Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return – Sophie, Hag and Con talk to the Author Roger S. Baum
What is it like having to live up to the legacy of your great grandfather? (Hag age 9)
It’s completely intimidating. When I was asked to write a story about Oz, having written others about Oz, I felt under pressure. It was presumptuous to write a book about it because of my great grandfather. He wrote 62 books himself, he started writing at the age of 40, which proves it’s never too late, it shows children you can do anything you want to do.
It was a huge responsibility that I didn’t take lightly; a responsibility that I want to make sure I don’t let kids down. I want them to be excited when they hear the word Oz. I made sure to keep it non violent, but to keep the pace up with the introduction of new characters. The new characters however, have to have an ‘Oz-zy’ personality, not violent, but could be scary, making sure it was parent and child friendly – the chances are it’s going to be suitable for those of all ages. The Oz books are 113 years old, so there aren’t many people alive who haven’t grown up with Oz, so I wanted to keep that alive; I felt the responsibility to keep it alive.
How many Legends of Oz books have you written and which one is the best one? (Con age 7)
I’d say I have 2 or 3 books that are my favourite. I’ve written over 20 books, but probably Dorothy of Oz is my favourite, which is the book the film is based upon, but entitled Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return. My hopes are so high for this movie in England, as England have a true sense of Oz and all of the characters who embody all of the human characteristics, courage, love and brains – which all the characters have all along, they just needed the Wizard to point it out! The characters are of different sorts, yet human like due to their personalities.
What was the first thing you thought when you first watched the film version of Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return? (Hag age 9)
I was very pleased. It was done by a studio, which really had a lot on the line. We were very fortunate to have the cast we had, what a voice cast! Their talent really helps with the overall solidifying of success of the movie. It was well worth the investment and so much fun to enjoy things at the same time. I really hope that everyone gets in to it and loves it. Naturally with my own love for Oz, I want others to be as into it as I am – I really don’t want to let people down.
Oz came about, because back in those days, they didn’t have television sets, so story telling was a big thing in communities, and my great grandfather was a great story teller. Over the years the characters and names got all mixed up, and one day whilst sitting in his office listening to a story, someone asked, ‘What i s the name of the Land officially?’ He looked around and there was a filing cabinet in the corner, and on the bottom shelf was written O – Z (O dash Z), so he said, ‘Oz’ – so that is how Oz came about!
Interestingly enough, when the movie of The Wizard of Oz was made, Frank Morgan who plays the Wizard, searched all around for an authentic Wizards long coat, and when he finally found one, there was a patch inside with something written on it; because it was so old, it was hard to make out – when they finally made out the writing it said L. Frank Baum, so it was my great grandfathers coat! They took it to my great grandmother, who confirmed it was in fact an old coat of his, which they used in the movie.
It was really fun to make, sure there was a lot of responsibility to make sure it was authentic and that was really important to me. Especially to those in England who care for, and love Oz. England gives us so much in the terms of literature, so it was a huge responsibility for me to make it authentic to Oz.
Hag and Con with new baddie ‘The Jester’ played by Comedy Legend Martin Short
Why did the Jesters sister make the Jester unable to change his clothes? (Sophie age 6)
He was made a Jester; magic would not allow him to change. He could change his clothes, but in the end he would always look like a Jester, causing him huge frustration. Jesters were used in the English courts, to entertain the court and the King, a figure who would kid around and make people laugh. However, Jesters can have a mean streak and get away with it which I thought was excellent, he was the perfect villain. You don’t expect a Jester to be a true villain so we had the element of surprise there.
Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return is exclusive to VUE Cinemas 23/5/14 – Review by Sophie CLICK HERE!!!
