I, Toto by Willard Carroll Carl Spitz’s widow says her husband would be so very happy Toto is still loved and remembered today. “He once said that one of the saddest experiences of life is outliving our dogs. It’s good to remember them. To honor them.” Undoubtedly, Carl Spitz would be overjoyed today. And Toto too.


You can help Toto by donating, promoting the effort, and/or leaving messages of support. Visit the links below for more details and to learn more about Toto.

Toto Canine Movie Star Memorial Marker Official Facebook Page

If He Only Had a Grave: An Effort to Honor Toto

Terry the Dog AKA Toto Turner Classic Movies Blog

And just for fun here's a look at the newest Toto in Oz-dom from Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of The Wizard of Oz. How adorable is this little guy!!

Wizard of Oz Blog: Toto Training

I want to do a more in depth Toto entry at a later date but in honor of Toto’s memorial, here are just some of my favorite Totos. I love Toto and Toto collectibles so much, they’re really all my favorites so it was really difficult to choose just a few!

Shown above this blog entry is a plush Toto charity event giveaway Kurt Adler 2009

Shown below is the 5" tall figurine. A "lifesize" 16" version was made in an edition of 1000 Merry Mac 2002


Mary Tretter Wizard of Oz Storybook Ornament Collection Ashton Drake 2000


Flocked figurine Presents 1989


Doll accessory Effanbee 1990

Run, Toto, Run! limited edition ornament Hallmark 2010


MGM Grand figurines 1997


San Francisco Music Box 2003


Toto porcelain surprise box Warner Brothers Studio Stores edition of 500 1998


Make Room for Toto Snowbabies Department 56 2002


gold charm 1999


Bad Little Angel still 1939 Barefoot Boy glass slide 1938


Portraits of Oz plate Hamilton Collection 1989


I, Toto by Willard Carroll 2001

Glass Ornaments

Beautiful storybook styled glass ornaments of characters from the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Sold at Carson Pirie Scott stores. Check the site for store locator.

http://www.carsons.com/?siteID=qBNKlhsBsB4-5HTLOu2rJ6GaFKoLp5VYJg

It's unknown whether there is a lion ornament or not. I apologize for lack of info. I'll update if I hear any more.







Beautiful photo courtesy of Joe Shipbaugh and thanks to Louis Berrillo for the heads up!

Early December Misc.

Bradford Exchange has just introduced a jacket for women priced at $119 plus shipping.

 

 

Celebriducks has added Glinda to their popular Oz line and as you can see they've designed snazzy new packaging for the Oz ducks!

F.Y.E. has added light covers to their Oz line. Please scroll down to see more. The Oz stockings are on sale for $9.99 and the light sets seem to be going fast. My store was temporarily sold out.

 

Byers Choice is well known for their Christmas carolling figurines. They usually stand around 12" to 14" This year they have introduced Dorothy and Toto as Christmas Dove exclusives. They are sold separately. Dorothy is $68.00 plus shipping and Toto is $20 plus shipping.

If you are wanting to get this year's Barbies you may not want to wait much longer. Mattel is sold out of the vintage Wicked Witch and Miss Dorothy Gale. They seem plentiful in the stores for now, but once they're gone they are gone.

Wizard of Oz Glass Recall

The Associated Press and many other news outlets are reporting a recall of Vandor glasses which include The Wizard of Oz sets due to high lead content. Federal regulators have determined the Wizard of Oz glasses, because they feature characters attractive to children, are, therefore, children's products. Even though they are made of glass and Vandor markets them to adults. Here's the link:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gPrYRi69oFIvupUAti1QK0q7S1Xw?docId=3276b60e0c4e46a99f7788c6cee25b08

More Christmoz Cheer at F.Y.E.

In addition to the Glinda/Wicked Witch blanket (scroll down to see and for F.Y.E. store locator), F.Y.E. has a double sided Glinda/Wicked Witch Santa hat! Also a new Ruby Slipper/Emerald City light set and a Ruby Slipper with striped legs and Oz logo Christmas stocking. Info and pics courtesy Louis Berrillo.

