The Muppets' Wizard of Oz | |
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Based on | The Muppet Show by Jim Henson The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum |
Screenplay by |
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Story by |
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Directed by | Kirk R. Thatcher |
Starring | |
Music by | Michael Giacchino |
Country of origin |
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Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producers | |
Producer | Bill Barretta |
Cinematography | Tony Westman |
Editor | Gregg Featherman |
Running time |
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Production companies | |
Original release | |
Network | ABC |
Release | April 27, 2005 |
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz is a 2005 musical fantasy television film directed by Kirk R. Thatcher, and the third television film featuring the Muppets. The film stars Ashanti, Jeffrey Tambor, Quentin Tarantino, David Alan Grier, Queen Latifah, as well as Muppet performers Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, Bill Barretta, and Eric Jacobson. A contemporary adaptation of the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, the story follows young Dorothy Gale, who works in her Aunt Em's diner, but dreams of becoming a singer somewhere beyond her small Kansas town. Swept up by a tornado, in her trailer home with pet prawn Toto, she lands in Oz and embarks on a journey to meet the Wizard who can help make her dreams come true.
Following The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of the rights to the Muppets in 2004, pre-production took place throughout February 2004, and principal photography began seven months later. The Muppets' Wizard of Oz was co-produced by The Muppets Holding Company, Touchstone Television, Fox Television Studios, and The Jim Henson Company, marking the latter company's final involvement with the Muppets after more than five decades of ownership. ABC made several changes after the initial script was written, ultimately deciding to adapt plot elements from Baum's original novel as well as the 1939 musical film adaptation. The Muppets' Wizard of Oz became a musical, and included five new songs composed by Michael Giacchino.
It is the first Muppets film without the involvement of veteran performer Jerry Nelson following his 2004 retirement from physical performing. His characters of Lew Zealand and Floyd Pepper were respectively performed by Bill Barretta and John Kennedy. Barretta also debuts as the new permanent performer of Dr. Teeth, a character originally performed by Jim Henson. The production also marked the feature film debut of Eric Jacobson as the performer of Sam Eagle, a character originally performed by Frank Oz.
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz premiered on April 27, 2005, at the Tribeca Film Festival, and made its television premiere on ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney on May 20, 2005. The film received mixed to negative reviews from critics, who felt that the film was too mature for young audiences and that the cameos and popular culture references were unnecessary.
Dorothy Gale is an orphaned teenage girl living in a trailer park in Kansas with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. Her dream of becoming a singer is slim, but when she overhears that the Muppets are looking for a backup singer, Dorothy hurries to the audition and gives them a demo CD. In returning home, the civil defense sirens sound as a tornado is headed for Dorothy's trailer park. When Aunt Em and Uncle Henry run into the county storm shelter for safety, Dorothy hurries back to her family's mobile home to get Toto, her pet prawn. She does not make it out in time, and the two are swept by the tornado across the vast fields of Kansas. When Dorothy climbs out of the wreckage, she finds that Toto can talk and that she is in Munchkinland, part of the vast Land of Oz.
The Munchkins inform Dorothy that the land's ruler the Wizard, has the power to grant her wish of becoming a famous singer. She meets the Good Witch of the North and receives a pair of magic silver slippers from the Wicked Witch of the East, who was killed when Dorothy's trailer fell on her. Dorothy and Toto embark on a journey on the yellow brick road to meet the Wizard of Oz.
On her journey, she meets a Scarecrow (Kermit the Frog), a Tin Thing (Gonzo), and a Cowardly Lion (Fozzie Bear). They are also seeking the Wizard of Oz to give them a brain, heart, and courage, respectively. The group meets various obstacles before arriving at the Emerald City and meeting the Wizard. Before he grants their wishes, the Wizard sends Dorothy and her friends to retrieve the Wicked Witch of the West's magic eye, a tool she uses to see anything she desires in the Land of Oz.
The Wicked Witch of the West sees them coming and sends the Flying Monkeys to deal with them. The Witch and the Flying Monkeys capture Dorothy, Toto and Lion while Scarecrow and Tin Thing are dismantled. Toto calls the Munchkins, who set him and Dorothy free and hold up the witch. Dorothy kicks the witch into her own "bottled water bath," which contains tap water (to which she is severely allergic). This causes the Wicked Witch of the West to melt. Dorothy finds the magic eye floating in the tub unharmed and grabs it.
