I haven't seen this film for years, but I remember loving it when I was about six years old - the main thing I remember about it was the song 'an elephant never forgets' which I thought was amazing and went around singing for weeks which drove my parents mad because they didn't like the movie very much. I'm glad Liza played Dorothy - it's only right that Judy Garland's daughter played her character in this cartoon sequel. *goes to dig out the video* I know it's the same character, and played by Judy's daughter who looks and sounds a lot like her, but No comparison can really be drawn from Journey Back to Oz and The Wizard of Oz as they are two completely different things - each with their merits and their weaknesses - but both (in my opinion) are brilliant and well worth a watch!
19 Reviews
Oddly Linked to the "Over The Rainbow" Version
redryan6429 November 2014
THIS CAN ONLY be described as a curious mixture of L. Frank Baum story, TV type limited animation and (for Hollywood "Star Power") a cast of veteran, well known performers doing the voices. Being the product of FILMATION ASSOCIATES, it was their 'ultimate' success. After all after doing so many Saturday morning kiddie cartoon shows, it was their one theatrical release.
ALTHOUGH MANY WOULD decry its lack of Disney-like polish or even the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the Fleischers, the production has much to recommend it.
WITHOUT ANY PRETENSIONS of being 'Art' or 'serious' drama, the production team gave us a straight forward telling of a story that has much more of the original Baum tales than one might imagine. Not least of which we point to the veteran cast.
IN A LINE-UP which must have co$t Filmation mucho buck$, we have: Milton Berle, Ethel Merman, Herschel Bernardi, Paul Ford, Jack E. Leonard, Paul Lynde, Mickey Rooney, Rise Stevens, Danny Thomas, Mel Blanc, Dal McKennonLarry Storch and Bill Cosby.
BY WAY OF a tribute to the legendary reputation of the MGM 1939 WIZARD OF OZ, the voice of Aunt Em is done by Margaret Hamilton and Dorothy was done by Liza Minelli, Judy Garland's daughter.
ALTHOUGH MANY WOULD decry its lack of Disney-like polish or even the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the Fleischers, the production has much to recommend it.
WITHOUT ANY PRETENSIONS of being 'Art' or 'serious' drama, the production team gave us a straight forward telling of a story that has much more of the original Baum tales than one might imagine. Not least of which we point to the veteran cast.
IN A LINE-UP which must have co$t Filmation mucho buck$, we have: Milton Berle, Ethel Merman, Herschel Bernardi, Paul Ford, Jack E. Leonard, Paul Lynde, Mickey Rooney, Rise Stevens, Danny Thomas, Mel Blanc, Dal McKennonLarry Storch and Bill Cosby.
BY WAY OF a tribute to the legendary reputation of the MGM 1939 WIZARD OF OZ, the voice of Aunt Em is done by Margaret Hamilton and Dorothy was done by Liza Minelli, Judy Garland's daughter.
The Wizard is gone, the witch is dead, but there's still trouble ahead.
mark.waltz19 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This practically forgotten animated follow-up to "The Wizard of Oz" is actually totally unrelated to the movie, independently made and held back for small kiddie matinée release for ten years. It actually was made in 1964 as Liza Minnelli was beginning to gain some fame thanks to T.V. appearances and her Off Broadway debut in "Best Foot Forward". It also co-stars some of her mother Judy Garland's old friends, including Mickey Rooney, Milton Berle, Ethel Merman, and even from the original movie, Margaret Hamilton, who is heard as Auntie Em here briefly at the beginning, not her old role of the witch (now known as "Elphaba"). The witch here is Mombi, possibly a distant cousin, and even nastier. She's obviously an elephant herself, because she hasn't forgotten what Dorothy did to her fellow witches, and is using an army of magically made green pachyderms to take over the free territories of Oz which now only have Glinda (Rise Stevens) left from the original four leaders.
The songs by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn aren't bad, but they are not up there with the legendary score by E.Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen, or even Stephen Schwartz's songs for "Wicked". "That Feeling For Home" is Liza's "Over the Rainbow", but unfortunately, it hasn't become one of her standards. Merman gets a few camp numbers, such as "If You're Gonna Be A Witch, Be A Witch" and "An Elephant Never Forgets", the titles of which indicate their camp potential. Mickey Rooney, taking over the part of the Scarecrow, gets one number, "B-R-A-N-E", while Danny Thomas (the Tin Man) and Milton Berle (the Lion) utilize their exceptional talents to put together their characterizations. A new amusing character is Pumpkinhead, voiced by none other than Paul Lynde.
