The iconic cinema classic is based on L. Frank Baums book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, illustrated by W.W. Denslow. This childrens book was published in 900 and became a massive success. Baums novel was first adapted into a live production in a regional theater in Chicago, Illinois. The musical was written by Baum, composed by Paul Tietjens, and produced by Julian Mitchell. The show was well-received, and in January of 903, The Wizard of Oz opened on Broadway at the Majestic Theater. After its successful run both on Broadway and on tour, The Selig Polyscope Company produced a ten-minute-long silent film version of Baums musical. Baum had filed for personal bankruptcy due to a failed film adaptation of Oz called The Fairylogue and Radio-Plays. The film experienced early budgetary problems and quickly closed. In 925 another silent version of Oz was produced by Chadwick Pictures, however, this was also a mass
ive commercial failure. In 938 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer bought the rights to Baums novel and unfortunately the cycle continued.
Similar to every other aspect of the creation of Oz, the creative process was arduous. The original producers thought that a 939 audience wouldnt accept a fantasy-world plotline; therefore, the story was remade into an elaborate dream. In the 30s, fantasy films hadnt become a successful trend within the movie industry. The idea of cinematic entertainment with a non-realistic narrative was new, and many people werent interested in this idea. In 937, Walt Disney created Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which grossed $3.5 million and by May 939 its gross internationally amounted to $6.5 million. The success of Snow White inspired Mervyn LeRoy, the head of the production at MGM into buying the rights to The Wizard of Oz. Unfortunately, Oz did not see the same amount of success as Snow White.