Dorothy gains control of the Flying Monkeys and has them rebuild Scarecrow and Tin Thing. Then she and her friends travel back to the Emerald City to have their wishes granted. When they all storm into the Wizard's room, they discover it is merely a Hollywood effects stage and that the Wizard is just an ordinary man. He asked for the witch's eye so that she could not see him for who he really was. Even so, he still proceeds to grant their wishes. Dorothy finally becomes a singer in the Land of Oz, but realizes that all she ever really wanted was to go back home and be with her family. After traveling back to Munchkinland, she meets Glinda the Good Witch of the South, who tells her that by clicking her heels together three times, she will be able to go anywhere she desires. Saying "take me home to Aunt Em", Dorothy is spun by the slippers' magic into Kansas and finds out that she has been chosen to sing with the Muppets.
In addition, Whitmire and Goelz make on-screen cameos as audience members at Aunt Em's Diner during the finale.
When The Walt Disney Company acquired the Muppets franchise from The Jim Henson Company in February 2004, [1] [2] the Muppets were re-introduced to the public by marketing products and guest appearing on television shows such as Good Morning America and America's Funniest Home Videos .[ citation needed ] After a new film titled The Muppets' Wizard of Oz was announced by The Jim Henson Company, Fox Television Studios, Touchstone Television, and the Muppets Holding Company signed on to help produce it. [3] This was the last Muppets production to be produced by the Jim Henson Company once Disney purchased the rights to the Muppets franchise.
Filming took place throughout September 2004 in Vancouver, British Columbia. [2] Before filming, ABC announced that the production would adapt elements from the original 1900 book, rather than the 1939 film, [4] such as the Silver Shoes instead of the Ruby slippers. On August 25, 2004, it was announced that Hilary Duff, Jessica Simpson, and Ashanti had auditioned for the role of Dorothy Gale, but Ashanti had won the part. [5] [6] When asked about how she felt about working with the Muppets, Ashanti replied, "I love children, and to me, the Muppets are just like little kids." [7] She also stated, "The director had to give me a few pointers and tips for acting with them, but the most important thing that I learned was to keep eye contact." [7] Also in August 2004, BBC News reported that Quentin Tarantino would appear in the film. [2]
Michael Giacchino, who had previously worked on the video game Muppet Monster Adventure , would become an Academy Award-winning composer. Giacchino worked alongside Jeannie Lurie, Adam Cohen, Debra Frank and Steve L. Hayes to write five original songs for the film: [2] [8] "Kansas", "When I'm with You", "The Witch is in the House", "Nap Time" and "Good Life".
"When I'm with You" was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in the Outstanding Music and Lyrics category. [9] Ashanti and the Muppet cast, mainly Barretta and Jacobson, contributed the vocals for each of the songs. [8] Ted Kryczko produced the album, Booker T. Washington White prepared the songs for recording, and Paul Silveira and Brandon Christy mixed the songs. [8]
Best of the Muppets featuring The Muppets' Wizard of Oz | ||||
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Soundtrack album | ||||
Released | May 17, 2005 | |||
Studio | Walt Disney Studios, Burbank | |||
Genre | Pop rock, soundtrack [10] | |||
Length | 29:52 [8] | |||
Label | Walt Disney | |||
Producer | Sam Pottle | |||
The Muppets chronology | ||||
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The Muppets' Wizard of Oz official soundtrack was released on May 17, 2005. [10] The album was an enhanced soundtrack titled Best of Muppets featuring The Muppets' Wizard of Oz as it was not a film-specific soundtrack, but a compilation album featuring the Muppets' best songs from The Muppet Show as well as songs from the film. [10]
Track listing [10]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Artist | Length |
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1. | "Kansas" | Jeannie Lurie | Brandon Christy | Ashanti | 2:15 |
2. | "When I'm With You" | Jeannie Lurie, Debra Frank, Steve L. Hayes | Michael Giacchino, Adam Cohen | Ashanti, Kermit the Frog, Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, Pepe | 2:43 |
3. | "The Witch Is in the House" | Lurie | Giacchino, Christy, and Cohen | Miss Piggy & Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem | 2:59 |