Other voices include Paul Ford as Uncle Henry, Herschel Bernardi as Woodenhead Pinto Stallion III, and Warner Brothers animated legend Mel Blanc as the crow. While the animation isn't as sophisticated looking as Disney's (or even "Gay Pur-ee" and "Charlotte's Web"), it isn't horrible like some of the poorly made T.V. specials either. It's just too bad that this has escaped even becoming fairly well known, because Liza's teenaged voice really compliments the characters, sounding so much like her mother's. This journey back to the land where dreams really do come true is well worth taking.
The songs by Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn aren't bad, but they are not up there with the legendary score by E.Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen, or even Stephen Schwartz's songs for "Wicked". "That Feeling For Home" is Liza's "Over the Rainbow", but unfortunately, it hasn't become one of her standards. Merman gets a few camp numbers, such as "If You're Gonna Be A Witch, Be A Witch" and "An Elephant Never Forgets", the titles of which indicate their camp potential. Mickey Rooney, taking over the part of the Scarecrow, gets one number, "B-R-A-N-E", while Danny Thomas (the Tin Man) and Milton Berle (the Lion) utilize their exceptional talents to put together their characterizations. A new amusing character is Pumpkinhead, voiced by none other than Paul Lynde.
Other voices include Paul Ford as Uncle Henry, Herschel Bernardi as Woodenhead Pinto Stallion III, and Warner Brothers animated legend Mel Blanc as the crow. While the animation isn't as sophisticated looking as Disney's (or even "Gay Pur-ee" and "Charlotte's Web"), it isn't horrible like some of the poorly made T.V. specials either. It's just too bad that this has escaped even becoming fairly well known, because Liza's teenaged voice really compliments the characters, sounding so much like her mother's. This journey back to the land where dreams really do come true is well worth taking.
Very Good Cartoon Sequel! Liza rocks in it!
tponei24 January 2001
I first saw this film when I was about 5 or 6, and to this day I've always loved it! Just the story, the voices the songs, the animation was really cute and simple, the gorgeous backgrounds- Liza Minnelli is in the lead as the voice of 'Dorothy', the rest of the cast include, Mickey Rooney (Scarecrow), Ethel Merman (Mombi-the wicked witch of the west's cousin) Paul Lynde (Pumpkin head), and the original 'wicked witch of ther west' from the 1939 MGM classic, does a cameo as Dorothy's Aunt Em! The plot is a mesh of "Ozma Of Oz" and "The Land Of OZ" (The wizard of oz's author's, other book sequels) I've always loved this movie, it is a little cheesy mind you, (and some of the songs would be severly critisced by film critics)and are waaaay too long, but the story is a good sequel, it fits in better to the mgm version everyone knows, better than the 1985 film "return To Oz" (which i also love mind you) because it has, the same cheery backdrops, songs, and voices. This film is very rare and hardly known by anyone. In 1964, apparently Liza Minnelli PROUDLY recorded the voice for Dorothy, but then regretted doing it later on, and was embarrassed, seing as it was was designed as a crude exploit of her mother's (Judy Garland's) work!.... "It was easy" quotes Liza, "All I had to do was mimick my momma's voice!" Anyway it's an excellent film, (it should keep most children entertained--all the one i've showed it to have been anyway)so if you are a die-hard Oz-fan you should see, it (it's on video) I personally have "Journey Back To Oz" in my video collection, and it is a favourite for little cousins e.t.c!
P.S I LOVE the soundtrack score for the 'tornado' scene! It's so dramatic and awesome! you've never heard anything like it! it's really cool with heaps of differant instruments!
P.S I LOVE the soundtrack score for the 'tornado' scene! It's so dramatic and awesome! you've never heard anything like it! it's really cool with heaps of differant instruments!
Not that good or bad
ericstevenson6 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
I remember reading in "Guinness World Records" that the 1985 film "Return To Oz" set the record for longest time between a sequel and the original film. Isn't that disproven with this movie which is apparently a sequel to "The Wizard Of Oz" that was made in 1974? Maybe because it's animated, it doesn't count. The 1970's was a terrible time for animation, easily the worst decade. Now, the animation here actually isn't that bad compared to other stuff that came out at the time. I actually really enjoyed Liza Minelli as Dorothy seeing as how she's actually Judy Garland's daughter.
