The Dreamer of Oz: The L. Frank Baum Story

• Director: Jack Bender
• AMG Rating:
• Genre: Drama
• Movie Type: Biopic, Docudrama
• Themes: Writer's Life, Life in the Arts
• Main Cast: Charles Haid, Charles Haid, Jerry Maren, Annette O'Toole, John Ritter
• Release Year: 1990
• Country: US
• Run Time: 96 minutes

Plot

This sentimentalized biography of Oz creator L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) stars John Ritter in the title role. Richard Matheson's teleplay accurately depicts Baum as a business failure with the singular gift of being able to communicate with children. In keeping with Matheson's grounding in fantasy and the supernatural, Baum's characters occasionally come to life to palaver with the author and bring him inspiration. Annette O'Toole co-stars as Mrs. Baum, while Charles Haid is seen in the dual role of "Badham" and the Cowardly Lion. Also on hand as a Munchkin is Jerry Maren, who played one of the Lollipop Guild in the 1939 Hollywood adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Made for television, Dreamer of Oz: The L. Frank Baum Story debuted December 10, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

David Ellzey - Scarecrow; Tim Eyster - Frank J. Baum (5-9 years); Ed Gale - Ned Brown; Rod Gist - Carpenter; Frank Hamilton - Sullivan; Alexis Kirschner - "Tweety Robbins"; Nancy Lenehan - Harriet Baum; Paul Linke - Opie Read; Richard Marion - Stage Manager; Rue McClanahan - Matilda J. Gage; John Cameron Mitchell - Albert the Reporter; Nancy Morgan - Helen; Annette O'Toole - Maud Gage Baum; Laura Owens - Actress; Christopher Pettiet - Teenage Frank Jr.; Jason Ritter - Harry Neal Baum; John Ritter - L. Frank Baum; David Schramm - W.W. Denslow; Pat Skipper - Charlie; Ryan Todd - Robert Baum; Terry Wills - Photographer; Charles Haid - Cowardly Lion; Roger Steffens - Salesman; Elizabeth Barrington - Mrs. Munchkin; Steven Gilborn - George M. Hill; Courtney Barilla - Dorothy Gale; Jerry Maren - Mr. Munchkin

Credit

Molly Lopata - Casting, Jennifer Von Mayrhauser - Costume Designer, Jack Bender - Director, Jerrold L. Ludwig - Editor, Lee Holdridge - Composer (Music Score), James Hulsey - Production Designer, Thomas Burstyn - Cinematographer, Ervin Zavada - Producer, Richard Matheson - Screenwriter

Similar Movies

The Wiz; The Whole Wide World; A Bear Named Winnie

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)