4. | "Calling All Munchkins" | Frank, Hayes | Giacchino | The Munchkin Tap-your-knuckle Choir | 0:17 |
5. | "Good Life" | Lurie | Christy | Ashanti | 2:29 |
6. | "Nap Time" | Christy | Christy | Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem | 1:29 |
7. | "The Muppet Show Theme" | Jim Henson | Sam Pottle | The Muppets | 1:16 |
8. | "Mah Nà Mah Nà" | Piero Umiliani | Umiliani | Mahna Mahna and Two Snowths | 2:05 |
9. | "(It's Not Easy) Bein' Green" | Joe Raposo | Raposo | Kermit the Frog | 2:19 |
10. | "Rainbow Connection" | Paul Williams | Kenneth Ascher | Kermit the Frog | 3:16 |
11. | "Lady of Spain" | Stanley J. Damerell | Tolchard Evans | Marvin Suggs | 1:01 |
12. | "Halfway Down the Stairs" | A.A. Milne | Robin the Frog | 2:26 | |
13. | "What Now My Love?" | Carl Sigman | Gilbert Bécaud | Miss Piggy | 1:45 |
14. | "Tenderly" | Jack Lawrence | Walter Gross | Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem | 2:00 |
15. | "Happy Feet" | Jack Yellen | Milton Ager | Kermit the Frog and Frog Chorus | 1:30 |
Total length: | 29:52 |
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz premiered on April 27, 2005, at the Tribeca Film Festival. [11] The television premiere was on May 20, 2005, at 8:00 pm on ABC in the US. [12] It aired in Canada on CBC Television, and in the UK on December 18, 2005. In the US, the film's official soundtrack was released on May 17, 2005. [10] Buena Vista Home Entertainment released the DVD and VHS in both the US and in international territories. [12] The film was released to Region 1 DVD and VHS on August 9, 2005. [13] The Region 2 DVD was released on April 3, 2006. [14] The film was rated U by the British Board of Film Classification, [15] K-3 in Finland, [16] and G in Australia. [17] The DVD and VHS were released under the title Extended Version in the US [13] and Anniversary Edition outside the US. [14] The extended version contains less than 15 minutes of footage cut from the feature film, [18] including the footage of the Kelly Osbourne and Quentin Tarantino cameos. [18] The DVD and VHS included an extended interview with Quentin Tarantino, a blooper reel, and a behind-the-scenes look at the film guided by Pepe the King Prawn. [19] In the US, the DVD and VHS release of the film was in a 1.33:1 (pan and scan) aspect ratio, whereas the international versions are in the original 1.78:1 (anamorphic widescreen) aspect ratio. [13] [17] During Macy's annual Flower Show promotion, the store's windows along Broadway displayed flower arrangements illustrating six scenes from the movie, while the store sold The Muppets' Wizard of Oz-related merchandise, such as plush dolls. [20]
7.75 million viewers watched The Muppets' Wizard of Oz on its television premiere night in the United States; it ranked as the forty-second most-watched television program of the week. [21] Michael Schneider of Variety wrote that it "performed solidly ... particularly with adults 18–34, teens and kids." [22] The film received negative reviews from critics. At Rotten Tomatoes, the movie currently holds a 38% rating, based on 8 reviews. [23]
For the film's positive response, Kevin Carr stated that "When you dig down and actually find (and watch) the new Muppet material, some of the magic is still there." [24] MaryAnn Johanson of Flick Filosopher said that, "It's not on a par with the Muppet movie madness of old, but it's darn close." [25] According to the Bums Corner's review the film was a "treat for all ages, and that it was a colorful, musical, humorous romp." [26] Keith Allen of Movie Rapture gave the film 2.5 stars out of 3, explaining that the film's humor was surprisingly clever, and that the film would frequently make you laugh. [27] Mutant Reviewers commented that although the Muppet deal with Walt Disney was "disappointing", the film managed to be funny and witty. [28]
In contrast, David Nusair of Reel Film Reviews warned that the film was "strictly for kids." [29] Nusair felt that although Ashanti can sing, she cannot act. [29] Joshua Tyler of Cinema Blend explained that Dorothy visiting the Wizard of Oz to become a star instead of going back home was a big mistake, [30] and that it showed how shallow society has become. [30] R.J. Carter of The Trades gave the film a B−, also stating that Dorothy's wish to become a star was a selfish one. [31] Ultimate Disney's review found that the extended DVD version of the film did more harm than good; [18] Andy Dursin of The Aisle Seat said that the original film was "dull" and that the extended version was an improvement. [32] Cold Fusion Video felt that although the film was entertaining, it lacked the heart and wit of Jim Henson's Muppet films. [33] Bryan Pope of DVD Verdict said that the film drained the Muppets of their spirit and was slightly gratuitous. [34] Techtite TV reviews felt that the film was done poorly on all levels, and that the film was on the higher end of TV-PG. [35]