There were still a lot of things that were inconsistent with the original movie which this film was trying to be a sequel to. The Scarecrow apparently became the king of Oz but since when? Also, the ending is pretty cheap with how Mombi turns herself into a flower and is defeated simply by being trampled by her own green elephants. I actually do like these new characters, especially the wooden horse. As "The Wizard Of Oz" is one of my favorite movies, it would certainly be a tough act to follow. The movie itself is harmless, it just has a lot of good and bad stuff to it. **1/2
There were still a lot of things that were inconsistent with the original movie which this film was trying to be a sequel to. The Scarecrow apparently became the king of Oz but since when? Also, the ending is pretty cheap with how Mombi turns herself into a flower and is defeated simply by being trampled by her own green elephants. I actually do like these new characters, especially the wooden horse. As "The Wizard Of Oz" is one of my favorite movies, it would certainly be a tough act to follow. The movie itself is harmless, it just has a lot of good and bad stuff to it. **1/2
For Liza completists...
moonspinner555 March 2001
...and Ethel Merman buffs, too, will love her loud, bossy vocals as the wicked witch Mombi, but this cartoon sequel to "The Wizard Of Oz" is bereft of real imagination, substituting fantasy and excitement with noisy action (and cheaply repeating its footage like a bad music video). Little Dorothy is whisked back to Oz, which has gone to ruin, and meets old and new friends. The inelegant animation is stuck somewhere between the weakest Walt Disney and the less-inspired shows from Hanna-Barbera, however many of the songs are good, particularly Dorothy's sweet lament "It's a Far Away Land", superbly performed by Liza Minnelli. You can count on Minnelli for energy, which is why the movie perks up whenever Dorothy is around. Much of it is unmemorable, and I'm not even sure baby-boomers will get a charge from it since it has been out of circulation for so long. As a curiosity item, just fair. ** from ****
Long story short, it doesn't work
stitch-9914 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I'd wanted to see this for years because I heard it was the official sequel to Wizard and finally got my chance the other day. It did not meet my already low expectations.
Ignoring the poor quality of the animation (which actually was better than expected from Filmation), the story flat-out fails. The only reason this manages to be feature-length is because of the repetitive sequences of Dorothy and co. going to characters from the first film for help, but being told the character is either unwilling or unable to do so. Admittedly, this does give rise to a funny moment from the new character Woodenhead Stallion III who comments, "Ah, great. I wonder who he's gonna send us to." The songs range from awful to fun, if not that clever. The best songs are, of course, the ones sung by Ethel Merman (surely the reason she was cast). All the others are completely forgettable. I only remember the songs by Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion because they, like their first film counterparts, were all built around the respective character's trait they had been seeking previously (and are now demonstrated to not truly have).
The voice acting is all right. Liza Minelli sounds exactly like her mother at that age, which neatly helps bridge the films. The only other returning actor is Margaret Hamilton (the Wicked Witch) now playing Auntie Em of all people! She does okay, but she doesn't capture the spirit of the character; most notably she overdoes a thick Southern accent which is distracting, since they're in Kansas.
To top it off, the moral is contrived and forced. I won't give spoilers, but they fall prey to a common kid's film problem by just sweeping any and all dilemmas the characters may suffer as a result of doing the right thing under the rug in a deus ex machina. And that's to say nothing of the song which just out-of-the-blue starts talking about God, despite nothing being about him up until that point or afterward.
If you're still curious to see the official sequel or just want something colorful to keep your kids occupied for a while, watch it. If not, a much better treatment of a very similar story is Return to Oz. Thank you.
Ignoring the poor quality of the animation (which actually was better than expected from Filmation), the story flat-out fails. The only reason this manages to be feature-length is because of the repetitive sequences of Dorothy and co. going to characters from the first film for help, but being told the character is either unwilling or unable to do so. Admittedly, this does give rise to a funny moment from the new character Woodenhead Stallion III who comments, "Ah, great. I wonder who he's gonna send us to." The songs range from awful to fun, if not that clever. The best songs are, of course, the ones sung by Ethel Merman (surely the reason she was cast). All the others are completely forgettable. I only remember the songs by Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion because they, like their first film counterparts, were all built around the respective character's trait they had been seeking previously (and are now demonstrated to not truly have).
The voice acting is all right. Liza Minelli sounds exactly like her mother at that age, which neatly helps bridge the films. The only other returning actor is Margaret Hamilton (the Wicked Witch) now playing Auntie Em of all people! She does okay, but she doesn't capture the spirit of the character; most notably she overdoes a thick Southern accent which is distracting, since they're in Kansas.
