Another Oz veteran crosses the Shifting Sands

I read today where another actor who played in the movie "The Wizard of Oz" passed away. Soon, like survivors of the Titanic, we'll have no more around to honor.

Here's the text of that article for those of you who may be interested. This was copied from the Austin American-Statesman




Clarence Swensen of Pflugerville, who played a Munchkin in the 1939 motion picture "The Wizard of Oz," died Wednesday. He was 91 and had been in poor health since suffering a stroke in 2005.

Swensen was one of nine surviving members of the 125 Munchkins in the classic movie who were honored in November 2007 when a star in their honor was installed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"He will be forever in the hearts and minds of his family, many friends and loved ones," Swensen's daughter Donna Geohagan said Thursday on behalf of the family. "And he will be greatly missed by loyal 'Wizard of Oz' fans."

Swensen, who grew up in Austin, said it never occurred to him when he was a boy living near Ridgetop School, in what was North Austin during the 1920s, that he would enter show business. He was not allowed to attend public schools until he was 9, he said, because of his size. As an adult, his height was 4 feet 6¾ inches.

But in the late 1930s, he joined a troupe called the Stanley R. Graham All Midget Circus, which performed at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. His job with the circus led him to join a network of smaller-than-average actors who were in demand for character roles in Hollywood.

Eventually, Swensen answered a call from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer casting officers to play a Munchkin for a salary of $700. In a 2007 interview with the American-Statesman, Swensen said the most astonishing experience he could recall during the shooting of the film was the first day he walked onto the expensive, multitiered set the studio had erected to depict Munchkin Land.

"It was huge," Swensen said. "And we worked hard — 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. — but it was fun."

Swensen left the entertainment business and worked as a civilian radar installation and repair specialist during World War II. After the war, he moved back to Austin and joined the staff of the University of Texas as an electronics technician for 27 years. He later worked for the state as a mail clerk and messenger before he retired in 1980.

"I just love it when people talk to me about the picture," Swensen said in 2007. "That movie will never die. It will go on long after the Munchkins have all passed away."

Along with his wife, Myrna, he is survived by three daughters: Nancy Setliff of Sugar Land, Carol Hendricks of Pflugerville and Geohagan of Laurel Hill, Fla.

Swensen's funeral will be at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville. Burial will be in Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery.

Please give our regards to Philip, Frank and all those who have passed before across the Shifting Sands, Mr. Swensen. We'll miss you.

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

Even the US Government likes OZ...

I was browsing through Twitter today and ran across this most unique PSA from our government and had to laugh...



I'm always amused when I find these types of imitations. It's always been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. This truly proves that adage.

Long live OZ!!!

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

Passing of an Oz Author

I found out today that a fellow OZ author, one Philip José Farmer passed away. The Wikepedia page describes him as follows.




Philip José Farmer (January 26, 1918 – February 25, 2009) was an American author, principally known for his science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories. He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, but spent much of his life in Peoria, Illinois, where he died on February 25, 2009.

Among his long list of sci-fi and fantasy publications, he wrote the classic fantasy novel, A Barnstormer in Oz. Again, Wikepedia states the following.



A Barnstormer in Oz: A Rationalization and Extrapolation of the Split-Level Continuum is a 1982 novel by Philip José Farmer and is based on the setting and characters of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

There are too many odd coincidences here to dismiss as pure luck. I live in Terre Haute, he was born in Terre Haute. He wrote an Oz book, I have written an OZ book. L. Frank Baum passed away on May 5, I was born on May 5.

Overall, I would say the Princess Ozma, the young Ruler of OZ was quite wise in her choice in selecting me to tell the story of her Royal Magican, Jamie Diggs, who just happens to be the great grandson of O. Z. Diggs, the original Wizard of Oz.

See you on the other side of the Shifting Sands, Philip.

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

Hmmm... Chocolate Chip Cookies!

It just goes to show that OZ has become a cultural icon of our society. Case in point, the newest Chips Ahoy commercial, which I happened to see the other day.



Very impressive and fairly accurate, at least in regards to Toto. He looks very much like the dog in the commercial.