Other reviewers felt that the film's attempt to appeal to an older, more mature audience was ultimately a bad idea. Kerry Bennett of Parent Previews warned that it sometimes steered "dangerously off course" due to an excess of sexual content and violence. [36] Referential humor to the marriage of Jennifer Lopez, Manolo Blahnik style silver shoes, and properties such as Girls Gone Wild , The Passion of the Christ , Apocalypse Now and Kill Bill: Volume 1 were seen as too mature. [29] [37] Cold Fusion Video judged the Kelly Osbourne cameo in the extended edition as "pointless". [33] Dursin contrasted the two guest appearances and found that the Tarantino cameo dragged the film down. [32] Critics were split on the merits of ABC's modernized adaptation to rely on plot elements from the original novel instead of the iconic 1939 film. [4] [38]
Dorothy Gale is a fictional character created by the American author L. Frank Baum as the protagonist in many of his Oz novels. She first appears in Baum's classic 1900 children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and reappears in most of its sequels. She is also the main character in various adaptations, notably the 1939 film adaptation of the novel, The Wizard of Oz.
Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkle Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs, also known as the "Wizard of Oz" and, during his reign, as "Oz the Great and Terrible" or the "Great and Powerful Oz", is a fictional character in the Land of Oz created by American author L. Frank Baum. The character was further popularized by a stage play and several films, including the classic 1939 film and the 2013 prequel adaptation.
Glinda is a fictional character created by L. Frank Baum for his Oz novels. She first appears in Baum's 1900 children's classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and is the most powerful sorceress in the Land of Oz, ruler of the Quadling Country South of the Emerald City, and protector of Princess Ozma.
The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). An adaptation of L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's fantasy novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, it was primarily directed by Victor Fleming, who left production to take over the troubled Gone with the Wind. It stars Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke, and Margaret Hamilton. Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson, and Edgar Allan Woolf received credit for the screenplay, while others made uncredited contributions. The music was composed by Harold Arlen and adapted by Herbert Stothart, with lyrics by Edgar "Yip" Harburg.
The Wicked Witch of the West is a fictional character who appears in the classic children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), created by American author L. Frank Baum. In Baum's subsequent Oz novels, it is the Nome King who is the principal villain; the Wicked Witch of the West is rarely even referred to again after her death in the first book.
The Wicked Witch of the East is a fictional character created by American author L. Frank Baum. She is a crucial character but appears only briefly in Baum's classic children's series of Oz novels, most notably The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900).
Toto is a fictional dog in L. Frank Baum's Oz series of children's books, and works derived from them. He was originally a small terrier drawn by W. W. Denslow for the first edition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900). He reappears in later Oz books and in numerous adaptations, such as The Wizard of Oz (1939) and The Wiz (1978).
The Good Witch of the North, sometimes named Locasta or Tattypoo, is a fictional character in the Land of Oz, created by American author L. Frank Baum. She is the elderly and mild-mannered Ruler of the Gillikin Country. Her only significant appearance in Baum's work is in Chapter 2 of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900), in which she introduces Dorothy Gale to Oz and sends her to meet the Wizard, after placing a protective kiss on her forehead. She makes a brief cameo appearance at Princess Ozma's birthday party in The Road to Oz (1909), but is otherwise only mentioned elsewhere in the series.
