Comparing The Wizard of Oz & Wicked: How a Book Became a Film, a Musical and a Film Again

Comparing The Wizard of Oz and Wicked: How a Book Became a Film, a Musical and a Film Again

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re heading down the yellow brick road that starts with L. Frank Baum’s books, heads to MGM studios, takes a “Wicked” left turn to Broadway, and circles back around to Hollywood.

Author L. Frank Baum took audiences on their first trip over the rainbow in 1900 when his book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” was published. Supposedly, he cooked up the story from all sorts of fun tales he’d tell his kids, mixed in a bit of his own life, and voilà, a modern fairy tale was born. Baum and the book’s illustrator, W. W. Denslow, joined forces with composer and renowned Broadway director Julian Mitchell to bring their story to the stage in 1902. They saw modest success, which inspired Baum to continue writing his series.
However, in 1938, the immense success of Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” gave MGM a lightbulb moment. People were clearly hungry for an updated fantasy narrative and they thought, “Hey, we could do that too!” So, in 1939, audiences were swept up in a tornado of fantastical characters, cutting-edge visual effects, and an iconic musical score and taken over the rainbow for an adventure that would capture generations of fans.
Of course, if you’d read the books first, you may have noticed a few differences in this retelling. Take Dorothy’s slippers, for instance. In the books, they’re silver, but MGM opted for ruby red. Why? Well, their flashy new Technicolor tech deserved something that’d pop, and silver simply wouldn’t do the trick. But boy, did those ruby slippers make a statement! In another twist, The Emerald City isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. In the books, it’s just a clever illusion by the Wizard. Anyone who visits must don Emerald-hued glasses under the guise that the “brightness and glory” of the city is too much for the naked eye to bear. “The Wizard of Oz” film skips this tidbit, but “Wicked” seems to at least allude to it during the “One Short Day” scene. While Baum’s readers were living through the Populist era, which shaped how some read the material, MGM’s audience was dealing with a whole other dark reality.
“The Wizard of Oz” likely hit home with folks during the Great Depression and on the brink of the Second World War. Like Dorothy, they probably also dreamed of a place where there was no trouble, and things looked a little less sepia. MGM’s vibrant visuals and fantastical storyline were like a beacon of hope in those dark times. Sure, she finds trouble over the rainbow, too, but it’s nothing a bucket of water apparently can’t solve. In the end, she decides, “There’s no place like home,” especially when you’re weathering the storm with the ones you love.
Interestingly, Gregory Maguire, the mind behind the novel “Wicked,” drew inspiration from the turmoil of the Gulf War. As a children’s author, he was intrigued by the notion of exploring a villain with shades of gray rather than stark black and white. He came across an article comparing Iraq’s then-President Saddam Hussein to Hitler, and it really got him thinking: How do certain words and stories influence how we see things and even our actions? Who better to explore this idea than the Wicked Witch of the West?
However, there’s another interesting turn here. While Dorothy tries to escape where she is, Elphaba, especially the musical’s version, tries to get away from who she is. Think about it: she’s this young, green (yep, pun intended) student at Shiz, dreaming of meeting the Wizard just so he can cast his magic and poof! No more green. She’s grappling with a society that treats her like an outsider because of her skin color. The powers that be try to force her into a system that wants to keep her down. Then, in the gripping act-one finale, she says enough is enough. She’s done with letting others define her and owns her power. And what does she get for it? A society that celebrates what they think is her downfall. Whether or not the creators meant to draw these parallels, they hit close to home for many marginalized groups today. It’s also interesting to note that as of writing, “Wicked” doesn’t exactly have the best track record in diverse casting when it comes to Elphie. Yes, Cynthia Erivo has been cast in the movie adaptation. However, in 2008, West End actress Alexia Khadime became the first and, as of writing, only Black woman to be cast in the role in a residency run of “Wicked.”
In a nutshell, both Elphaba and Dorothy embark on these epic quests, only to realize — and pardon the cliché — that everything they needed was right there inside them all along.
