Inspiring imagination

Momma and I are proud to reveal Momma's contribution for the upcoming Dolls for a Cause auction benefitting Kids Need to Read.  

(Please forgive the quality of the photographs, but Momma was in a terrible rush.)

Founded by Nathan Fillion, Kids Need to Read works to create a culture of reading for children by providing inspiring books to underfunded schools, libraries, and literacy programs across the United States, especially those serving disadvantaged children.

The inspiration for Momma's donation came from one of Momma's favorite books. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. Originally published on May 17, 1900, it has been described as the original American fairy tale.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has since been reprinted many times, most often under the name The Wizard of Oz, which is the name of the well-known 1939 moving picture.

"Dorothy had only one other dress, but that happened to be clean and was hanging on a peg beside her bed. It was gingham, with checks of white and blue; and although the blue was somewhat faded with many washings, it was still a pretty frock. The girl washed herself carefully, dressed herself in the clean gingham, and tied her pink sunbonnet on her head. She took a little basket and filled it with bread from the cupboard, laying a white cloth over the top. Then she looked down at her feet and noticed how old and worn her shoes were. 

"At that moment Dorothy saw lying on the table the silver shoes that had belonged to the Witch of the East. 

"She took off her old leather shoes and tried on the silver ones, which fitted her as well as if they had been made for her."

Based upon the original book description and illustrations, this auction includes:

• Dorothy's faded blue gingham dress
• white petticoat
• pink sunbonnet
• silver shoes  (purchased)
• mini basket and and a white cloth
• loaf of bread (by Pippaloo)
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz paperback (purchased)
• miniature copy of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by American Girl
• Susan Winget red poppies storage box (purchased)
• Toto, too!
• buttons and bookmarks from Kids Need to Read

A pair of ruby shoes (purchased) is also included to honor the 75th anniversary of the epic 1939 movie!

Everything will be carefully packed in a collectable red poppy box before being packed inside another box for mailing.

The auction starts on Nov. 9, 2014 and ends Nov. 16, 2014.

Happy bidding!

It's bigger on the inside

That shriek you heard this afternoon was Momma.

While purchasing a copy of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz for the upcoming Dolls for a Cause auction benefitting Kids Need to Read, she spotted this little beauty.

A Doctor Who Photo Real TARDIS Backpack.

And. It. Fits. Me.

Perfectly.

(Well, I fit inside it perfectly.)

Die-cut into the iconic TARDIS from BBC’s Doctor Who, this TARDIS backpack features a padded back, adjustable straps and multiple compartments to fit all of your everyday needs. Whether it’s for school, work or time traveling adventures, the TARDIS Backpack is the perfect way for Whovians to display their love for their favorite Doctor.

• Generously sized backpack with one large main compartment

• Interior organization includes 2 open pockets, 1 Velcro closure pocket and 2 pencil/pen holders

• Padded back and side panels

• Adjustable shoulder straps

• 100% polyester

• Spot clean as needed

• Measures 12” x 20” x 5”

• Imported

If you think her shriek was loud, you should have heard Mine!

(The Weeping Angels are now covering their ears, not their eyes.)

Stay tuned for more Exciting Adventures!

If I Only Had a Brain

Honestly, I waited ALL YEAR to write my special The Wizard of Oz anniversary post for Aug. 25, 2014.

And I forgot.

(That was Yesterday ... in case you didn't notice.)

The Wizard of Oz, a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, opened nationally on Aug. 25, 1939. It is the most well-known adaptation of L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. 

The film starred Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale; Ray Bolger as Hunk/Scarecrow; Jack Haley as Hickory/Tin Man; Bert Lahr as Zeke/Cowardly Lion; Frank Morgan as Professor Marvel/The Wizard/Doorman/Cabbie/Guard; Billie Burke as Glinda the Good Witch of the North; and (My Personal Favorite), Margaret Hamilton as Miss Almira Gulch/The Wicked Witch of the West. 

Notable for its use of Technicolor and elaborate use of make-up and special effects, the film's first sneak preview was held in San Bernardino, California. The film was previewed in three test markets: on Aug. 11, 1939, at Kenosha, Wisconsin and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and at the Strand Theatre in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin on Aug. 12.

