Somewhere Over the Rainbow Collection

Lou, a member of the Everything Oz Club, was kind enough to announce this new series and share photos of the brochure. The figurines are made by The Hamilton Collection and I hope they intend to include the two witches. They are affordably priced at $19.99 plus $6.99 shipping. Personally, I think Dorothy is really gorgeous and I really like the style. I will update as I get new info. Please click on photos to enlarge.

Mid-May Updates

The Hallmark Dreambooks are arriving in stores now. Be sure to pick one up and start saving for the new ornaments. While in Hallmark I found a Father's Day card. Please see my Hallmark album for photos of this and other cards.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Rainbowgirl39/Hallmark%20Cards/

Jerry Maren's autobiography Short and Sweet is out now. I ordered a copy for Amazon and hopefully, time willing, I'll have a review up soon.

There are a couple of delays from Kurt Adler. The Steinbach Winged Monkey nutcracker is still in the approval process and the plush dolls have been removed from the release schedule for this year.

A couple of cancellations to report. The Scrabble Game and Hawthorne Village train set have been dropped.

Jim Whitcomb found this OZ-SOME new Wicked Witch sculpture. Dorothy is said to be next in the series.

http://www.collectiblestoday.com/ct/product/prdid-103716001.jsp?_wizard+of+oz/_prod/_/_/_48/_/_/_Y&endeca=true

I expect news of 70th anniversary items to be coming fast and furious any day now. I'm working on getting more info about the Happy Meal Toys. My next Tin Man entry is still a work in progress, but I assure it will be up soon.

Thanks to Karen Owens and Jim Whitcomb for always informing me of release schedule changes and cancellations.

Happy Meal 2008

I can not believe it! Looks like we'll have another go at the Happy Meal Toys. I don't usually like to post ebay auctions, but there is a pre-sale up right now. Due to ebay's restrictions on pre-sales this auction may not be up long. Jim Whitcomb made contact with the Alexander Doll Company and details are scarce at the moment but they did confirm there will be a Wizard of Oz Happy Meal Promotion this year. According to the auction the promotion will be in September. Please check back for more details as I get them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MADAME-ALEXANDER-WIZARD-OF-OZ-MCDONALDS-2008-12-PCS-SET_W0QQitemZ350059652186QQihZ022QQcategoryZ2432QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Late April Updates

Hallmark seems to be releasing Oz cards fairly regularly. Vigilant Oz collectors have found quote cards, blank cards, and new birthday cards. The granddaughter birthday card is probably my personal favorite so far. It's just gorgeous. Please see my Photobucket album to see the granddaughter card and the rest of the Hallmark greeting card collection. The granddaughter card can be found at WalMart.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Rainbowgirl39/Hallmark%20Cards/

New Wizard of Oz card game based on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and The Marvelous Land of Oz from Orion's Bell. The cards are illustrated by a variety of artists and they are just beautiful. I've shown a couple of examples below. Please see the official website for more illustrations. http://www.orionsbell.com/

There's a new Wizard of Oz beach towel that at this point I don't know a whole lot about. The graphic on the towel looks like box art that has been used on Oz collectible boxes until late last year. This may be a close out item. I wanted to post it in case anyone wanted to keep an eye out for it. I expect to have more info soon.

The Gentle Giant busts look very impressive in photos. I'm hoping they look as good in person. Tentative release dates are as follows:

* SPRING '09: Wicked Witch and Lion
* SUMMER '09: Scarecrow and Tin Man
* FALL '09: Flying Monkey Statue
* WINTER '09: Glinda the Good Witch and Dorothy

However, there are rumors we could see some releases at the end of this year. Keep checking here for the latest developments. Click on the link to see close up photos.

http://nycc08.figures.com/showphoto.php?photo=253&size=big&cat=

I first mentioned the Wizard of Oz slot game by WMS Gaming last year. I've been reading rave reviews about this game. It's proven to be quite popular so if you find it at a casino near you be prepared to wait in line. Strictly Slots magazine has chosen the Wizard of Oz game for their cover story in the April 2008. The cover is much better than my photo shows and the article inside is 5 pages long. Subscription and renewal customer service: 1-800-969-0711

