This iconic American story was written in 1900 by L Frank Baum, a Chicago businessman, journalist, chicken breeder, actor, boutique owner, Hollywood movie director and lifelong fan of all things innovative and technological. His life spanned an era of remarkable invention and achievement in America and many of these developments helped to fuel this great storyteller's imagination. His ambition was to create the first genuine American fairytale and the story continues to fascinate, inspire and engage millions of fans of all ages from all over the world. This documentary explores how The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has come to symbolise the American Dream and includes previously unseen footage from the Baum family archives, still photographs and clips from the early Oz films, as well as interviews with family members, literary experts and American historians as it tells the story of one man's life in parallel to the development of modern America.
Production
Rare Baum family home movies never publicly screened before
Writing
John Lahr's sharp observations on theatrical ambition and fatherhood
Director
Anne Macgregor
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Baum's first career was breeding fancy Hamburg chickens, and he published a trade magazine called The Poultry Record before pivoting to children's literature. The man literally went from coops to Munchkins.
The documentary reveals how Baum's widow and son aggressively controlled his legacy, essentially inventing modern author estate management—and possibly suppressing elements of his biography that complicated the wholesome image.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
GB
