] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JUNE 1, 1997 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ===================================================================== Date: Sat, 31 May 1997 18:43:59 -0400 (EDT) From: Kiex@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 05-30-97 Re Borderland books (not to be confused with Borders books): I still hold that they're all in the Ozzy "universe" and therefore can all be justifiably called "borderland" Oz books. But that's only my opinion, not necessarily the most HACC. Re Oz and Pink Floyd: I notice Glinda is the WWN here--Floydian slip? Dave: Good luck with your computer repair. I've seen first-hand what computer-dependent people face when their computers are put out of action, and wish you the best. --Jeremy Steadman (and KIEX!) ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 01 Jun 1997 09:22:44 -0400 (EDT) From: CrNoble@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 05-31-97 From The Associated Press: NEW YORK (AP) - Sydney Guilaroff, who created Judy Garland's braids in ``The Wizard of Oz'' and turned Lucille Ball into a redhead during a 40-year reign as Hollywood's most celebrated hairdresser, has died. He was 89. Guilaroff died of pneumonia Wednesday at a nursing home in Beverly Hills, Calif., his son, Jon, told The New York Times in Sunday's editions. -- Craig Noble ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 01 Jun 1997 10:10:03 -0400 (EDT) From: OzBucket@aol.com Subject: Oz meta tags We are trying to get the word out about our webpage. Thanks to all of you who have already found it. However, there are a lot of people who still haven't. It has been submitted to a number of search engines. But it still needs meta tags. (any word that you might do a search for to find our page). Here's a list we have added so far. If you can think of any others, do let us know and we will add them. Thank you! buckethead enterprises of oz baum books brick buckethead child children cowardly lion dorothy dulabone emerald city enterprises flying monkeys gillikins glinda illustrations l. frank baum lion literature monkeys munchkin land munchkins new stories nick chopper not for profit oz pictures plumly read reading road ruth plumly thompson safe scarecrow skeeziques stories the wonderful wizard of oz tin woodman toto wicked witch witch wizard wonderful xiques yellow yellow brick road writing ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 01 Jun 1997 13:28:11 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@cord.iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 05-31-97 David, the only thing I can think of Ozzy about Isaac is that Isaac Asimov is a famous Oz fan, and even appeared in the short film, _the magnificent major_ starring Tisha Campbell, a variation of _TWWoO_. Craig, try watching Giorgio Moroder's version of Fritz Lang's classic, _Metropolis_. It'sthe one from Vestron with the female robot on the cover. You will understand how rock music can effectively support silent film. Of course, Moroder wrote his songs and score specifically for the film, and it works quite well, although it runs faster than other versions, it is actually the most complete print available. It isn't made anymore (Vestron went out of business), but is not hard to find for rental. I don't have _Dark Side of the Moon_, nor have I heard it, with or without _The Wizard of Oz_. Though someone complained about Disney's _Hercules_, brainchild of John Musker and Ron Clements, they brought on the animator of Alan Parker's film _Pink Floyd The Wall_ to supervise. Should be odd. Musker and Clements also helmed _The Little Mermaid_ and _The Adventures of the Great Mouse Detective_ (the latter with two others, however). Of course I still haven't seen _Pocahontas_ or _The Hunchback of Notre Dame_ yet. I found a place locally that has a sealed copy of _Peter Pan_ at its original suggested retail recently, I plan to pick it up. Monica O'Brien said she would try to get my _Mago de Oz Cuento de Frank Baum_ tape back to me in time for the convention. She's had it for a month but hasn't watched it, and was trying to get her dad to make a bootleg of it. So hopefully, those at the Ozmopolitan Conference who want to check it out will get to. It's in Spanish with no subtitles, but it's worth seeing for any Oz fans. I just read the Carpenter Baum biography last night. It's given me lots of ideas for my next Oz book. Scott ====================================================================== Date: Sunday 01-Jun-97 12:48:55 From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things Here's some more words for Chris' list: ozma, tin man, winged monkeys, munchkinland [one word], good witch of the north, wicked witch of the west, nonprofit, fantasy, children's fantasy, oz books, land of oz... (Ought I have a similar list on *my* web page?) Thanks to everyone for their good wishes about my computer...I'm going to call them Monday and ask them if I can expect to get it back before the next ice age...I also thank everyone for their recommendations for other services, but I am happy with Delphi...I don't *normally* pay $2/hr. for Delphi -- usually it's a flat rate of $23/month. The $2/hr. is the surcharge for accessing Delphi's archaic text-based shell with my Amiga, since their graphical interface is for PC & Mac only -- But it's lucky I can access Delphi with my Amiga *at all* or else I'd be offline *altogether* until my PC is repaired! I did think of perhaps signing on to some other service just until my system is back online so I wouldn't have these exorberent fees, but I don't know of any other service that still has a non-graphical, platform-indescriminant interface that wouldn't slam the door on the Amiga, which everyone now seems to regard as the Norma Desmond of personal computers...Of course if anyone knows of text-based or otherwise Amiga-friendly service... -- Dave ====================================================================== ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JUNE 2, 1997 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ===================================================================== Date: Sun, 01 Jun 1997 16:56:22 +0000 From: David Hulan Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-01-97 Jeremy: Sure, it's legitimate to call all Baum's non-Oz fantasies "Borderland of Oz" books, or at least all but MASTER KEY, which doesn't seem to have any Oz tie-in at all. It's just that I don't think any publisher ever called any of them that except the Trot books. (And that was, someone said, only in late reissues. Those happen to be the ones I own, so they have that label on my copies.) Dave: Unless they've changed since I was last on the service, about a year ago now, Genie is a purely text-based on-line service, and charged only $18.95 a month for more or less unlimited use. Actually, Genie even had a fairly decent Amiga interface, which it never had for the Mac, but it was always a rather primitive service. Their principle was that everything they had should be available to any kind of terminal starting with a dumb TTY - which limited what could be done with more sophisticated computers. If your PC is going to be out of commission for much longer you might take a look at Genie as a temporary expedient. (Unfortunately, I don't know how to get in touch with them any more. But if you're interested I can find out; I still have a number of friends on that service. E-mail me privately if you want me to look into it for you.) David ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 01 Jun 1997 15:33:06 -0700 From: Bob Spark Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-01-97 Hi there, I think that it wouldn't have gone amiss in that OzBucket message about your Web Site to have listed the URL. I will do so (Hope you approve): http://members.aol.com/OzBucket/webpage/home.htm . Also, Dave, If you're going to extra expense to keep the "Digest" coming, I would be more than happy to make a contribution, if you will let me know how to do so. As a matter of fact, If there is a continuing expense of any kind I don't know why you should be the only one to bear it. Anybody else have ideas? Bob Spark -- "An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the pessimist always run to blow it out?" Michael de Saint-Pierre ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 01 Jun 1997 21:11:36 -0400 (EDT) From: earlabbe@juno.com (Earl C. Abbe) Subject: Ozzy Digest Submission In the 5/30 Digest David Hulan quite rightly points out that any discussion of absolute length of the reformation period in Purgatory is meaningless without some prior calibration. My personal comments were based on a view that Purgatory enables one to understand, feel, truly experience all of the hurt and unhappiness caused in the lives of others by the selfish and cruel things that one has said or done. (No lakes of fire or boiling blood like Dante's Inferno, but not C.S. Lewis's Gray Town either.) David is also right that dropping the political discussion is probably for the best, all things considered. And David is right too that the supposed joys of being without one's wife for any length of time are illusionary. Indeed, happily married men who lose their wives frequently just pine away and die. I think that seven years is the average, although I don't remember where I read that figure. (It is, however, exactly what my father did after the death of my mother.) In the 5/31 Digest Kiex indicates upset over something he assumes that I said about him. I am sorry that he misunderstood. He had made an objective (but not original observation) about the canonical Oz books. The observation sparked the thought that this was really revealing an attitude of the people who wrote those books and that is what I wrote about. An attitude of the Oz authors who created the thing observed, not of Kiex who just observed it. I thought that that was obvious and regret that it wasn't. And Bob Spark asks, Why, live your life with as much joy and love as you can, of course. Earl Abbe ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 01 Jun 1997 23:23:51 -0400 From: Tyler Jones Subject: Oz Bob: When Richar Burton (another atheist such as yourself) wakes up after death in _Riverworld_, he is suprised, but there is not anyone around to say "I told you so!" Oz and Floyd, the word spreads: On 104.1 THE HOG in Tucson, a DJ was discussing the effect. Kiex (or Jeremy): In fact, your opinion does match up with HACC philospophy. It's just that I haven't gotten around to putting borderland Oz books in there. Dave: I just heard that your computer has been sent to Smith and Tinker's in Ev for extensive repairs :-) Oz-Fest: This may or may not have been mentioned yet on the digest, but the current "Oz Fest" has nothing to do with the Land of Oz. It is a tribute for Ozzy Osbourne, who may or may not be re-joining Black Sabbath. Dave Hardenbrook has reported these two concepts getting mixed up before. --Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 02 Jun 1997 07:45:56 -0500 (CDT) From: Robin Olderman Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-01-97 Isaac: The Wizard's full name is Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkle Emanuel Ambroise Diggs (P.I.N.H.E.A.D.) I thought there'd be a millyun responses to "Why is 'Isaac' an Ozzy name?' so I didn't respond earlier. I guess everyone else figured the same as I, since I don't see a post about it. (Or did I skim too fast?) 1. I'm finished with the first reading of the MSS! 2. School is out this Friday. 3. OzCon is THIS WEEK! Oh, what a good time of year this is... --Robin ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 02 Jun 1997 09:06:55 -0700 From: "Stephen J. Teller" Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 05-31-97 > --- > "An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the > pessimist always run to blow it out?" > Michael de Saint-Pierre > This reminds me of the conversation between a theologan and a philosopher: Theologan: A philosopher is like a blind man in a dark room searching for a black cat that isn't there. Philosopher: Yes, and a theologan would have found it. I just want to welcome a new reader of the Digest who is currently lurking: Bea Premack, a major force in the uncoming L. Frank Baum Festival in Aberdeen SD. Steve T. ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 02 Jun 1997 10:06:41 -0600 (CST) From: Ruth Berman Subject: ozzy digest Ken Cope and Aaron Adelman: Enjoyed the lightbulbings. David Hulan: Come to think of it, I suppose that ship wasn't Heinlein's first novel. It was his first YA book, though, "Rocketship Galileo" (if I'm remembering the title right). Oz context of Isaac: Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkel Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs. Melody Grandy: "Ozma" is the only book where Langwidere appears, but she does get a brief mention in "Grampa" towards the end. I must admit I don't remember the context, but that's what I have down in the Haff "Who's Who" Appendix. Also, making use of the gazeteer I added ot it, I'll add to the Borderlands of Oz discussion that Ix is briefly the scene of events in "Silver Princess" and is mentioned in "Road," "Magic," "Wishing Horse," and "Captain Salt," and Noland is mentioned in the same five; Merryland is mentioned in "Road," "Magic," "Wishing Horse," and "Magical Mimics"; Santa Claus's valley and the Forest of Burzee are mentioned in "Road" and Burzee in "Magical Mimics"; the Fairy Beavers' Kingdom appears in "Shaggy Man," Isle of Phreex is mentioned in "Rinkitink," and Hiland/Loland is mentioned in "Road," "Magic," and "Captain Salt." David Hulan already commented that Mo is visited in "Scarecrow" and mentioned "Patchwork Girl." A couple of notable mentions in the non-canonicl\al Oz stories of Royal Historians: Santa Claus's Laughing Valley is in "Queer Visitors from Oz," and Dick Martin's map in "Enchanted Island" includes Mo, Laughing Valley, and two short story sites, Macvelt ("The Queen of Quok") and Thumbumbia ("Runaway Shadows"). The closest the Island of Yew gets to an Oz mention is showing up on the map Dick Martin did for the Jean Kellog adaptation of QV, "Visitors from Oz." The kingdom of the "Sea Fairies" is not mentioned as such, but the mermaids play a role in "Scarecrow," and mermaids get mentions in "Rinkitink," "Lost Princess," "Royal Book," and "Gnome King." The Nonestic Ocean was being used as a location for quite a while before Baum named it: "Ozma," "Tik-Top" (named on the map but not in the text), "Scarecrow" and "John Dough." (Maybe "Sea Fairies," depending on whether they're still in the Pacific throughout or not.) It was first named (apart from map) in "Rinkitink." Ruth Berman ====================================================================== ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JUNE 3 - 4, 1997 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 02 Jun 1997 16:30:47 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@cord.iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-02-97 Robin--I don't know why I didn't catch the Ozziness of Isaac. It must have just slipped my mind. Scott ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 02 Jun 1997 17:37:07 +0000 From: David Hulan Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-02-97 Bob: I second your offer; if Dave is going to any extra expense to keep the Digest going, I'm more than willing to kick in a few bucks if he'll tell me how much and how to get it to him. (Actually, I know how to get it to him if the address in the IWOC directory is correct.) Tyler: >Dave: >I just heard that your computer has been sent to Smith and Tinker's in Ev >for extensive repairs :-) Uh-oh! And Smith and Tinker have been out of business for around a century now... Robin: Oh! (Smites self on forehead with back of hand.) I wasn't thinking of Mr. Diggs. Finished the first reading of the MSS? What's the next step, get together with the other prelim judges and do a first elimination, then reread the semi-finalists before picking the finalists? See you in a few days! Ruth: Ah, yes, _Rocket Ship Galileo_ (at least, I remember it as making two words of "rocketship", though I could easily be wrong - it was almost 50 years ago, much as I hate to admit it). The book that DESTINATION MOON was (_very_ loosely) supposed to be based on. I think it was the first Heinlein I ever read, though I can't be sure at this remove that the second half of _Gulf_ wasn't first. I know for sure I read that in the December 1949 ASTOUNDING, which was the first SF magazine I ever read. RSG was in my high school library, and I'd guess that I'd have read it sometime that fall, since I habitually searched for any fantasy or SF I could find in any library, but I'm not positive. I didn't remember it as being a backyard spaceship, though; I was thinking that the government was involved at least to some extent (though nothing like the way it was with the real moon-landers). But, as I say, it was nearly 50 years ago, and while I have a good memory it's by no means perfect (as everybody on the Digest knows by now without my saying so). However, Heinlein had written several novels before that, though I'd have to go to some kind of reference to be sure which ones. _Beyond This Horizon_ and _The Unpleasant Profession of Jonathan Hoag_ for sure, and I think _If This Goes On_ and - oh, bother, I'm blanking, the "Anson Macdonald" one where the Chinese overrun the US and a handful of scientists invent a device that projects a ray that's only effective against those of Mongoloid race. Pretty racist, but then Heinlein was, rather. And there may well have been others I'm forgetting. I imagine the reference to Langwidere in GRAMPA was Dorothy remembering Langwidere during the discussion of Tatters' having two heads after he's married to Pretty Good. I think I remember something of the sort. Noland is more than mentioned in MAGIC; Kiki Aru spends most of two pages there, which is just about as much as Kabumpo and Randy do in Ix in SILVER PRINCESS, as I recall. (Incidentally, I'd somewhat forgotten this passage when we were having a discussion about Phreex a while back. Baum is very specific that Hiland and Loland are directly across the desert from Mt. Munch, and in JOHN DOUGH he's very specific that they're on the coast of the ocean that Phreex and the Isle of the Mifkets are in. Which pretty solidly puts that Phreex to the east of Oz. He also says that Kiki flew north from Hiland across Merryland, followed the curve of the desert around to Noland, and then flew west into Ix and then farther west into Ev, meaning that Ev doesn't touch on the ocean east of Oz. Yet we know that Pingaree is in the ocean off the Wheeler country, which - unless there's more than one Wheeler country, which seems unlikely - is on the coast of Ev, and therefore Pingaree is west of Oz. We also know this because Dorothy and the Wizard crossed the Winkie country in RINKITINK to get to the Nome Kingdom, and Inga and Rinkitink and Bilbil didn't have that long a trip from where their boat landed to the Nome King's dominions. So if there's an Isle of Phreex near Pingaree, it seems impossible to me that it's the same Isle of Phreex that John Dough visited.) I also have some question whether the Fairy Beavers in SHAGGY MAN are the same ones that were in JOHN DOUGH. (On the Oz-as-literature basis, I'm certain they were inspired by them. But on the Oz-as-history basis, they'd have had to make a major move to go from the Isle of the Mifkets to an inland location near the Nome King's dominions. I prefer to believe that more than one band of Fairy Beavers exists, just as Tyler believes that more than one band of fairies exists in order to keep Lurline and Lulea separate. No more difficulty in the one concept than the other. (Less, really. At least Lurline's and Lulea's bands both live in Burzee. The two sets of Fairy Beavers live far apart.) See you in a few days as well! David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 02 Jun 1997 20:28:25 -0400 (EDT) From: "James R. Whitcomb" Subject: For Ozzy Digest Dear Ozzy Digesters: I received the following email message via my "Wizard of Oz" website. Thought I would pass this info along in case anyone is interested. If so, please respond directly to this person. Dear Oz Fan: I found "The Patchwork Girl of Oz" book at a sale. Do you know anyone who might want this? The colors and bright and vivid. Lots of color pictures too. The graphics are great! It's in pretty good condition considering the age. No scribbling, coloring or writing anywhere. The front cover does have a tear in the binding at the top left and bottom left. It says Junior Edition by L. Frank Baum. The very last page in the book which lists the other book titles to the series has been torn out. I'm a collector too so I thought someone who is an Oz fan might want this. You can e-mail me at FMeehan298@aol.com. Enjoy your Oz hobby! Another collector ***** The following comments, questions, etc. are from me: --Has anyone purchased the "Wizard of Oz" collector card series by DuoCards? I recently bought these and noticed that on the back of each card they give some info re: the MGM movie. On card #14 it has 3 trivia questions. One is: What is Miss Gulch's first name? DuoCards flubbed this up because they gave the answer as "Elvira" when it is really "Almira". This leads me to another question which doesn't necessarily pertain to this example but to collectibles in general. Does anyone know if/when collectibles are more valuable if they are issued with errors and/or discrepancies? --Starting this Thursday, "The Wiz" (direct from Broadway) is playing in Columbus, Ohio for 2 nights. It stars Grace Jones as the Wicked Witch, I assume Evilene. Has anyone else seen this? Any comments? I have tickets so I hopes it's worth it. --Lastly, I recently returned from another trip to Las Vegas. I visited the MGM Grand again and took some new pictures of "Ozzy" things. If anyone is interested in taking a peek, I just added my new page this a.m. It is called "More "Ozzy" Adventures in Las Vegas". How's that for non-scholarly "Oz" stuff? My URL is: http://www.geocities.com/~ozfan/ Jim Whitcomb. ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 02 Jun 1997 17:52:45 -0700 (PDT) From: Eric Gjovaag Subject: Ozzy Digest notice Anybody out there in Oz land collecting the "Wizard of Oz" trading cards from DuoCards? Because I'm trying to put a set together for a friend for a gift, but there are just a few small annoying gaps I need to fill. I have plenty of trading material, or maybe we can make some other deal. I'd also be interested in any of the chromium cards if you have them, but I know what the odds are of getting all of thsoe... --Eric "Please e-mail me directly if we can deal" Gjovaag ### Visit my "Wizard of Oz" web site! http://www.eskimo.com/~tiktok/ ### "Get out the time-fracture wickets, Hobbes! We're gonna play Calvinball!" --Calvin, "It's a Magical World," page 99 ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 02 Jun 1997 21:57:16 -0500 (CDT) From: Robin Olderman Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-02-97 Ruth: I think the reference to Languidere in GRAMPA occurs when Dorothy first sees Fumbo's bodiless head. Fumbo makes some kind of comment that he's not like Languidere, IIRC. John Fricke and "Symphonic" Oz: If anyone's within driving distance of Houston, y'all may want to come in to see a buncha Munchkins and John Fricke as they help the Kingwood Symphonic Orchestra present a nifty version of our favorite tale. Performances are on Thurs. and Fri. evenings this week. Meinhardt Raabe (coroner), Jerry Maren (main Lollypop Kid), Margaret Pelligrini, Karl Slover, etc. will be there, too, to share MGM memories and to autograph stuff. E-mail me for details. And to those of you stuck in the Board Meeting on Thursday, think of me here in Houston, listening to Fricke instead of suffering through all that "stuff"! Never mind. I'll probably get stuck in "Son of Board Meeting" on Friday... --Robin ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 03 Jun 1997 09:43:27 -0500 From: Gordon Birrell Subject: Ozzy Digest Here are some thoughts on Langwidere and Zixi. When I wrote, "It's a pity that we're not including non-Oz books in the BCF's," it's not as if I thought there were a prohibition on discussing non-BCF books (heaven forbid!) but rather, as Ruth Berman correctly surmised, my hesitation was that it would be more difficult to get a real discussion going if most 0people haven't re-read _Zixi_ recently. In any event, for what it's worth, here goes: In the case of both Langwidere and Zixi, there is an obsessive concern with self-image and a corresponding involvement with mirrors. In both cases, nobody knows what the person *really* looks like (cf. the Wheeler, p. 83: "I cannot say [what she looks like], although I have seen her twenty times. For the Princess Langwidere is a different person every time I see her.") In both cases there is a discrepancy between the public and private self. ********************SPOILER FOR _QUEEN ZIXI OF IX_***************************** In Zixi's case there are some interesting echoes of _Dorian Gray_, although the ghastly true image doesn't reflect the record of a lifetime of evil deeds but simply the disfiguring effects of extreme old age. The mirror that defeats the illusions of witchcraft also appears in folklore (vampires have no reflections, as I recall) and notably also in Hawthorne's "Feathertop." What I find interesting about Baum's treatment of the motif is the way he connects it with feminine vanity. And Zixi represents an extreme psychological case in which a powerful sense of vanity contends with an equally powerful and innate sense of truthfulness. Lacan talks about the "mirror stage" in human development: the search for a "reflection," literally one's own or figuratively an idealized, seemingly intact and perfect external image. In either case the reflected image enables one to construct a unified self-image. In Zixi's case, the only unified self-image she has access to can only reflect back what she herself knows to be the truth. The magic-maker is exempt from her own magic. She can see only the effects of her magically enhanced appearance on others, never that appearance itself. This horrifying rift between her projected image and her self-image is also, I think, what makes her a truly magic being: unlike any normal mortal, she is utterly incapable of self-delusion. (As Hawthorne puts it in the climactic moment in "Feathertop" where the scarecrow sees his true image in the mirror: "Perchance the only time since this so often empty and deceptive life of mortals began its course, an illusion had seen and fully recognized itself.") Lulea, in denying Zixi the ability to bewitch her own perception, argues from a legalistic standpoint (fairies don't support witchcraft), but she is surely also right in a deeper sense: Zixi's inability to delude herself may perhaps be one of her greatest strengths as a ruler. Otherwise: I agree with Aaron that Zixi, unlike Langwidere, is certainly a wise, prudent, and generous ruler. Nevertheless, in her desperate search for the magic means to align her reflected (self-) image with the image she projects to others, she descends to deceit, fraud, theft, armed aggression, and finally abject self-abasement in the scene with Lulea. That she ultimately resigns herself calmly and gracefully to the great rift in her being attests to her stature as a wise monarch. ****************************END OF SPOILER************************************* Langwidere strikes me, in contrast, as an eerie premonition of post-modern character types. It's not just that the public self and the private self don't coalesce. The private self doesn't even *exist* in any coherent sense. There is simply a succession of temporary selves, solipsistically admired and restlessly traded out in an endless cycle. The decision (was it Neill's or the printer's?) to use nothing but cold blue tones in the color plate depicting Langwidere in her "changing room" was an inspired one: there is something icy and frighteningly remote, not to say frighteningly familiar these days, in Langwidere's totally self-absorbed existence. For that matter: the image of Langwidere playing the mandolin in the isolation of her mirrored hall could be a vision straight out of a Fellini film. I absolutely agree with Bob Spark that Dave shouldn't have to shoulder the expenses of the Digest on his own. There's no way we can adequately compensate you, Dave, for all the time you put into the Digest, but I hope you'll let those of us who feel so inclined help you out with the financial side of things. --Gordon Birrell ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 03 Jun 1997 12:05:40 -0400 (EDT) From: ZMaund@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-02-97 Ruth Berman: << The closest the Island of Yew gets to an Oz mention is showing up on the map Dick Martin did for the Jean Kellog adaptation of QV, "Visitors from Oz." >> I appreciated your listing of the way various Oz and Baum books and stories are textually interwoven. Gawd I'm old and my memory is held together with spit, but no bailing wire. Wasn't there a line in THE ENCHANTED ISLAND OF YEW like "I believe there was a mortal who was once made immortal" ?? This is an obvious reference to THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS, though the connection to the other books is tenuous. Four of the charter members of the International Wizard of Oz Club will be present at the Ozmapolitan Convention this week: Fred Meyer, David Greene, Justin Schiller, and our Digest correspondent, Ruth Berman. I look forward to seeing you there! Patrick Maund ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 03 Jun 1997 12:12:25 -0400 (EDT) From: CrNoble@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-02-97 Earl: Your observation about the life expectancy of widowers is a sad, yet well-documented phenomenon. My maternal grandfather died less than a year after my grandmother's death, orphaning their six children. They were both 53. I grieve to this day that I never met them. My grandfather was a kind man, an excellent writer and an avid reader who my mother says I take after. Though he wasn't an Ozophile himself, it was the encouragement of his children to read that resulted in my mother and uncle both reading the Oz books and therefore me. -- Craig Noble ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 03 Jun 1997 11:33:04 -0700 From: Tyler Jones Subject: Oz Non-Ozzy Question: Does anybody know how long such things a wheat and corn last and stay useful once they have been harvested and are in grain form? --Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 03 Jun 1997 14:49:02 -0400 (EDT) From: Kiex@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-02-97 Earl Abbe: I do hope, for the sake of the Digest, that you are not saying you expect David to pass on over the rainbow in 7 years--we need him to keep the Digest alive! Re one of the Borderlands: I'll love freaks too, all the days of my life. :-) Seriously, I'd think that for Digestion purposes, we can call all of those countries Borderlands (but that's just my wild suggestion, of course). Bob: Two things. a) A pessimist merely tries to give a more accurate picture of reality. In case you're wondering, my working personality is that of one, since that works best for me. b) I think giving donations to Dave is a wonderful idea and cause, as long as they're donations and not subscription fees. Anyway, happy Digesting, everyone. --Jeremy Steadman (and don't forget KIEX!!) ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 03 Jun 1997 16:01:53 -0700 From: "Stephen J. Teller" Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-02-97 > And Bob Spark asks, > Why, live your life with as much joy and love as you can, of course. > > Earl Abbe > > From: Tyler Jones > Bob: > When Richar Burton (another atheist such as yourself) wakes up after death > in _Riverworld_, he is suprised, but there is not anyone around to say "I > told you so!" > "The undiscover'ed country, from whose bourne no traveller returns puzzles the will" HAMLET. Let us leave the afterlife out of the discussion. It is all speculation. > > 1. I'm finished with the first reading of the MSS! > 2. School is out this Friday. > 3. OzCon is THIS WEEK! > > Oh, what a good time of year this is... > > --Robin > I would say "Amen" except MY school was out two weeks ago. This will be my last posting to the Digest until after Ozcon. After that, who knows. I will miss you all for the next five days, and the Summer School begins. Steve T. ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 3 Jun 1997 19:34:07, -0500 From: YDPT01A@prodigy.com (MS ANITA R HALL) Subject: Wizard of Oz -Jitterbugs Please to help?! I have the wonderful chance to costume the stage production of "The Wizard of Oz" for a local community theater. After reading the script, I realize I have no idea what a "jitterbug" should look like. I know the scene was cut from the original film, but I find no reference to them anywhere else in any of the books. I would like to be true to the 'original' if possible. Can you send me to a source for a description or for photos from the film ...book, website, anything? I would appreciate any help. I take my costumes seriously and hope to do Oz proud! Thanks so much, Anita R. Hall ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 03 Jun 1997 22:30:14 -0400 (EDT) From: "Estelle E. Klein" Subject: Anton Loeb Does anyone have any information about a 1950 WOZ illustrator Anton Loeb? Thanks estelle ====================================================================== Date: Tuesday 03-Jun-97 22:48:19 From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL INTERNET DIGEST EDITOR: :) Thank you lots to those who offered donations for keeping the Digest going, especially during this period when I don't have my PC...I think $5 would be an ideal value, but I'll accept any contribution...Every little bit helps me! :) Please send donations to: Dave Hardenbrook 9502 Erskine Drive Huntington Beach CA 92646-6007 NOTE: The Digest is and always will be a free publication...This request I'm making is a purely voluntary donation, and not contributing will *not* effect your Digest subscription! "RAINBOW" SPOTTINGS: Has anyone stopped to think how many films feature someone singing (or at least playing/humming/whistling) _Over the Rainbow_? Here are the ones I know of (Can anyone think of any others?)... The Wizard of Oz ( Boy, I'll bet you didn't *that* one coming, did you? :) ) The Philadelpha Story Interupted Melody Junior Miss A Patch of Blue Sleepless in Seattle BCF: You know, we were supposed to start discussion DOTWIZ yesterday, and everyone (including me) forgot! But thanks to Langwidere, the _Ozma_ discussion seems to still have life in it, so I am postponing the comencement of the DOTWIZ discussion another week... I don't think any expects me to pass over in 7 years (I *hope* not!)...And I'm not a widower...A lonely bachelor, yes; but not a widower... :) -- Dave ====================================================================== ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JUNE 5 - 6, 1997 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ===================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 07:28:18 -0400 (EDT) From: earlabbe@juno.com (Earl C. Abbe) Subject: Ozzy Digest Submission - too many lives to keep straight In the 6/4 Digest, Steve Teller quotes my response to Bob Spark (and Tyler Jones's _Riverworld_ comment) and then suggests that we Sorry, I must have been unclear again. When I said to Bob, , I was talking about _this_ life. Earl Abbe ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 05:11:21 -0700 (PDT) From: Eric Gjovaag Subject: Oz question I'm forwarding Can anyone out there help Craig with his question? I know next to nothing about Banner Elk, and so I figured some Digester might be better able to help. Please send any answers directly to Craig, as he is not a subscriber. [NOTE: He is now! :) -- Dave] --Eric Gjovaag ### Visit my "Wizard of Oz" web site! http://www.eskimo.com/~tiktok/ ### ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 3 Jun 1997 22:57:01 -0400 (EDT) From: CWingerson@aol.com Subject: Your Oz site I am doing some research on the Land of Oz theme park that once operated in Banner Elk, NC. Do you know anything about it? Do you know where I could go to find some info? Thanks in advance! Craig Wingerson http://members.aol.com/cwingerson ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 06:58:16 -0700 From: Bob Spark Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-04-97 Anya Hassemnica (a snippet of Korean left over in my memory from a sojourn in Korea in 1960-61 paid for by my uncle. Means "hello, how are you?), > Does anybody know how long such things a wheat and corn > last and stay useful once they have been harvested and are > in grain form? > > --Tyler Jones I am sure that you will get much more knowledgeable answers, but several years ago didn't scientist succeed in sprouting some grain found in an Aztec burial site? Bob Spark ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 09:45:27 -0500 (CDT) From: Robin Olderman Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-04-97 The second phase of the MSS contest right now is for Steve and I to reread our top faves to narrow down the list...probably to three. These will be sent to the final judges. The third preliminary judge is not finished with the first readthrough. Ruth: You're coming to OzCon?! Save me a spot at supper on Friday night! It'll be very good to see you again. And I haven't seen Justin since the last time he came to OzCon in Zion. Or David, either, come to think of it. Gee, "old home week." Sounds wonderful. I'll try not to think too much of those we've lost over the years and just to be grateful that so many of us are still here. David: I think I'll take a break from the MSS and reread some Heinlein...probably starting with ROCKET SHIP GALILEO. Don't laugh at me if I bring it with me to Ozmopolitan! Maybe I should start with THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST. At least it'll last me more than just through the plane flight and, frankly, I like the durned thing. I know it was R.A.H. at his most self-indulgent, but I still enjoy watching him tie up all those loose ends...even though it took him a bit longer to resolve the Maureen/Lazarus/Woodie thing. (BEYOND THE SUNSET was his last novel, right? Or have I forgotten something?) --Robin ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 10:48:05 -0400 From: Richard Randolph Subject: Ozzy Digest 6-97 I heartily agree with the suggested "editorial assistance" program! (the check really IS in the mail, Dave). good wishes to Fred Meyer, and bring us word of your experiences there. The arrival of the Spring '97 Bugle once again enabled me to see a face to associate with a fellow Digest member, and Oz author, David Hulan. David, along with Jane Albright and Stephen Teller, whose pictures also appeared, were book reviewers in the issue. Robin O. was also a reviewer, but, alas, no photo. This is another fine issue of The Baum Bugle. Kudos to Bill Stillman and his staff. Dick Randolph ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 08:54:54 -0600 (CST) From: Ruth Berman Subject: ozzy digest David Hulan: The idea that there's more than one band of Fairy Beavers seems plausible enough in itself (and the geographical problem seems a strong reason to suggest the possibility). I'll have to look at themaps and references again before trying a comment on the freakish geography of the Phreex. Gordon Birrell: An interesting discussion of Zixi. I'm not sure when you refer to post-modern character types what novels/writers are meant. In some senses, fantasy literature has always been likely to reflect the feeling of not being an integrated self -- Ariel and Caliban are (partly) Prospero arguing with himself over who and what he is. I'll look at the illustrations you discussed and think about the issues you raised here some more. Anita Hall: The jitterbugs are apparently small creatures ("I have a little bug that will take the fight out of them" is approximately what the WWW says), and if they're the size of ordinary bugs or smaller even than that, they aren't going to be visible to an audience a few feet away. The actors could just pantomime reactions to being bitten. The "home movie" footage that Arlen took of the scene (shown on tv a few years back and I think included on some editions of the "Wizard of Oz" videotape) didn't include anything visible to the audience for the bugs, and I don't think there was intended to be anything. You might want to consider leaving out the song, as the movie did -- it doesn't forward the story and isn't particularly interesting as a song. If you're aiming at making the bugs themselves visually interesting enough to make the number more effective theatrically -- maybe modeling them on the Highly Magnified Professor Wogglebug (character introduced in the second Oz book, "The Land of Oz") would be amusing? I seem to recall that Ray Bolger, performing the song with Judy Garland on "The Judy Garland Show" wore a big black cape and something (wide tie or shirt?) polkadotted like a ladybug but in wilder colors. Incidentally, if the script you're using is the standard one by Frank Gabrielson, you might want to consider shortening it a bit by cutting out the tiresome comic bits he added -- all that business with the WWW's skeleton butler Tibia and the visiting witches. Ruth Berman ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 11:12:34 -0400 (EDT) From: PFCHRYSSON@aol.com Subject: Oz I live in North Carolina and when I was a little girl there was a theme park in Banner Elk, NC called the Land Of Oz. I visited there as a child but since then the park has closed and I'm sure is abandoned. Do you have any information on this theme park. Who started it, what happened to it? What it looks like today. This may be an interesting addition to your Oz information. PFCHRYSSON [Now *this* person *isn't* on the Digest, so please E-mail him (her?) privately... -- Dave] ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 11:12:12 -0400 (EDT) From: Mark K DeJohn <103330.323@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest From: Barbara DeJohn Hello everyone !!! I have just finished reading_ The Number of the Beast_ by R. Heinlein. Ugh !!! I did like the Oz chapter but the rest I had to force down. I probably didn't dislike it as much as Aaron but then I doubt I dislike anything that much. :-) FWIW, I really liked _The Wind and the Wizard_ although the Oz part was alittle strange. I ran out and read _The Water Babies_ like someone else had mentioned doing. RE: Oz T-shirts There was only about 5 people who said that they were interested. The cost with all the colors could get expensive, so if you want me to continue to research it let me know. I could check on fewer colors. Ozzily, Barbara DeJohn 103330.323@compuserve.com ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 15:53:21 +0000 From: Scott Olsen Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-04-97 Some recent observations: The Spring Bugle arrived last week and it is an excellent issue. The last article on the wooden Woozys is especially interesting, and ends with a classic sentence!! The article on the use of Oz in editorial cartoons is interesting--and timely. In todays (Wednesday) San Diego Union-Tribune, there's an editorial cartoon by Steve Kelley with an Oz theme! Everyone who reviewed a book in the Bugle's "Oz Bookshelf" I notice is also on the digest. Judging by their photographs, could David Hulan and Steve Teller be brothers? I should note that Jane Albright's photograph is certainly easy on the eyes, so to speak... :) Has anyone received the Oz Observer yet? I understand it may be out, but I have not yet received a copy. If anyone is as fortunate as I am, and is up getting ready for work about 5 a.m., you may be familiar with ABC's World News This Morning. Usually every 1/2 hour or so they will have a "voice over" by some woman before the station break asking some kind of trivia question--then after the station break the question is answered. Several weeks ago they asked an Oz-related question--and at first I wasn't sure if I heard it correctly--because it seemed like a **very** obscure question. As it turned out, I did hear the question correctly (because I waited for the answer). And again I thought, with all the Oz-related questions they could have asked, why did they ask that one? Anyway, here's the question: "Everyone knows the name of Dorothy's dog in The Wizard of Oz was Toto, but what was the name of Dorothy's cow?" I know there are many on the digest who can answer this, but I'll bet most can't. Good luck. (P.S. I knew the answer). Sincerely, Scott Olsen ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 12:01:28 -0400 (EDT) From: Kiex@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-04-97 Re Non-Oz Topics: Hmmm. While I maintain they are in general perfectly appropriate in this Digest, I agree with Steve that debate over religion, as politics, is so enormous that we had best forbid it lest it fill our entire e-pages. Dave: Many apologies for accusing you of planning to leave this world for Nonestica at any time soon. Am glad to hear such is not your intention. More _Ozma_, okay; however, let's not prolong our discussion of Languidere too long, lest she grow heady with all the attention . . . Sorry, everyone; I guess it's time for me to sign off now. --Jeremy & KIEX, partners in humor (a nasty thought, that . . .) ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 13:10:12 -0400 (EDT) From: HermBieber@aol.com Subject: For Ozzy Digest Craig: Am just back from Europe and reading back Digests. Thanks for the plug in the May 31 issue. I try to keep my prices near what books go for, on average, in the IWOC auctions. In fairness to other considerate dealers like Robin Olderman, who has to charge somewhat more, I must say that I don't do books for a living and have no overhead for employees, store rent, etc. On the flip side, I'm away a lot, and this may result in slow service. I may even not be able to answer your e-mail for weeks at a time on occasion. Herm Bieber ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 12:36:51 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@cord.iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-04-97 I have the old Wizard of Oz trading cards set, and it has the same Elvira goof. Does anyone kno what the Oz reference is in the movie _Elvira, Mistress of the Dark_ The internet movie database also notes that _Heathers_ by Michael Lehmann, _Honey, I Shrunk the Kids_ by Joe Johnston both have Oz references. I've seen both of these films, but don't remember any. I know ther is also one in John Lasseter's _Toy Story_, but I don't remember what it is. Gordon--it's interesting that you mention Feathertop, as Jack Pumpkinhead was probably inspired by him. It's a good story, too... Would you happen to know if there was a particular Fellini film referenced by the song in _The Brave Little Toaster_, a film by Jerry Rees produced by Winkie Willard Carroll? "Over the Rainbow" also appears in the following films and TV specials: Mago de Oz Cuento de Frank Baum (1985) Hakosem! (1994) First Do No Harm (1997) Nightline--Reclaiming Yosemite (1997) The Wizard of Oz on Ice (1996) The Wizard of Oz in Concert (1995) I'm sure this is far from complete. Thanks for your info, Dave. Scott ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 12:49:59 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@cord.iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-04-97 Bill, what is your reply-to address. I tried to send you infor about the Russian Oz films, but the address wouldn't take. Scott ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 10:26:12 +0000 From: David Hulan Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-04-97 References: <01IJNPI4380Y91XK7G@delphi.com> Robin: I'm not going to be at the Board meeting tomorrow, but I'm not in driving distance of Houston, either. (American Airlines has a $129 weekend fare from Chicago to Houston this weekend, but I'd have to stay there all weekend.) Besides, I have to finish folding the rosters, putting name tags in holders, and stuff like that... Gordon: I think I've said this before, but my opinion is that in Zixi's case we do know what she looks like - that is, the appearance she makes to her subjects and other sentient beings is indeed the configuration of her physical body. There is no "illusion" involved. Many things she does - including walking all the way from Ix to Nole and back - would be impossible if her body were really that of a 683-year-old woman, and her appearance were an illusion. This is also consistent with the analogy to "The Picture of Dorian Gray"; part of the point of that was that the magic that transferred the ravages of Gray's debauchery to the picture left his body healthy. My theory - though this is speculation, and there are undoubtedly other possible explanations - is that the spells Zixi used to prevent her body from aging had the side effect of making her see in a mirror what would have been if she had not used the spell. (Although presumably with continued life; Baum doesn't say she sees a skeleton, and that's all that would be left of an actual 683-year-old woman.) I don't think that there was any particular magic in the mirror; there is no evidence that if anyone else saw Zixi's reflection, it would have the appearance of an ancient hag. (It's true that she had all mirrors banished from her palace in Ix, but it seems highly unlikely that she never encountered a mirror when she was in Nole, and surely someone would have noticed that the pretty young woman's reflection wasn't what it should be.) Patrick: I think a reference to Santa Claus is insufficient to connect THE ENCHANTED ISLAND OF YEW to Oz. Santa Claus isn't a character confined to Oz and its borderlands; he says himself, in ROAD, that he has visited Dorothy in Kansas, and knows where Button-Bright lives (which we later learn is Philadelphia). And neither Kansas nor Philadelphia is generally considered "borderland of Oz"; if they are, then basically everywhere is, and there's still nothing to put Yew in the Nonestic. Craig: While it's certainly true that widowers don't typically survive a long time after the deaths of their wives, I'm not entirely sure that it's due to "pining away". I suspect most of it is due to the fact that men (at least in modern America, when the risks of childbirth to women are much less than they once were, both because of improved birth control lowering the frequency of pregnancy and because improved medical care makes each pregnancy less hazardous) usually die younger than women, and husbands are usually older than their wives. This means that most males whose wives predecease them are probably approaching the end of their natural span anyhow. I'd need to see a controlled analysis of, say, a group of men otherwise comparable in age, health, and income, half of whom had never been married and half of whom had just lost their wives, to see if the former group outlived the latter by any significant time. (Maybe such a study has been done; I just haven't seen it.) The case of your maternal grandparents is certainly an example, but on the other hand my maternal grandmother died in 1923 and my maternal grandfather lived on until 1955. That's the only case in my close family - parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles - where the wife died before the husband, except for one uncle whose wife died just about a year ago - and since he's now 85, and hasn't been in particularly good health for the last eight or ten years, the odds are that he won't last much longer. But I don't know if he'd have lasted any longer if my aunt had survived. And one of my wife's uncles was widowed at least ten years ago, and I think more like fifteen, and he's still going strong. Tyler: >Does anybody know how long such things a wheat and corn >last and stay useful once they have been harvested and are >in grain form? "Stay useful" in what sense? They'll stay useful as a food source - especially for animals - longer than they'll stay useful for seed, for instance. And a great deal depends on how they're stored. But if they're carefully stored in a dry environment and free from fungus, insects, mice, and other living things that eat them, the answer is "many years". Probably centuries, although I'm not an expert on the subject. I'm pretty sure I remember reading of grain found in Egyptian tombs that was several thousand years old and a few seeds still sprouted when moistened. There's probably a half-life sort of effect; after X number of years half the seeds are no longer viable, after 2X years 3/4 are no good, etc. What X is I don't really know, but it's a reasonably large number. Is this good enough for your purpose? Jeremy: Hey, my wife didn't die, she just went to California for a few days! Dave: I'll pop a fin in an envelope and get it off to you today or tomorrow. I've been reading DOTWIZ and had some comments to make, but I'll wait till next week cheerfully enough. I think Jeremy was talking about me, not you, passing over the rainbow. I'm not as important to the Digest as you are, but I'm probably the most verbose member; if I disappeared, the Digest would certainly be shorter, though I doubt it would die. David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 15:54:41 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@cord.iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-04-97 Here is the url for my new Oz page: venues.firefly.com:80/venues?venueid=1153 You must create an alias and a password to get in, I believe. Tin Man, dorothy, Tippetarius, ozma, glinda, Cowardly Lion, Hungry Tiger, scarecrow, pumpkinhead, Peter, and Kabumpo are already used. Scott ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 20:32:28 -0400 From: Scott Piehler Subject: Ozzy items for sale Giant Garden of Oz-Limited edition hardcover-Sold Out Written/illustrated by Eric Shanower 1993, Emerald City Press, 1st edition Hand signed/numbered by Shanower #175/375 $15 plus shipping Wicked Witch of Oz hardcover Written by Rachel Cosgrove Payes Illustrated by Eric Shanower 1993, International Wizard of Oz Club, 1st edition Hand signed by Payes & Shanower $15, plus shipping. Also; Enchanted Apples of Oz-graphic novel (comic book) by Eric Shanower, introduction by Harlan Ellison 1986, First Comics, 1st printing $1, plus shipping ( I have two copies) Take all four books for $25, plus shipping! Priority given to package deal. Scott Scott Piehler Atlanta, GA USA http://www.mindspring.com/~rosco29/home.htm ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 21:45:53 +0600 From: rri0189@ibm.net Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-04-97 Tyler Jones wrote: >Does anybody know how long such things a wheat and corn >last and stay useful once they have been harvested and are >in grain form? Under ideal circumstances, for millennia. Anita R. Hall wrote: >I have the wonderful chance to costume the stage production of "The >Wizard of Oz" for a local community theater. After reading the >script, I realize I have no idea what a "jitterbug" should look like. > I know the scene was cut from the original film, but I find no >reference to them anywhere else in any of the books. If I remember rightly, the jitterbug was to be bug-sized, and therefore more or less invisible. If you have a human-sized jitterbug planned, you should be free. (There is no such event in the book, so that's no help.) // John W Kennedy -- Hypatia Software -- "The OS/2 Hobbit" ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 23:14:35 -0400 From: "Melody G. Keller" Subject: Ozzy Digest, 06-04-97 Gordon: Enjoyed your analysis of Zixi and Languidere. Zixi, the wise ruler who learns from her mistakes, comes out a better lady than Languidere the hopeless narcissist--who, like her mythological male counterpart, will probably stay infatuated with her faces in her mirrored room until she dies. David: Sorry you are not as capable of enjoying temporary bachelorhood as I am-- you would apparently need a bigger solitary streak, and perhaps a nicer reason for your wife to be away. Hope your mother-in-law is doing okay. :-) Robin & Steve: You're through reading the MS? Oboy! Who won? (Just kidding! :-) ) Was the final manuscript count 40? (As I recall, it was close to 40--as in Famous Forty. :-) ) Melody Grandy ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 23:16:04 -0500 (CDT) From: atty242@mail.utexas.edu (R. M. Atticus Gannaway) Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest RE: PINK FLOYD/WIZARD OF OZ i borrowed my friend's copy of "dark side of the moon" and played it along with the MGM movie. it did have some interesting coincidences; i can confirm most of the article's examples. too bad i don't like pink floyd. regards, atticus * * * "Suffering does make us more sensitive until it crushes us completely." ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 05 Jun 1997 02:04:08 -0400 (EDT) From: HermBieber@aol.com Subject: for Ozzy Digest Dave: Still playing catch-up on old Digests and I am distressed to hear of your computer problems. It happened to me last year, and I was completely helpless. So I went on a long weekend to San Diego (while it was being fixed) to admire the high Oz prices in that sunny land. I want to second those who have offered to chip in for any expenses you incur in making the Digest happen. Its enough that you donate your time! Just figure out a "fair share" and then double it because experience teaches that only about 50% of a volunteer supported group will cough up anything. Ciao, Herm Bieber ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 05 Jun 1997 07:28:37 -0400 (EDT) From: earlabbe@juno.com (Earl C. Abbe) Subject: Ozzy Digest Submission - Book World Illustration (I forgot to report this earlier in the week.) The front page of _The Washington Post Book World_ for Sunday 6/1 has a large illustration based on a scene from the MGM _Wizard of Oz_ movie. The illustration is a black & white drawing by Christopher Bing and covers most of the page. The drawing shows a group of ten or so figures running away from the viewer, over a wide road paved with books, toward a mass of city towers in the distance. Most of the runners are in business attire although the Cowardly Lion and Tin Woodman are pictured au natural. Dorothy is not visible, unless she is one of the women in business attire (perhaps the one holding the Cowardly Lion's paw). The Scarecrow may be the individual just seen at the front of the crowd wearing a pointed hat. Toto is not there. Most of the city towers are flat at the top rather than rounded. No credit is given to MGM or Ted Turner. This is the 25th anniversary issue of _Book World_ and the lead article is by Kunio Francis Tanabe, who is now the art director and assistant editor of _Book World_. He writes about his 25 years in the book section at the Post. Tanabe works several references to the MGM movie into his essay. Earl Abbe ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 05 Jun 1997 10:18:08 -0600 (CST) From: Ruth Berman Subject: ozzy digest - Phreex and Zixi David Hulan: Well, clearly by internal-explaining, "Phreex" in "Rinkitink" is an error of name, and some other island must be meant. The Haff-Martin map showed RPT's Octagon Isle just to the SW of Pingaree, and that seems a plausible suggestion. By external-explaining, though, Baum obviously meant the name he used, and was making a mistake about where it was, because he was trying to use the map as Neill had drawn it for "Tik-Tok," with Phreex on the Ev side of things instead of on the HilandLoland side. Also, of course, Neill had his compass points backwards, and Baum was correcting it by assuming that the places were as shown, and only the compass needed to be reversed, instead of flopping the whole map over to get it reversed. (The Haff-Martin map flopped the whole map over, and that works better for most of Baum's books.) That leaves the question of why Neill put Phreex on the Ev side of the landmass, and I'd make a guess that it was a two-stage process. Baum must have put together a rough drawing (or verbal description?) of the Oz continent, with all the countries added in around the edges of the Desert, but he either neglected to draw (describe?) the coast-lines from non-Oz books or forgot entirely that some of them require a coast. (Hiland/Loland, in fact, is an