The Wizard of Oz is a 1990 American animated television series produced by DIC Animation City to capitalize on the popularity of the 1939 film version, to which DiC had acquired the rights from Turner Entertainment, Co. The series aired for thirteen episodes and premiered on ABC, starting on September 8, 1990. The show presented a number of stories and characters from L. Frank Baum's original Oz series.
Winged monkeys are fictional characters that first appeared in the 1900 children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, written by the American author L. Frank Baum. They are described as jungle monkeys with bird-like feathered wings. They are playful, intelligent, and speak English. They are initially under the control of the Wicked Witch of the West, but are later controlled by the protagonist, Dorothy Gale. They lift Dorothy and fly her to two distant locations.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, known in Japan as Ozu no Mahōtsukai (オズの魔法使い), is a Japanese anime television series adaptation based on four of the original early 20th century Oz books by L. Frank Baum. In Japan, the series aired on TV Tokyo from 1986 to 1987. It consists of 52 episodes, which explain other parts of the Oz stories, including the events that happened after Dorothy returned home.
Return to Oz is a 1964 animated television special produced by Crawley Films for Videocraft International. It first aired on February 9, 1964 in the United States as the first of three The General Electric Fantasy Hour specials for NBC, and was rebroadcast on February 21, 1965. It was directed by F. R. Crawley, Thomas Glynn and Larry Roemer from a teleplay by Romeo Muller, who later wrote Dorothy in the Land of Oz. This was the first special produced by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass of Rankin/Bass Productions.
Lion of Oz is a 2000 animated film set before the 1900 children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It tells the story of how the Cowardly Lion, formerly part of the Omaha Circus, came to be in Oz and how he stopped the Wicked Witch of the East from getting the Flower of Oz. It is based upon the 1995 book Lion of Oz and the Badge of Courage by Roger S. Baum. It was announced by CinéGroupe and Sony Wonder and was released in 2000.
The Wizard of Oz is a 1982 anime feature film directed by Fumihiko Takayama, from a screenplay by Akira Miyazaki, which is based on the 1900 children's novel by L. Frank Baum, with Yoshimitsu Banno and Katsumi Ueno as executive producers for Toho.
The Wizard of Oz is a musical with a book by John Kane, music by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E. Y. Harburg. It has additional background music by Herbert Stothart. It is based on the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum and the 1939 film version written by Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf.
The Silver Shoes are the magical shoes that appear in L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as heroine Dorothy Gale's transport home. They are originally owned by the Wicked Witch of the East but passed to Dorothy when her house lands on the Witch. At the end of the story, Dorothy uses the shoes to transport herself back to her home in Kansas, but when she arrives at her destination finds the shoes have fallen off en route.
The Wizard of Oz is a 2011 musical based on the 1939 film of the same name in turn based on L. Frank Baum's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with a book adapted by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jeremy Sams. The musical uses the Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg songs from the film and includes some new songs and additional music by Lloyd Webber and additional lyrics by Tim Rice. It is the third stage musical adaptation of the film following the 1942 version for the St. Louis Municipal Opera and the 1987 version for the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The Wizard of Oz is a musical commissioned by The Muny based on the 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum and the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz, using the film's songs by Harold Arlen and E. Y. Harburg. The book of the musical is by Frank Gabrielson, who would later write an adaptation of The Marvelous Land of Oz (1960) for Shirley Temple.
Oz the Great and Powerful is a 2013 American fantasy adventure film directed by Sam Raimi and written by David Lindsay-Abaire and Mitchell Kapner from a story by Kapner. Based on L. Frank Baum's early 20th century Oz books and set 20 years before the events of the original 1900 novel, the film is a spiritual prequel to the 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film The Wizard of Oz. Starring James Franco in the title role, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams, Zach Braff, Bill Cobbs, Joey King, William Bock, and Tony Cox, the film tells the story of Oscar Diggs, a deceptive magician who arrives in the Land of Oz and encounters three witches: Theodora, Evanora, and Glinda. Oscar is then enlisted to restore order in Oz while struggling to resolve conflicts with the witches and himself.
Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz is an American animated children's television series loosely based on L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its subsequent books, as well as its 1939 film adaptation. The series debuted on Boomerang SVOD on June 29, 2017. The series was picked up for the second and third seasons. The series got cancelled and ended on July 31, 2020, after three seasons. The series was removed from the streaming service in September 2024.