As we still make our homes more homely and come out of this rough period in our history, we can always consider adding a little touch of Oz anywhere. So, this month when we gather with our moms and families again, what better way to add a touch of Oz than with Ozma's Magic Picture (seen above). A magical artifact that allows you, the viewer, to see anywhere and anyone in the Land of Oz (and its neighboring regions). It is even possible for this artifact to see outside of its magical barriers and into our world. Such a wonderous magical device! So, in this post, we will look at where it was first introduced, its possible origins, its magical legacy, and how you can bring this artifact into your home with just an little bit of Ozian magic. First introduced in the Baum’s third book, Ozma of Oz, Dorothy asks what it is and how it is used. Ozma gives a brief introduction to it; however, we get a more thorough description in the chapter above from Baum’s sixth book, The Emerald City of Oz. In the chapter, we learn all about how the magic picture looks (framed in gold with changing pictures of country landscapes) and where it hangs (inside Ozma's bedroom in the Emerald City Palace). We are also clued into its magical properties such as MAGICAL VIEWING, which gives the viewer the ability to see someone (in someplace) or just someplace as far as the mind allows (as the viewer cannot see a place it cannot identify). Another magical property of the magic picture is the magical ability to offer ONE-WAY SOUND included in the viewing. It is clarified in Baum's Tik Tok of Oz that the viewer needs a wireless communication device to talk two-ways, as Shaggy Man and Ozma did to actually talk to each other. Another added magical benefit is you can also view scenes and people INFINITELY without consequences. What is great about this artifact is it feels like having a television set with magical spyware inside of your walls. I wonder if she can watch cable on this magical viewing screen? I think it would be great to have a TV installed inside a wall in my house, especially in my bedroom. One final note on the Magic Picture, before moving onto to its origins, is that in Baum’s third book, Ozma declares that every Saturday she will check in on Dorothy with the Magic Picture to make sure she is okay. If she is not, Dorothy can use a hand gesture to let Ozma know she needs help as she does in the fourth book, when we learn the exact time when on Saturday when she checks in. Talk about some Saturday morning TV drama. So, where did this magical artifact originate? Well, there are two possible origin stories discussed by a couple Historians of Oz. One comes from Jack Snow's The Shaggy Man of Oz, that says Ozma created the artifact herself with her own fairy magic. The other comes from a more obscure author, James E. Nitch (a.k.a. Onyx Madden), in the book, The Mysterious Chronicles of Oz, who says that Tititi Hoochoo (pronounced: tee-tee-tee who-chu), a great omnipresent and magical entity, who first appears in Baum's Tik Tok of Oz and lives on the other side of the world from Oz in his own realm, gave the picture to Ozma as a gift. So, whichever story you choose to believe, let me know which one you prefer or which one connects to you more? Up next, the magical picture's legacy. The most recent example of Ozma's magical picture in media adaptations include Boomerang's Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz. In multiple episodes, we see Dorothy, Ozma, and the crew all visiting the magical picture hanging in Ozma's throne room to see what is happening around Oz like a dragon who attacks Munchkin Country or some heinous beast that has made its way into Oz to terrorize its citizens. It all comes up on the magic picture of Oz. So, if you are looking to check that out, feel free to start with the episode, "The Vault Heist" or "Chasing Rainbows". They are some of the many episodes that feature the magical picture of Oz. Next up is one of the only theatrical performances to ever feature the magical picture of Oz. It premiered on stage back in 2016 at a London theatre called "Chickenshed", who put on a play called "Adventures to Oz". The story was meant as a mashup of all things Oz and includes Ozma using her Magic Picture; so, go ahead and check it out above. Also, if you would like to learn more about this uniquely named theatre, read all about its origins here. Even more so, feel free to check out other clips from the play here on the Chickenshed's Youtube channel. Moving into the gaming world, the magical picture of Oz appears in two possible forms in the computer game Emerald City Confidential by GluGames Incorporated. So, the two possible theories of what could be Ozma's magical picture in this game are Ozma's mirror in her throne room (seen above left) or Ozma's picture (seen above right), which hangs in many locations throughout the game. Even more so, in this version, It could be said that she is spying on many people through this picture. Awkward! So, its up to you, my Ozian readers, to figure out the mystery of which item in the game is actually the magical picture. personally, I tend to lean toward the second one because it goes with the film noir approach of this world and the weirdo spying on you through the Magic picture. But, let me know what you think in the comments below. The game is available for download on Amazon, the Mac App Store, and Steam; so, check it out if you have not. It is quite a fascinating adventure with many book references and lots of interesting reading. The last legacy bit is one that is a bit of a conundrum. So, the reference comes from Disney's Return to Oz (1985). In this scene above, Dorothy sees Ozma in her mirror as if she is checking in on her as she said she would in the movie and in the books. This does imply that Ozma is using the magic picture in Oz on her end, but we are seeing it from Dorothy's side. Weird, but cool! Now, it never states in the Baum books that anyone can see Ozma looking at them when she is using the magic picture; however, that is definitely not the case with this scene. So, do we count this as a magic picture reference or not? I chose it because I liked that it showed the magic picture from a different setting and perspective. So, whatever you decide, be sure to check out Disney's Return to Oz, which is available for streaming on Disney+ currently. Now that we know the legacy and magical impact of our magical artifact, it’s time to discuss ways in which you can bring this magical item into your home. So, before we forward, it should be noted as a precursor that the Magic Picture has been equated to a television set. So, right off the bat, if you have a TV, computer, tablet or phone in your house, you have already completed the first step in acquiring your very own Magic Picture. Congratulations on owning a piece of Oz History. Of course, you can always watch Disney’s Return to Oz or the many episodes of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz on the Boomerang app as a starting point, but I do recommend reading the Marvel comic adaptation of Baum’s The Emerald City of Oz (cover seen below) or check out one of the many books that reference the Magic Picture listed here. It’s going to be a Magic Picture party! As a nice side expose article, The Baum Bugle, Spring 2017 edition, has a wonderful article entitled "Magic Picture: A Look at Oz Conventions and Happenings". In the article, we meet our current Oz Club president, Jane Albright, back in the day and how she started her own museum experience with tons of Oz memorabilia from over the years for the exhibition at the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures in Kansas City, Missouri. So, go check it out. You can get a copy of the Bugle with an Oz Club subscription and you can purchase previous copies (if available) of the Baum Bugle at their shop or at a another Ozian book site here. The Magic Picture articles appear quite frequently within the Bugle, so be sure to get your copy soon.
Well, that wraps it up. What has been your favorite Magic Picture of Oz element discussed? Let me know in the comments below and until next time, we'll be seeing you somewhere over the Vinkus.
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May 2024
AuthorMy name is Vinkus Ken and I have been a long time fan of many things in Oz and how their world truly does emulate much of ours. Did you know that they have a flag of their own? Or did you know that they have a law about only having 9 jurors in their courts? Also, Oz has a court system! I like to introduce facts that seem meaningless and bring meaning to them by comparing them to our world. So, come along on this journey and enjoy the ride. |