island in "John Dough," and the Haff-Martin map snaked a thin arm of ocean around the inside to make it so, while keeping the basic shape of Neill's outlines; and No must either have or be near a coast, as the Roly-Rogues get dumped into the river, and the river spills them into the ocean.) The only bit of coast-line included on Neill's map was the stretch along Ev -- the only bit that had been in the Oz books (in "Ozma" and "Tik-Tok") till then. And Baum also, knowing that he had "Rinkitink" coming up, put Pingaree into the only bit of ocean visible on the rough draft (or the only bit specifically mentioned, if it was a verbal description). I'd guess that Neill, as the illustrator of "John Dough," remembered the Isle of Phreex fondly, wanted to add it to the map, and stuck it in that same bit of Ev-side ocean, forgetting that it needed to be closer to Hiland/Loland than that. And Baum, faced with a map that gave Pingaree a near neighbor to the left (Neill's "east") he hadn't inded, wrote a brief reference to it into the text (and assumed that left must really be "west"), rather than totally ignore Pingaree's closest-according-to-the-map neighbor. Of course, if one wanted to work up a story to explain how it happened, one could always suppose that there really was a second isle of Phreex, perhaps only temporarily (perhaps for some reason the Phreex had needed to come take refuge on Octagon Isle for a while?). Gordon Birrell: I think you're right that the decision to use monochrome pale blue in the drawing of Langwidere in her room of heads gives an appropriately icy effect. Incidentally, Richardson also has some monochrome pale blue drawings in "Zixi," but doesn't seem to use it to suggest sadness -- the monochrome color drawings (pale orange, pale red, pale green, pale blue) all seem to use the color simply as a warm accent. The drawing of Zixi confronting her other self, by contrast, is a 3-color plate, and so makes her appropriately a more complicated character chromatically than Langwidere. (The Dover reprint gives some indication of this difference, even though it's in in b&w, because the 3-color plates come out in a pattern of complicated greys, whereas the drawings on the pages of text come out looking like plain line drawings.) It's a nice touch that the angle in the plate is such that the reader does not see Zixi's reflection -- only Zixi herself does. I wonder if Richardson saw Bernhardt on stage when he was in Paris. His work as a whole generally reflects the influence of Art Nouveau, but his drawings of Zixi perhaps even more so. His Zixi (especially in the adaptation of the drawing of Zixi looking in the pool which was stamped on the cover, where the simplification of the shades of color leaves the lines of the complicated curves emphasized) looks a good deal like Mucha's posters of Bernhardt, I think. Ruth Berman ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 05 Jun 1997 16:31:16 -0400 From: Michael Turniansky Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 04-28-97 --Ozma's poppies On the subject of Ozma's poppies, I've always opined that they were left over when she mowed down the field of sleep-inducing poppies, in here "Emerald City Beautification" program. --Mike "Shaggy Man" Turniansky ====================================================================== ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JUNE 7 - 9, 1997 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ===================================================================== Date: Thu, 05 Jun 1997 19:53:58 -0700 From: Bob Spark Subject: "Ozzie Digest" Howdy, In the "Datebook" section of today's San Francisco Chronicle there is a 3/4 page spread about the supposed matchup of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" CD with the "Wizard Of Oz" film. It was by Billy Jam, with a note that it was a special to The Chronicle, but I imagine that similar articles are to be found across the country. I found the last two paragraphs interesting. I will quote: "But as anyone who has gazed at a muted TV set in a music bar for too long can confirm, it's possible to match just about any music with any movie. All you need is a good imagination. "It's more likely that Elton John's 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,' which also came out in 1973, has more to do with "The Wizard Of Oz" than 'Dark Side Of The Moon,'" said ex-manager (of Pink Floyd) Jenner with a laugh." Bob Spark -- "In this world of sin and sorrow, there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican." H.L.Mencken ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 06 Jun 1997 13:28:02 -0400 (EDT) From: Mark Anthony Donajkowski Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-06-97 > Date: Wed, 04 Jun 1997 20:32:28 -0400 > From: Scott Piehler > Subject: Ozzy items for sale > > Giant Garden of Oz-Limited edition hardcover-Sold Out > Written/illustrated by Eric Shanower > 1993, Emerald City Press, 1st edition > Hand signed/numbered by Shanower > #175/375 > $15 plus shipping > > Wicked Witch of Oz hardcover > Written by Rachel Cosgrove Payes > Illustrated by Eric Shanower > 1993, International Wizard of Oz Club, 1st edition > Hand signed by Payes & Shanower > $15, plus shipping. > > Also; > Enchanted Apples of Oz-graphic novel (comic book) > by Eric Shanower, introduction by Harlan Ellison > 1986, First Comics, 1st printing > $1, plus shipping > ( I have two copies) > > Take all four books for $25, plus shipping! Priority given to package deal. il.ll take them all for 25 > > Anita R. Hall wrote: > >I have the wonderful chance to costume the stage production of "The > >Wizard of Oz" for a local community theater. After reading the > >script, I realize I have no idea what a "jitterbug" should look like. > > I know the scene was cut from the original film, but I find no > >reference to them anywhere else in any of the books. actually if you get the anniversery print of the film it shows you what the jitterbugs looked like as they added the scene back in at the end to show u what they had filmed hugs anthony van pyre ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 06 Jun 1997 14:41:31 -0400 (EDT) From: Kiex@aol.com Subject: Ozzy Digest, 6/06/97 Dave: I've never asked you this, nor have I seen it asked by someone else during the time I have joined in the group Digestion (sorry). What is the meaning of the Tin Woodman picture at the top of each Digest? Your emblem, perhaps? Just idle curiosity. Someone: Lazy me. Still have not gotten around to resubscribing to the Club. Can someone give me the current address? (Sorry if I've asked this before, but I don't have all the Digests past nor any sort of memory.) Re _Number of the Beast_: I, too, appreciated the Oz chapter (although there was little Ozzish in it, as I recall), and thought it was a mediocre Heinlein, personally. But as I said, Oz didn't exactly do much for the novel, nor did the novel do much for Oz (to paraphrase a negation of that famous patriotic quote). Re life and death (a particularly Ozzy topic, of course): My grandfather (my father's father) died when my dad was 10. My grandmother, on the other hand, only just started to have age-related health problems. Up until then, she continued to teach music (at a local elementary school) and private piano lessons, and to conduct the yearly 4th of July band parade (walking backward), not to mention that she had her driver's license renewed yet again. I repeat, until this past summer she was in near-perfect health and clearness of mind. Oh, by the way, she turned 101 last August. David: Sorry for the mix-up. I do so much of that these days . . . Anyway, may Ozzy thoughts be with you all. --KIEX and jeremy, partners in confusion ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 06 Jun 1997 14:57:33 -0500 From: Gordon Birrell Subject: Ozzy Digest Ruth Berman: Thanks for your carefully considered remarks on the geography of Nonestica/Baumgea. I also like your suggestion that Richardson might have been influenced by Mucha's posters of Sarah Bernhardt in his rendering of Zixi. Given the heavy stylization of the female figure in Art Nouveau, there are bound of course to be some generic parallels. On the other hand, Zixi and Bernhardt are alike in other ways besides their good looks: both are queenly figures, and both are in some sense actresses, living in a world of representation and projected beauty. The word "post-modern" has been bandied about so much that it can mean practically anything one wants it to mean (which, in itself, could be considered a post-modern procedure!), but the way I was using it derives from the definitions that Linda Hutcheon provides in _A Poetics of Postmodernism_ (Routledge, 1988): that is, the tendency to shuttle back and forth between available modes of constructing meaning. Conventional boundaries (disciplinary, characterological, aesthetic, gender, etc.) are continually observed, transgressed, reinstated, supplanted. As Hutcheon sees it, the typical post-modern strategy is to install meaning while simultaneously challenging it. I think there is something of this in Langwidere's incessant trading out of one head (i.e., one mode of perception and sensibility) for another. This is quite different from the almost universal sense that our essential self is not entirely intact, as manifested in the traditional Doppelgaenger motif. An early literary example of post-modern character is _Waiting for Godot_, in which Vladimir and Estragon continually try on one provisional personality type after another, playing at being different people. (The difference between Gogo/Didi and Langwidere, of course, is that they, in a typically post-modern way, are fully aware of the artifice and problematic nature of what they are doing.) David: >I think I've said this before, but my opinion is that in Zixi's case we >do know what she looks like - that is, the appearance she makes to her >subjects and other sentient beings is indeed the configuration of her >physical body. There is no "illusion" involved. Many things she does - >including walking all the way from Ix to Nole and back - would be >impossible if her body were really that of a 683-year-old woman, and her >appearance were an illusion. > [snip!] >My theory - though this is speculation, and there are undoubtedly other >possible explanations - is that the spells Zixi used to prevent her body >from aging had the side effect of making her see in a mirror what would >have been if she had not used the spell. . . . I don't think that >there was any particular magic in the mirror; there is no evidence that >if anyone else saw Zixi's reflection, it would have the appearance of an >ancient hag. (It's true that she had all mirrors banished from her >palace in Ix, but it seems highly unlikely that she never encountered a >mirror when she was in Nole, and surely someone would have noticed that >the pretty young woman's reflection wasn't what it should be.) This is an interesting and even seductive interpretation, but it is difficult to square it with the text. Here is what Baum writes: "Although [Zixi] had been an adept at witchcraft for more than six hundred years, and was able to retain her health and remain in appearance young and beautiful, there was one thing her art was unable to deceive, and that one thing was a mirror. To mortal eyes Zixi was charming and attractive; yet her reflection in a mirror showed to her an ugly old hag, bald of head, wrinkled, with toothless gums and withered, sunken cheeks. [ . . .] Zixi wanted to admire herself; and that was impossible as long as the cold mirrors showed her reflection to be the old hag others would also have seen had not her arts of witchcraft deceived them." The repeated use of the word "deceive" pretty clearly establishes her beautiful appearance as an illusion, not a physical reality. As for her ability to walk all the way to Noland, that presumably is covered in the first sentence (she "was able to retain her health"). It's true that someone in the castle in Noland might have noticed from Zixi's reflection in a mirror that she wasn't what she should be--that's of course what happens in "Feathertop." But my reading of _Zixi_ is that the witchcraft bewitches the perceptions of all of those who behold Zixi, whether or not they are looking at her directly or in a mirror; it is only *her* perception of herself which must remain utterly truthful. Scott: I've seen most of Fellini's movies, but unfortunately I haven't seen Jerry Rees's _The Brave Little Toaster_. Is it available on video? --Gordon Birrell ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 06 Jun 1997 14:33:31 -0700 From: Bob Spark Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-06-97 Earl, > Sorry, I must have been unclear again. When I said to Bob, your life with as much joy and love as you can, of course.>, I was > talking about _this_ life. I understood you perfectly, and agree with the premise. I have always had every intention of doing so. Jeremy & KIEX, > I agree with Steve that debate over religion, as politics, is so > enormous that we had best forbid it lest it fill our entire e-pages. While I am in total agreement that extraneous discussion is best kept to a relative minimum, I believe that as responsible adults we (or most of us) will do so, however some of our more interesting discussions--to me--have been to some degree off the subject of OZ. Forbidding any subject smacks of censorship and I am definitely NOT in agreement with that. Scott, I attempted to go to http:///www.venues.firefly.com:80/venues?venueid=1153 with no success. I was told that Netscape could not find that URL. did I do something wrong? Bob Spark -- "In this world of sin and sorrow, there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican." H.L.Mencken ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 06 Jun 1997 19:31:18 +0600 From: rri0189@ibm.net Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-06-97 David Hulan wrote: >I think a reference to Santa Claus is insufficient to connect THE >ENCHANTED ISLAND OF YEW to Oz. Santa Claus isn't a character confined to >Oz and its borderlands; he says himself, in ROAD, that he has visited >Dorothy in Kansas, and knows where Button-Bright lives (which we later >learn is Philadelphia). And neither Kansas nor Philadelphia is generally >considered "borderland of Oz"; if they are, then basically everywhere >is, and there's still nothing to put Yew in the Nonestic. Hmmm.... A somewhat subtler analysis is possible. The ilne about Santa Claus at least puts Yew in the same fictional universe as Oz, and _in_ _that_ _fictional_ _universe_, it appears that all enchanted countries are to be found in the Nonestic. >I'd need to see a controlled analysis of, say, a >group of men otherwise comparable in age, health, and income, half of >whom had never been married and half of whom had just lost their wives, >to see if the former group outlived the latter by any significant time. >(Maybe such a study has been done; I just haven't seen it.) Unless I misremember, I believe one has been done. It is also generally observed that happily-married widowers are more likely to remarry quickly not, (as upset offspring are likely to assume) because they have forgotten their wives, but because they want to regain, as much as possible, what they have lost. // John W Kennedy -- Hypatia Software -- "The OS/2 Hobbit" ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 06 Jun 1997 23:47:03 -0400 From: "Melody G. Keller" Subject: Ozzy Digest, 06-06-97 Dear Craig Wingerson: >I am doing some research on the Land of Oz theme park that once operated in Banner Elk, NC. Do you know anything about it? Do you know where I could go to find some info?