To top it off, the moral is contrived and forced. I won't give spoilers, but they fall prey to a common kid's film problem by just sweeping any and all dilemmas the characters may suffer as a result of doing the right thing under the rug in a deus ex machina. And that's to say nothing of the song which just out-of-the-blue starts talking about God, despite nothing being about him up until that point or afterward.
If you're still curious to see the official sequel or just want something colorful to keep your kids occupied for a while, watch it. If not, a much better treatment of a very similar story is Return to Oz. Thank you.
Another visit to the Wonderful World Of Oz
lordzedd-312 May 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Okay, this has got to be the best animated movie practically ever, it has good animation, a great cast, the supporting cast does a great job. Memorable songs and great dialog. The cast does a great job and it's amazing how well this is put together. I had the record soundtrack when I was a kid and watched every time it was on TV and now that is on DVD, I will be buying it ASAP. But for now I must regale you with what I think of the best animated movie, even better then THE LAST UNICORN. That's right, better. Not much better and it does get draggy at points. But a must for any fan of the WIZARD OF OZ and if you love LIZA, then see the ironic movie that places her in the role that made her Mother a star. JOURNEY BACK TO OZ again and again, 10 STARS.
An Unnecessary Return to the Merry ol' Land of Oz
elicopperman25 July 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The Wizard of Oz has remained a cinematic treasure ever since its release in 1939 and its revised broadcasted version in 1956, mainly for its charming childhood presence, lovable characters and timeless musical numbers. So of course, when something gains massive popularity, there are bound to be knock offs and sequels, such as the case with this film. Originally conceived by Fred Ladd and Norm Prescott in the early 60s, the project had an all-star cast, including Judy Garland's daughter Liza Minnelli as the iconic Dorothy Gale. Due to their finances collapsing however, the attempted sequel had to be shelved until Prescott and producer Lou Scheimer made their money back with their company Filmation in 1970. Similar to its predecessor, it didn't do very well on its original release and only performed fair on TV, but unlike its processor, it fell into obscurity, and for good reason.
The film follows Dorothy and Toto after she winds up back to Oz through a cyclone. Once she and some new friends learn that the Wicked Witch's cousin Mombi is going to take over the Emerald City, Dorothy must save both Oz and the Scarecrow (who is now king of the Emerald City). The biggest problem with Journey Back to Oz is that it feels more like an excuse to go back to the merry ol' land than an actual continuation. Much of the plot feels very repetitive, as it features Dorothy meeting character after character, and even when she does meet her old friends for help, they are unwilling to do so for personal reasons. Even the new characters she meets, such as Pumpkinhead and Woodenhead the horse, are only built off bare origins and don't really grow from there on out. In addition, while queen Mombi's intention of taking over the Emerald City with an army of giant green elephants sounds frightening in its own right, the film lacks a lot of necessary thrills and suspense to give this plot line the right amount of meat it deserves. Also, without giving away the ending or even climax, the characters don't go through any serious dilemmas and just pull off a pathetic deus ex machina to save the day. Sequels work best when you tell a story that lets the former characters evolve with continuing adventures; this film has no point of going back to Oz other than petty corporatism.
Now to the film's credit, the voice acting is mostly spot on, including Liza Minnelli providing the vocal and singing performances for Dorothy. As she recorded her material when she was 15 (28 when the film was finally released), she feels appropriate for her age, and while she does sound similar to her mother, she still put her best foot forward with a voice worth resonating to emotionally. The other cast consists of Paul Lynde as the nervous neurotic Pumpkinhead, Herschel Bernardi as the stern Woodenhead, Ethel Merman as the menacing witch Mombi, Mickey Rooney as the stressed out Scarecrow, Danny Thomas as the Tin Man, Milton Berle as the pompous Lion, Mel Blanc as Mombi's pet crow, and operatic mezzo-soprano Rise Stevens as Glinda. If anything remotely glamorous came from this film, it would have to be their performances, as one can tell they did the most given what they had to work with. Unfortunately, the characters in general are not very interesting, and they might not have worked as much without the actor's contributions. Also, nothing against Rooney, Thomas or even Berle, but they didn't even try to sound like Ray Bolger, Jack Haley or Bert Lahr at all (and Thomas's tracks sound slightly deteriorated). When the cast can deliver better material for your characters than your script can, at least you have something that can save them from being completely worthless.