Long Live OZ!!!

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

The Recent Oscar Awards Ceremoney

Ever since last Sunday and the Oscar presentations, I have heard countless comments on how Sarah Jessica Parker's dress made her look like Glinda, the Good Witch of the South.



Just for the record, although her dress does portray her as somewhat appearing like the character from the movie, The Wizard of Oz, I would inform those of you reading this that the lovely Glinda the Good looks nothing like her character in the movie. She is about 12 years old, nearly the same age as Princess Ozma and prefers to wear simple outfits befitting her position. She has never, as far as I know, ever gone for the gaudy look. She has lovely red curly hair that reaches down to her shoulders and she prefers red over other colors when dressing for official functions.

To my knowledge, no one in OZ has ever seen the movie or is even aware of it. The technology of motion pictures is quite foreign to the Land of OZ. Still though, the movie makers got it fairly accurate for the most part. They did miss the mark by not including the Queen of the Field Mice and her role in the adventure.

They also forgot about the green glasses the old Wizard used to make everyone wear. I saw a pair of them once while roaming about the castle of Princess Ozma when Jamie Diggs, the new Royal Magician of OZ showed them to me. He found them quite amusing and never could figure out what his great grandfather was thinking when he had them made and required all to wear them. Such a humbug, I suppose.

Long live OZ!!!

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

Vanity Presses Abound...

I must confess that I was convinced working with the publishing industry would be fairly simple and straightforward. So many authors have done so with far less quality and far more success than should have been allowed. Writing about OZ seemed elementary given my background and first-hand knowledge of that wonderful land.
It would seem though that this is the wrong time to be a new author. The economic climate currently at hand has given rise to a fear among agents and publishers as to the market and what it will support. No longer do they challenge the world to read quality work or are willing to take any risk whatsoever. A climate of fear now underlies everything these agents and publishers do or say. No one is willing to recognize a great story and bring it to the children of the world.
I do understand their concerns but as I am under orders from Princess Ozma, I must soldier on and do my best.
I looked at Vanity Presses and found them lacking. Vanity presses such as Authorhouse, BookSurge, Dorrance Publishing, iUniverse, Outskirts or Xlibris require authors to purchase services in order to publish. They speak of marketing and publicity, blah, blah, blah... It's entertaining to listen to their pitches, trying to convince me that their services are better than traditional publishers or that they can do what others cannot. For them, its all about money, which is a concept Princess Ozma and the Land of OZ does not share.
I have found that a small place called Lulu Press offers what Ozma has requested, the opportunity to tell the story of her Royal Magician, Jamie Diggs. I have chosen to work with Lulu Press. As of now, I am looking at an early May release. Perhaps on May 5, which happens to be the anniversary of L. Frank Baum's passing, as well as my birthday. I believe this is why Ozma chose me to bring her story to the Outside World.
Soon, MAGICIAN OF OZ will grace the bookshelves of children everywhere. Later this year, SHADOW DEMON OF OZ will will follow the ongoing adventures of Jamie Diggs, great grandson of the Wizard of OZ and the new Royal Magician of OZ.

Long Live OZ!!!

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

The Royal Liaison

Some have asked about me as an author. How did I come to be in OZ and wound up writing about it? What brought me to this point in my life and why?

Bold questions and I shall endeavor to answer as best I can.

To begin with, I was born in Huntington, West Virginia on the 41st anniversary of Lyman Frank Baums' death. An odd coincidence I admit.
I grew up in a loving home full of reading, science and athletics. I too was a huge fan of OZ and read all the books I could find.
I spent many years as a magician myself in Ann Arbor, Michigan, so I can understand how Jamie Diggs feels when he must perform for the club.
I also spent many years in Toastmasters International, a wonderful organization devoted to promoting public speaking skills. I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn how to better communicate.
Toastmasters and the International Brotherhood of Magicians (Ring 210) are the primary reasons for my success in public life.
My father was responsible for bringing them to me, so he is the reason I am who I am. Without him, I would be nothing but a normal person of normal abilities instead of the Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma.

