The Oz witch comeback refers to the resurgence of interest and popularity surrounding the wicked witches from L. Frank Baum's beloved novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." While the story has captivated audiences for over a century, recent adaptations, such as the Broadway musical "Wicked" and the film "Oz the Great and Powerful," have brought the witches to the forefront of pop culture once again. One of the main reasons for the appeal of these witches is the complexity of their characters. Traditionally depicted as purely evil and menacing figures, these adaptations explore their backstories, motivations, and struggles, humanizing them in the process. Elphaba, the green-skinned witch from "Wicked," is a prime example.
Short Story by Ursula Le Guin. A philosophical narrative describing life in the seemingly utopian city of Omelas. We learn that (almost!) everyone in the city lives in complete happiness. There is no organized system of rule, few laws, sexual freedom, no crime, no violence, and nobody living in want.
The TV version takes the bare bones of the tale curious shop, indeterminate location, friendly yet sinister proprietor and blends it with the nasty-child-with-magic-powers theme that was dramatised so memorably by The Twilight Zone in It s A Good Life. The book made me a lifelong Wellsian, and also spoiled me a little when I moved on to more recent science fiction and found many of the alleged greats to be appalling writers.
Elphaba, the green-skinned witch from "Wicked," is a prime example. The musical delves into her journey from a misunderstood outcast to the iconic villain known as the Wicked Witch of the West. Furthermore, these adaptations also shed light on the themes of power, corruption, and discrimination, making the witches even more relatable and compelling.
The Magic Shop by HG Wells
I discovered this TV adaptation by accident while looking for something else (more about the something else tomorrow). The Magic Shop is a 45-minute drama directed by Robert Stevens in 1964 for The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. Writer John Collier adapted a script by James Parish that’s loosely based on the short story by HG Wells. The story is one I know very well, having read it many times, but I hadn’t come across this TV version before. It’s a surprise finding it so close to Christmas since I first read the story in the only Christmas present that’s survived from childhood, a hefty collection of HG Wells’ short stories that I pestered my parents into buying me in 1973. I mostly wanted to read The Time Machine but the other stories seemed promising, especially the ones illustrated by Richard Gilbert on the (miraculously intact) dustjacket: The Sea Raiders (sailors attacked by octopuses), The Flowering of the Strange Orchid (man attacked by tentacular plant), The Valley of Spiders (attacking spiders falling from the sky), and so on. The book as a whole runs to over 1000 pages, and proved to be a revelation with Wells ranging through fantasy, science fiction, horror, and oddities which don’t fit any category other than Robert Aickman’s indispensable label, “strange stories”. The book made me a lifelong Wellsian, and also spoiled me a little when I moved on to more recent science fiction and found many of the alleged greats to be appalling writers. Wells’ prose can’t compete with Robert Louis Stevenson but it’s still well-crafted in that no-nonsense late Victorian manner familiar to readers of Arthur Conan Doyle.
Design and illustration by Richard Gilbert (1970).
The Magic Shop is one of the strange stories, the shop in question being a mysterious establishment somewhere in Regent Street, London, one of those premises one discovers by accident then can’t find again. The narrator is informed by the proprietor that this is a Genuine Magic Shop, as distinct from the kind selling mere conjuring tricks. The meaning of this isn’t clear at first but while the narrator’s young son is being beguiled by the marvels on display we follow his father’s growing alarm when he realises there’s more to the shop than he anticipated, not all of it pleasant or fun. The story was published in Twelve Stories and A Dream in 1903, and can be read here.
The TV version takes the bare bones of the tale—curious shop, indeterminate location, friendly yet sinister proprietor—and blends it with the nasty-child-with-magic-powers theme that was dramatised so memorably by The Twilight Zone in It’s A Good Life. The Hitchcock show was made three years after the Twilight Zone episode so it’s easy to see It’s A Good Life as an influence. Leslie Nielsen is the father who takes his son, Tony (John Megna), to the fateful shop on his birthday. The proprietor informs the pair that Tony is “the right boy” since he found the shop in the first place, the subtext being that he’s also possesses the right character to be the recipient of some heavy voodoo abilities. The boy’s bad seed status has been telegraphed from the outset by a birthday gift from an uncle of a black leather jacket; throughout the scene in the shop he looks like a miniature hoodlum. More American anxiety about its troublesome youth? Maybe, although the episode ends so poorly that the whole thing comes across as a lazy piece of filler. This is, of course, a long, long way from the Wells story which is all the more effective for being elusive, understated and, yes, magical.
The witches become symbols of our society's obsession with appearances and the consequences of marginalizing those who are different. In addition to stage and screen productions, the Oz witch comeback has also extended to literature. Countless books have been written that retell or reimagine the story of the witches, giving them even more depth and complexity. This allows readers to explore different angles and interpretations of the witches' stories, adding to the overall fascination with the characters. The Oz witch comeback has also been fueled by the success of other fantasy franchises, such as "Harry Potter" and "Game of Thrones." These adaptations have shown that audiences are eager to explore the darker and more complex sides of characters who were once portrayed as purely evil. This shift in storytelling has led to a renewed interest in the witches of Oz and a desire to uncover the truths behind their iconic roles. Overall, the Oz witch comeback is a testament to the enduring power of L. Frank Baum's original story. By exploring the witches' backstories and motivations, these adaptations have captured the imagination of audiences and allowed us to see them as multidimensional characters rather than one-dimensional villains. Whether on stage, screen, or in books, the witches of Oz continue to captivate audiences with their complexity and provide a fresh perspective on a familiar tale..
Reviews for "The Wicked Witch's Comeback: Exploring the Depths of Evil in Oz"
1. Mary - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Oz witch comeback". The storyline was weak and confusing, and the characters lacked depth. It felt like the whole movie was just a rehash of the original "Wizard of Oz" but with less charm and creativity. The special effects were also subpar and didn't do justice to the magical world of Oz. Overall, I found it to be a lackluster attempt at a sequel.
2. John - 1 star - "Oz witch comeback" was a complete waste of my time. The acting was atrocious, and the dialogue felt unnatural and forced. The movie tried to capitalize on the success of the original "Wizard of Oz", but it fell flat on its face. The plot was predictable, and there were no surprises or twists to keep me engaged. I would not recommend this film to anyone looking for a captivating and well-executed fantasy movie.
3. Samantha - 2.5 stars - I had high hopes for "Oz witch comeback," but it ultimately let me down. The pacing was off, and there were too many unnecessary subplots that didn't contribute to the overall story. The performances were lackluster, and it felt like the actors were going through the motions rather than truly embracing their characters. The film lacked the magic and wonder that made the original "Wizard of Oz" so beloved. In the end, "Oz witch comeback" failed to live up to its potential.