For many of us, it’s the music that has made both “The Wizard of Oz” and “Wicked” a cultural cornerstone. After all, this wsn’t the first time “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” had been adapted for the screen, but the 1910 version has largely been forgotten. From “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead” to “We’re Off To See the Wizard” to “The Merry Old Land of Oz,” the melodies stick with you long after the movie ends. The Crown Jewel of it all? “Over the Rainbow.” Could there be a more timeless tune? Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg really nailed it with this one. Not only did it win an Oscar for Best Song, but it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and hailed as a “culturally, historically, or artistically significant” (oh my!) treasure by the Library of Congress. It was apparently even used once as an alarm clock of sorts for astronauts on the STS-88 space shuttle mission, courtesy of astronaut Robert D. Cabana’s daughter, Sara. Talk about reaching for the stars! Sure, Judy Garland’s is still the touchstone rendition, but “Over the Rainbow” has taken on a life of its own beyond the silver screen. It’s almost unthinkable that they ever considered axing it from the film!
Even so “Wicked” wasn’t entirely able to piggyback on “The Wizard of Oz’s” success when it first flew onto Broadway. Critics were a bit lukewarm about this fresh take. Despite being the most nominated musical at the “58th Tony Awards,” it only walked away with three wins, losing out to “Avenue Q” in categories like Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score. Audiences, however, seemed to feel differently. They connected with these characters on a deep level. Many resonated with Elphaba’s powerful battle cry to stop “accepting limits 'cause someone says they're so.” Indeed, Stephen Schwartz’s incredible score delves into these characters’ souls in a way that words alone can’t touch, weaving melodies that bind the story together and propel it forward. Songs like “The Wizard and I,” “Defying Gravity,” “No Good Deed,” and “As Long as You’re Mine” have had a stronghold on our hearts ever since we first heard them. Although let’s be honest, this is essentially a no-skip soundtrack. We’re definitely “changed for the better” by having these songs in our lives.
“Wicked” has truly cast its spell over audiences worldwide, enchanting millions with its magical tale and bewitching performances. It’s more than a hit; it’s a phenomenon that’s set new box-office benchmarks almost anywhere it hangs its pointed witchy hat. For nearly a decade, it reigned as Broadway’s undisputed champion, shattering box-office records and once even earning the highest weekly revenue in the history of the Great White Way. In 2023, it joined the top four longest Broadway runs of all time. Meanwhile, across the pond, it holds the 11th spot. So, it’s probably fair to say that “Wicked” has reached countless people and remained “like a handprint on [their hearts].” So what better way to introduce even more people to the magic than bringing it to the silver screen?
“In the Heights” may not have soared at the box office, but director Jon M. Chu proved that he knows how to work his magic to bring beloved stage productions to the big screen. Still, “Wicked” fans have been eagerly awaiting this cinematic adaptation practically since the curtain first rose at the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway. This is by no means the first time someone’s tried to bring this epic story to movie theaters, either. So, as you can imagine, Chu’s got some mighty big ruby slippers to fill.
Chu’s casting choices are also stirring up intrigue, blending seasoned stage talents like Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, and Ethan Slater with Hollywood heavyweights like Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, and Peter Dinklage. Ariana Grande as Glinda is poised to draw in a whole new audience, just like Judy Garland likely did for MGM back in the day.
Still, some fans have remained skeptical over the decision to split the movie into two parts. Is it a genuine effort to do justice to the beloved source material, or simply a ploy to rake in more cash? A year-or-so intermission? Elphaba’s future might be unlimited, but our patience is not! Anyway, for now, we can take solace in the fact that apparently self-professed “Wicked” super-fan Ariana Grande is making sure that the heart and soul of the show remain intact.
The part one trailer conjured up a lot of excitement, too! We were treated to captivating glimpses of Oz, tantalizing hints about the plot, introductions to new and well-known characters, and nods to beloved elements from the original show. Erivo’s take on the iconic “Defying Gravity” riff certainly got the internet buzzing!
“The Wizard of Oz” film and “Wicked” musical have truly made their mark on our cultural landscape, each touching audiences in its own special way. From the timeless charm of “Over the Rainbow” to the thought-provoking themes of identity, acceptance, and justice in “Wicked,” these stories have resonated with people all across the globe.
Now, as “Wicked” prepares for its debut on the silver screen, it’s facing some serious pressure to live up to the legacy of its predecessors. The excitement swirling around the film adaptation speaks volumes to its enduring impact and the sky-high expectations of fans. With such a storied history behind it, there’s a lot at stake! But hey, if the new film can capture even a bit of that magic that made us fall in love with the originals, it’s sure to be… “Wicked.”
Which Ozian story is your favorite? It would be Wickedly Wonderful if you shared it with us in the comments.