The Wizard of Oz on Coronado Island and New York City

Can you believe that next year will be the 75th anniversary of the movie, The Wizard of Oz," based on L.Frank Baum's original book, written in 1900, entitled "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"?  I still own my two childhood copies of later editions of the book, where the titles were changed to match the popular 1939 movie title. I was always enchanted with this story, although the original book version is somewhat different than the movie version, as often is the case. In the book, Dorothy's shoes were silver, but in the movie version, they were changed to the color red, as that color showed up more dramatically for a technicolor film! The movie version of The Wizard of Oz began showing on TV in 1956, and I have fond memories of anticipating its yearly TV screening in the years afterward. The flying monkeys were always the scariest part in the movie to me, but in the book, the Wicked Witch used even more scare tactics to try to keep Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion from reaching the Emerald City and the Wizard of Oz!

When I was on a recent trip to San Diego, California, I found out on a tour that L. Frank Baum and his wife were frequent winter guests at the Hotel Del Coronado, that is located on Coronado Island, across the bay from the city of San Diego. He wrote three more Oz books during that time: Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, The Emerald City of Oz, the Road to Oz, and parts of The Marvelous Land of Oz.  It is said that the hotel's iconic red castle-like turrets and enchanted fairy tale setting inspired Baum, and the island of Coronado is even nicknamed "The Emerald City"

Later, Baum rented this house near the Hotel Del Coronado, located on Star Park Circle.  It is now a private residence.

The house is proud of its Oz connection!

It has even allowed the Wicked Witch to visit!

The gift shop inside the Hotel Del Coronado had a wonderful display of Oz memorabilia for sale. (All photos in this post will enlarge if clicked on once, and then again to see full size)

But what is the connection of the Wizard of Oz to New York City, you ask?  Well, the actor that played the great and mighty Wizard of Oz was known as Frank Morgan, but.......

...his real name was Frank Philip Wuppermann.  He was born in New York City and is buried in the historic Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

You can see the skyline of Manhattan while standing near his grave site.

I also think the Manhattan skyline looks a little like the Emerald City!

What do you think? 

PS: My photo of the Manhattan skyline was taken a few years ago before the new One World Trade Center was built. Standing at a symbolic 1776 feet, 1 WTC was recently officially named the tallest building in North America by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.

photo source

An artist rendition of what the new New York City skyline will look like when the new World Trade Center buildings are completed.  It's going to look even more beautiful than ever, isn't it?