| The Wonderful Wizard of Oz | |
|---|---|
13-minute film clip | |
| Directed by | Otis Turner (unconfirmed) |
| Written by | Otis Turner (unconfirmed) |
| Based on | The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 1900 novel by L. Frank Baum |
| Produced by | William Selig |
| Starring | Bebe Daniels |
| Distributed by | Selig Polyscope Company |
Release date |
|
Running time | 13 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Languages | Silent film English intertitles |
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, also known as The Wizard of Oz,[1] is a 1910 American silent fantasy film and the earliest surviving film version of L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The film was made by the Selig Polyscope Company without Baum's direct input. It was created to fulfill a contractual obligation associated with Baum's personal bankruptcy caused by the failure of his theatrical production The Fairylogue and Radio-Plays.[2] It was partly based on the 1902 stage musical The Wizard of Oz,[3] though much of the film deals with the Wicked Witch of the West, who does not appear in the musical.
It was the beginning of a series of film sequels, also released in 1910 and based on Baum's books, but the sequels are thought to be lost films.
Hogan was invoked but never defined (see the help page).In many ways the film went directly back to the novel for its inspiration and bypassed the narrative changes made for the 1902 stage adaptation. Still, the influence of the 1902 show could not be escaped.... Elements of the 1902 play are also apparent.... The marching guards and dancing courtiers of the Wizard's court almost seem to duplicate the choruses that surrounded the Wizard in the 1902 play.