(Ozathon) The Patchwork Girl Of Oz: 1914

   Welcome to the second installment of my new series, "Ozathon."  This collection of reviews is meant to delve into the cinematic history of Frank L. Baum's books.  His first book, "Wonderful Wizard of Oz," was made into a film in 1910.  Four years later, "The Patchwork of Oz" was also transformed into a film, just four years later.  This film is surprisingly longer; around the length of two television episodes.  This film was made by, "The Oz Film Company," the president supposedly was Frank L. Baum himself, and the company only ran for about a year. It's really sad that this author, who created this wonderful series of books, never really did seem to get the recognition he deserved, even after he tried to make movies out of his books, and finally passed.  But, I am here to pay the respect (or give the punishment) that is long over due.  This is my review of, "The Patchwork Girl of Oz."  Enjoy.

  You remember my last review, where I said that I liked how Frank L. Baum's books were less cryptic than Alice in Wonderland?  Well, let's just say you should never judge a whole franchise after you've only had a single taste of it.  This film got to the point where the ridiculousness of everything ruled over the picture quality, and over all production value.  Everyone, like in the last film, is way too clumsy, especially the patchwork girl.


   The Patchwork girl is essentially a female scarecrow, and the two eventually end up falling for each other in the end.  But this new character is ten times as crazy as the scarecrow.  You could fill a book with all of the ,"stunts" this character pulls off during the duration of the film.  when she is on screen, all you see is a pushing shoving, twisting, kicking, contorting, flipping, swinging mess! THE PATCHWORK GIRL IS INSANE!!!!

   During the climax of the film, it chooses the option where you have separate stories, that follow different characters, and finally converge at the end.  This is probably the best thing the film has, besides the sets and characters.  However, in a way, the characters aspect of the film is sort of it's downfall.  After awhile of being introduced to different kinds of people nonstop, like the hoppers, the horners, a giant cat, a giant monkey, and racist stereotypes, it starts to become too much.  By the end you wish you could have at least bunkered yourself against the relentless onslaught of preposterous...nes.  It's ridiculous.  


In conclusion, the only other problem I have with the film is the music.  There is no rhyme or reason to having the music in the first place.  It is supposed to immerse you in the story; to make you feel as though you are there.  This has the complete opposite effect.  Some film makers don't understand that music is meant to set the mood of a film, not to simply listen to.  But, all that aside, ( including a horse, humping a tree, and racist depictions of an African tribe) this is an interesting film like the last one, filled with characters and sets, and an overall creative feel to Baum's popular franchise.  This film is a great edition to that collection.


6.6/10

   

Next Review:  The Lost World  1925