Welcome to a highly engaging episode of the Literary License Podcast's Book to Screen series. In this episode, dive into the timeless world of 'The Wizard of Oz' by L. Frank Baum. Join hosts Keith Chawgo, Leandro Ghezzi and Vicky Rae as they delve into the mesmerizing world of Oz, discussing its origins, Broadway adaptation, and its iconic film version that made Judy Garland unforgettable.

Immerse in the journey of Dorothy Gale, Toto, and the magical Land of Oz. Discover or even re-discover why this classic American fairy tale remains close to our hearts as we go through the fascinating characters, landscapes, and intricate quests of the story. The episode also features a deep exploration of the symbolic elements and hidden messages within the story, shedding light on some intriguing theories and metaphors.

The podcast also eloquently touches upon the complexities of the digital existence in the era of social media. The conversation raises questions about our privacy and highlights the consequential aspects of our digital interactions. Important issues like online bullying and the psychological impact of social media are also addressed, stressing the need to discern the 'false reality' it presents. Furthermore, revealing a refreshing perspective on pop culture, we share noteworthy insights relating to manipulation in media and the portrayal of 'happy' life in advertising. Then, we decant 'The Wizard of Oz' in contrast to its widely popular cinematic version, also exploring the narrative techniques in children's fantasy novels.

The conversation wraps up with a spirited critique of 'The Wizard of Oz' film, also touching upon its African American adaptation - 'The Wiz'. Offering significant insights into the casting and production, this thrilling episode leaves no stone unturned. So whether you're a fan of the original books or the picked adaptations, this episode promises a fresh and thorough perspective on the world of Oz.

00:00:00 - Introduction to Literary License Podcast’s Book to Screen Episode; 00:06:27 - Preparations for Moving to the US; 00:09:39 - Traffic and Infrastructure in Texas; 00:12:48 - Expressing Excitement about Returning to the US; 00:13:31 - The Origins of The Wizard of Oz; 00:15:10 - Introduction to Dorothy’s journey in the magical land of Oz; 00:18:57 - The Wizard reveals his true identity and grants the companions’ desires; 00:20:48 - Introduction to The Wizard of Oz and initial impressions; 00:24:16 - Wicked and the exploration of characters from the book; 00:27:54 - Discussion of Wicked and anticipation for its film adaptation; 00:31:14 - The illusion of appearances and the characters’ traits; 00:35:01 - L. Frank Baum’s interesting life and inspirations; 00:38:02 - Violence and dark elements in the original Oz book; 00:47:45 - The Challenge of Finding Reliable News Sources; 00:51:19 - The Impact of Social Media on Different Generations; 00:54:27 - The Discrepancy between Online and Real-Life Appearances; 00:58:24 - The Illusion of Reality TV and Raising Children; 01:02:20 - Relationships and the Importance of Hearing Both Sides; 01:06:04 - Historical Perspective on Natural Disasters; 01:09:37 - The Wizard of Oz: A Classic Five-Star Story; 01:12:14 - Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead - Ella Fitzgerald; 01:14:20 - Introduction and Background of The Wizard of Oz; 01:17:24 - The Wicked Witch’s sinister threat; 01:18:52 - Introduction and Initial Thoughts on The Wizard of Oz; 01:22:10 - Judy Garland’s Troubles and Alternative Casting Choices; 01:25:23 - Personal Reactions and Blu-ray Version; 01:29:15 - Noticing New Things in Munchkin Land; 01:36:58 - The Prologue and Original Singer of Over the Rainbow; 01:43:00 - Margaret Hamilton’s Presence and the Poppy Field Myth; 01:46:42 - The directors and financials of the film; 01:53:51 - Discussion on celebrities with gay children; 02:02:23 - Seeing the Red Shoes and Dorothy's Dress at the Smithsonian; 02:04:36 - Rating and Visual Effects of the Wizard of Oz; 02:11:40 - Wrapping up the Literary License Podcast; 02:14:37 - Closing Credits: Over the Rainbow by Ella Fitzgerald

Opening Credits– Epidemic Sound – Copyright . All rights reserved

Intermediate Song: Ding Dong the Witch is Dead by Ella Fitzgerald. Taken from the album Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Songbook. Copyright 1961 Verve Records.

Closing Credits: Over the Rainbow by Ella Fitzgerald. Taken from the album Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Harold Arlen Songbook. Copyright 1961 Verve Records. ​

Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.

All rights reserved. Used by Kind Permission.

All songs available through Amazon Music.