The astonishing popularity of the 1939 movie classic The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland (TV’s most often repeated film), is probably the main reason that animated versions of L. Frank Baum’s turn-of-the-century classic and its sequels have not been very successful.
A 1961 syndicated version titled Tales of the Wizard of Oz did not generate much enthusiasm, nor did a 1974 movie sequel called Journey Back to Oz (with Liza Minnelli assuming the voice for her mother’s role) and a 1990-92 series on the HBO pay cable service titled Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
This animated ABC version followed the movie storyline fairly faithfully (and featured music from the film), with native Kansas farm girl Dorothy (voiced by Liz Georges), her dog Toto (Frank Welker), the Scarecrow (David Lodge), the Tin Man (Hal Rayle), and the Cowardly Lion (Charlie Adler) up against the machinations of the Wicked Witch of the West (Tress MacNeille) who has blown the Wizard permanently away from Emerald City.
The Wizard is secure from the Witch’s treachery as long as he remains within the confines of his hot air balloon. Meanwhile, Dorothy and her friends – with the aid of Glinda the Good Witch – set about trying to overcome the malevolent power of the Wicked Witch.
The series was syndicated in repeats in 1992 as part of a daily package of other original cartoons titled Amazin’ Adventures.
Dorothy
Liz Georges Scarecrow
David Lodge Cowardly Lion
Charlie Adler Tin Man
Hal Rayle Toto
Frank Welker Wicked Witch of the West
Tress MacNeille Glinda
BJ Ward Wizard
Alan Oppenheimer Truckle (winged monkey)
Pat Fraley Munchkin Mayor
Susan Silo
Episodes
The Rescue of the Emerald City: Part 1 | The Rescue of the Emerald City: Part 2 | Fearless | Crystal Clear | We’re Not in Kansas Anymore | The Lion that Squeaked | Dream a Little Dream | A Star Is Gone | Time Town | The Marvelous Milkmaid of Mechanica | Upside-Down Town | The Day the Music Died | Hot Air
This animated ABC version followed the movie storyline fairly faithfully (and featured music from the film), with native Kansas farm girl Dorothy (voiced by Liz Georges), her dog Toto (Frank Welker), the Scarecrow (David Lodge), the Tin Man (Hal Rayle), and the Cowardly Lion (Charlie Adler) up against the machinations of the Wicked Witch of the West (Tress MacNeille) who has blown the Wizard permanently away from Emerald City.
