MOVIES 'Oz' series arrives on DVDs

The movies are different from the Judy Garland one.
By NANCY CHURNIN
DALLAS MORNING NEWS
Whether your kids love "The Wizard of Oz" or the Japanese anime style, they're in for a treat with the 1987 "Wizard of Oz" animated series now available on DVD. Each of the four 90-minute films -- "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," "The Marvelous Land of Oz," "Ozma of Oz" and "The Emerald City of Oz" -- brings a book in L. Frank Baum's tales to life.
The films were hand-drawn in Japan, broadcast on HBO and are more true to the books than the magical musical version starring Judy Garland.
Actually, these nonmusical films inhabit a different world from the live-action movie. The animated "Wizard" includes details left out or changed in the live-action movie. It includes the cap that allows Dorothy to call the winged monkeys, as well as a different ending, which is not a dream.
Margot Kidder brings gentle gravity to the narration, while Morgan Hallet voices Dorothy with high-pitched wonder. The first movie, like the first book, is the best. But fans who want to see how the saga continues can check out "The Marvelous Land of Oz,: where a boy named Tip escapes an evil witch with the aid of Jack Pumpkinhead and the Sawhorse. Tip and his friends help Dorothy, the Scarecrow and the good witch, Glinda, find the rightful ruler of Oz. Then Dorothy joins the fight against the evil Nome King in Ozma of Oz and The Emerald City of Oz.
Consider extending the fun by getting the kids the books, too.