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A century of Oz

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From: Chicago Sun-Times
Date: 20000521
Author:NEIL STEINBERG

L. Frank Baum wasn't a very good writer. Even his fans admit that. His prose was clumsy and packed with moralizing.

But no matter. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published in Chicago 100 years ago this month, was an immediate sensation due to its marvelous characters and plucky heroine, Dorothy.

People today remember the 1939 musical with Judy Garland, but in 1901 "Oz"-named for the "O-Z" on a reference volume in Baum's library- was a hit stage musical in Chicago. More theatrical and film versions followed.

By 1910 Baum, who had tried his hand at chicken farming, grease manufacturing and ...

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