Silent Films Take Journey to Land of Oz

The 1939 version of “The Wizard of Oz,” starring Judy Garland, may be the best-loved adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic fantasy. But it wasn’t the first movie based on his books.

American Home Entertainment’s new box-set offers the four silent film adaptations of Baum’s Oz books ($13 each; $35 for the set).

In 1914, Baum himself produced and directed two films based on his stories: “His Majesty the Scarecrow of Oz” and “The Magic Cloak of Oz.” A third film, “The Patchwork Girl of Oz,” also was credited to Baum, though modern sources often say that J. Farrell MacDonald directed it.

In 1925, comedian Larry Semon directed a version of “The Wizard of Oz” with himself as the Scarecrow (and a young Oliver Hardy as the Tin Woodsman).

The first three films are slow-moving but still are fun and imaginative. In “His Majesty the Scarecrow of Oz,” Dorothy goes over the rainbow and joins up with the Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman and Cowardly Lion to battle the evil King Krewl and Wicked Witch Mombi, who have cast a spell on Princess Gloria.

“The Magic Cloak of Oz” finds the fairies of Oz weaving a cloak that grants one wish to the person who wears it, as long as it’s not stolen. In “The Patchwork Girl of Oz,” a patchwork girl is brought to life via a magic powder.

Semon’s “The Wizard of Oz” is quite different than the 1939 version. This time around, Dorothy learns on her 18th birthday that she actually is the rightful heir to the Kingdom of Oz. With the help of three farmhands--who disguise themselves as the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman and the Cowardly Lion--she helps overthrow the ruler. (Be warned: The depiction of African Americans in the film is racist.)

The prints are just adequate, and the new musical scores by Mark Glassman and Steffen Presley are annoying and repetitive. Jacqueline Lovell narrates the title cards. To order: (800) 422-6484.

Foreign Affair: New from Home Vision are two terrific foreign films from the 1940s: “The Children Are Watching Us” and “La Symphonie Pastorale” ($30 each). Produced in 1942, “The Children Are Watching Us” was a breakthrough for director Vittorio DeSica, who previously had directed sentimental comedies. This heartbreaking drama, which anticipated the Italian neo-realism movement, deals with a 4-year-old boy (a marvelous Luciano De Ambrosis) who witnesses the breakup of his parents’ marriage. “Children” marked the first time DeSica collaborated with writer Cesare Zavattini, who would contribute to a majority of the director’s important films.

Based on Andre Gide’s novella, “La Symphonie Pastorale” (1946) is a tragic, sensitive drama about a beautiful blind girl (Michele Morgan) who is taken in and raised by a minister (Pierre Blanchar) and his wife. As the years go by, he falls in love with her, as does his son (Jean Desailly). Georges Auric composed the evocative score. This won best film at the 1946 Cannes Film Festival, and Morgan won for best actress.

Let It Snow: Arriving Tuesday is Warren Miller’s “Endless Winter” (Orion, $60), a fast-paced documentary that follows skiers and snowboarders as they enjoy snow conditions from Alaska to Argentina to Jackson Hole, Wyo., to Japan.

Fruits of Harvest: Dorian Harewood and Mary Catherine host “A Celebration of Kwanzaa” (MVP Home Entertainment, $10), an informative guide to the Dec. 26-Jan. 1 African holiday festival that has gained popularity among African Americans in recent years. Featured are a short history of the festival and an explanation of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. To order: (800) 637-3555.

Documentary: KIIS-FM deejay Rick Dees hosts “Cigars! The New Rage!” ($30), a lighthearted look, filled with Dees’ own brand of humor, at the current cigar craze. Dees travels to Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Honduras to show how cigars are made and even interviews Fidel Castro’s personal cigar maker. To order: (800) 930-4330.

Bloomsbury Group fans will find a lot to admire in “The War Within: A Portrait of Virginia Woolf” (Arthur Cantor Inc., $60), an excellent study written and directed by John Fuegi, which explores the British novelist’s life through archival material and interviews with relatives and friends. Also available from Cantor is Eileen Atkin’s one-woman show about Woolf, “A Room of One’s Own” ($60). To order: (800) 237-3801.

Killer Bs: Due Tuesday is “Virus” (Vidmark), a sub-par “Outbreak” thriller starring former football star Brian Bosworth, who fumbles as an actor.

Hugh Grant’s gal pal Elizabeth Hurley, C. Thomas Howell and Jeremy Brett star in “Shameless” (BMG), a shamefully awful British drama about a young woman hooked on heroin.

Jennifer Tilly, Stockard Channing and Scott Glenn make the slight comedy-drama “Edie & Pen” (Polygram) worth a look.

Coming Next Week: Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris in the action-packed thriller “The Rock” (Hollywood). . . . Jennifer Tilly and Richard Chamberlain in the drama “Bird of Prey” (Cabin Fever). . . . “The Land Before Time IV: Journey Through the Mists” (MCA/Universal, $20) the latest direct-to-video installment in the musical adventures of Littlefoot and his dinosaur pals Cera, Duck, Petrie, Spike and their new friend, Ali. . . . Eric Stoltz in HBO’s thriller “Don’t Look Back” (HBO). . . . Also new: “Daddy’s Girl” (Live).