< I once lived a little nearer to that theme park than I do now, and I visited it a couple times when it was open. I hated it when I no longer saw the billboards advertising it, and heard that it had closed. The park was (if memory is correct) was on top of Beech Mountain and run by Beech Mountain ski resort. The Oz attraction was meant to help bring in money when skiing weather was over. After driving part of the way up, you had a choice of taking a bus or ski lift to the top where the attraction was. (I took the ski lift!) First, you came to Uncle Henry's farmhouse and barn, where they had a petting zoo. Teenaged girls dressed as Dorothy from MGM's Wizard would come to the door about every fifteen minutes to greet the latest group of visitors and take them on a tour of the farmhouse. A recorded voice (Aunt Em's) told the visitors a little about the house, and then (of course) warned everybody there was a tornado coming, and told "Dorothy" to take the visitors into the storm cellar, where darkness and whirling lights and recorded windy sound effects gave the impression a tornado *had* engulfed the farmhouse. Actually, "Dorothy" led the visitors down a zig-zag ramp which led to a wrecked, topsy-turvey version of the farmhouse they just left. Then Dorothy led the visitors outside into "Oz," where the first thing they saw were little Munchkin houses. Then they met the Scarecrow, who recited his history and performed a song and dance. Then they met the Tin Man, who said that he always gets up "oily in the morning." (Groan! :-) ) The Tin Man would perform HIS song and dance, in which he sang, "I look just like a tin can, but I really am a Tin Man." Then, of course, the Lion appeared after that. But they did not join the group, but said they would meet them in Emerald City. Then there came a magic show given by the Wizard's assistant. And finally the Emerald City itself, which consisted of several shops and one stage, the Wizard's palace where Dorothy & friends meet the Wizard. The Wizard (naturally) grants everyone's wishes. When it is her turn, "Dorothy" is told to "think of a rainbow." Then she disappears, and her friends wave at someone behind the audience. It's another "Dorothy" taking off on the balloon ride--which visitors could also ride when they had seen enough of the Emerald City. The balloon ride took visitors back to Uncle Henry's farm, where they could take the bus or ski lift back down. All in all, I enjoyed the attraction very much--although I wish there had been a little more to it. In the souvenir shops, one could buy MGM Wizard of Oz Tee-shirts, which featured the art from the front of the DC-Marvel adaptation of MGM's Wizard. And one could also buy the large white-covered Oz paperbacks as well. One of the shops used to display in a glass case a Dorothy dress worn by Judy Garland. Until the dress was stolen. Sigh. I really miss the Land of Oz attraction, and do wonder how much, if anything, is left. An outing there would have been a nice treat for my daughter. I still hadn't completed my Famous Forty collection when I visited Land of Oz on Beech Mountain, and thinking about it brings back memories of the fun I had chasing down the Famous Forty. :-) For more info, you might try contacting the Beech Mountain ski resort in Banner Elk. If the resort is still in business. If they are not the ones who ran Land of Oz, they might be able to tell you who did. Melody Grandy ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 07 Jun 1997 03:32:45 -0400 (EDT) From: JoelHarris@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-06-97 Regarding Feathertop, a new edition was printed in 1992, beautifully illustrated by Daniel San Souci. Feathertop and his creation is very much a reflection of Jack Pumpkinhead, but pre-dates our friend jack by about 50 years! I highly recommend the book, written by Robert D. San Souci. My copy is signed with a pen & ink sketch of Feathertop very much in the John R. Neill style. Joel Harris ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 07 Jun 1997 07:27:10 -0400 (EDT) From: earlabbe@juno.com (Earl C. Abbe) Subject: Ozzy Digest Submission: You'd better keep her -- you'll live longer. In the 6/5-6 Digest David Hulan suggests statistical analyses of survival rates of widowers vs. non-widowers. I don't recall any such studies (although there probably are some) but I do recall studies showing that married men live longer than unmarried men (bachelors, divorced & widowers). Earl Abbe ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 07 Jun 1997 23:07:36 -0400 (EDT) From: Baringer@aol.com Subject: Ozzy Digest Hey everyone! I just recently joined the list. I have had miserable luck trying to build up a collection, but I have been fortunate enough to find a few novel items to build a variant collection. My collection is built mainly of non-Famous Forty (for now). I was able to get copies of Oz-Story Magazine 1&2, as well as Spectral Snow (from Hungry Tiger Press) as well as SEVERAL books from Buckethead Enterprises of Oz. I found that site through a link on someone else's page. WOW! I purchased Haunted Castle of Oz, Seven Blue Mountains of Oz, Red Reera... of Oz, and Queer Quest for Oz. I was enchanted by all of them! I never realized that there are so many NEW Oz books! I think L. Frank Baum and Ruth Plumly Thompson would be overjoyed to see such a devotion to their writings, and to the land that they wrote about. Ozma MUST be smiling as she realizes all this. I heard that there will be a centennial book. Can anyone give me information on this? I wonder who will illustrate it? Who's the author? I would also like to know if anyone is willing to sell or trade to me the Oz books I'm gonna list below. I want hardbacks, but I will settle for paperbacks, though I would prefer old editions, and I don't care at all about condition. Silver Princess / Handy Mandy / Wonder City / Ojo / Captain Salt Thanks folks! Kieran Miller (Baringer@aol.com) ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 07 Jun 1997 22:47:08 -0400 From: Tyler Jones Subject: Oz ********** TINY SPOILER FOR _NUMBER OF THE BEAST_ ********** Robin: I think I'll slightly disagree with you when you said that Heinlein (eventually) tied up all loose ends in his story. The whole Blackhat thing was left hanging. Granted, we know that they're the generic bad guys, but we know next to nothing about them. Also, it was still unclear at the end if all of those encountered were or were not the same person. Still, I enjoyed it too. Note: This book is not HACC-worthy, since there were no lands on the other side of the deadly desert. ********** END OF SPOILER FOR _NUMBER OF THE BEAST_ ********** Beaver(s): Either there is more than one band, or the same band has "branch offices" all over. Fairy Beaver Technician: Beaver magical support. May I help you? (muffled voice) Fairy Beaver Technician: Oh, I'm sorry. You're not in our district. Please call your local office number 47 and don't forget your registration number! David and Gordon: There was a "Twilight Zone" (or one of it's clones) in which an old man was made young again on the outside, but not the inside. In any case, David's theory seems more reasonable: That is, she really does look and feel like a young woman, but she appears to herself as old. David (and others) Thanks for the analysis of grain. To answer, yes that is enough for my purposes. The story of Egyptian grain is confirmed by a manager of a Kansas City flour mill. In a Fantasy Role Playing Game I am going to run again shortly, I am adding specific resources. One of those is grain, and I was loooking for a reasonable length of time that grain could be used for various purposes. Based on the information I received and other things, I, in my infinite wisdom and godlike power as Gamemaster, have decided that in the game, Grain has a useful life of five years. This assumes adequate storage measures by low-tech societies. Floyd and Oz: There are perhaps two or three Floyd songs that I like. I have none of his music, so I will accept the general knowledge of the "Dark Side of the Moon" and the MGM movie. --Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 08 Jun 1997 16:35:03 +0000 From: David Hulan Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-06-97 I'm a bit surprised to find only one Digest awaiting me after I return from 56 hours or so devoted to the Ozmopolitan Convention. I won't try to do any kind of full report here, but will say that I saw a good many of the Digest people there: in alphabetical order Jane Albright, Ruth Berman, Herm Bieber, Peter Hanff, Scott Hutchins, Patrick Maund, Robin Olderman, and Steve Teller. (These are Digest people who contribute on a fairly regular basis. There may have been others who are lurkers, since I don't know who all the code names on the mailing list refer to.) And that I enjoyed the convention more than any Oz convention/conference that I've been to yet. Lake Lawn Lodge is a lovely setting, and a full-service hotel as well (unlike Asilomar, where Winkies meet and which is an equally lovely setting). It's a bit on the sprawling side, which is inconvenient for those members who aren't too spry getting around (and since I think I'm about at the median age of the attendees, that's not uncommon), but we think we have that problem solved for next year. I'll try to report on the program - which was _very_ interesting - in the next Digest or so. Craig W.: Two questions about Banner Elk in one Digest, when the subject, as far as I recall, has never come up here before, is an amazing coincidence! (Unless something in, say, a North Carolina newspaper appeared recently that stimulated both queries.) Anyhow, the only thing I know about Banner Elk is that a souvenir plate from there brought over $1000 at the last Ozmopolitan auction. Robin: Well, we've discussed the Centennial Contest at some length over the past weekend. But I still have no idea whether or not mine will make the final three or not (and neither do you, because you don't know which one was mine...). Here's some of the public information that came out at Ozmopolitan that I didn't know for sure, for the benefit of other entrants who may not know the full process either. The third judge, besides Robin and Steve, is Barbara Koelle. The three of them will agree at some point (it is hoped by the conclusion of Winkie Conference) on three finalists. Rachel Cosgrove Payes and Eloise Jarvis McGraw - the two living FF writers - have agreed to read the three finalists and each choose a winner. If they agree, that's the overall winner. If they each select a different winner, a tie-breaking judge (possibly Fred Meyer, possibly someone else) will read their two selections and make the final decision. I wouldn't have laughed at you if you'd brought ROCKET SHIP GALILEO to Ozmopolitan and I found about about it. (Did you?) You might have laughed at me - I brought THE PHANTOM SHARK ("A Rick Brant Electronic Adventure") with me for bedtime reading. I always find it relaxing to read a couple of chapters of a familiar book of juvenile fiction before turning off the light. (Most often Oz, but those books are bulky, so when traveling I usually revert to Rick Brant or Tarzan or something like that.) Far as I know TO SAIL BEYOND THE SUNSET was RAH's last book. And one of his most obnoxious, for my taste, but that's how it goes. I found it very offensive for a woman who, because of her bloodlines, had an income from a foundation that was quite adequate to live on even if her husband hadn't been something of a tycoon, to be railing about women who went out to work instead of staying home with their children. Especially when it's obvious that it's Heinlein's own voice behind her. (Heinlein was a marvelous storyteller. He was also not a very good man, imho.) Dick: In the rush of getting ready for Ozmopolitan I managed to forget to send some $$$ to Dave, but it'll go out tomorrow, I promise! I agree. Bill Stillman is doing a wonderful job on the Bugle, especially the aesthetics of it. But the content is also improving, no offense to past editors. Dave (sidenote): Since PFCHRYSSON refers to having gone to Banner Elk as "a little girl", I imagine that it's "her". Barbara: If you didn't grow up with more or less the same fictional background that Heinlein did, NUMBER OF THE BEAST would probably be pretty boring. I did, so I quite enjoyed it on one level, although as I mentioned to Robin above, while I admire Heinlein as a storyteller I don't as a person. Pity that so few wanted that T-shirt, but that's how it goes. Maybe appealing again will help. *************************************************** HEY!!!!! DON'T ANY OF THE REST OF YOU PEOPLE WANT AN "OZZY DIGEST" T-SHIRT????? IF SO, GET YOUR **** IN GEAR AND LET BARBARA KNOW!!!! *************************************************** Scott O.: Steve Teller and I don't really look a thing alike. Aside from both being somewhat overweight, having beards and High Intelligent Foreheads (although mine, which goes back well behind my ears, is much higher, if no more intelligent, than his), and wearing glasses, there isn't much resemblance. Steve and Justin Schiller (who founded the IWOC and was at Ozmopolitan), on the other hand, _do_ look a lot alike. And Jane is indeed one of the prettier ladies in Oz fandom. The picture in the BUGLE is by no means flattering. As far as I know, Dorothy only had a cow in the stage WIZARD, the version from 1901 or so. Her name was Imogene. But that's a piece of information that's so obscure that I'm amazed that it got onto a national broadcast; I doubt that there are 10,000 people in the country that know that. Jeremy: I think a non-Oz topic that inspires a fairly short answer (even if from several people), with perhaps ripples for another two or three days, is appropriate enough and keeps the Digest interesting. (Like Tyler's question about grain, to give a recent example.) But politics and religion seldom are limited to that magnitude of discussion, if they aren't quickly snuffed. Scott H.: Nice to finally meet you this weekend! Scott P.: I already have all the books you're advertising, but your prices look quite good to me based on what I'd be willing to pay for the books. (What I paid for them new, for that matter.) Assuming that their condition is near-mint. Melody: Yeah, if my wife were off at, say, a quilter's convention (which she's talked of doing at times), I might be more reconciled to temporary bachelorhood than I was when she was out taking care of her mother. According to what was said at Ozmopolitan, the final count of "judgable" MSS (meaning ones that met the basic criteria on length, I think) was 37. Just not quite enough for another Famous