The Oz Kids

Last updated
The Oz Kids
Also known asLittle Wizard Stories
Genre Adventure
Comedy drama
Fantasy
Serial
Created by Willard Carroll
Starring Julianne Michelle
Eric Lloyd
Shay Astar
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes9
Production
ProducersWillard Carroll
Thomas L. Wilhite
John Bush
Running time40–89 minutes
Production companies Hyperion Animation
Meldac
Canal + D.A.
Wang Film Productions
Original release
Network Direct-to-video
ReleaseOctober 1, 1996 (1996-10-01) 
February 18, 1997 (1997-02-18)

The Oz Kids is an American direct-to-video animated fantasy comedy-drama series produced by Hyperion Animation based on The Wizard of Oz , L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's novel, and its various sequels. Nine episodes were released between October 1, 1996 and February 18, 1997 by Paramount Home Video. [1]

Contents

The two main characters of this series are both human: Dot and Neddie (the children of Dorothy and Zeb). The minor characters are Boris and Bela (the children of the Cowardly Lion), Tin Boy (the son of the Tin Woodman), Scarecrow Jr. (the son of the original Scarecrow), Jack Pumpkinhead Jr. (the son of the original Jack Pumpkinhead), Frank, (the son of the Wizard), and Andrea, (the daughter of Glinda). [2]

Characters

Main

Supporting

Villains

Additional voices

Episodes

No.TitleSummaryRelease Date
1Toto, Lost in New YorkAndrea, daughter of Glinda, who dresses like Ozma, accidentally sends Toto to New York in a hot air balloon made by Frank. 8-year-old Kansas farm girl Dot Hugson, the leader of the Oz Kids, her 5-year-old brother Neddie Hugson and the other kids (Scarecrow Jr., Tin Boy, Boris, Bela, Jack Pumpkinhead Jr. and Frank) must follow the course set by Frank's computer to take them to him. When they arrive, their balloon is trashed, and they meet Rick, a homeless man who has adopted Toto. The strange appearance of some of the kids keeps plans to return from going smoothly, but are affected much more so by a clash of cultures.October 1, 1996
2The Nome Prince and the Magic BeltPrince Otto finds one of Nome King's 1908 tunnels under Oz to the Emerald City. Boris accidentally opens a box that holds Dot's beloved magic belt. While the kids try to keep their parents from finding out what happened, Otto steals the belt and turns all of the Oz Kids except Dot and Andrea into glass figurines. It's up to Dot and Andrea to save their friends, get the Magic Belt back, and get back to the Emerald City before their parents find out!October 1, 1996
3Underground AdventureAn earthquake stirs up yet another adventure for Dot, Neddie and the Oz Kids. What begins as an innocent bus trip for Frank (the Wizard's son) turns into a wild underground ride for all the kids as they encounter dragonettes, merry-go-round mountains, an enormous teddy bear and more!February 18, 1997
4Who Stole Santa?The Oz Kids and their new buddy, the elf Wisk, try to find St. Nick, who has been kidnapped. Can they team up with Jack Pumpkinhead Jr. and Andrea to find Santa before Christmas, which will arrive in just a few weeks?October 1, 1996
5Christmas in OzThe Oz Kids' names are not included on the invite list for the upcoming Christmas celebration, Andrea and Otto try to teach the other party-goers a lesson. But will their plan backfire?

Note: A sequel to Who Stole Santa. Christmas in Oz is also released on DVD. The characters from The Brave Little Toaster make a cameo in this episode.

October 1, 1996
6The Monkey PrinceAfter reading one of Dot's fairy tales, Neddie programs the computer to take himself and Toto to China. Once there, they are met by the spoiled Monkey Prince who steals the computer. Unless Dot and the other Oz Kids can find them, Neddie and Toto Jr. will never get back to Emerald City, but it was all in a dream.February 18, 1997
7Journey Beneath the SeaJack Pumpkinhead, a pal of the Oz Kids, who wants to take a boat ride with all of his friends. During the ride, the boat begins to sink and Jack and the Oz Kids enter the water. There they discover two mermaids who take them on a magical and adventurous underwater excursion. When Zog and the sea devils try to ruin their fun, the adventure gets more wild and exciting than Dot, Neddie and the Oz Kids ever expected.February 18, 1997
8Virtual OzPrince Otto has no friends, so he decides to force Dot, Neddie and the Oz Kids into a virtual reality computer game presented to them at Scraps's baby shower. Unfortunately, Betty, the patchwork baby gets into the game and overflows the number of players, trapping them in a deteriorating program from which they have little chance of escape. Otto had no wish to actually harm them, and must try to get them out.October 1, 1996
9The Return of MombiMombi, an evil witch, has returned to Emerald City, kidnapping the Oz adults, good witch Glinda and the Nome King! Now it's up to Dot, Neddie and the Oz Kids to save Oz from Mombi's dark powers.February 18, 1997

See also

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References

  1. Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 231. ISBN   9781476672939.
  2. Simpson, Paul (2013). A Brief Guide to Oz. Constable & Robinson Ltd. pp. 241–242. ISBN   978-1-47210-988-0 . Retrieved 10 February 2024.