Being a Filmation production, the animation is not even close to matching the superior Disney content, but it's far above all the other poor quality schlock the studio made. At the film's most creative, some fantasy sequences contain lush visuals and colorful artistry, and even a lot of the backgrounds look very surreal and vibrant in their own right, including the Emerald city before and after Mombi's breakthrough. While the character animation can be static at times, the animators still gave off some charming performances with specific gestures sprinkled throughout. The only thing that's holding the visuals back is that the returning characters come off as genericized carbon cartoon copies of themselves, down to barely looking like how they used to. As for the songs by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen, they range from fun to insipid, of course lacking the timeless appeal of the 1939 film's soundtrack. The best ones were sung by Liza Minnelli and Ethel Merman, including one at the end that came close to touching my heart. The songs by Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Lion and even Woodenhead do build around their new traits that they don't really have, but the rest are easily forgotten as soon as they finish. Not to mention, most of the musical numbers stop the film dead in its tracks, including a pointless one with a post sign at the beginning, something that would be fixed by better animated films later on.
Unless you're a Liza Minnelli enthusiast or a die hard Wizard of Oz fanatic, this film has nothing much going for it and can be scrapped aside like most spinoffs of the 1939 classic. Although Journey Back to Oz does save itself from being poor thanks to some quality voice work, imaginative environments and some worthwhile songs, it still doesn't work very well due to its mundane premise, bland characters, and shoddy climax. The 1939 film may not be completely perfect, but the genuine heart and effort that went into it is why people still fondly remember it to this day. This feels more like a dated product of its time, as its main purpose was to cash in on the popularity of the iconic feature, and that is why nobody really cares for it nowadays outside of people who grew up with it (not that I want to take away their love for it). Like most of Filmation's content, this sadly represents everything poor about animated content back then.
The film follows Dorothy and Toto after she winds up back to Oz through a cyclone. Once she and some new friends learn that the Wicked Witch's cousin Mombi is going to take over the Emerald City, Dorothy must save both Oz and the Scarecrow (who is now king of the Emerald City). The biggest problem with Journey Back to Oz is that it feels more like an excuse to go back to the merry ol' land than an actual continuation. Much of the plot feels very repetitive, as it features Dorothy meeting character after character, and even when she does meet her old friends for help, they are unwilling to do so for personal reasons. Even the new characters she meets, such as Pumpkinhead and Woodenhead the horse, are only built off bare origins and don't really grow from there on out. In addition, while queen Mombi's intention of taking over the Emerald City with an army of giant green elephants sounds frightening in its own right, the film lacks a lot of necessary thrills and suspense to give this plot line the right amount of meat it deserves. Also, without giving away the ending or even climax, the characters don't go through any serious dilemmas and just pull off a pathetic deus ex machina to save the day. Sequels work best when you tell a story that lets the former characters evolve with continuing adventures; this film has no point of going back to Oz other than petty corporatism.
Now to the film's credit, the voice acting is mostly spot on, including Liza Minnelli providing the vocal and singing performances for Dorothy. As she recorded her material when she was 15 (28 when the film was finally released), she feels appropriate for her age, and while she does sound similar to her mother, she still put her best foot forward with a voice worth resonating to emotionally. The other cast consists of Paul Lynde as the nervous neurotic Pumpkinhead, Herschel Bernardi as the stern Woodenhead, Ethel Merman as the menacing witch Mombi, Mickey Rooney as the stressed out Scarecrow, Danny Thomas as the Tin Man, Milton Berle as the pompous Lion, Mel Blanc as Mombi's pet crow, and operatic mezzo-soprano Rise Stevens as Glinda. If anything remotely glamorous came from this film, it would have to be their performances, as one can tell they did the most given what they had to work with. Unfortunately, the characters in general are not very interesting, and they might not have worked as much without the actor's contributions. Also, nothing against Rooney, Thomas or even Berle, but they didn't even try to sound like Ray Bolger, Jack Haley or Bert Lahr at all (and Thomas's tracks sound slightly deteriorated). When the cast can deliver better material for your characters than your script can, at least you have something that can save them from being completely worthless.
