In this animated follow-up to the classic fantasy The Wizard Of Oz, Dorothy (voiced by Liza Minnelli, whose mother Judy Garland played the same role in the 1939 film) decides to return to the land of Oz to pay a visit to her good friend The Scarecrow (voice of Mickey Rooney). However, shortly after her arrival Dorothy discovers all is not well in the land of magic; the evil witch Mombi (voice of Ethel Merman) has arrived to pick up where the Wicked Witch of the West left off, and is using her sinister powers to rob Scarecrow of her powers. Dorothy realizes it's up to her to save Oz from Mombi's machinations, and she teams up with Woodenhead (voice of Herschel Bernardi) and Pumpkinhead (voice of Paul Lynde) to see justice done. Produced in 1964 but not released until 1971, Journey Back To Oz also features the voice talents of Milton Berle, Danny Thomas, Paul Ford and Margaret Hamilton. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
This movie is one of those special films that can instantly transport me to my childhood. It's fun and charm have not worn off all these years later. The voice cast is not only impressive but perfectly cast. Especially young Liza Minnelli who fills her mom's Ruby Slippers and Ethel Merman as Mombi the Wicked Witch! Add to that Judy Garland's co-star Mickey Rooney and original Wicked Witch of the West, Margaret Hamilton. Brilliant casting indeed. The songs are pretty good and the animation is colorful and imaginative. The voices were actually recorded in 1962 but the film was left uncompleted until the early 70's. If you're a fan of the 1939 MGM classic "The Wizard of Oz" you'll really enjoy this classic!
This movie is one of those special films that can instantly transport me to my childhood. It's fun and charm have not worn off all these years later. The voice cast is not only impressive but perfectly cast. Especially young Liza Minnelli who fills her mom's Ruby Slippers and Ethel Merman as Mombi the Wicked Witch! Add to that Judy Garland's co-star Mickey Rooney and original Wicked Witch of the West, Margaret Hamilton. Brilliant casting indeed. The songs are pretty good and the animation is colorful and imaginative. The voices were actually recorded in 1962 but the film was left uncompleted until the early 70's. If you're a fan of the 1939 MGM classic "The Wizard of Oz" you'll really enjoy this classic!