I went to Indiana State University for a degree in Physics and follow-up graduate work in Geography.



I ran the John C. Hook Memorial Astronomical Observatory at ISU for 7 years during my undergraduate and graduate time and had vowed to be an astronomer. I had been one since I was 8 years old and saw no reason to do anything else.

Fortunately for me, I found a position as Planetarium Educator for SpaceQuest Planetarium at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis (The world's largest children's museum).


As long as I live, I will have had no finer job than that position.
If you have never been to The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, make the time for it. It is, by far, the most magnificent children's museum on the planet, bar none!
Working there changed me from a scientist to an educator. I learned how much of an impact I can have in the lives of children.

Now, I have chosen to take that talent to a larger audience by writing about OZ and reviving Baum's original vision of a land of fantasy and magic, where life lessons appear at every turn of the Yellow Brick Road.




I chose OZ because I had found myself there one summer a few years ago and was stunned by its beauty and simple values of truth, honesty and family. How I got there is still a mystery as I had turned around one day and voila! OZ all around. The Great Book of Records gives little detail as to how I arrived, only that there I was and how I interacted with Glinda and Dorothy, Ozma and Toto too.

I have always been a writer, although usually in the science or education field. I have published in many science journals and education forums.
I write educational curriculum and do educational outreach. I even write an occasional play or planetarium show script.
Overall, writing has been second nature to me, so this project was only a mere step up to a much larger, more bold forum.

I have 5 children and 9 1/2 grandchildren (as of this posting) and, as such, I am compelled to focus my life on that which will be of benefit to them.
Fostering literacy in our youth accomplishes that goal for me and I am grateful to Princess Ozma for her assistance in this goal. She believes, as I do that children today must read more.
The success of the Harry Potter series only validates her belief that kids want to read more, if only there was more to read.

Fortunately, the Land of OZ provides both the base and structure for a whole new reality, rooted in the past but yearning for the future. It allows for life lessons of love, truth, loyalty, friendship to be told in a form kids recognize and enjoy. After all, how many of us remember The Wizard of Oz?

Even across the globe, OZ is everywhere.

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

The Early Work

Reading the novels of Lyman Frank Baum and his tales of OZ, I cannot fathom a world without the likes of Dorothy and Toto, The Wizard and Evil Witches.

There were fourteen books in all, and in each of them he excelled at painting the mental image of a road made of yellow brick or a city made of emeralds. His analogies of Good versus Evil made for valuable lessons in life and everyday life.
Of course, he existed in a time long since forgotten when civility and manners were far more common than we see today.

I found it quite useful to read these fourteen tales , recalling many a day when Princess Ozma or Glinda the Good would recount a story about this and that, and even some of the other to my eager mind.

I'm amazed at how accurately Mr. Baum was able to recreate those tales, nearly verbatim. He would be somewhat dismayed by the lack of reference to the Queen of the Field Mice and her role in the movie we know as The Wizard of Oz.



Fortunately, she appears at her own Royal Centennial Celebration at the entrance to OZ where the young magician, Jamie Diggs encounters a most unusual welcoming party in MAGICIAN OF OZ.

The good thing about today's society is that the books of Baum can be found quite easily and I had no trouble acquiring them for my own personal library. Reading them does take a bit of adjusting since the language of the turning twentieth century is somewhat different than today's language.

In writing MAGICIAN OF OZ, I have considered that difference and purposely structured my thoughts in such a manner as to feel at ease speaking in a more Victorian way. It does take some getting used to. Having been to OZ however, I have some experience at it.
The writing though, has to be rooted in today's language as our children are rooted in today's language. Another goal was to insure a timeless quality to the story by restricting technology references to a minimum.

The old Corvair is the one concept which Baum would not have recognized in MAGICIAN OF OZ. Otherwise, I'm certain he would approve of the tale of a young magician and his courage in the face of adversity.

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

Oz, Oz, Everywhere... and even Keith Olberman

When I hear Wizard of Oz music on Countdown with Keith Olberman, I know that OZ is deeply rooted in our culture.
I also just noticed that Richard Engel was appearing on the Rachel Maddow Show and just mentioned the Emerald City at end of Yellow Brick Road. OZ is here. OZ is there. OZ is everywhere.