Being a Filmation production, the animation is not even close to matching the superior Disney content, but it's far above all the other poor quality schlock the studio made. At the film's most creative, some fantasy sequences contain lush visuals and colorful artistry, and even a lot of the backgrounds look very surreal and vibrant in their own right, including the Emerald city before and after Mombi's breakthrough. While the character animation can be static at times, the animators still gave off some charming performances with specific gestures sprinkled throughout. The only thing that's holding the visuals back is that the returning characters come off as genericized carbon cartoon copies of themselves, down to barely looking like how they used to. As for the songs by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen, they range from fun to insipid, of course lacking the timeless appeal of the 1939 film's soundtrack. The best ones were sung by Liza Minnelli and Ethel Merman, including one at the end that came close to touching my heart. The songs by Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Lion and even Woodenhead do build around their new traits that they don't really have, but the rest are easily forgotten as soon as they finish. Not to mention, most of the musical numbers stop the film dead in its tracks, including a pointless one with a post sign at the beginning, something that would be fixed by better animated films later on.
Unless you're a Liza Minnelli enthusiast or a die hard Wizard of Oz fanatic, this film has nothing much going for it and can be scrapped aside like most spinoffs of the 1939 classic. Although Journey Back to Oz does save itself from being poor thanks to some quality voice work, imaginative environments and some worthwhile songs, it still doesn't work very well due to its mundane premise, bland characters, and shoddy climax. The 1939 film may not be completely perfect, but the genuine heart and effort that went into it is why people still fondly remember it to this day. This feels more like a dated product of its time, as its main purpose was to cash in on the popularity of the iconic feature, and that is why nobody really cares for it nowadays outside of people who grew up with it (not that I want to take away their love for it). Like most of Filmation's content, this sadly represents everything poor about animated content back then.
Much better than expected!
TheLittleSongbird17 June 2009
I don't think it is quite as good as the 1939 classic, which was and still is my childhood favourite, but it is an enjoyable underrated film, that is nowhere near as bad as some people say it is. The animation while simple, is colourful and adds to the charm of the film. The songs, while not as fabulous as the 1939 film, are still very nice and quite charming, even "Carousel". Liza Minelli does an excellent job as Dorothy, and I think her singing voice here was beautiful, and here she sounds like her mother, the wonderful Judy Garland. I loved the characters Pumpkinhead, Glinda (voiced by beautiful opera singer Rise Steevens) and the Horse, but the biggest surprise was Ethel Merman as the witch Mombi. This is still the same person who has the big, brassy voice from films like Call Me Madam, yet she does this film, and manages to do a truly excellent voice over, that is both sinister and fun. Even Margaret Hamilton, the wicked Witch in the 1939 film, voices Aunt Em here The story is like the animation, cute and charming, not the best story line in the world, but stays fairly true to the film it obviously drew its inspiration from. All in all, an enjoyable, charming film. It's not perfect, but I've honestly seen worse. 8/10 Bethany Cox.
Cute concept, terrible songs
HotToastyRag6 December 2019
The first ten minutes of Journey Back to Oz are really cute. Young Dorothy is shown back on her aunt and uncle's farm as they're preparing for another twister. She's thinking of her old friends back in the land of Oz and how she'd wish she could go back and visit them. She sings a pretty song and then gets to go back! Liza Minnelli does a really good job impersonating her mother, especially when she sings. Margaret Hamilton gives voice to Auntie Em, and the credits promise Mickey Rooney as the scarecrow and Ethel Merman as the evil witch. Then the rest of the movie turns really bad.
I know it's tempting to rent this, but trust me, just watch it until she gets to Oz. I love Ethel Merman even more than the next person, but her songs-and everyone else's for that matter-are terrible, and her stampeding elephant army gets old and irritating fast. Mickey Rooney has a very tiny part, but Milton Berle's Cowardly Lion and Danny Thomas's Tin Man have even smaller parts. It was a very cute concept, but the end result is very disappointing.
DLM warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. There are several scenes with a bumpy camera, like when Toto chases a cat or anytime the elephants thunder into town, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
I know it's tempting to rent this, but trust me, just watch it until she gets to Oz. I love Ethel Merman even more than the next person, but her songs-and everyone else's for that matter-are terrible, and her stampeding elephant army gets old and irritating fast. Mickey Rooney has a very tiny part, but Milton Berle's Cowardly Lion and Danny Thomas's Tin Man have even smaller parts. It was a very cute concept, but the end result is very disappointing.
DLM warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. There are several scenes with a bumpy camera, like when Toto chases a cat or anytime the elephants thunder into town, and that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"
Surprising!!
kita11727 June 2003
This movie was great for an animation. The music in my opinion was the best overall. I liked the opening of the movie. I loved the characters in the movie, and Dorothy can sing really well. A must see for children and adults.
It suffers from comparisons to the 1939 film.
planktonrules17 May 2023
There is a HUGE problem with any film based on "The Wizard of Oz" books by Frank Baum. The 1939 film version is such a classic, so iconic, that no follow-up film could satisfy audiences. This is a huge problem with this cartoon sequel...you cannot help but compare it and it always comes up short. Now this isn't to say it's terrible...it just is a film that couldn't have been a success and I'm surprised the Filmation folks didn't consider this more.
As for Filmation and the production of the picture, it' was a VERY difficult project as the tiny studio barely had any money. As a result, it took about a decade to actually finish the movie and release it! Because of this, the voice of Dorothy provided by Liza Minelli actually sounds young because she was a teen when she voiced the character.
So is the picture any good? Well, animation-wise it's not very good. After all, Filmation was not exactly Disney or Looney Tunes! The frame-rate for the picture is low, the quality of the art is fair at best and it didn't look much better than any of their TV work, such as "Bill Cosby and the Cosby Kids".
As for the story and voice acting, it's okay...but really suffers when compared to the famous MGM film. Much of it is because adults and kids alike can enjoy "The Wizard of Oz" (1939) but this sequel is strictly kids stuff...and for very undemanding kids.
As for Filmation and the production of the picture, it' was a VERY difficult project as the tiny studio barely had any money. As a result, it took about a decade to actually finish the movie and release it! Because of this, the voice of Dorothy provided by Liza Minelli actually sounds young because she was a teen when she voiced the character.
So is the picture any good? Well, animation-wise it's not very good. After all, Filmation was not exactly Disney or Looney Tunes! The frame-rate for the picture is low, the quality of the art is fair at best and it didn't look much better than any of their TV work, such as "Bill Cosby and the Cosby Kids".
As for the story and voice acting, it's okay...but really suffers when compared to the famous MGM film. Much of it is because adults and kids alike can enjoy "The Wizard of Oz" (1939) but this sequel is strictly kids stuff...and for very undemanding kids.
A Two Way Review.
Stebaer412 September 2019
As Leonard Maltin put it in his review Adults would like it for the all-Star cast of familiar voice supplimentations including Liza Minelli in her mother's role as Dorothy. While it's okay for kids .Margaret Hamilton who Played The Wicked Witch of The West in The Wizard of OZ supplied the voice of Aunty Em in this animated sequel.
Truthfully,Stephen "Steve" G. Baer a.k.a. "Ste"of Framingham,MA.
Truthfully,Stephen "Steve" G. Baer a.k.a. "Ste"of Framingham,MA.
Fantastic Sequel!
M.Hunt7 February 1999
This movie is excellent! Liza sounds just like her mother when she did the film that it gives me chills every time! I love the new songs and the wonderful plotline which is mesh of "The Marvelous Land of Oz" and "Ozma of Oz". A fantastic sequel =)
Excellent Retro Hand Drawn Animation
johnstonjames5 February 2010
Warning: Spoilers
I hadn't seen this in years. I am a big fan of hand drawn animation, especially the vintage retro stuff. if it's vintage and old I like it, even if it's garbage. I bought this because I was curious about it and wanted to see if it was any good,(I had remembered it being pretty bad at the time I saw it it in the seventies) I was surprised to find that the years have been good to this film.
The Hal Sutherland animation studios were never the top of the craft. even now one can hardly make a claim that they are on a par with the Disney studio. but this little film was their most major effort,( they usually assigned themselves to the Saturday morning TV cartoon post. something at that time Disney wouldn't touch).But now that classic hand drawn animation is a dying craft, this film seems quite ambitious and unique. it's backgrounds are lush and colorful, the character animation cute and funny, and the vocals are basically good with Liza Minnelli being an exceptional treat. who else to voice Dorothy but the original film Dorothy's daughter? and they were able to obtain her because at the time she was only fifteen and not yet famous.
I noticed from the other reviews that this sweet little film has some other fans. that is really cute and very touching. it takes a lot of gentle sweetness and heart to like a little film like this and considering how under appreciated this film is, and how under appreciated hand animation has become by mass taste who seem to prefer computer animation to hand drawing these days,these people who liked this film deserve to be truly commended for their gracious perceptiveness. there really are still some very nice modest little people left in the world and that is touching.
OZ is a wonderful place. It should always be kept close to our heart. God bless.
