The Wizard of Oz

Lions and tigers and books, oh my!

To celebrate the BFI release of The Wizard of Oz in Christmas 2006, the BFI National Library took a trip down the Yellow Brick Road, uncovering emerald and ruby gems from our collections along the way.

Based on the 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum, this is the story of poor Kansas farm girl Dorothy Gale wishing for a life somewhere over the rainbow. Transported to a magical land of bright technicolour wizardry, she makes friends with fantastical characters such as the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion, and an enemy of the terrifying Wicked Witch of the West. She travels far only to realise there's no place like home.

The Wizard of Oz is the most watched film of all time. No. 6 in the AFI's 100 Years 100 Great Movies, its iconography is instantly recognizable. Whether it's the first few bars of We're Off To See The Wizard, a young Judy Garland in pinafore and pigtails, or the magnificent splendor of the Emerald City, the film has made us all friends of Dorothy. But what about the story behind this legendary film? Who were the key figures in bringing it to the screen? Why was Judy Garland only third choice to play Dorothy?

Browse through our extensive collection of books and ephemera all about The Wizard of Oz, and discover these and many more facts about the film. You can even spend time with Dorothy et al. on our very own Yellow Brick Road.

View our brief list of recommended books titles (PDF, 33kb)

The Wizard of Oz trivia quiz

1. The Kansas farmhands, Hunk, Zeke and Hickory, turn up in Oz as the Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow and Tin Man, but who is who?
2. What does the Wizard want Dorothy to bring back from the Wicked Witch of the West?
3. What are the first words Dorothy utters when she arrives in Oz?
4. Who did M.G.M originally want to play the role of Dorothy Gale?
5. Why did Oz director Victor Fleming leave the production before it finished filming?

Find the answers here...

The Wizard of Oz trivia quiz answers

1. Hunk = Scarecrow, Zeke = Cowardly Lion, Hickory = Tin Man
2. Broomstick
3. "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."
4. Shirley Temple
5. To direct Gone with the Wind