Bryant Washbur, Charles Murray, Dorothy Dwan

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78% liked it

57,439 ratings

Unrated, 83 min.

Directed by: Larry Semon

Release Date: January 1, 1925

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DVD Release Date: August 7, 2001

Stats: 1,838 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,838)


  • May 29, 2009
    From the mind of Larry Semon (who wrote, produced, directed, and starred). I don't know why this movie was titled 'Wizard of Oz'. A grandfather/toymaker has Dorothy, Tinman, and Scarecrow dolls sitting in his shop when his granddaughter asks him to read her the book The Wizard ...( read more)of Oz. From the get-go the movie has NO relation to the book really. King Krewl has been copied from the earlier silent films from more than a decade ago. Nothing magical really happens in this Oz, it is vaguely like some European nation with a dictator unjustly in power and a "Kynd" prince who is beloved by the people. Dorothy does live in Kansas with an Uncle Henry and Aunt Em. Three farmhands become important: our star Mr. Semon, Oliver Hardy before Laurel and Hardy fame, and Spencer Bell an African American man (by the way the movie is very racist though on the other hand at least Mr. Bell was given a featured part in several scenes). There is a love-triangle between Dorothy, Semon, and Hardy. That sounds sooo naughty, I know! Krewl has a band of Zoro-like characters do his dirty work, and did you know you can fly from Oz to Kansas by plane!? Dorothy, the three farmhands, and Uncle Henry, but not Aunt Em travel to Oz by a storm. The Wizard of Oz is described as a "medicine-show hokum huckster." Like I said no magic happens. Turns out Dorothy is the rightful queen. To hide from Krewl, Semon dresses up as a Scarecrow, Hardy as a Man of Tin, and later Bell as a Lion. They are all explicitly men in disguise. The movie is filled with slapstick routines. In the end, Dorothy does not choose either Semon or Hardy, but Prince Kynd, and the little girl has obviously fallen asleep from boredom of her Grandfather's story rather than dreaming of happy adventures!
  • November 5, 2008
    I have an uncontrolable hate towards this movie it just can never get on my good side.
  • August 20, 2007
    Makes a fine addition to my collection.
  • January 30, 2007
    It was interesting, but I think that in this modern day and the fact of its age, I've lost any appeal to watch the film again
  • December 31, 2006
    Good Flick, better than average.
  • October 10, 2009
    a fabulous fairytale.after reading the book, the film is more amazing. that's new. all the movie makes is improve the insipid story in the book, adding music and great casting. ....if only my relatives were like that:)
  • September 18, 2009
    Really good fot eh first and original Wizard Of Oz, very old though.
  • August 10, 2009
    what the heck is this ripoff?
  • August 9, 2009
    Weird and makes very little sense...still kinda neat though
  • August 7, 2009
    It's good but I prefer the version with Judy Garland on it.

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Comments


  • ImmortalDisciple
    March 16, 2008
    Do people actually read the synopsis, the year the film was released or what actors are in it? Obviously not. While I've yet to see this, it's not the same Wizard Of Oz that Judy Garland is in and not a musical.
    READ PEOPLE, READ!
  • xcountrychick004
    September 17, 2006
    The perfect classic movie :)

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Wizard of Oz Trivia


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