The Hollywood premiere was on Aug. 15, 1939 at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The New York City premiere was held at Loew's Capitol Theatre on Aug. 17, 1939.

Amazingly, it was not a box office success on its initial release, earning only $3,017,000 on a $2,777,000 budget.

Can I click my heels three times and yesterday over?

Bad Apple outfit by Greta Garb-Oh!

Ruby boots by Welcome to Neverland

Shiny

I swooned, Momma looks like a deer caught in the headlights, but Nathan Fillion really is ruggedly handsome.

(A copy of this photograph will go to the lucky winner of the Dorothy of Oz outfit I am wearing. It will be one of three book-related collections auctioned in August by Dolls for a Cause for Fillion's organization, Kids Need to Read.)

One bad apple

Greta Garb-oh!

I'm sooo sorry I haven't posted much in the past few weeks, but it has been busy around here. 

Momma switched jobs, both Grandmomma and Grandpoppa had surgery, and the school year ended for my Big Sister.

Phew!

Oh, and Momma has been sewing of course.

Her latest outfit is inspired by both the book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz AND the 1939 classic film, The Wizard of Oz.

Momma likes the moving picture, but she LOVES the original 14 Oz books.

And who can blame her?

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. Originally published by the George M. Hill Company in Chicago on May 17, 1900, it has since been reprinted numerous times, most often under the name The Wizard of Oz, which is the name of both the popular 1902 Broadway musical and the well-known 1939 film adaptation.

The story chronicles the adventures of a young girl named Dorothy Gale in the Land of Oz, after being swept away from her Kansas farm home in a cyclone. The novel is one of the best-known stories in American popular culture and has been widely translated. Its initial success, and the success of the 1902 Broadway musical which Baum adapted from his original story, led to Baum's writing 13 more Oz books. The original book has been in the public domain in the US since 1956.

In the book, when Dorothy and her companions try to enter the forest, the Fighting Trees pick the Scarecrow up and throw him back two times. They are easily overcome by the Tin Woodman and his a sharp axe.
 
In the 1939 film version, apple trees become annoyed with Dorothy when she picks an apple from one of them. The Scarecrow helps by provoking the apple trees into throwing their apples at him, which Dorothy can then collect. She discovers the Tin Man while collecting the thrown apples.

Using a pattern similar to the iconic film dress worn by Dorothy in the film, Momma used licensed Wizard of Oz fabric, but used the wrong side to soften the look. She paired it with a brown blouse covered with red apples. She is trying to find glittery red boots for the sale version, but I prefer my silver boots. (Dorothy wore silver shoes in the book, but it was changed to ruby red for the film.)

Momma is so excited about this that she is heading up the next Dolls for a Cause auction in August which will benefit Kids Need to Read. Classic books have been chosen for the theme.

Stay tuned for more exciting information.

In the meantime, a version of my One Bad Apple dress will be listed in Momma's Etsy shop soon!

The Wonderful Dolls of Oz

I've got the dreaded Dorothy Doll Dementia right now and wanted to discover when the first Dorothy doll was made.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was published on May 17, 1900. It was followed by a popular 1902 Broadway musical and three moving picture adaptions before the 1939 version starring Judy Garland!

• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910)
• Wizard of Oz (1925)
• The Wizard of Oz (1933)

It is generally acknowledged that Oz merchandise predated the 1939 The Wizard of Oz, but I can't discover when the first dolls appeared. 

Dorothy and Oz character dolls have been produced since then including Madame Alexander, Barbie, Tonner, and the 75th Anniversary of the 1939 release has increased that production. (The Hollywood premiere was on Aug. 15, 1939, at Grauman's Chinese Theatre.)

I, of course, like the newest steampunk versions. (I've always had a thing for both the Tin Woodman and Tik-Tok.)

I'm curious, which do you prefer?


1.) Tonner's Tornado Traveler Dorothy?

tonnerdoll.com

or 2.) Madame Alexander's Dorothy and Toto, Steam Punk Doll?

madamealexander.com

Personally, I like aspects of both dolls (I am seriously loving M.A.'s Toto!) and I am excited to meet the newest addition in September!

