Munchkin Walk of Fame Print

Most of us weren't able to extend our congratulations to the Munchkins in person, but we still have a chance to commemorate the event thanks to artist Rick Ewigleben. You may refer back to my September 19th entry to learn more about this marvelous illustrator. The Walk of Fame print perfectly captures the charm of the beloved Munchkins as they receive their long overdue tribute.

This print or any of Rick Ewigleben's prints would be lovely ChristmOz presents.

I've re-posted the order from and Mr. Ewigleben can also be reached via email at ricksart@rcn.com. Credit cards are now accepted. The Munchkin print is $30 including shipping and handling. Click on the photos below to enlarge. When you place your order please let him know you saw his work on the Curiozity Corner.

The Magic of Oz Heirloom Classics Ornament Collection

Bradford Editions just announced these mercury glass globes topped with three dimensional figures to honor the bygone era that introduced two beloved holiday traditions; The Wizard of Oz and mercury glass globes. Both have greatly enhanced our Christmases and our hearts. The first set includes the ornaments 'Wicked Magic' and 'Ruby Innocence.' The ornaments are quite large measuring a whopping 5 inches tall. Item no: 15-00879-001-B2-DB Enlarge photos for detail. Thanks to Robyn Bodine for the heads up!!

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
###

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.

Halloween Partyware

Hallmark Expressions now at select WalMarts

Thank you Deb Dwyer for the photo!!!

Halloween and Updates

Lots of news from vigilant collectors today! Ted, a reader of my blog, ordered the Wizard of Oz Village and passed along some info from the Collectibles Today Rep. The rep Ted spoke with referred to the village as The Wizard of Oz Halloween Village. Currently there are 6 shipments scheduled and the final pieces are still in development. The first three pieces are It's a Twister, The Witch's Castle, and The Tin Man's Cottage. Each shipment totals $90 which is payable in three installments. Again the item number for ordering is: 14-00302-001-B2P Please scroll down to see photos.

Speaking of Halloween.....Jim Whitcomb found a package of Tin Man Halloween beverage napkins on eBay. Oz collectors are out in full force searching for them. Details are a bit sketchy as to the characters available but right now it looks as if there are more than just the Tin Man and they have been found at WalMart. Like the birthday cards, these could very well be a regional thing so a lot collectors, myself included, will be scrambling to network to add these to our collections. Tracy Petroski found a Wicked Witch Halloween card at WalMart. WalMart seems to be the Oz Halloween Headquarters. Oz fans will want to keep a sharp eye on WalMart this holiday season it seems.

Karen Owens found a new Oz watch by Avon. The oversized face shows Dorothy on the yellow brick road. Watch features dangling ruby slippers and has a red band. It comes packaged in a snazzy gift box. The watch has been on eBay for some time and has yet to show up in the Avon catalogs but it is expected to officially debut in the Campaign 22 catalog and will probably appear on Avon.com shortly after.

Jim Whitcomb was notified by Fairy Tales that the Wee Forest Folk Oz line has been expanded. The original set is still available in limited supply and now Glinda joins them along with accessories to accent the little mice, displayers, a sign, and a t-shirt. The lithograph is also still available. All of the Oz Wee Forest Folk are exclusive to Fairy Tales. Please see
http://fairy-tales-inc.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=F&Category_Code=Annette
for photos and ordering info.

Robyn Bodine has noted a couple of new items on the Current Catalog site. They have really cute personalized notepads and a notepad box. http://currentcatalog.com/searchResults.asp?ppp=&UseStoredQuery=1&search=wizard+of+oz


The Lenox Dorothy ornament is a little differently styled than previously shown here. If you weren't planning to purchase because it looked exactly like the larger figurine you may want to reconsider. http://www.lenox.com/cat/index.cfm?fuseaction=prod&&No=0&Ntt=wizard%20of%20oz&rs2=1&N=0&Ns=availability_sort&pid=13183&kf=1

Word is there will be releases of The Wizard of Oz on HD-DVD and Blu Ray within the next couple of years.

Hopefully, I will have more on the Halloween items in the next couple of days. I'll post as I get more info!

Hawthorne Village Ordering Info

FYI if you are planning on ordering the Wizard of Oz Village.......Hawthorne's system is organized by item number not by the name of the piece. When calling to order make sure to give them this number: 14-00302-001-B2P This item number is for the first piece in the series but you can reserve the entire series as well if you wish. Thanks to Jim Whitcomb for the ordering info.

Scroll down to see pics of the village if you have not already done so and keep on moving down for the prints that are sold annually at the Wizard of Oz festival in IN. They are wonderful and sure to brighten up any Oz room.

Wizard of Oz Village Collection

New from Hawthorne Village!! Lights, music, and motion! You'll receive a new village piece approximately every other month and the first in the series is "It's a Twister!" a miniature replica of the most famous movie cyclone in history complete with Miss Gulch on her bike and flying cow. How often do we see the tornado in Oz collectibles? Contact Collectibles Today at 1-877-268-6638 to place your order. Thanks to Robyn Bodine for scanning her village ad. Click on the photos to enlarge for detail.

The Art of Rick Ewigleben

Rick Ewigleben has become an integral part of the Wizard of Oz festival in Indiana. His vibrant intepretations of the Oz characters are a whimsical delight and each year Oz fans look forward to purchasing a new art piece for their collections. Fans and collectors that, unfotunately, have been unable to attend the wonderful Oz fest can now purchase this fanciful art through mail order. I could do on and on about how much I love Rick Ewigleben's vision of Oz but I'll let the art speak for itself. First a little about the artist:


http://www.wizardofozfestival.org/?pageid=44829


http://www.wilkinsonstudios.com/html9/news.html


Be sure to enlarge the order form below and please let Mr. Ewigleben know you saw his art here. He was gracious enough to give permission to post it.

Computer Game on the Horizon

Apparently, there will be a Wizard of Oz game for Wii and Nintendo DS slated for release in March. I have no other details yet but I have written the company. I'm not a gamer but I might have to become one now! Keep checking back and I'll post as details unfold.

More Fao Schwarz Exclusives

Also from Madame Alexander. 8 inch Wicked dolls. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.fao.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=9327&categoryId=379&parentCategoryId=137

http://www.fao.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=9307

Hallmark Trick or Treating in Oz Now Online

For those that are unable to find them at local Hallmarks

http://www.hallmark.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10051&storeId=10001&partNumber=QFO6379_DK&rank=P6R3S&searchValue=halloween

Adorable New Doll

Madame Alexander does it again with this darling cloth doll that you can dress up as Dorothy, Glinda, or the Wicked Witch. Available exclusively at FAO Schwarz

http://www.fao.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=10282