Hello Everyone:
We have plenty of news and a great
diversity of events coming up with the 2015 Wizard
of Oz Festival. For previous interviews, click on the different months.
This week we are presenting:
- -
John Fricke – Interview
and Special Events!!!
- -
New Judy Garland
Exhibit!
- -
Ruby Slipper Dive
- -
A Gift Shop Visit
John
Fricke Returns
with
Four Fabulous Programs
Ever since the 50th Anniversary of
The Wizard of Oz back in 1989, John
Fricke has been a frequent participant in the Judy Garland Festival (now The
Wizard of Oz Festival). In 1990, one year after his first visit, John
Fricke became a part of history when he joined thirteen Munchkins, who were meeting
in Grand Rapids for the first time since 1939 when they appeared in the film!
That was a grand event and those who took part in it, will never forget it!
Since then, Fricke has continued to participate in the Judy Garland Museum’s festivals,
sharing his joy in all things Garland and Oz, both as presenter and master-of-ceremonies.
Just
in case you don’t know John Fricke, he’s an Emmy Award-winning
documentarian, a Grammy-nominated journalist, and an author who is
widely-regarded as the preeminent Judy Garland and Wizard of Oz historian. His seven books about Judy and Oz
(both the MGM film and greater Oz legend) have been augmented by his contributions
to dozens of compact disc and DVD features about those topics.
Now, before we announce his programs for the 2015
Festival, we thought it might be interesting to find out how he got his start.
Judy Garland Museum: We know you probably didn’t start out
wanting to be a Judy Garland expert or a Wizard of Oz historian, so how did it
all begin? What were your goals in school and after you graduated?
John Fricke:
I graduated high school in
January 1969 -- it was the last of that staggered-semester schedule "back
in the day" (so that June graduating classes wouldn't be so crowded).
I'd applied to five colleges with superlative journalism programs, as I
knew my future would involve writing and/or theater and/or
music. Northwestern had major departments in all three, and it
had been my specific goal as a school since I was twelve. I was
already thinking of New York, too -- even though I never even visited here
until December 1970.
JGM: So, you attended Northwestern. Did you major
in journalism as you had planned? And were you somehow involved in theater as
well?
JF:
I was extremely fortunate to be accepted in their Medill School of
Journalism, with a guaranteed partial scholarship and guaranteed work-study
(i.e., the campus provided me with a job) for all four years.
I minored in theater -- and spent five years
in Evanston in various school musicals and revues and many off-campus
performances all over Chicago. (Our group even got invited twice to do a couple
of special performances at the original MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.)
JGM: How
did you come to be an Oz Historian and Judy Garland Expert?
JF:
Well, I was very much just a fan first -- and as (I think!) anyone
reading this will understand, we don't pick these passions; they pick us.
I was into research about Judy
(and Frank Baum and Oz and musical theater and musical film) from the
time I was a preteen. Plus, when you get interested in Garland, you get exposed
to (and interested in) SO many other entertainers, composers, lyricists,
arrangers, orchestrators, writers, directors, and producers. As
a result, I had a lot of accumulated information/knowledge...but I'd
assembled it for my own pleasure; it was never supposed to evolve
into a career. That all came as a surprise -- as it happened -- and
it was launched by the 1989 OZ pictorial history and VHS tape. From there,
the experiences segued into the other six books, the documentaries, the CDs,
the home video stuff, and etc. One thing just led to another, and by
the grace of God, the work was well-received...which meant that
it led to other work.
JGM: Where do you see the culture and legend of Oz
in the future? What place will the story hold? Children are still immediately
held by L. Frank Baum’s story and the characters are loved by all ages.
JF:
During the film's 50th anniversary in 1989, I felt that a peak had been
reached -- and that the public interest and fascination couldn't sustain itself
to such an extent. But I was totally wrong in that estimation. As long as
kids keep falling in love with that story (as told by MGM), it'll go on and on.
So many adults are into it -- as were their parents and grandparents, at this
point. Every generation has felt it a happy obligation, duty, and privilege to
share the movie, the characters, and the songs. And as the story itself is the
tale of a journey (like life itself) and the intrinsic lessons it teaches are
total truisms (you already have what you need/want...you just
have to summon it up), I can't help but think now -- after the 75th anniversary
-- that it'll continue indefinitely.
JGM: Where
do you see Judy Garland in the future... what meaning do you think her legacy
will have in the next fifty years?
JF: She'll constantly
be re-discovered -- first as Dorothy and then, quite simply, because she
was the Very Best There Ever Has Been at her brand of classic entertainment.
Unlike most of her contemporaries, she's timeless. Her acting is NEVER
"acting." Her dancing is dazzling; you can't take your eyes off
her. Her singing voice -- to paraphrase James Mason -- could
melt stone. And she was even more entertaining as herself -- on TV and in
concert, etc. -- than she was as any of her movie characters. Her very
reality as a presence puts her in a class by herself, as does her talent, her charisma,
her ability to communicate-to-the-max, etc.
JGM: Thank you, John
Fricke for sharing with us. We look forward to your great programs.
This
year, John Fricke will give four distinctive programs, each a treasure in its
own way. Don’t miss this unique opportunity. You won’t get to see anything like
these presentations anywhere else!
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Friday, June 12th 1:30 p.m. - 2:00p.m. - Judy Garland Museum,
FUN FACTS ABOUT OZ
A short 30 minute
talk, especially designed to share the magic of THE WIZARD OF OZ movie with
children and families. Hear the back-story of the famous film. Learn about the
special effects -- and the "bloopers" you can watch for when you see
the picture! This event, with a kid-friendly, anti-bullying message included,
will take place just before the opening of the OZ Fair at the Museum.
----------------------------------------------
Friday, June 12 - 3:30
p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Judy Garland Museum
JUDY IN CONCERT!
John Fricke shares rare, silent home movies and previously unheard
audio of Judy's concert years -- from 1951 to 1969. Included in this presentation are home movies and newsreel
footage of Garland on stage -- everywhere from The Palace and
Carnegie Hall to the Boston Common, Las Vegas, and Hollywood.
This is an unprecedented opportunity to see unedited footage in full.
These include: The Palace (1951 and 1967); the Carnegie Hall tour (1961); 1967
engagements; in Las Vegas, Chicago, Melbourne, and elsewhere. (Some of these
have been show – a few seconds – in documentaries, but never seen completely.)
During the same presentation, you'll also hear private concert, TV,
and radio recordings never before publicly shared. It's an unparalleled
opportunity for fans of "Miss Show Business" to see her in splendid
action -- and for those who only know "Dorothy" of THE WIZARD OF OZ
to see and hear how she grew up to be "the world's greatest
entertainer."
If you love Judy, or would like to know more about her, don’t miss this opportunity to learn about her triumphs as a stage star, as she performed worldwide during the years 1951-1969.
------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, June 13th - 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Sawmill Inn (2 Programs)
(Note: Each program is approximately one hour. The Sawmill is two doors from the Judy Garland Museum.)
A SPECIAL "OZZY"
TWO-ACT PRESENTATION!
Act One: THE OZ
THAT ALMOST "WOZ"! - 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Oz historian and author John Fricke presents a fascinating look at
the actors and actresses who ALMOST made it "over the rainbow" back
in 1938. See vintage film footage of the performers whose work led them to
be among the first to be considered for the roles of Dorothy, the
Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion, the Wizard, Glinda, and the
Wicked Witch of the West in MGM's THE WIZARD OF OZ! It's an
outstanding combination of entertainment and entertainment history...and the opportunity to
imagine how OZ might have fared in other hands (and faces and voices).
Act Two: AWAY FROM THE
YELLOW BRICK ROAD! - 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Fricke continues the
legendary back-story of THE WIZARD OF OZ with film clips of the stars of
MGM's motion picture in some of their other, classic movie
appearances. It's all about song, dance, and comedy -- with Garland, Bolger,
Haley, Lahr, Morgan, Burke, and Hamilton in different roles, guises, and
costumes...but with the same God-given talents and Ozzy magic!
Tickets are available:
****
*** Buy Your Tickets Now! ***
 |
| Hamilton Meserve |
Don't forget, Saturday, June 13th, 8:00 p.m., Wicked Witch of the West, Margaret Hamilton's son, HAMILTON MESERVE will speak on:
"OZ, THE WITCH and MOM."
This event will be preceeded by a Wine and Cheese Reception and the drawing for our 2015 Oz Raffle - 50/50 Split the Pot!
New "Judy Garland Public Service" Exhibit
We’d like to announce here the unveiling a new Judy Garland exhibit on June 10th. It’s an exhibit of Judy
Garland’s public service. The idea for this wall of photos came from Joan Beck
Coulson’s book, Always for Judy where Joan states that there were two things Judy
Garland always cared about “Service Men and sick children. Most of the photos
in this exhibit are from the John Fricke Collection of rare photos which the author has kindly shared with us. Be sure to look for this exhibit the next time you visit the museum!
***
The
Ruby Slipper Dive
As stated in our previous
newsletter (added later) there will be a dive for the Ruby Slippers in the mine
pits on Tioga Lake by the Itasca County Divers. The dive is taking place
because after two years of investigation, it is believed that this is the location
where the thieves dumped the slippers in a tupperware some years ago.
For further information, please
visit the Judy Garland Museum site:
http://www.Judygarlandmuseum.com
***
 |
Great new Raggedy Ann Dorothy Dolls
Dolls in pockets are finger puppets |
The
Gift Shop
Recently, visitors have been
thrilled by the amount of Judy Garland materials we have in stock. These
materials include books from the 1970s and before, DVDs, VHS tapes, CDs and LP
records. In addition, we have wonderful Wizard of Oz souvenirs, T-shirts,
presents for children and gifts at all dollar levels, so be sure to check us
out.
 |
Magnet is lovely in person. Doesn't photograph
well because it's shiney! |
 |
| Judy Garland Records and Books for Sale |
***
NEXT
WEEK – FESTIVAL EVENTS
Next week, we will post a
complete list of Festival events, so be sure to check back if you have any
questions. In addition, there is a list and description on the website. Tickets
may be purchase online or over the phone or at the museum.
Meanwhile, please visit our site for further information:
Please spread the word, it’s
going to be great!
We look forward to seeing you.
Hi Everyone:
***
Thursday, June 11th,
2015
OMAHA HOT AIR BALLOON
JUDY AND CHUCK
WALTERS!
8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. – Hamilton Meserve Presentation
