Guitar-8
After hearing about Rue McClannigan's death, I remember her role playing the mother in law (whose based on The Wiched Witch of the West). She disliked Frank for being an actor, but then after reading his books, she admits that he's got talent for imagination.So I dug up the vcr tape & saw that movie. The 2nd time NBC aired it, they deleted some scenes. One is when Frank, his wife & mother in law, discussed ideas for titling the story (since it's superstitious to have a name of a jewel in a book title).NBC should've aired this movie the week CBS had The Wizard of Oz, which would be tradition (until cable took it away from CBS).
rye-bread
It's been years since I saw the movie. I tried taping it when it was first broadcast--the reception was awful. I thought the tape unwatchable. It was broadcast again. I think we were taping some other show.But I watched the tape again--I had misplaced it--or thought I hadn't gotten the whole movie. I was pleasantly surprised.The beginning of the show is the widowed Mrs. Baum at the Hollywood premier. Scads of reporters are trying to interview the cast. A single sharp young correspondent notices the elder lady. She's been invited as a token guest. No one really notices her--except the reporter. They sit on the front steps of the replica of the Henry and Em Gale house. She gives him the straight dope. The movie is told in flashback.The end is pure shameless schmaltz. The interview ends. She doesn't even bother going in to watch the movie based on her husband's beloved book. She just stays outside reminiscing. The sounds of the opening theme music we're all familiar with are heard from the theater. The circle is complete. It's a lump-in-the-throat moment.
jsl151
The untimely passing of John Ritter may lead to the rebroadcast and/or home video release of "The Dreamer of Oz".I remember the scene where one of the kids hearing the story of 'The Magic Land' wanted to know what it was named. Glancing around his office he sees a filing cabinet. One drawer labeled 'A-N' and the other 'O-Z'.Later, just before being published, he needs a book title. His wife says, whatever he chooses, it should be wonderful.jsl151
WTH_MovieFan
I loved this movie. I cried so hard at it, very touching. Even though the truth was stretched highly, it still is a great movie. I really wish they would release this to Video/DVD. It upsets me that they will not. I still have my old VHS version from when i taped it when it was first released on TV. Hopefully we will see a real release sometime in the near future.
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