Recall over a hundred years ago how OZ dominated popular culture, imparting values and lessons that are timeless. Generations embraced the world of Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, Princess Ozma and Glinda the Good, the Emerald City and Toto too.
Now, we see OZ firmly planted in pop culture and sold as curios and knick-knacks.
Once a year, the movie rolls out and everyone watches, as do I. It is, after all, a timeless tale.

I began MAGICIAN OF OZ, the story of Jamie Diggs last July as a tale of truth and loyalty, friendship and family. Most of all, it started as a story of Love.
It pleases me to report that this wonderful children's tale of OZ has retained every aspect of my original vision. There are two more volumes to go and volume two is already written.
Speaking of visions and volumes, to see and experience OZ is to be transported to land both steeped in the past and yearning for the future. The people of OZ retain all the youth and vitality of a timeless existence.
Their ruler, Princess Ozma still rules with a kind and caring persona.
Despite being over one hundred years old, Princess Ozma still sees the child of today as she was then. The values we once were taught seem distant and out of reach to even the most casual observer.
As such, I see as she does how reading must once more become a core value. In fact, it must become THE core value else we risk losing all that has been gained since the time of Dorothy and Toto.
As someone who has impacted the lives of children through education and entertainment, the ability to bring forth these tales of OZ, as told to me by those in OZ was crucial to my ongoing effort to further the cause of literacy among our youth. As a father of five and grandfather of nine and a half, I am compelled to bring forth these tales so that my own children and grandchildren will benefit from their stories and lessons.

Soon, another tale of OZ will appear that will please all who read it, whether for themselves or the children they read it to. MAGICIAN OF OZ will soon be here.

Long live OZ!

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

Visions of OZ

As I render service to Princess Ozma and reach out into the world, I find myself overwhelmed.

It is one thing to speak to one... but to many?

Having chronicled the tale of Jamie Diggs, Magician of OZ, it would be of asset to speak of the process.

I shall endeavor to persevere and detail my thoughts and motions involved in bringing such a unique story to print.

In addition, I shall comment on modern culture as it relates to OZ and all matters therein.

Such is my command from the Ruler of OZ.

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

Crossroads to the Valley of Fear

We find ourselves at a crossroads, much like the young magician when he reached the Crossroads to the Valley of Fear. In Magician of OZ, Jamie Diggs learns all about loyalty and friendship. Most of all, he discovers inner courage and conquers his fears on his way to battle against fear and prejudice.

MAGICIAN OF OZ is a new tale of trusted values and principles, reminding us of what we cherish most.

Visit http://magicianofoz.blogspot.com/ for more information regarding my mission for Princess Ozma.

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

OZ, OZ, Everywhere... and even Potato Soup!

Having been back only a few scant months, I'm amazed at how many OZ references there are in our popular culture. Click your heels three times and Pillsbury Crescent Rolls magically appear. Now if we can just find a way to do the same with Amanda Diggs's Legendary Potato Soup.


Who is Amanda Diggs, you may be asking yourself?


Why, she is the mother of Jamie Diggs, Great Grandson of O.Z. Diggs, the Wizard of OZ. It's her Legendary Potato Soup that Aunt Em tries to recreate for the young magician as he longs for home during his stay in OZ.


Nick Chopper's Place has never seen a finer feast and Ozma rewards Aunt Em in a most unusual way.


Wanna know more? Ask me about Magician of OZ, a new tale of truth, courage, loyalty and friendship in the Land of OZ.


James C. Wallace II

Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

Reaching Out For Your Help

As a child, I too read the many tales of OZ that were written by L.Frank Baum, Royal Historian of OZ. Like many of you, I was drawn to the timeless and cherished values of friendship, loyalty, and drawing upon one's inner courage against all odds.

Lately, those values have been in decline as the world has become a more cynical, skeptical place to grow up in.