CuriOzer and curiOzer!

To be perfectly honest, Momma has not paid too much attention to Madame Alexander dolls since she was a girl. She thinks she has two packed away and my Big Sister has one of their 18 inch dolls, but the childish faces have not appealed to Momma in years.

So we were both Pleasantly Shocked when Doll Diaries posted a photo on Facebook of Steam Punk Dorothy from the 2014 Toy Fair.

WHAT?!

After hastily digging around we discovered not only their Steam Punk Oz line, but a Steam Punk Wonderland line, too!

NEW Commemorative The Wizard of Oz™ 75th Anniversary Dolls Designed by the Iconic Madame Alexander Doll Company!

-- Dorothy and Her Friends Have Been Re-imagined and Will Continue to Spark Imaginations of The Wizard of Oz Lovers --

February 7, 2014 (New York, NY) - From the time Dorothy™ landed in Munchkinland™, Madame Alexander has created exclusive dolls based on the classic film. Seventy-five years later, the journey continues with an exciting new limited edition collection of the classic characters re-imagined in a Steam Punk style, as well as special collectible dolls in celebration of the classic movieʼs 75th anniversary.

The Madame Alexander Doll Company is excited to introduce a new Limited Edition Steam Punk The Wizard of Oz 16” Doll Collection. Inspired by 19th-century sci-fi and fantasy, these brand new Steam Punk-style dolls reenvision the classic The Wizard of Oz™ characters – Dorothy, the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch. Continuing the Madame Alexander Doll Company tradition of “love in the details,” each doll will come with the classic charactersʼ accessories.

Dorothy and Toto Steam Punk Doll $199.95
Dressed in a blue and white gingham skirt, brown velour corset with gold ribbon and a white cotton shirt, this 16” fully articulated brown-eyed, brunette-braided Dorothy™ is set to enter Emerald City. Blue knit thigh-highs, ruby red boots and a black flock-top hat adorned with white and black feathers and gold goggles complete the look. A silver “robot-like” Toto is carried in a white woven basket. 

Wicked Witch of the West Steam Punk Doll $199.95
This 16” fully articulated Wicked Witch of the West™, brunette with brown eyes, is quite fetching interpreted in the Steam Punk style. Green with envy, she is dressed in a green and black taffeta and silk dupioni dress accented with green on green stripes. Buttons and gears embellish her bodice as does a big green tulle bow. Her stylishly floppy black hat is made of dupioni and also accented in green tulle. Other accents include a choker, black suede lace-up boots, and lace stockings - a real wicked witch indeed. Steam Punk Wicked Witch of the West™ is ready to get on her broom and fly over Emerald City! 

Glinda the Good Witch Steam Punk Doll $199.95
With red hair and brown eyes, the 16” fully articulated Glinda the Good Witch™ is ready to take on the Wicked Witch of the West in true Steam Punk style. Her embroidered pink layered petal skirt, accented with a sheer pink train is paired with an embroidered pink satin off-the-shoulder bodice tied with gold ribbon and accented by a gold “gear” butterfly and gold nailheads. A pale pink taffeta petticoat, pink glissenette thigh-highs and gold glitter boots complement the outfit. Ribbons, feathers and watch gears adorn a pink felt top hat, while a gold wired wand, topped with a heart-shaped sphere, complete the look.

We could not find a press release for the Wonderland dolls but here are their descriptions:

Alice In Wonderland Steam Punk Doll $159.95 

A modern twist on a classic theme, the Steam Punk Alice In Wonderland doll is a bent knee, 10" blonde, blue-eyed Cissette dressed a blue and white Victorian inspired stripped taffeta dress is paired with a white organdy blouse with faux buttons, a bow and gold circle accent. The dress, accented with two red satin ribbon belts, has four "pick-ups" held in place with silver metal nail heads. This unique collectible wear white organdy petticoat, white panties, red and white striped thigh highs and brocade ankle boots. Alice carries a canteen and cross body bag plus a set of goggles. A new favorite for Alice in Wonderland fans. 

