So, as we move toward the end of June, we run into two holidays: Juneteenth (or June 19th) and Father's Day. So, I have decided to combine those two holidays and take a look at the African-American Fathers of Oz. Juneteenth is the day when all African-American slaves in the state of Texas were finally declared free, even though the Emancipation Proclamation stated that two years prior, which is how long it too Texas to finally get the proclamation read aloud in the state. Father's Day is a day that celebrates our fathers and all the good work they put into parenting us. Now, Fathers in the land of Oz are few and far between; but, they do exist. There is Jack Pumpkinhead's father ("Tip"), who ended up being his mother ("Ozma"). There was also Ozma's father, King Pastorius; Ojo's father, Ree Alla Bad; or Liir in the Wicked books, as Rain's "supposed" father. Additionally, the Wizard of Oz in Emerald City was portrayed to be Dorothy's father ("Frank") as well, which was a great twist. However, since we are looking at African-American fathers of Oz, we start our tour with who I would call the "founding African-American father of Oz", Curtis McHenry. He played the Cowardly Lion in the 1925 version of the Wizard of Oz. McHenry was in many movies of the time, but this one is a record in the Oz world because he was the first African-American actor to play any character in an Oz movie or TV show. He was by far the best character in that movie, for sure; but it was a little awkward seeing him get into a lion's skin. It felt wrong on many levels, but I didn't make the film. If you would like to check out the film, check out my February post on Black History Month in Oz, where I first introduce this actor. If you would like to check out more films that this actor has been in, please click here. Over 50 years later, The Wiz was introduced to audiences that showcased an entirely all-black cast and adding a new storyline to the Wizard of Oz plot. The father figures that grace the stage and movie are up next in the form of Uncle Henry. In the first six Baum books, we are never introduced to Dorothy's parents, but it is hinted that Henry is the brother of Dorothy's mother, making Henry the actual blood relative to Dorothy. So, in The Wiz stage play, which premiered first in the mid-1970s, Uncle Henry was played by Ralph Wilcox. Ralph also played other roles in the play including Lord High Underling, Field Mouse, and Crow and you may know him more by his character in the TV show What's Happening (as seen below). If you would like more information about the play itself, check out this resource as well as this page. Each page has media clips that you can listen to and experience along with pictures from the original run of the lay. You can also check out what other films Ralph has acted in if you would like to see how the other side of Uncle Henry lives here. In the movie of The Wiz, which premeired in 1978, we get to see a different look from the Broadway production to Uncle Henry with the actor, Stanley Greene. In the film, he is a background character with a very brief appearance and in the clip below, we see Aunt Em and Uncle Henry talking about their niece Dorothy as Dorothy is trying figure out what to do with her life. Stanley Greene has been in many other movies and TV shows and to check out the other side of this Uncle Henry, click here. Moving into the future almost 20 years, in 1996, we run into the live and very different showcase of The Wizard of Oz on ICE! Starring Oksana Baiul as Dorothy and narrated by the beloved and amazing Bobby McFerrin, who dedicated the show and his performance to his daughters. It was really odd to watch but super fun and hilarious when Bobby came on and commented as a narrator to the story. Be sure to check it out the whole performance on Youtube by clicking the image below. For more information on Mr. McFarrin and what he has been doing, check out his professional website or his Youtube topic channel where you can listen to his music. Almost 10 years after The Wizard of Oz on ICE!, our stop is at The Muppet Wizard of Oz in 2005 with David Alan Grier as Uncle Henry. Him and Queen Latifah as Dorothy's aunt and uncle were just non-stop funny. David went on years later to play the Cowardly Lion in the Wiz Live! on NBC. He has always been a terrific actor to me and I thought he was hilarious in Jumanji. So, for a running history of David Alan Grier, check out his IMDB here. In 2017, King Pastorius, who was Ozma's father in the Land of Oz, made his first ever television (and film) debut in the TV show Emerald City and was portrayed by actor Kembe Sorel. He was briefly seen in a flashback where we see the "Cowardly Lion" killing both the queen and king of Oz and is also given the first name of Samuel, which is just for the show. It is a pretty horrific scene and it gives a bleaker side to Oz, which is fun for me. For more information on King Samuel Pastoria, check out his Oz Wiki Page and for more information on the actor and what he has done, check out his IMDB here. As our amazing tour of African-American fathers comes to a close, we hope you have enjoyed experiencing the diverse and inclusive side of Oz, which goes to show you that no matter who you are, you are always welcome in the wonderful land of Oz. Also, I have provided a brief video from History Channel on Juneteenth and what you need to know about the holiday and that it has been around for over 150 years.