The Cambridge Companion to the Musical book features a Wicked cover (London cast. Idina Menzel with Helen Dallimore) with extensive Wicked coverage. The Wizard of Oz and the Wiz are also included. It's a bit pricey but likely well worth it to hardcore theater fans.

http://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Companion-Musical-Companions-Music/dp/0521862388/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209434760&sr=1-2

A poster on the International Wizard of Oz Club forum (http://ozclubforums.yuku.com/) mentioned a new Wonderful Wizard of Oz book that takes an interesting approach to illustrate the familiar characters and scenes. Graham Rawle uses vintage toys and dolls to retell the Oz story. Magazine clippings will make up the text. I'm looking forward to reading reviews by Oz fans once the book is published.

http://www.amazon.com/Wizard-Oz-Graham-Rawle/dp/1582434557/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209598847&sr=1-2

The April 25 issue of Entertainment Weekly has a full page Wicked ad listing all of the North American productions.

The ruby slippers with inspirational quotes appear in the June 1 issue of Woman's Day.

Please keep checking back with the Curiozity Corner. The 70th anniversary of MGM's The Wizard of Oz is getting closer and closer. I expect a lot of news regarding that and I've recently stumbled upon Oz collectibles based on a cartoon. I'll post more info as it becomes available to me. Stay tuned!!

Hallmark and Quilting Treasures Updates

Ornaments from Hallmark's Dreambook 2008. Mark your calendars for July 12. No limited ornaments this year and no holiday gift items, but keep a vigilant eye on Hallmark as the 70th anniversary of the MGM film approaches.

Click photos to enlarge.

New Quilting Treasures. Courtesy of Karen Owens:

For more information please see Karen Owen's site. If you see fabric you like I strongly urge you to pre-order. The first series of fabric has been selling quickly as predicted and I'm sure future fabrics will do the same.
http://www.wizardofozland.com/fabrics.php

Vandor Summer Intros

From Karen Owens storylandmi@aol.com

Ruby Slipper Jeweled Box LE 700 3 x 1.5 x 2.225" VN71027 $70.00

Sticky Notes set of 4 VN71055 $10.49

New Glinda Twin Bell Alarm Clock 5.5 x2.5 x 7" VN71489 $23.49 (lights up)

Good Witch Coin purse 4.5 x 1 x 4" VN71373 $9.49

Good Witch tote 19 x 4.5 x 22" VN71173 $44.00

Miscellaneous March Updates

Jim Whitcomb has informed me that the We're Off to See the Wizard Illuminated Motion Ornament Collection from Bradford Editons has been cancelled. Very disappointing. In my opinion, this series was going to be much better than many of their recent offerings. Hopefully, they'll reconsider and produce them for the 70th anniversary next year. See ornament ad here:
http://curiozitycorner.blogspot.com/2007/08/new-ornaments-and-figurine-from.html

The Heavenly Handfuls are now available for purchase.
http://www.collectiblestoday.com/ct/product/prdid-913387.jsp?_wizard+of+oz/_prod/_/_/_48/_/_/_Y&endeca=true

The dolls can be purchased separately. Karen Owens will be carrying all of the dolls.
storylandmi@aol.com

Sci Fi's Tin Man 2 disc DVD release has a third bonus disc exclusively at Borders. The three disc edition will be available only while supplies last. Contact your local Borders.

Almost the entire Barbie line is sold out from Mattel. The Winkie can still be purchased from toysrus.com . I do not know if there are still plans to release the lullaby munchkin independent of the two witches.

Hallmark has another ozzy birthday card. The cover pictures a blue gingham skirt with a little girl's feet wearing white socks and "ruby slippers". The slippers are red glittered shoes that are a little scuffed giving the idea the shoes are much loved. The inside reads: "There's No One Like You....There's No One Like You.... Happy Birthday." The official Wizard of Oz logo is on the back. It was in the Snapshots section under Friend Birthday and sells for $2.29.

Updates Lenox, Games, Collectibles Today

Cowardly Lion Lenox Ornament $30.00 Pre-order with Karen Owens storylandmi@aol.com

The Glinda the Good Witch figurine holding charms previously mentioned here is now online.

http://www.collectiblestoday.com/ct/product/prdid-1500824001.jsp?_wizard+of+oz/_prod/_/_/_48/_/_/_Y&endeca=true#

Monopoly $38.00

Life $30.00

Pre-order now from Karen Owens storylandmi@aol.com

Wizard of Oz Monopoly 2008

A new Monopoly game is due out this spring. I'm looking for photos I can use on my blog. Retail should be around $35.00. The box is of course different, but at first glance not much else seems to be. The pieces look to be the same, but there are some different photos on the game board. This one should be more widely available than the 1998 game sold only at Warner Brothers Studio Stores.

March Tin Man Entry

To the best of my knowledge, there is no mass market merchandise other than the March 11 DVD release and the CD soundtrack. However, last summer the Sci Fi Channel launched an impressive advertising blitz. Please click photos to enlarge.

Comic books and candy pop rings were giveaways at Comic and Sci Fi conventions.

Various posters and banners heralding Tin Man's December premiere were displayed prominently in large cities around the country. The most ingenious display was at the Los Angeles International Airport combining the new characters from Tin Man with a little piece of familiarity from the original Oz story. Photo courtesy of Deb Dwyer Moderator of the Everything Oz Club http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/everythingoz/

I don't know how the yellow brick was distributed, but one was sold on eBay. The text on the brick prompts you to visit Sci Fi's official Tin Man site.

In the weeks leading up to the mini series' debut the Sci Fi Channel distributed comics, t-shirts, and boxed board games for promotional giveaways.

Tin Man's extravagant press kit included a folder with press info and 2 screener DVDs, the board game, and a 31 page booklet with photos from the film and behind the scenes.

Another rare item is a set of 7 promotional trading cards. Each card pictured a Tin Man ad on it's reverse.

Entertainment Magazines published various ads and reviews. Videography, TV Zone #222, Starlog #362, and Sci Fi Magazine's December 2007 issue ran full length features. Tin Man was also the cover story for many television newspaper supplements.

Tin Man was a smashing success for the Sci Fi Channel and I expect the DVD release to be just as popular. I hope Sci Fi will be prompted to grant licensing for Tin Man merchandise.

Hallmark 2008

Photos Courtesy of Marc (KCC Pursuit)

Hallmark Easter Card Correction

I've just been made aware of a miscommunication about the Hallmark Easter Cards. There was a bit of a mix up between Hallmark and Dollar General. As far Hallmark, there are only two Easter cards. I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused anyone. I was going crazy looking for a third card. It happens sometimes, but continue to keep an eye on Hallmark. Undoubtedly they will have Oz greeting cards for many occasions to come.

Kurt Adler Glass Ornaments

More ornament news courtesy of Karen Owens. This set of figural ornaments is just beautiful and very reasonably priced at $60 a set or $16.50 individually. Please click on the photo to enlarge for detail.

http://www.wizardofozland.com/ornaments.php

Oztravaganza!!!

2008 is turning out to be quite a year and we're only two months in!! Karen Owens recently updated her site with an exciting variety of new items. Photos are posted below of the highlights. Please see the links that follow to see the rest of the lines and for ordering info. Please click on the photos to enlarge.



Poster cards

Sababa Toys Uno & Scrabble games!!!!!

Games, puzzles, posters, and poster cards

http://www.wizardofozland.com/index.php

Kurt Adler

Mini nutcracker set, plush dolls, teddy bears, book ornament, and Steinbach nutcracker.

http://www.wizardofozland.com/adler.php

http://www.wizardofozland.com/ornaments.php

Jun Planning

These Pullip dolls have been forthcoming for about two years now and I've been hesitant to post until I have more concrete info. I still don't have a definite release date, but the dolls have been displayed at doll shows during late 2007/early 2008.

New greeting cards for Easter from Hallmark. There's three altogether and I wanted to wait to post all three cards but the third card continues to elude me and Easter fast approaches. The Glinda card is very pretty with glittery accents. I apologize for the darkness of the photos.

A frequent visitor to the International Wizard of Oz Club posted about a new comic series based on the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Be sure to scroll down for Oz artist Eric Shanower's comments.

http://ozclubforums.yuku.com/topic/2232/t/New-Shanower-Oz-for-2008.html

Coming late August Mary Engelbreit illustrates The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Some of you may be familiar with her charming artwork. No photo available yet.

The past few years have been incredible for Oz collectibles and I expect things to get even better and more exciting as we follow the yellow brick road to MGM's Wizard of Oz 70th anniversary next year.