The Hal Sutherland animation studios were never the top of the craft. even now one can hardly make a claim that they are on a par with the Disney studio. but this little film was their most major effort,( they usually assigned themselves to the Saturday morning TV cartoon post. something at that time Disney wouldn't touch).But now that classic hand drawn animation is a dying craft, this film seems quite ambitious and unique. it's backgrounds are lush and colorful, the character animation cute and funny, and the vocals are basically good with Liza Minnelli being an exceptional treat. who else to voice Dorothy but the original film Dorothy's daughter? and they were able to obtain her because at the time she was only fifteen and not yet famous.
I noticed from the other reviews that this sweet little film has some other fans. that is really cute and very touching. it takes a lot of gentle sweetness and heart to like a little film like this and considering how under appreciated this film is, and how under appreciated hand animation has become by mass taste who seem to prefer computer animation to hand drawing these days,these people who liked this film deserve to be truly commended for their gracious perceptiveness. there really are still some very nice modest little people left in the world and that is touching.
OZ is a wonderful place. It should always be kept close to our heart. God bless.
An excellent sequel to the 1939 film "The Wizard of OZ"
ja_kitty_7121 October 2007
At first, I had never even heard of this film, let alone that this film was intended to be a sequel to the 1939 live-action film "The Wizard of Oz," but I think it's meant as a sequel to the original book. I've bought the movie on DVD, and after watching it, I found it an excellent sequel film, but as a sequel to the original book. I was shocked and surprised by the negative reviews I would see on the Web.
I love the talents of Paul Lynde, who played Uncle Arthur in TV's live-action comedy series "Bewitched," and Liza Minnelli, who provided the voice of Dorothy, reprising the role originally played by her mother Judy Garland. And Liza does sound a lot like her mother when she says, "You wicked old witch!" I love Judy; I have a few of her films.
I love the talents of Paul Lynde, who played Uncle Arthur in TV's live-action comedy series "Bewitched," and Liza Minnelli, who provided the voice of Dorothy, reprising the role originally played by her mother Judy Garland. And Liza does sound a lot like her mother when she says, "You wicked old witch!" I love Judy; I have a few of her films.
Well, I Don't KNow When This Movie Came Out!
richard.fuller16 January 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I think I saw it a Sunday afternoon, in the '70s, and as a kid, if it was new to me, then it was new. I didn't like it, mainly as I was told it wasn't Judy Garland's voice. That disappointed me.
But looking back again, I didn't care for Ethel Merman as the follow-up witch (didn't care for the name Mombi either).
But overall, I liked Paul Lynde, Herschel Bernardi and all the voicework. I got a kick out of the Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man songs all being the same; H-E-A-R-T, B-R-A-V-E and for the Scarecrow, B-R-A-N-E. If I am remembering that correctly.
Later, I would actually see this had a theatrical release and I was very puzzled by that, but I didn't go see it. I think it was just something for families to do with their kids.
I wouldn't mind seeing it again tho. I remember there just seemed to be a lot of excitement with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Pumpkinhead and the horse racing around.
A comic book version about this same time would have the same characters, but seemed to have a deer's head on the side of the basket of a balloon.
But looking back again, I didn't care for Ethel Merman as the follow-up witch (didn't care for the name Mombi either).
But overall, I liked Paul Lynde, Herschel Bernardi and all the voicework. I got a kick out of the Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man songs all being the same; H-E-A-R-T, B-R-A-V-E and for the Scarecrow, B-R-A-N-E. If I am remembering that correctly.
Later, I would actually see this had a theatrical release and I was very puzzled by that, but I didn't go see it. I think it was just something for families to do with their kids.
I wouldn't mind seeing it again tho. I remember there just seemed to be a lot of excitement with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, Pumpkinhead and the horse racing around.
A comic book version about this same time would have the same characters, but seemed to have a deer's head on the side of the basket of a balloon.
Strange movie, and a bizarre surprise
phil-47614 April 2004
My kids liked this movie but I think even they started flagging after a while. I totally agree it's way too long, and some really weird music and songs.
The most interesting thing from a UK perspective is an odd moment in the Overture at the beginning of the movie. It surprisingly contains a well known and much loved UK TV theme tune.
British viewers will recognise the News At Ten theme tune in it's entireity minus of course the chimes of Big Ben. I always thought it was specially composed for the show but it was lifted from the score of this movie!
Who knew?
The most interesting thing from a UK perspective is an odd moment in the Overture at the beginning of the movie. It surprisingly contains a well known and much loved UK TV theme tune.
British viewers will recognise the News At Ten theme tune in it's entireity minus of course the chimes of Big Ben. I always thought it was specially composed for the show but it was lifted from the score of this movie!
Who knew?
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