Forty... All this does bring up one interesting question, though. What's going to happen with the 36 MSS that don't make it? Especially the half dozen or so that are, from what I hear, very close to equal in quality to whichever wins? It would seem to be a crying shame for them to vanish without a trace. Emerald City Press has so far not found it commercially feasible to publish books in the size range of the contest books, though I understand from Peter G. that increased interest in new Oz books among bookstores may make it feasible in the near future. Buckethead lacks a strong financial basis, so publication schedules are slow and print runs and distribution are not very extensive. I have some ideas that might work (and of course, a lot would depend on what I think about the commercial viability of those MSS that don't reach the top spot - I trust Robin's and Steve's taste very much, but not quite enough to put money behind them without getting my own teeth into things), but it's not anything that's come close to jelling yet. I'd like others' reactions to the general situation, though. (Premise: there are half a dozen new Oz MSS out there that are in general comparable in quality - and length - to the FF. Fact: The IWOC will publish one of them. Query: How will most Oz fans get to read the other five?) Ruth: I'm sure you're right about the location of Phreex from the external-explaining (what I call the "Oz-as-literature") point of view. >From the internal-explaining (or what I call the "Oz-as-history") point of view, either there are two islands named Phreex (not all that implausible; there are multiple "Long Islands" and "Coney Islands" and the like in the world), or Baum got the name of one of them (presumably the one near Pingaree, which was only mentioned rather than being the site of a rather long sequence) wrong. Great seeing you at Lake Lawn! David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 08 Jun 1997 23:31:39 -0400 (EDT) From: Saundersrl@aol.com Subject: ozmania I've seen your list on oz book, and now ask "have you seen or have copys of all the books".I have 19 of 40 of the books and am looking,like everyone else,for the rest.I would want to collect any others,but the 40.I am however interested in copys of the other stories.Also,I'm working on a map of oz, to include every city,road,river,and house.If you can help, Richard Saunders 300 N Vista #915 Hou. TX. 77073 or e-mail [Please E-mail Richard privately, as he is not a Digest member...] ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 09 Jun 1997 02:26:51 -0400 From: Richard Bauman Subject: Many Days Oz Growls Having just returned from the wilds of Alaska and being sick as a sled dog and unable to sleep I will approach 11 days of Digests, in between coughs David asking for a copy of some x-rated piece from Patrick reminded me of: "Senator Smoot, Repub from Ut. ............ He protects our homes from erotic tomes, By reading them all himself." Now where did that come from? Nash? HMMMMMM! I see some of you dipping into politics with me gone. Earl, the latest rediscovery is to excuse any bad behavior with "Well, the other guys do that too. So what!" I think that is officially DNC Strategy No. 8. Tyler! Care to buy a spot on the White Water? I think you could pick it up cheap. Jeremy >And I have long championed the success of single-parents and adoption-based families, as I believe them to have potential for just as much success as natural families. Really! Please share your basis for this conclusion? Bob Spark >If I die, then wake up I'll be the most surprised person that you've ever met. I'll also probably be the most regretful one, but what is a poor atheist boy to do? How does that go....."An atheist at his funeral is someone who is all dressed up with nowhere to go. :) Well the new Bugle just arrived. Ruth, I'll buy your book. Is your address still correct? :) Also excellent reviews are all by our fellow Digesters. David - Could the Heinlein have been "Rocketship Galileo?" There was actually a copy in my high school library along with "Ralph 124C41+." Dave - Add me to the list if you decide you need some financial support. Tyler - I don't know about corn but I have Mormon friends who store red wheat. I think it will last "indefinitely" if the weavils don't get in. I think they do something to drive all the oxygen out of the storage container. Well, the sun is rising. Regards, Bear ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 09 Jun 1997 11:46:06 -0400 From: Michael Turniansky Subject: Ozzy pronounciation of pyrzqxql Way, way back on 5/20, David Hulan wrote: > OTOH, I know what you mean; I tried very, very hard to find the right > pronunciation of "pyrzqxgl" when I was a kid. > Why, in Hebrew, pronounciation without explicit vowels is second nature. That's why you were having trouble. It's easy. Using standard transliteration from Hebrew, we see that this "word" is really a sentence: "Pi raz kach gol", which means "the mouth of the the secret took a marble". Why this should be a magic formula, I'm not sure. "Abra cadabra" ("I will create as I have said", Aramaic) makes a heck of a lot more sense, but who am I to question the ways of magic? BTW, those of you who are Royal Club of Oz members may have noticed that Baruch did _not_ win the Junior division of the "Invent a way to get to Oz" contest (beaten out by a six year old. Oh, the shame!), but did get honorably mentioned. He already has the plotline in place for the next contest (invent a way to esacpe from a wicked witch using the powder of life), althoughhe has not yet written the story. I remain, still struggling to catch up on old news, --Mike "Shaggy Man" Turniansky ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 09 Jun 1997 12:42:36 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@cord.iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-06-97 Scott: The cow's name was Imogene! Dave: Michael Gessel informed me that both _The Abominable Dr. Phibes_ and _Dr. Phibes Rises Again_ both feature (in the same footage) Vincent Price singing "Over the Rainbow." Everybody going to the Winkie Convention: Unless you are an absolute completist, do NOT buy a copy of the audiocassette Patrick Maund has. He let me listen to it and it was actually pretty dull (_The Human Horn_ is the title. One song is "Over the Rainbow."). It also has some foul language on it. I bet Robin will have a marked up Enchanted Island of Yew there, that was at Bibliophiles in Delavan for $275. I actually said to the gut there it would probably sell to someone like Robin. I found an _Annotated Alice_ for $3.00. I have never read the annotated version before, so it should be interesting. The public library tells me I've wasted my once-in-a-lifetime claims returned on the Annotated Wizard of Oz, even though they managed to find it in the library, put it back on the shelf, and have subsequently checked it out again. Last time it was on the shelf, so I think that cliams returned ought to be recalled since it was the library that was in error. Marc Berezin found vol 1 of _The X-Rated Videotape Guide_ and said it was a a psuedoscience fiction film by John Gold about sex hating women who lock up all the men. Perhaps someone involved drew a similarity to _Land_ or something and got the title that way. Justin was telling me about the adult _Alice in Wonderland_, and I don't think I want to see it. He said I should try to get the shabby costume adult _Wizard_ to put in the club's X-rated drawer with a comicbook some guy donated. Jane: I xeroxed the review of _Oz_ (20th Century Oz) from _The Last New Wave_ (it is the favorable review quoted in _The World of Oz_) and from his summary, it seems rather crass, but no worse and far less violent than _Wild at Heart_. I don't remember the author's name, but he makes it seem that the film is well worth seeing. Some of the songs on the album are quite good, others are annoying. Two of the songs have lyrics that are not things I think a child should hear ("The Mood" and "Greaseball") though I doubt if they would get the album a warning label today. When I got home from the convention, I had a whole lot more stuff for the filmography, but I didn't have my filmography to correct some of the _Under the Rainbow_ typos I found. I only remember one. The clip of _The Wonderful Land of Oz_ that was shown in Leonard Swann's documentary looked like a really arty student film from a film school. As I understand, Barry Mahon was a bottom of the barrel maker of nudies. He was making them because they were the cheapest type of film he could make and turn a profit. When he had made enough from these, he moved up to science fiction and fantasy, and thought quite highly of his Oz film, and said it was timeless. David Greene kept telling me how horrible it was, but now that I have seen the clip I definitely want to see the whole thing. Added to my filmography since receiving my award are: more info on _Number 13_ (THE Elizabeth Taylor put up most of the money, I have a lot more, too, but I don't remember it and don't have the printout) The existing footage is known as _The Tin Woodsman's Dream_ [sic "s"] and runs 9 minutes. I don't know where Marc Lewis got his credits for this film (with a 108 running time) or his oddly inaccurate credits for _Aysecik_, with credits like "angel" (there was none) "Iron Man" (He is called Teneke Koruadam (=Tin Woodman (though the s makes it probably more accurate)) and "Lion Man" (he is called Aslan Korkat (=Cowardly Lion)). I imagine if C.S. Lewis's estate sued you for calling a character Aslan, if he clearly was not the Narnia Aslan, would have about as much ground as Osamu Tezuka's estate suing you for calling a lion "Leo." _Aysecik, the Poor Princess_ (pre-'64 Degirmencioglu Aysecik film) Jane's appearance on _Personal FX_ with her Oz collection (if I get a copy of this, I will of course, have to added everybody who appeared in the episode. Sorry Jane! I suppose then it won't look like you're the star of the program. _Charles Santore Illustrates the Wizard of Oz_ _The Muppet Show_ episode (courtesy Marc Berezin and Michelle Naylor) _Donny and Marie_ episode (courtesy Michelle Naylor) _Paradise_ episode with L. Frank Baum character (courtesy Michelle Naylor) The other two stories of _Fantasia... 3_ (This Spanish film features "The Little Mermaid," _The Wonderful Wizard of Oz_, and "The Three Hairs of the Devil") also added the art director's name (courtesy Marc Berezin) _Clueless_ reference (courtesy Michelle Naylor) _Dr Phibes_ references (courtesy Michael Gessel) Art director of the aborted _Return to the Land of Oz_ was Preston Blair (later the associate producer of _Journey Back to Oz_. Now I wonder if this was the working title, particularly considering the record Eric Shanower offered, that changed hands partway through) Now that I have my own autographed copy of the MGM pictorial history I corrected some typos of the names of people I had as "additional crew" I also added the names of the publicity staff. I forgot to add Sendak to the RTO credits. I still haven't combed through it so carfeully to determine what uncredited roles these people filled. Most of the time when I find out what some unknown did, like Sydney Guilaroff, it is usually someone I didn't know worked on the film at all. I e-mailed John Fricke about these people specifically, but he never got back to me. Michelle noted at lunch that she had no idea who Allegro Da Capo was, so Stephen had to tell her about him. Allegedly, he is in the coronation sequence, but he is one of the few I could never find in either the film or the production still. Bruce Boa appeared as the Policeman both at the end with the paddywagon and in the coronation sequence. The tenth anniversary Bugle retrospect shows this quite clearly. While we're still on Ozma (I hope I can catch up on the Hitchcock readings so I can reread DOTWIZ for the first time for our discussions. I haven't read it, other than looking a few things up, since I was in fourth grade, so I won't be much in the discussion otherwise, Maybe I should get off the computer and start reading) I was wondering what people thought about the eggs. It doesn't seem like it was mentioned much what little effect the eggs had on Roquat when Scarecrow beaned him with them. Could it be psychological, or would my mystery character's mandatory egg breakfasts be lesws effective than she thinks... If someone wants an audiocassette of the _20th Century Oz_ soundtrack, or a homemade audiocassette copy of musical highlights from the Children's Theatre Company Marvelous Land of Oz (which also features material from the Cinar Films, Under the Rainbow Shuki Levy's theme to the "Tinmanator" anime, and the 1994 Volshebnik as a bonus), Mago de Oz Cuento de Frank Baum (with bonus material from Aysecik) or a real rarity, an audio recording of my middle school production, write me privately and I'll tell you about snail-mailing a tape. They are neither of a quality or of a legality that I could sell them, but they are great to listen to. Scott ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 09 Jun 1997 14:40:06 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@cord.iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-06-97 I was curious if anyone knew if the Marc Allen Lewis who plays Santa Claus and the Nome King on _The Oz Kids_ is the Oz club Marc Lewis. Scott ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 09 Jun 1997 15:53:00 -0400 (EDT) From: CrNoble@aol.com Subject: Ozzy Digest Two questions: 1) I can't find my info packet; when is the deadline for registering for the Munchkin convention? 