Mad Hatter Steam Punk Doll $159.95
Our 10", bent knee Mad Hatter doll takes on a new look! Created in a Steam Punk style, with an unique face paint and red hair and wearing a black and grey checkered coat with tails and lined with green and yellow minicheck over striped green woven trousers. His blue and purple taffeta vest is worn over a white organdy shirt accented with dark blue polka dot bow tie. The outfit is accessorize with watch gears, a gold pocket watch and red belts. On his feet are brown pleather boots with metallic buckles. Paired with an orange plaid top hat decorated with gears and a velvet ribbon, this is truly a special gift for Alice in Wonderland fans!

The Steam Punk Wonderland dolls are scheduled to be released in May, and the Steam Punk Oz dolls are scheduled for September.

I'll get you, my pretties, and your little dog, too!

Feeling wicked

I can't help it, but the more I look at Ghoul's Alive Robecca, the more I want to set her up on a blind date with Barbie's Wizard of Oz Tin Man.

Snigger.

I wonder if Mattel will agree?

Nothing is what it seems

I finally got to see Oz The Great and Powerful where I fell in love with what some might call a minor character.

China Girl is from the village of China Town, where everything, including the inhabitants, is made of China. When destruction befalls her land, the brave, resilient, China Girl encounters Oz and they strike up an unlikely friendship.

When Oz finds her, poor China Girl is broken. While he puts her together again, she also puts him together.
 
Sadly, we came home afterward to hear about the tragic events in Boston. All I could think of is how fragile we all are.

Take care of each other.

Please.

When worlds collide

I am a huge fan of mashups and the latest I have heard of is The Oz/Wonderland Chronicles.

Dorothy (The Wonderful Wizard of Oz) and Alice (Peter Pan) have grown up and gone to college. They're now roommates - plus Wendy Darling (Peter Pan) and Susan Pevensie (The Chronicles of Narnia).

Apparantly none remembers her childhood adventure, but that's about to change....

Wowzer! Dorothy, Alice, Wendy, and Susan.

Talk about the Fantastic Four!

I'm off to see the movie

The powerful movie of Oz.

When Oscar Diggs, a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot, with fame and fortune his for the taking... that is, until he meets the witches Theodora, Evanora, and Glinda, who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting.

Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is really evil before it is too late. Putting his "magical" arts to use through illusion, ingenuity, and even a bit of wizardry, Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.

 Have you seen it yet?

Oz and ends

Tonner Dolls

'tis a sad day.

The long awaited (at least by me) Tonner Doll Company's Tornado Traveler Dorothy and Scarecrow Not Afraid of Anything are finally available and Momma's broke.

I generously offered her my half-dime but she said it wasn't enough.

Does anyone know where I can find 7,400 more?

They did the monster mash

Momma and I are fans of mashups, such as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Sense and Sensibility and Seamonsters, and Little Women and Werewolves.

We also like classics reimagined such as Grimm, Tinman, and Oz the Great and Powerful.

So we are quite intrigued with current and upcoming movies Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters and Jack the Giant Slayer.

After getting a taste for blood as children, Hansel and Gretel have become the ultimate vigilantes, hell bent on retribution.  Now, unbeknownst to them, Hansel and Gretel have become the hunted, and must face an evil far greater than witches...their past.

In Jack the Giant Slayer, an ancient war is reignited when a young farmhand unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants. 

Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing the young man, Jack, into the battle of his life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom and its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend… and gets the chance to become a legend himself.

These aren't your insipid childhood fairy tales. They're out for blood.

 

Blown away

Disney's at it again!

Perhaps similar to its 2010 Alice in Wonderland, Oz the Great and Powerful imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum's beloved wizard character.

Scheduled for release on March 8, 2013, Oz the Great and Powerful is set before the events of the 1900 book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and the 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz.

When Oscar Diggs, a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot, with fame and fortune his for the taking... that is, until he meets the witches Theodora, Evanora, and Glinda, who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting.

Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is really evil before it is too late. Putting his "magical" arts to use through illusion, ingenuity, and even a bit of wizardry, Oscar transforms himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man as well.

Momma is quite taken with two of dolls from the upcoming movie. Of the five dolls she saw today, two caught her attention: Oz and China Girl.

Oz is ready for all the adventure that awaits him on his journey through the strange and vibrant land. He is dressed in coat and top hat, carrying a travel bag. He carries (a miniature) China Girl, a porcelain girl who (sic) he befriends and takes under his wing. 

Beautiful and fragile China Girl joins the great and powerful Oz on his journey through the land. She believes in him, and helps him become the great wizard. Her lovely blue dress and bright blue eyes make her truly stand out. China Girl makes a great friend for little girls too!

If I only had a brain

Tonner Doll

My imagination is running amok after yesterday's Tornado Traveler Dorothy reveal, because the next doll listed was Scarecrow: I'm Not Afraid of Anything!

For now all I know is that you can get for $189.99:

• Dressed doll
• Face includes hand-painted details
• Fine quality vinyl and hard plastic
• 17" Matt O'Neill™ head sculpt
• 17" Matt O'Neill™ body
• Matt skin tone
• Painted blue eyes
• Black non-removable saran wigged hair
• Green long sleeved ribbed shirt with a cream ruffle on the collar and brown faux suede accent with an antiqued gold buckle
• Brown faux suede pants with a brown faux suede belt
• Green faux leather jacket with a green ribbed attached capelet and faux suede and faux leather brown straps and mismatched plaid pockets
• Cream net gauntlets
• Silver and gold resin sword with a brown faux leather sword holder
• Matching brown faux suede boots with rib knit cuffs
• Brown faux suede hat with brown faux leather and antiqued gold buckle trim
• Stand
• LE 500

This can only lead to speculation for more.

• Steampunk Tinman?
• Steampunk Cowardly Lion?
• Steampunk Witches?

Who knows! But I am over the rainbow about these releases!

I've got a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore

Tonner Doll

Imagine my surprise today while perusing the 2012 Tonner Fall Holiday Collection, only to spot Tornado Traveler Dorothy.

Swoon.

For a mere $179.99 you too can receive:

• Dressed Doll
• Face includes hand-painted details
• Fine quality vinyl and hard plastic
• Judy Garland head sculpt
• Cheerleader body
• Tyler skin tone
• Brown painted eyes
• Brown rooted saran hair
• Brown faux leather hat with black ribbon trim and antiqued gold buckle
• Gold molded goggles
• Brown faux leather choker
• Brown faux leather bolero
• Brown faux leather corset dress with white bodice
• White and blue checkered skirt with brown faux leather straps
• Brown faux leather belt with bottle holder and green decorative bottle
• Brown faux leather gauntlets
• Blue striped tights with attached panties
• Brown faux leather spats
• Red glitter canvas shoes with red rhinestone decoration
• Stand
• LE 500

I do love that man's style.

Steaming up the kitchen

Winner: http://www.thecakemamas.com

Momma and I got to see an exciting episode of the Food Network's Cupcake Wars this week where four cupcake bakers battled for a place at the Los Angeles opening of the hit Broadway musical "Wicked."

I, of course, loved this episode with its use of green, absinthe, and even some gears! 

So that started me on a search for steampunk-related food items and I found two winners.

First of all, these Copper Steampunk Cookie Cutters from Frenzy Universe.They're so cute it makes me wish they were either in my scale or I was large enough to eat the cookies made from these.

(Hmm, I wonder if Momma could make me a cake from them?)

Secondly, these gear-shaped organic chocolates from Andie 's Specialty Sweets on Etsy.

Gosh. These goodies make me wish I could open my vinyl mouth and eat. 

I guess I'll have to remain satisfied with Pippaloo's award-winning creations for dolls.

For now....

Never again

Like many, I was horrified to hear about a proposed bill in the U.S. Senate. I can't say it any better than Japanese-American actor George Takei who suffered a similar fate as a child,

“Now a bill proposed in the U.S. Senate, S. 1253 (McCain/Levin) would authorize a similar sweeping authority, granted to the President, to order the detention–without charge or trial–of any person even suspected of being associated with a “terrorist organization.”  I could scarcely believe my eyes when I saw that we hadn’t learned from the terrible lessons of the past.”

Let me refresh your memory. Japanese-American internment was the relocation and internment by the United States government in 1942 of approximately 110,000 Japanese-Americans and Japanese who lived along the Pacific coast of the United States to camps called "War Relocation Camps," after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

The internment of Japanese-Americans was applied unequally throughout the United States. Japanese-Americans who lived on the West Coast were all interned, while in Hawai'i (where Japanese Americans formed more than one-third of the population) only 1,200-1,800 Japanese-Americans were interned.

Of those interned, 62 percent were American citizens.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec. 10, 1948 at Palais de Chaillot, Paris, restricts the use of internment; Article 9 states that, "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile."

Has McCain forgotten that Congress passed, and his hero President Ronald Reagan signed, legislation in 1988 which apologized on behalf of the U.S. government for the internment? The legislation said that government actions were based on "race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership."

The U.S. government eventually disbursed more than $1.6 billion in reparations to the Japanese-Americans and their heirs who had been interned.

In this new bill, Section 1031 would let the military lock up both Americans and non-citizens in all 50 states without charges, no trial, and no proof beyond a reasonable doubt. All that would be required would be suspicion.

So why am I so steamed about this? Please remember that I was a slave and held against my will. And I am not alone.

My friend Jeannie Akiko Wakatsuki also spent time in the Arizona internment camps. Her mother's of German-Jewish heritage and her father Japanese. They met at Berkeley but had to marry in Mexico due to California's miscegenation laws at the time. When Jeannie's first-generation father was sent to an internment camp, Jeannie and her mother chose to go with him.

Jeannie's dearest possessions are her Wizard of Oz Madame Alexander dolls and movie memorabilia. If there is one thing she has learned since being in the internment camps, "There's no place like home."

Please let your senator know what you think of this bill.

The coat off his back

Speaking of The Wizard of Oz, did you know that actor Frank Morgan played five different characters in The Wizard of Oz, including Professor Marvel and the Wizard? 

On Nov. 17, 1938 Morgan tested his Professor Marvel makeup on The Wizard of Oz set, using the same costume he had worn for his Wizard test shots the day before.

Six days later, Morgan again posed for test shots of the Professor Marvel character, this time with a different hairstyle, jacket, and tie.

The story behind the second jacket is one of the most curious in all Oz . The story was told by Aljean Harmetz in her 1977 book, The Making of The Wizard of Oz.

"For Professor Marvel's coat," says Mary Mayer, who served briefly as the unit publicist on the picture, "they wanted grandeur gone to seed. A nice-looking coat but very tattered. So the wardrobe department went down to an old second-hand store on Main Street and bought a whole rack of coats."

Actor Frank Morgan and the wardrobe man and director Victor Fleming got together and chose one. It was kind of a Prince Albert coat. It was black broadcloth and it had a velvet collar, but the nap was all worn off the velvet. Helene Bowman recalls the coat as "ratty with age, a Prince Albert jacket with a green look."

The coat fitted Morgan and had the right look of shabby gentility, and one hot afternoon Frank Morgan turned out the pocket. Inside was the name "L. Frank Baum."

"We wired the tailor in Chicago," says Mary Mayer, "and sent pictures. And the tailor sent back a notarized letter saying that the coat had been made for Frank Baum. Baum's widow identified the coat, too, and after the picture was finished we presented it to her. But I could never get anyone to believe the story."

L. Frank Baum died on May 6, 1919, nearly 20 years before the making of the movie!

And then there were three....

Momma gets all sentimental during the holidays - especially when it's something that combines a favorite book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with a favorite movie, The Wizard of Oz.

First published in 1900, it went through several stage and film adaptations before its famous 1939 MGM version.

Telecasts of The Wizard of Oz began in on Nov. 3, 1956, re-introducing the film to the public and eventually becoming an annual Thanksgiving tradition.

So other than tradition, why are We thinking of The Wizard of Oz today?

Karl Slover, one of the last surviving actors who played a Munchkin in the classic film died Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2011. He was 93.

Slover was best known for playing the lead trumpeter in the Munchkins' band but also had roles as a townsman and soldier in the film.

Of the 136 adults and children who were paid to perform as Munchkins, only three are known to still survive:

1. Ruth Duccini of Glendale, Calif.
2. Jerry Maren of Los Angeles, Calif.
3. Margaret Pellegrini of Glendale, Ariz.