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As June opens up, Gay Pride month starts and what better way to celebrate than reflecting on how rainbows have impacted Oz. Rainbows have had a long history with the LGBTQIA+ community, as referenced here, but have also made their mark in the Land of Oz. Our first stop is the more well-known character of Polychrome and the lesser known character of her father, The Great Rainbow. Now, Polychrome, a magical fairy that lives on the Rainbows in Oz, is first introduced in the fifth book in the Baum series, The Road to Oz. Her name is one that Dorothy truly has trouble pronouncing in the fifth book. Her father is discussed in the same book as well as the eighth book in the Baum series, Tik-Tok of Oz. He is given the name, The Great Rainbow, in the book, The Magician of Oz (2009) by James C. Wallace. Polychrome also has 19 sisters, the other Daughters of the Rainbow, which are also given names in the Merch Laumer series, a later Oz series published that takes a look at the alternate or romantic side of Oz. Polychrome has had many appearances in media including her first appearance in Disney's Return to Oz in 1985 as one of the attendants of the celebration at the end of the movie. You can check it out for yourself at the following links: Polychrome and The Great Rainbow. Who would have guessed that even Oz has talking Rainbows? Next, we will be discussing ways to explore the rainbows of Oz through activities you can do at home. Of course, if you want to learn more about Polychrome, be sure to check out the links above by clicking on the characters name. We will start at the beginning of the rainbow with the book, Oz Before the Rainbow. It reflects on different adaptations that existed before the 1939 Wizard of Oz such as the 1902/1903 stage play of The Wizard of Oz (you can read the script here) or the 1925 absurdist adaptation by Larry Semon, which you can view here or on Youtube. Check out the book if you want to learn the background of Oz before Oz became truly famous. It has never before seen pictures in from the practically lost stage play and the set up for the famous 1939 film. Speaking of the 1939 Wizard of Oz, our next stop will be SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW. A famous song that comes to life in the film. Of course, you can always check that song out online but I would like to showcase the most recent performance of it in its 2011 debut in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical theatrical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Performed in this version by Danielle Hope, she reenacted this song for all and it was amazing. Check it out! Wow, she is good! Next on our tour de Rainbow, we are going somewhere UNDER THE RAINBOW. This is a very unknown movie unless you are familiar with Chevy Chase or Carrie Fisher super fan. It details the events of the filming of Oz from the perspective of the actors who played the Munchkins of Oz. Its super farcical and incredibly slapstick type of comedy. It was made in 1981 and I have supplied the trailer below. If you are interested in watching it, check it out at these streaming services. So, without further ado, I present the trailer for UNDER THE RAINBOW! Enjoy! Oh man! That's wild! So, now our tour de Rainbow has come to the End of the Rainbow, where we also get to experience a new story about Judy Garland. End of the Rainbow is a musical theatrical production about the days after The Wizard of Oz production and how her life went very wrong. This play inspired the film, Judy, which was released last year. Whether you want to check out the play or the movie, have at it. I have supplied the trailer for the play as the trailer for the movie is very easy to come by today. For more information about the play, click here. Well, that is how we celebrate Rainbows in the Land of Oz and just as Polychrome did multiple times in the book, we will find a way to follow or chase rainbows in Oz with the play CHASING RAINBOWS, which explores the life and times of Judy Garland as a final send off. For more information, check out the Paper Mill Playhouse website as they were one of the more notable theaters to debut the play. Now, of course we can't forget the LGBTQIA+ component for the month, which is why I have provided some resources and activities below that can bring the glittery bow in rainbows and as always, be sure to share how you might celebrate Rainbows in the Land of Oz in the comments below. Until next time, we'll be seeing you somewhere over the Vinkus. Resources Friends of Dorothy brings to light not only the meaning behind the phrase "Friends of Dorothy" but also shows by gay men and gay boys love the Land of Oz so much. Check it out and post your reviews in the comments. For more information about the book and the author, check out the website for the book here. In the second of the Gregory Maguire Wicked Years, Liir is the "supposed" son of Elphaba, The Wicked Witch of the West. In this story, he has quite a bisexual experience between his "wife" and his "friend". In the fourth book of the Wicked Years, Rain, Elphaba's "supposed" grand-daughter, has a sexual experience with a girl magically transformed into a boy. Be sure to check out the whole series as it is quite a roller coaster.
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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. |