In 1975, more than a decade into a career that would establish him as one of the most innovative children's book authors of his time, artist and illustrator Ed Emberley followed the gothic woodcuts of his previous book, Suppose You Met a Witch, with a complete left turn: the story of a prince turned into a frog, and the bumbling wizard whose spells take the form of dizzying optical illusions. Combining the bold graphic experimentation of the 1970s Op-Art movement with the charmingly irreverent storytelling for which Emberley is renowned, Wizard of Op is a visual odyssey like no other. Anthology is proud to reintroduce this little-known masterpiece from a wizard of children's literature.

A slightly inept wizard casts his spells which are demonstrated to us through the techniques of optical art.

When Russel B. Nye and Martin Gardner teamed up to bring out a new edition of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, theirs was the first critical analysis of L. Frank Baum American classic. The book opens with an essay by Nye, entitled "An Appreciation," which is an overview of Baum's creative and imaginative genius. Nye explores the reasons why earlier critics virtually ignored the Oz stories. Gardner, in his essay, "The Royal Historian of Oz," presents a brief biographical sketch, revealing little-known facts about this prolific writer. The volume also contains the complete, original text of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, along with many original illustrations by artist W. W. Denslow.

One of the most beloved film musicals of all time, The Wizard of Oz represents an enduring family favorite and cultural classic. Yet there is much more to the story than meets the eye, and the MGM movie is just one of many ways in which it has been represented. In this lively and wide-ranging book, editors Danielle Birkett and Dominic McHugh bring together insights from eleven experts into the varied musical forms this great American myth has taken in the past century. Starting with the early adaptations of L. Frank Baum's story, the book also explores the writing, composition and reception of the MGM film, its importance in queer culture, stage adaptations of the movie, cult classic The Wiz, Stephen Schwartz's Broadway blockbuster Wicked, and the cultural afterlife of the iconic Arlen-Harburg songs. What emerges is a vivid overview of how music - on stage and screen - has been an essential part of the story's journey to become a centerpiece of American culture.

(Applause Books). PUBLISHED ON THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RELEASE OF THE FILM: AUGUST 15, 2004! The Wizard of Oz is one of the most popular and beloved motion pictures of all time. Seen by over one billion people worldwide since its 1939 premiere, Oz is an indelible part of our national consciousness and our earliest childhood memories. Why does this movie endure despite modern advances in film make-up and special effects? This lavishly illustrated book explores the construction of Oz at the height of Hollywood's golden age and under the auspices of filmdom's greatest studio. Details about Oz's make-up, costumes and special effects are revealed, accompanied by rare stills, Technicolor test frames, and blueprints over 300 color and B&W illustrations, many published for the first time! Actual costumes and props now priceless treasures are presented from the archives of memorabilia collectors, supplemented by never-before-conducted interviews with Oz's cast and crew. Written by the nation's leading Oz authorities, and with a foreword by the Cowardly Lion's make-up man, The Wizardry of Oz is a fascinating trip over the rainbow, from concept to realization. This book is an absolute must for Oz fans, film scholars, devotees of Judy Garland and Hollywood's golden era, or anyone who's ever wondered, "How'd they do that?" while watching this classic.