2) I saw _Dorothy Return to Oz_ by Ted(?) Tedrow today in a used bookstore. It's only $6 for the hardcover first edition (I would guess the only edition), but is the book even worth reading or owning? I usually don't bother with this kind of stuff unless there's a compelling reason. -- Craig Noble ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 09 Jun 1997 14:51:27 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@cord.iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-06-97 Emerald City (1991) directed by Michael Jenkins, written by David Williamson, based on his play. Williamson is the brother-in-law of Chris Lofven. This stars Nicholas (Spider-Man) Hammond and Nicole Kidman. Scott ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 09 Jun 1997 14:53:42 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@cord.iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-06-97 Marc Berezin claims that there may have been a 1993 Wizard of Oz cartoon written by Barbara A. Oliver with Doug Parker as the voive director. I'm still convinced he is mistaking it for the 1991 "Tinmantor" cartoon. Scott ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 09 Jun 1997 15:43:52 -0600 (CST) From: Ruth Berman Subject: ozzy digest The Ozmapolitan Convention this past weekend was a lot of fun -- getting together with such old friends as Robin Olderman, Davids Hulan and Greene, Peter Hanff, Steve Teller, Patrick Maund, Edith and Warren Hollister, Justin Schiller, Fred Meyer, Barbara Koelle, Michael Gessel, Herm Bieber, John Tower; and meeting such new friends as Jane Albright, Scott Hutchins, Michael Riley (whose forthcoming book on Baum's world-building from the University of Kansas sounds likely to be an insightful study), Margaret Berg (the most prolific Oz short-story writer?), Theo Carson (who alerted me to the 1908 appearance of "The Wizard of Oz" in Boston), Michelle Naylor (my room-mate), Bill Stillman, Jay Scarfone; and nattering on about what people have been doing, Oz books, Oz movies, etc. The focus of the programming was on Club history (and future history, as it were, in Bill Stillman's talk on plans for upcoming "Bugles"). David G. on the history of the IWWOC and Peter Hanff on the various Ozcons gave nostalgically entertaining slide talks (drawing occasional tears with tributes to such Ozcon attendees no longer with us as Dick Martin, Frank and Brenda Baum, Ruth Plumly Thompson, Margaret Hamilton, Jim Nitch, Fred Otto, Roy Roy MacVeigh). There was a video (abridged from a full-length video just out from Sirocco Productions on Oz and Oz collectibles, with a shorter companion video on Charles Santores' Oz art -- Santores did the cover art for these, too); the video pair looked to be good presentations, and I enjoyed the selections, but didn't really have enough interest in collectibles to sign up to get the two videos myself. Speaking of Imogene the cow, as Scott Olson was, and of the 1902 stageplay -- Some of you know that I've been working on an article on "The Wizard on the Road." I don't, of course, have a complete survey of where and when it played, but I focused on some representative cities that I could check in the U of MN's collection of microfilms of newspapers. For Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, and Chicago (because I could check U MN dissertations on local theater history, "New York Times Index" and Michael Patrick Hearn's "Bugle" article on Chicago), I am reasonably sure that the dates of performance I discussed are all the ones there are. It occurs to me, though, that it would be a good idea to ask if anyone in the group knows of performances in Boston other than 1903, 1904, early 1908, and 1911/1912; or of performances in St. Louis other than 1906. Also, although I don't have access to western newspapers for the right years, and so wouldn't be able to check reviewers' reactions myself, I wonder if anyone knows dates of performances out west -- and, for that matter, although I probably can't add much to the representative sample without making the article unreasonably long, I wonder if anyone knows dates of performances for places other than Chicago, NY, Boston, Mpls/St.P, and St. Louis. Ruth Berman ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 09 Jun 1997 17:48:04 -0400 From: "Gessel, Michael" Subject: Digest I am seeing information on Noel Langley, one of the screenwriters of the MGM motion picture version of The Wizard of Oz. This is for an article I am writing for The Baum Bugle. I would appreciate people getting in touch with me if they have had any contact with him when he was alive, knows someone who had been in touch with him, has any special knowledge of his life and works, or can refer me to any articles/books about him. --Michael Gessel michael.gessel@mail.house.gov ====================================================================== Date: Monday 09-Jun-97 18:14:16 (PDT) From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things Hi everyone! I'll bet you were wondering what became of me! It turns out that Singra enchanted Delphi so that it refused to acknowledge my last monthly payment. As a result Delphi locked me out of cyberspace and I was therefore unable to read my E-mail or send out the Digest from Friday morning until this (Monday) afternoon...It's the longest I've ever been offline all at once and it almost killed me! :) My hearty thanks very much to the seven people (so far) who have generously donated to keep the Ozzy Digest going...Please keep them coming! Once again, my mailing address is: Dave Hardenbrook 9502 Erskine Drive Huntington Beach CA 92646-6007 ONE MORE REASON WHY OZMA REFUSES TO INSTILL A TWO-PARTY SYSTEM IN OZ: :) I got the Baum Bugle today...YAY! I especially enjoyed the Ozzy Political cartoons... Jellia: Maybe we *should* have a two-party system in Oz...At least then Oz would have one party more than the USA has! ;) And with these words, let's put an end to the political discussions (at least publicly on the Digest), okay guys? SCOTT'S PAGE: Bob Spark wrote: > I attempted to go to >http:///www.venues.firefly.com:80/venues?venueid=1153 with no success. >I was told that Netscape could not find that URL. did I do something >wrong? There is no 'www' in the URL - Just http://venues.firefly.com:80/venues?venueid=1153 (This has come up on the Digest before -- not *ALL* URL's begin with 'www' -- My own being a prime example: http://people.delphi.com/DaveH47) CENTENNIAL BOOK: Kieran Miller (Baringer@aol.com) wrote: > I heard that there will be a centennial book. Can anyone give me >information on this? I wonder who will illustrate it? Who's the author? It's a contest in which many aspiring Ozzy authors (including me) submitted manuscripts...David Hulan talks more about it in his post for today... David wrote: >All this does bring up one interesting question, though. What's going to >happen with the 36 MSS that don't make it? Especially the half dozen or >so that are, from what I hear, very close to equal in quality to >whichever wins? It would seem to be a crying shame for them to vanish >without a trace. Emerald City Press has so far not found it commercially >feasible to publish books in the size range of the contest books, though >I understand from Peter G. that increased interest in new Oz books among >bookstores may make it feasible in the near future. Buckethead lacks a >strong financial basis, so publication schedules are slow and print runs >and distribution are not very extensive. I hope Books of Wonder *will* accept FF-length manuscripts in future...That was the real reason I had to submit _Locasta and the Three Adepts of Oz_ to Buckethead...And given that I had not yet entered puberty when Melody first submitted her recently-published _Seven Blue Mountains of Oz_ to Buckethead, it may be a while before _Locasta_ sees daylight ( unless of course it wins the Contest! :) ) -- Dave ====================================================================== ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JUNE 10 - 11, 1997 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ===================================================================== Date: Mon, 09 Jun 1997 19:40:57 -0500 (CDT) From: Robin Olderman Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-06-97 I'll bet lots of us know about Dorothy's cow Imogene. It was easier to work a two-person "cow" onstage than a real dog. Steve and David do not look much alike, in spite of the BUGLE photos. As for my own picture, I didn't send one in. I'm "round" and hate looking at all those chins. (O.K., there are only two of 'em, but still...) Barb: Check prices for a transfer design as opposed to screening. Cheaper process. OzCon: Very enjoyable. Lake Lawn Lodge is beautiful. The surrounding communities are interesting. I'm glad we'll be back next year. The program was good and the company was grand. Good to see some old friends again and good to meet some new ones. I'll be interested to see Scott's reactions. He was a newbie, but seemed to enjoy himself. The highlight for me was Pete's slide presentation of so many old friends from many years ago up 'til the present. Leonard Swann's Oz video seems interesting. I'll probably watch it later this week: I certainly did buy a copy. I'll also pre-order Michael Riley's book. Boy, would Michael enjoy the DIGEST! His book delves into Baum's fantasy world using *all* of his fantasies, not just Oz. The auction was short and funny. Patrick is a hoot. Bargains abounded, although some of the bidding went kinda nutsy. A non-functioning Mattel music box (c.1967) went for about $200. We had to stop the bidding for a moment to make sure that everyone knew it didn't work! (Maybe the bidders thought that Patrick and I, who sang the "Pop Goes the Weasel" music, went with the purchase? ) Ruth: Gonna come back next year? Huh? Huh! We-ell-ll? (Please) David: Thanks for having been Registrar. You did a fine job. Steve-O: I'll start my rereading this week. Scott H.: Nice meeting you. Patrick: So what does a Libertarian think of the internet? It's a byproduct of government (military) intelligence. Dave: Are you coming to Winkies? I'll slip you a fiver there, if you are. You certainly deserve it. --Robin O. ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 03:12:59 +0000 From: Scott Olsen Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-09-97 Congrats to David, Scott & Ruth who answered "Imogene" correctly for the name of Dorothy's cow. That does seem like a funny question to ask, now, doesn't it? It would have made more sense to ask the name of Dorothy's cat! Re: Ruth's comments about Neill's drawing of Oz maps on _Tic-Tok_ endpapers: Your comments about the _Tic-Tok_ endpaper maps was the first time I can remember (and I know that's not saying much) someone crediting their creation to Neill. Has this always been the case? I had always assumed Baum designed them and some unknown Reilly & Britton graphic artist put them together. Sincerely, Scott Olsen ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 09 Jun 1997 20:39:03 -0700 From: Bob Spark Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-09-97 References: <01IJVT9JP3GY8WYSU7@delphi.com> Greetings, I have deleted my signature file about Republicans by Mencken as a sign of my complete acceptance of the political ban. > In the 6/5-6 Digest David Hulan suggests statistical analyses of survival > rates of widowers vs. non-widowers. I don't recall any such studies > (although there probably are some) but I do recall studies showing that > married men live longer than unmarried men (bachelors, divorced & > widowers). A point of personal privilege, applicable to no one else: As a perfectly happy divorced person of long standing, for me married existence just seemed longer. > (Heinlein was a marvelous storyteller. He was also not a very good man, > imho.) Hear, Hear! You have my complete concurrence. Bob Spark -- "Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." Groucho Marx ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 08:40:36 -0400 (EDT) From: CrNoble@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-09-97 Tyler: A friendly correction FYI: Pink Floyd is a British rock band consisting of several musicians, *not* a single person. IMO much of their music is dated (this from someone who's been called by some a "retro rocker"), but the best of it is really quite good, albeit somewhat depressing. Ironically, I don't care much for the two albums that are considered their masterpieces, "Dark Side of the Moon" and "The Wall." For those who care, I recommend "Wish You Were Here" and "Animals." Incidentally, I still haven't tried to pair the album with the movie. The reason is a testament to the enduring popularity of the movie: whenever I look for it at the video store, it's been checked out by someone else. <> -- Craig Noble ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 16:37:36 +0300 (IDT) From: Gili Bar-Hillel Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-09-97 Hi Digest! I'm back, but I've only skimmed the last digest, I haven't been rading for quite a while, so please fogive me if I'm not up to date. Also forgive in advance many typos and spelling errors: my modem is so slow that I've given up on correcting them. I'm back in Israel, by the way, but will be returning to the U.S. in the fall. I apologize to any of you who have sent me personal e-mail that I have not responded to: this was very rude of me. I have a backlog to reread and answer, bwhich I will get around to in the next couple of days. One of the last things I did at harvard before the end of the school year was watch The Wizard of Oz with the "Dark Side of the Moon" soundtrack. In my eyes, the match is clearly coincidental, but there are many very effective coincidences and it was a lot of fun. The Pink Floyd music gives a whole new twist to the movie that is a little eerie. Craig (I think) - don't buy Tedrows book, it is awful. Wait, there are Ozzy Digest t-shirts? Finally! Yay! So, details - who do I write for mine? Shaggy Man - about "pi raz kach gol", cute, but farfetched. also, "kach" is not past tense but in the form for a command, and the word for a marble in modern hebrew is "gula", not "gol". "gol" would be a soccer cry... ("goal". There's a lot of borrowing in hebrew...)Never mind about Baruch not taking first place. We all know he is destined to be a great Oz author nonetheless. :-) Also, back to irrelevencies, I know a number of haapy and successful single-parent families, my own included. But if anyone would like to discuss this with me I suggest taking it into private email. happy to be back! |\ _,,,---,,_ /,`.-'`' -. ;-;;,_ Gili Bar-Hillel, |,4- ) )-,_..;\ ( `'-' gili@scso.com '---''(_/--' `-'\_) http://www.scso.com/~gili ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 09:49:46 -0500 (EST) From: better living through chemistry Subject: RE: Ozzy Digest, 06-09-97 Hi everyone, Wow! Bill Stillman seems to have done the impossible: the Spring 97 Baum Bugle arrived yesterday... and it's actually SPRING 97!!! He's done a great job getting our publication back on schedule. Interesting features, also. An NPR interview with the author of a new book titled _The History of Money_ ended with his assertion of the the Baum populist allegory theory. Yikes... don't these stories EVER die out? Cheers, Scott Cummings ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 08:43:01 -0700 From: ozbot Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-09-97 Ooh, ooh, sign me up for a Digest T-shirt! How's about that. I lurk forever and this is the only thing I can come up with to say? Well, until something else of burning importance comes up, :) Danny ozbot@ix.netcom.com ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 10 Jun 1997 11:27:49 +0000 From: David Hulan Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-09-97 Jeremy: Since Dave didn't answer your question himself - the Tin Woodman logo was designed by former (and we hope future, when she's less busy) Digest member Gili bar-Hillel, specifically as a header for the Digest, when some members suggested it should have one. It's been around for rather over a year now, IIRC. The address of the IWOC is P.O. Box 266, Kalamazoo, MI 49004-0266. Unfortunately, I don't recall what the current dues are, and I think there's a special rate for students anyhow. Maybe someone else will tell you that. Gordon: I see what you're saying about Zixi, but, for instance, how could she be physically toothless and still eat normal food? And yet there's no indication that her banquets feature only purees and thin soups and the like, and it wouldn't be a very good illusion if they had to. I think Baum's "deceive" refers only to essence, and not to physical reality. But there's no real way to know. John K.: