The Emerald City of Oz

Starring:Morgan Hallet, Margot Kidder
Director: Tim Reid (VII), Gerald Potterton
Studio: Lightyear Video
Product Type: DVD

The Wizard of Oz: Rescue of the Emerald City

Average customer rating:

Lame Series Gets A Lame DVD
To Oz!!!
YOU WILL BE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD!!!
YOU ARE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD!!!

The Wizard of Oz: Rescue of the Emerald City

Manufacturer: Vidmark / Trimark
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Wizard of Oz - The Continuing Story
The Wizard Of Oz: Were Off To Save The Wizard
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Animation Collection
Lion of Oz
The Shirley Temple Storybook Collection: Land of Oz/The Reluctant Dragon

ASIN: B0000633TL
Release Date: 2002-04-30

Customer Reviews:

Lame Series Gets A Lame DVD.......2004-09-09

This is a review of this product: The Wizard of Oz: Rescue of the Emerald City DVD. Amazon may display this review on the page of another version of this product, for which this review may not apply. After reading this review, please click on the link so that you can be assurred that the product this review applies to is the same one you thought it was for.
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This DVD contains the following three episodes of the DIC 1990 animated series in this order:

1. Rescue of the Emerald City - Part 1 (09/08/1990) (ep 1)
2. Rescue of the Emerald City - Part 2 (09/15/1990) (ep 2)
3. The Day the Music Died (11/24/1990) (ep 12)

Purists be forewarned that the original DIC logo at the end of the show has been replaced with the new "The Incredible World Of DIC" logo.

Although the colors are bright and the sound is great, the overall quality of the episodes is rather poor as there is a lot of dirt and debris in them and the picture jumps a little on more than one occassion. It would have been really nice if they cleaned up the episodes when they transferred them to DVD.

The disc contains absolutely NO bonus features, save for a lame (nee VERY easy) six question trivia game. If you win it, you're treated to a commercial for the DVD releases of "Sherlock Holmes In The 22nd Century" and "The Wizard Of Oz." Yeah, that's such a great prize! Plus on start-up there's an ad for other DIC properties and on the main menu the DIC logo brings up a few more ads.

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Inspector Gadget provides help on ALL of the menu screens (and appears on them). This "feature" is meant to help little kids, for whom this disc is targeted. But it comes off as really lame since this isn't an Inspector Gadget DVD and that's not Don Adams providing his voice. For the record, all of DIC's DVDs from this time period (2001) contain the Inspector Gadget Help option (I have the Sabrina The Animated Series disc and it's on there too).

The only REAL bonus feature that could actually be of use to someone are English subtitles, which of course is good if you're deaf or hard of hearing as the episodes are not closed captioned. The audio is stereo (2.0 channel) and the runtime is 63 minutes.

Now let me give a review of the series itself. I have mixed feelings about this series. On one hand I really like The Wizard Of Oz (1939) movie and I fondly remember watching this series Saturday mornings back when ABC actually showed GOOD cartoons (The Real Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice, etc.). On the other hand, this series is a slap in the face to all fans of the original 1939 movie. For starters, it's damn near impossible to make a decent series based on the movie featuring ALL of the memorable characters since the movie ended with the hero (Dorothy) back home in Kansas, the villian (the Wicked Witch of the West) melted to oblivion, the Wizard floating off to parts unknown (presumably back to his homeland), and the three friends (Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion) being left to take care of Oz and the Emerald City.

I suppose you could set it in Kansas and do stories about the life of the teenage Dorothy ala "As Told By Ginger," but that would leave out all of the Oz characters. You could do stories about the travels of the Wizard, but since he's a con man, it's hard to see him as a "good guy" and a good role model for kids. The only thing left would be to do a show about the citizens of Oz with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion presiding over the whole land like royalty or something. I've never read the Oz books, so I don't know how many more different Oz residents there are, but since Oz is a wacky place all by itself, the writers could let their imaginations go wild, and create new characters. The problem with this idea is that it leaves out three main characters: Dorothy, the Wizard, and the Wicked Witch of the West. The creators of this series would have none of that. They MUST have ALL of the main characters, the ending of the film be damned!

And so we got a series that totally ignores all character development from the film and carefully disregards certain parts of the ending. Dorothy is inexplicably back in Oz. The title sequence suggests that her ruby slippers glowed in her closet back in Kansas, thus sending out a distress call that she was needed back in Oz, and so she used them to return. There goes the whole "it was only a dream" plot device that the film laid out for us at the end. OK, no biggie, I can suspend my disbelief for this to be possible. Next the title sequence shows us that the Wicked Witch wasn't melted at all, but merely turned to wood! The winged monkeys bring her back to life by putting her hat back on her head and putting her broomstick back in her hand. Now I'm starting to get worried.

Remember at the end of the film the Wizard gave the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion some items (diploma, heart clock, badge of courage - respectively) to reflect the attributes that they felt they were missing, but told them in no uncertain terms that they didn't need these items because they had those attributes all along (as they demonstrated numerous times throughout the film)? Well, they must have been missing the attribute of "paying attention" because in this show they lack all of those attributes they "had all along" simply because all of their "special items" are locked up in storage at the Emerald City where the Wicked Witch is keeping guard over them. The three friends are constantly complaining throughout the three episodes on this DVD (and probably throughout the entire series) about not having those attributes because they don't have the items, yet as in the film they display those attributes numerous times. What they DO have is a total lack of self-esteem as they are constantly discrediting themselves when they display those supposedly "lost" attributes (to paraphrase the Scarecrow: "I have an idea, but since I don't have a brain, it musn't be a very good idea.")

The Wizard is back, but he's stuck forever floating around Oz in his hot air balloon because the Wicked Witch put a spell on the wind so that it won't let him stay in one place for very long. Throughout the series Dorothy and friends are trying to catch up with him, but he always leaves just before they go to where he was last seen at. Why he doesn't just decide to ditch the balloon and stay on foot, where he's safer, is beyond me. Glinda, the good witch, is no great help as she is so powerless that all she can do is put a spell on the balloon so the Wicked Witch can't harm him while he's in it (I'd still take my changes on foot rather than floating around airmlessly), and put an Emerald Star in the sky above the Emerald City which glows as long as he's alive. Remind me not to call Glinda for help the next time I'm in trouble.

There are many MANY times in these three episodes alone that you'll be thinking to yourself "Why doesn't this person go there, or do this?" For example, in the first episode the Wizard is on foot in the safe confines of a fort. The Wicked Witch and her winged monkeys come to cause havock, and the dumb Wizard thinks he'd be safer taking to the air in his balloon than hiding inside the fort (a large opened door in the fort can clearly been see in the background). The third episode involves the citizens of Musicland not feeling very musical because the conductor's baton was stolen. Dorothy suggests he use his hands, and she even tries it herself to show him that it'll work, but the lazy citizens would rather read their newspapers and sleep than pay any attention to her. At this point, if I were Dorothy, I'd say "screw you all" and leave. They're not worth my help. As Dorothy and friends pointed out with their song and dance number (a dance themed song to the melody of "If I Only Had A Brain/Heart/Nerve" - which is rather good and even mentioned the Lambada!), the music isn't dead in the land of Oz, just in Musicland. So, who cares? Let the Musicland citizens die of boredom for all I care, the rest of Oz will move on with their lives.

This series lasted only 13 episodes (no surprise since it sucked) and originally aired on ABC from 9/8/1990 to 12/1/1990. Currently there is another DVD ("The Continuing Story") with four more episodes from the series. This means that so far half of the series has been released on DVD. With so few episodes to the series, DIC should have just released the whole series in a 2-disc set.

By the way, although credit is given to the music composers of the 1939 film (since this series uses a lot of the movie themes), no credit is given to L. Frank Baum (the writer of the original book series).

To Oz!!!.......2002-07-01

I have been an Oz fan for years and this DVD is great! The story is based on the 1990's cartoon show "The Wizard of Oz" aired on ABC, HBO, and Disney chanel.The Wicked Witch of the West returns and takes over the Emerald City and has stolen Scarecrows diploma, Lions metal, and Tin Mans heart.Dorothy and Toto return to Oz to help her friends and the Wizard who is still in his ballon to get back Oz. This DVD is definately one that should be aded to youre colection!!!!!!

YOU WILL BE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD!!!.......2002-06-21

This is a WONDERFUL video it is a great movie for anybody! The Witch of the West comes back to life and tries to destroy Oz. Luckly Dorothy and her pals come to the rescue...but the Witch has stole the Scarecrow's diploma, Tin Man's heart, and the Lion's medal of courage. This cartoon comes from a great series made in 1990 and 1991. It was on TV on ABC, and then on HBO and Disney a few years later. It is to bad it isn't on TV anymore. I think this DVD is well worth buying.

YOU ARE OFF TO SEE THE WIZARD!!!.......2002-06-21

This is a great video, and very interesting. the characters are based on what they look like in the MGM Wizard of Oz movie. Dorothy still has her unforgetable Ruby Slippers. The Wicked Witch comes back to life and tries to take over the land of Oz. She steals the Scarecrow's diploma, Tin Man's heart, and the Lion's medal of courage. This movie is from the animated series "The Wizard of Oz" It ran 13 episodes and then had to compete with other cartoons, such as Muppet Babbies, then it was taken off the air. SO SAD. It is a great thing it is out now!

Average customer rating:

Emerald Chambers, Coronations, Invasions and Rescues
The perfect ending

The Emerald City of Oz
Starring: Morgan Hallet , and Margot Kidder
Director: Tim Reid (VII) , and Gerald Potterton
Manufacturer: Lightyear Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Ozma of Oz
The Marvelous Land of Oz
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Lion of Oz

ASIN: B0001O3YTO
Release Date: 2004-06-01

Customer Reviews:

Emerald Chambers, Coronations, Invasions and Rescues.......2006-11-20

The opening song to this 4th & final Cinar/Lightyear Entertainment version of Oz is "Land of Feelings". Despite Kaliko's distraction intentions, the Nome King is upset and furious at Dorothy and her friends for defeating and escaping his power before and he seeks REVENGE!! Meanwhile, Dorothy is in Oz (in this twist she has not returned to Kansas yet) and with Scarecrow's help has been chasing Ozma around the Emerald City (* up a tree and along a river *), which takes them into a Secret Chamber. Even in the darkness, Ozma discovers a door which reveals to them the Heart of the Emerald City and the History of Oz, proving to Ozma that she must prepare a coronation to be Queen of Oz. Back at the Underground Kingdom of the Nomes, an Invasion Specialist named Guph suggests that in order to conquer Dorothy & the Emerald City they must make an underground tunnel which will take them to Oz. Along with Guph's Giant Dirt-Devouring Worm, the Nomes make the tunnel and pass underneath the 'Deadly' Desert (* A Deleted Scene I remembered well: In the meantime, Scarecrow discovers a small box in the Wizard's Chamber which transports Dorothy and Ozma into a world where they meet Miss Cuttenclip the Paper Queen and Mr. Fuddles the Puzzle Man who creates a door which returns the girls back to Oz . As everybody gets everything ready *) Dorothy and Ozma practise her magic powers by making a Giant Paper Bird come to life, so that they can ride it in the sky whenever they wish. Knowing the Nomes' fear and weakness, Guph also enlists the help of a Growleywog to ensure their victory. Practising for the Coronation, Ozma's magic reveals where to find the Fountain of the Water of Oblivion, an important part of the Coronation. Growleywog emerges in the West and starts devouring areas of the country. The terrified Winkies tell their King the Tin Woodman of the monster, and Dorothy also learns of the news. As the Tin Woodman battles Growleywog, Dorothy burrows the Magic Bird and tries to solve the problem without ruining any plans for Ozma. Underground, the Worm's failed attempt to go any further into Oz gets Guph and Nome King into an arguement-fight (funny!). (* Nome King & his Army attempt to charge Emerald City, but Scarecrow's wondering of where and looking for Dorothy forces them back into the tunnel. *) After Dorothy manages to find the Winkie Timsmith (*who first appeared and fixed the Tin Woodman in 'Wonderful Wizard'*) to help her rescue Tin Woodman from the Growleywog, Guph sneaks into the Emerald City, going along the many stairs and doors (also very funny!) only to lose his memory in the Palace. Dorothy meets a pleasant Guph the next morning and the Nome King is worried. Ozma's Coronation is a success - despite Dorothy's exhaustion - and afterwards Tin Woodman talks to Ozma, Lion and Scarecrow on how to deal with the monster/Growleywog, who at that time is rejoined by the Nomes. That night, Growleywog leads the Nomes in invading the Emerald City. As Tin Woodman thwarts some of the Nomes, Scarecrow tells Dorothy his plan for a rescue. The friends do their best in scaring (* and attacking *) the Nomes with eggs (*while Lion watches over Ozma in her room *), but their attempts are foiled and all seems lost for Dorothy and Scarecrpow, but a voice comforts Dorothy, promising that all will be well . . . . the next morning everybody is imprisoned by the Nome King and Dorothy wakes up to find herself alone in the Emearld City with the Growleywog and Guph, who has regained his memeory but still protects her. Ozma uses her magic to save her people and trick the Nome King and his followers into defeat. Back in Oz, Glinda appears and congratulates Ozma on a job well done as the Nomes, Growlewog and Worm return home. For Dorothy, it is now time for her to go back home to Kansas, but this won't be the last time she'll see Oz and her friends, because Ozma has the magic and power to do so. Saying good-bye to her friends, Dorothy returns to Kansas, knowing she can return when she pleases to the magical Land of Oz . . . Once again the End Credits play "Searching for a Dream" as clips from 'Marvelous Land', 'Ozma' and 'Emerald City' play.
And that's the end of Cinar's 1987 animated Oz adventures. Out of the entire 52 episodes, 'Emerald City' took up the remaining 11. Readers of the Original Book will be well aware that Dorothy and Toto along with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry come and live in Oz from this moment on, but either way even though this Dorothy is back in Kansas, she will still have adventures in Oz. Sometimes I've imagined what it would've been like had Cinar animated 'Dorothy & the Wizard' and 'Road', and I also would've been interested to see how they would've attempted other Oz books like 'Patchwork Girl', etc. The Japanese and English versions of 'EC' are different, so if you've only read my review and don't have any of the Videos or DVDs (which despite many flaws, are still pretty good to watch), should expect a few scenes to be earlier or later.
Near the end of the original 'Ozma' book Baum writes "Dorothy passed several very happy weeks in the Land of Oz as the guest of the royal Ozma" - in this Cinar production those 'several very happy weeks' turn into avoiding the Wizard's return to Oz, the Journey from Kansas to Oz for Ozma's birthday and Uncle Henry's money trouble (which made the move to Oz) from the books and straight onto Nome King's revenge, which unlike the book actually succeeded for some of the time/was taken a step further. Since the original books have the Nomes all illustrated fat bodies with skinny arms & legs, Guph looks like a small Chinese man with long whiskers (in Ruth Plumly Thompson's "Royal Book of Oz") and the Growleywog, intead of an army of tall skinny but strong mailicious-looking men, Cinar designs him as one big fat growling monster looking a little bit similar to Superman's Parasite, along with devouring things by sucking air in. Ozma, unlike her previous appearances, finally wears a gown during her Coronation scene.
Even though I rated 5 *s, there are a few things that didn't really please me (as well as puzzle me too). Jack Pumpkinhead and Saw-Horse have been neglected to appear (they should've appeared in this adventure! Saw-Horse in 'Ozma' too - Cinar's Tik-Tok and Billina stay in Ev instead, neighbour country to Oz), and although exciting, the scene where Growleywog sneak attacks Dorothy & Scarecrow is somewhat disturbing and I'm not too keen on the Growleywog and Dorothy scenes. Also, after Tin Woodman punches Growleywog, he eventually gets tired and pants - THIS HE CAN'T DO!! A Deleted Scene/episode/sceanrio from 'Wonderful Wizard' even had him sleeping while Mombi tried to steal the Golden Cap from Dorothy! I expected, and would have loved, to see an extra (uncut) scene between the enemies' defeat and the Throne Room (before Glinda appears) where we actually saw everything put right. The Japanese version (which can be purcahsed at YesAsia) has two more dissapointments and puzzlings: the music that ends the episode sounds a bit too sad and the close-up on Dorothy: in English her hair sways before Kansas appears, BUT in Japanese, her hair stays still!?!? Also, the English version should've had Dorothy say she misses Toto " . . . and I still have the Magic Shoes in Kansas." and have Ozma & Glinda (not just her 3 main friends) say Good-bye & Thank you etc. to Dorothy as she returned home. However, there are also some funny bits other than just the 'Fight in the Tunnel' and 'Guph in Emerald City' scenes: When Tin Woodman talks about how to trap Growleywog, Lion says "Hey Tin Man, you're on the ball!" I found that SO FUNNY!! Lion sounded like it was the 60s, Groovy baby!!
And once agin, despite the mistakes and much editing, 'the Emerald City of Oz' is enjoyable to watch (more so than 'Ozma') and is one of the great endings to Oz (along with the short animated musical 'Dorothy in the Land of Oz' Thanksgiving Special).

The perfect ending.......2003-03-26

What can I say? the emerald city of oz was just as good as the 1st! Ozma's magickal powers were so much fun to enjoy and the characters were just as fun as they have always been. It was great to see the good witch of the south make a brief appearence again. Glinda's so cool, good and powerful. I wish Cinar could of made more movies of Oz! They were all great and FANTASTIC!

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