Princess Ozma, Ruler of OZ has watched this decline for the last hundred years and felt deep sorrow and anguish. The children of the world have drifted slowly away from those values she felt were most important and has sought to find a way to bring them back.

I was chosen as her Royal Liaison due in part to my background, which covers nearly 25 years in children's education, curriculum development and implementation, including experience working for the world’s largest children's museum; The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

She has asked only that I tell the tale of her Royal Magician and his own struggles against his inner fears as well as the onslaught of Evil and tyranny which sought revenge against her dear friend, Nick Chopper, who many of you may also know as the Tin Woodsman.

To that end, I ask all who love OZ and what it represents to spread the word and assist me in bring this timeless tale to the children of the world, as well as all fans of OZ, young and old alike.

I've often heard Princess Ozma talk about how the world of OZ and all it represents still has relevance in the outside world even after one hundred and nine years. Seeing the Scarecrow featured in a commercial during the Superbowl merely confirms her wisdom about modern society.

Of course, trying to explain to a fairy princess what television is nearly impossible since she is of the old world and knows not of technology. I wouldn't even dare try. I'm only her Royal Liaison and bound by her commands to reach out to the outside world and tell the tale of Jamie Diggs, great grandson of the original Wizard of OZ.

I am curious how they talked the Scarecrow into wearing all that shiny stuff. Last time I was in OZ, I recall him talking about not being vain or needing to put on airs.



By the way, in the commercial, there's a crow that appears and shows up at the gates to Emerald City. That crow is, I believe, Corvus and he is the Head of the Messenger Crows, an elite corp of birds that serve the Scarecrow at his leisure.

Just a few moments ago, I also saw a Chips Ahoy commercial featuring Toto. Now the little black dog of smooth hair is getting into the act.

Oh well, Long Live OZ!

Return from the land of OZ

Greeetings!

My name is James C. Wallace II and I have just returned from the land of OZ where I met some of the most unusual and interesting characters ever imagined.

During my stay in that magical land, I learned of a young boy who discovered that his great grandfather was the Wizard of OZ and that he not only possessed his great grandfather's magical powers and abilities but that he was faced with the daunting task of using those very powers to save the Tin Woodsman and all of OZ from an army of trees and mushrooms bent on destruction and revenge.

It is a magical and wonderful story that I hope to bring forth for fans of OZ and all the world's children to read and enjoy.

Over the next few months, I will describe for all who read this journal my time in OZ and the many people and creatures I met there.

I will also request any assistance you may wish to provide in helping me bring this unique and wonderful story to the children of our time, and even for some of you adults.

This was Ozma's command to me and I hope to fulfill her fondest wish that the children of the world learn of her newest Royal Magician.

How many of you have longed for a time long ago when the troubles of our world were'nt quite so overwhelming? Remember when the only battles we faced were ones of Good versus Evil.

Magician of OZ is just that sort of tale, full of magic and wonder that recalls the cherished values of friendship, loyalty and courage. This timeless tale also reminds us of the value of overcoming our deepest fears and conquering the challenges that might otherwise defeat us.

New characters and creatures abound in the old Land of OZ while many of the old characters we know and love make their own appearances.
There's the Leader of the Sycamores, the Gnarled Scrub Oak, the Flowering Plum Tree and the Council of Trees. All of these magical and strange characters prove quite the challenge for the young magician who finds himself in a strange and wonderful land.

Of course, we also get to meet Dorothy and Ozma, Glinda and the Tin Woodsman, as well as Toto, Bungle the Glass Cat, Billina the Hen and numerous other beloved characters from L.Frank Baums' original tale of wonder and magic.

Perhaps those of you reading this may be of invaluable service to Princess Ozma' command that the tale of her Royal Magician be told and offer your own assistance in this royal quest?

If Magician of OZ sounds like the sort of tale of magic, courage and overcoming our inner fears that the children of our time need to read, then return often to this ongoing journal and read of my efforts to bring this story to the our children, and yours.

May the Land of OZ and all it represents remain forever in our hearts and minds!!!

James C. Wallace II: Liaison to the Princess and Ruler of OZ

magicianofoz@hotmail.com