Wizard of Oz (1925)

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Popular silent film comedian Larry Semon literally sold the ranch to secure film rights to L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz -- then proceeded to chuck most of the Baum story in favor of his usual broad slapstick antics. In Semon's version, Dorothy (played by Dorothy Dwan, aka Mrs. Larry Semon) is… More Popular silent film comedian Larry Semon literally sold the ranch to secure film rights to L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz -- then proceeded to chuck most of the Baum story in favor of his usual broad slapstick antics. In Semon's version, Dorothy (played by Dorothy Dwan, aka Mrs. Larry Semon) is the long-lost princess of Oz. On Dorothy's 18th birthday, she is whisked from her farm in Kansas back to Oz by way of a convenient tornado. Along for the ride are hired hands Semon and Oliver Hardy as well as le and African American handyman G. Howe Black. To avoid being captured by the minions of the cruel Prince Kruel, Semon disguises himself as a Scarecrow, while Hardy, rummaging through a garbage heap, dons Tin Woodman garb. And so it goes until Dorothy and her boyfriend Prince Kynde (Bryant Washburn) escape from Oz via airplane. The chance to see a young Oliver Hardy, sans Stan Laurel may be the best reason to see this film. Otherwise, the more famous 1939 version remains the definitive filmization of this classic yarn. The Wizard is played by Charlie Murray, who is heaps funnier than ostensible star Larry Semon. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 21 min.
Directed By: Larry Semon
Written By: L. Frank Baum, Frank Joslyn Baum, Leon Lee, Lesly Leon Lee
Genres: Action & Adventure, Kids & Family, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1925 Wide
On DVD: Aug 7, 2001
Studio: Chadwick Pictures Corporation

Critic Reviews

Phil Hall, Film Threat
Goodbye, Yellow Brick Road!
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Terrible version of The Wizard of Oz, that's filmed as a heavy-handed slapstick comedy.

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Featured Audience Ratings

First L

...So the duck steals the farmhand's lollipop and then goes through a fence. When the farmhand goes to get his lollipop back, the duck sticks his head through a hole in the fence and spits milk at him. The farmhand then pines away for Dorothy while sniffing some flowers that… More
...So the duck steals the farmhand's lollipop and then goes through a fence. When the farmhand goes to get his lollipop back, the duck sticks his head through a hole in the fence and spits milk at him. The farmhand then pines away for Dorothy while sniffing some flowers that apparently contain a bee which chases him around the farm for awhile. No, this doesn't sound like the Wizard of Oz we know and love. It's actually more a series of gags set up to feature star and director, comedian Larry Semon, who apparently was almost as famous as Charlie Chaplin in his day. The film is also notable for having Oliver Hardy as the tin woodsman. Well, not really a tin woodsman, I'm not sure what he's supposed to be. Dorothy is actually the princess of Oz and she has been hidden away in Kansas with her "aunt" Em (who's not really her aunt at all). When some Oz-onians come for her one day in their bi-plane (yeah, Oz has it's own airforce), she and all her foster family are accidentally knocked over to Oz. All the handymen disguise themselves as their alter ego characters, and then there's some vague intrigue about how some of her Kansas family side with the evil Minister Kruel (and Lady Vishuss) and others side with the wonderful Prince Kynd. As I said before, the movie is little more than a self aggrandizing venture for this Larry Semon guy, who was at one time almost as big as Chaplin. Although I will say this, I might not have given the movie a fair chance, as I was so heavily distracted by Semon's gigantic beak. The man had an enormous nose.
Byron B

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… More
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 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!
Barry L

God I hate this.