Dorothy has decided to return to Oz with Toto, by using the ruby slippers that showed up on her doorstep. She invokes her return by clicking her heels and reciting "There is no place like Oz". Upon arriving there, she reunites with Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion.
Dorothy learns from Glinda that the Wicked Witch of the West has been resurrected by Truckle and his fellow winged monkeys. With the Wicked Witch of the West back from the dead, the Emerald City has been taken over by her and she has stolen the gifts that were given to Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion.[1]
The Wizard is in his hot air balloon, which is under a spell that causes it to be constantly blown around by an evil wind. Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion set out to rescue him and defeat the Wicked Witch once and for all.
Comparison with source material
The series incorporated music and visual elements from the 1939 film version, including the Scarecrow's diploma and Dorothy's ruby slippers. At the same time, the character of Dorothy was designed with an appearance similar to that of Princess Ariel from Disney'sThe Little Mermaid and was not intended to resemble Judy Garland.[1] In the film, it is largely implied that Oz was a head-trauma-induced delirium,[5] instead of a real place, while in the TV series, it was a real land.
Episodes
No.
Title
Original air date
1
"The Rescue of the Emerald City: Part 1"
September 8, 1990 (1990-09-08)
Dorothy returns to Oz and learns from Glinda that the Wicked Witch has been resurrected by a magic ritual by Truckle and his fellow winged monkeys. The Wicked Witch has taken over the Emerald City in an attempt to rule over the Land of Oz. She also created an evil wind to blow around the Wizard's balloon and stole the gifts he gave to Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion.
2
"The Rescue of the Emerald City: Part 2"
September 15, 1990 (1990-09-15)
Dorothy sets out to rescue Toto and Cowardly Lion, who have been kidnapped by the Wicked Witch and taken to the Emerald City.
3
"Fearless"
September 22, 1990 (1990-09-22)
Cowardly Lion is tricked by the Wicked Witch and put under a spell that makes him fearless.
4
"Crystal Clear"
September 29, 1990 (1990-09-29)
The Wicked Witch of the West sets out to find a crystal ball that will always work, and it's up to the Scarecrow to protect the crystal ball, with or without a brain.
5
"We're Not in Kansas Anymore"
October 6, 1990 (1990-10-06)
The Wicked Witch of the West creates a false Kansas and tricks Dorothy into visiting it in hopes of getting the Ruby Slippers. She poses as Aunt Em while Truckle poses as Uncle Henry.
6
"The Lion that Squeaked"
October 13, 1990 (1990-10-13)
The Wicked Witch of the West uses her magic to steal Cowardly Lion's roar and give it to a hyena that is Cowardly Lion's rival.
7
"Dream a Little Dream"
October 20, 1990 (1990-10-20)
Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion are trapped in the Cowardly Lion's dreams as the Wicked Witch of the West enters the dream to trap them there forever.
8
"A Star Is Gone"
October 30, 1990 (1990-10-30)
The Wicked Witch of the West is able to annul the Ruby Slippers' abilities entirely by capturing a red Luminary (teardrop-shaped creatures who control all color in Oz) and forcing him to drain the red magical glow from the slippers, rendering them powerless.
9
"Time Town"
November 3, 1990 (1990-11-03)
The Wicked Witch of the West begins erasing the Land of Oz's history, thus causing Glinda and the Wizard to lose their memories.
10
"The Marvelous Milkmaid of Mechanica"
December 10, 1990 (1990-12-10)
Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion arrive in Mechanica where everything is made of tin.
11
"Upside-Down Town"
December 17, 1990 (1990-12-17)
Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion end up in Upside-Down Town where everything is the opposite.
12
"The Day the Music Died"
December 24, 1990 (1990-12-24)
Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion follow the Wizard to Music Town where they must help the town's citizen's get their music back which the Wicked Witch has stolen.
13
"Hot Air"
December 28, 1990 (1990-12-28)
The Wizard's balloon is heading for Pincushion Pass and the heroes are helpless to come to his aid while getting involved in a balloon race.
In Canada, the series aired on YTV from 1990 to 1995.
Home media
United States
"The Marvelous Milkmaid of Mechanica" has never been released in the United States in any home video format. "The Lion that Squeaked" is available only on VHS.
Release
Format
Episodes
Distributor
Release date
The Rescue of Oz
VHS
The Rescue of the Emerald City Part I The Rescue of the Emerald City Part II
^See www.tvguide.com/tvshows/wizard-oz/205567 (accessed on January 19, 2011)
^Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 913–914. ISBN978-1476665993.
^Lenburg, Jeff (2009). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons, Third Edition. Infobase Publishing (New York, NY). p. 670.