The Boyds Are Back in Town!!

Emerald City Treasure Box
5 pc. set includes box, Dorothy, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, and Tin man figurines
Edition of 4000
5.875"H x 3.25"W x 4" L
Priced around $40.00

Thanks to Louis Berrillo for the heads up!

Tonner Late Fall Intros

One thing I do love about the Tonner Doll Company, they so enjoy the element of surprise. With only one introduction earlier this year, I thought things would be slow. And then came fall..... Tonner gave us magnificent re-interpretations of the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. Now the Wicked Witch and Glinda have been added to the Tiny Betsy Collection. Priced at $99.99 each. http://www.tonnerdoll.com/wizofoz.htm#2010





Tonner Doll Company's Oz collection more often than not are more beautiful in person than the prototype photos can show. Dorothy Betsy prototype compared to actual doll. My photos do not do this doll justice. She's simply adorable in person. I have no doubts the witches will be equally outstanding.

Kmart Update and FYE Throw

Four Kmart watches for $19.99 each. Packaged in nice display boxes. Located in jewelry and accessories department. Check carefully. All the watches are not in one place.




4 Oz watches in all. Dorothy with ruby slipper charm originally sold through Avon 2007, Emerald City originally sold through Avon 2008, Glinda/Wicked Witch originally sold through Avon 2009, and Wicked Witch with flying monkey charm Kmart 2010.

Kmart anniversary clock now available online:
http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_026W025007740001P?prdNo=14&blockNo=14&blockType=G14

Beautiful Glinda and Wicked Witch throw arriving at FYE stores now for $19.99. The past two years FYE has also carried Wizard of Oz Christmas stockings so keep an eye out for those! store locator
Thanks to Lisa Valenti and Lou Berrillo for the info and photo.

Ozzy Miscy.

I came across a cute couple of things that I thought Oz fans might be interested in and the new Kmart clock. Please excuse the poor quality pictures. Still learning to use the digital camera and my phone camera isn't great, but it serves it's purpose when I need it. I have several miscellaneous updates I want to make and hopefully new announcements for 2011. Stay tuned!


Kmart Anniversary Clock for 2010. Priced at $29.99. Last year's style with very subtle differences is also still available.




Wicked Witch Piggy Bank 50% off Halloween sale at Target, now $4.99. Not an Oz item per se but she reminded me so much of the Oz witch, I had to have her to stash my Oz savings in!








Cake stand at Home Goods for $19.99 Very cute! This could also show up at TJ Maxx or Marshalls, but Home Goods gets the nicer decor so it might only be available there.

Schylling Tea Sets 2011

13 piece porcelain tea set. Ages 8 and up. Retail around $14.99




15 piece Musical Tin set is for ages 3 & up. Wind up the bottom of the tea pot then tip over to hear We're Off to See the Wizard! Retail around $24.99.



How cute are these!?! Coming early next year with more toys to follow. I'll have pictures of the packaging coming soon. Please enlarge photos for detail.

Warner Brothers Parenting Magazine Contest & New Kids Site

Warner Brothers, Parenting Magazine, and Rubies Costumes have teamed up to launch WB’s new Wizard of Oz kids website.
http://www.kidswb.com/wizard-of-oz/ The site’s target audience are kids aged 2 – 11, but kids at heart are welcome too. The site will have games, activities, and downloads. The new characters are adorable and let’s hope we’ll see them on some product!

Speaking of product, Rubies is branching into Oz décor. This year they have indoor/outdoor legs with feet. They are plastic and measure 18” long.



And the poor Wicked Witch has misjudged her flight plan! The Wicked Witch Flying Into Tree measures 28” high by 24” wide.


Rubies has more items currently unavailable but expected soon such as a Yellow Brick Road floor mat and a Haunted Forest sign measuring 23” high by 27” wide. Keep an eye on Rubies' site for more information.

Parenting magazine and Warner Brothers are having a Wizard of Oz Photo Contest. Details and rules can be found here. The Grand Prize winner will get a trip for a family of four to Hollywood, CA, a VIP studio tour of Warner Brothers, a professional family photo shoot, a private screening of The Wizard of Oz 4-D experience, and Wizard of Oz merchandise. The winners will be announced in December and featured in an upcoming issue of Parenting magazine. Parenting magazine had a beautiful two page spread in the October issue.


Entrants can also win a 48-piece role play dress-up trunk from Rubie’s Costume.

Good Luck everyone!!

Halloween is only 10 days away! Be sure to check out Rubies Costumes for your Oz Halloween needs!


Please enlarge photos for better detail.

New Thomas Kinkade Display Options and Gallery Event

One of the best things about Thomas Kinkade is the variety offered to suit many display styles. For those that want a more contemporary look or if you choose to focus on a particular character, there are now vertical vignettes which can be purchased as a set or separately. Another modern look can be found with the canvas wrap. See the various editions of Dorothy Discovers the Emerald City here.


When a highly anticipated piece is introduced galleries are encouraged to host events introducing the new art to collectors and the general public. The Thomas Kinkade Gallery in Fort Worth, Texas, managed by Laura Kinkade, had a ball celebrating the first release in the Wizard of Oz collection. At least 150 attendees were on hand to view and purchase Dorothy Discovers the Emerald City. Laura and staff really put their hearts and imaginations into promoting Oz.

Guests walked through an archway of rainbow colored balloons and followed the yellow brick road straight to the painting.


The yellow brick road was made of very durable yellow duct tape. A life size standee of the Tin Man, Scarecrow, and Cowardly Lion greeted visitors for a photo op.


A pair of ruby slippers on striped stocking feet stuck out from under a cabinet. Laura made the ruby slippers by painting an old pair of shoes red, coating them in spray adhesive, and then applying red glitter. Menacing flying monkeys flew above the painting.


A crystal ball was on display surrounded by tantalizing treats. Laura and staff donned Oz attire and they were pleasantly surprised when a frequent customer came dressed in full Cowardly Lion regalia. The Cowardly Lion handed out heart shaped lollipops to children in attendance.


Another Gallery regular brought her own little Dorothy.


Laura also displayed her culinary skills with an array of Oz inspired sweets. She made cookie lollipops shaped like candy lollipops & Glinda’s wand and ruby slipper cookies. She made three varieties of cupcakes. The yellow brick road was made of fondant and decorated with store bought sugar flowers. The beautiful poppies were made of gum paste and the character cupcakes were iced and the edges rolled in colored sugar. The witch hat’s were made with store bought cookies and Hershey’s kisses. Small lemon cakes from Costco were topped with ruby slipper book markers. The rainbow fruit tray was made up of raspberries, cantaloupe, pineapple, green grapes, blueberries, and black grapes. Lastly, Laura found a recipe for Ruby Red punch. Vodka is, of course, optional. All great ideas to adapt for any Oz themed party or event.




Every attendee was given a door prize such as heart shaped tins with candy, hot air balloon day planners, Wizard of Oz books, and chocolate ruby slippers wrapped in red foil made by Laura. The door prizes were mixed with gifts from the Gallery.


Guests could choose a poppy with a color coded stem from a basket. The stem color determined the prizes which were divided into three categories. Green stem: Sorry, you’ve been captured by flying monkeys, but we have this gift to make you feel better.
Black stem: You’ve fallen asleep in the poppy fields, we’re hoping this prize will wake you up! Red stem: Congratulations! The Wizard will see you now because you’ve won the grand prize! Great care was taken to ensure no guest left empty handed. And of course, no Oz event would ever be complete without a continual loop of the film to add to the ozzy ambiance.

Thank you Thomas Kinkade Galleries for the warm welcome to Oz! Please see the Thomas Kinkade Gallery locator to learn more about events near you.

Photos courtesy of Laura Kinkade
Thomas Kinkade Gallery
302 Main Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
817-335-1140 Toll Free: 800-336-0344
Fax: 817-335-1139
tksundancesquare@kinkade.com

Please enlarge photos for detail.

Wizard of Oz Plate Collection

Each issue $44.99 plus $8.99 shipping
http://www.bradfordexchange.com/products/902619_.html