The Making of the Wizard of Oz. Movie Magic and Studio Power In the Prime of MGM and the Miracle of Production #1060

New York: Knopf, 1977. First Edition. Signed and inscribed by the author: “To Bob Zappe. Thanks for a great interview - Nov. 1977. Aljean Harmetz.” The definitive history of the great classic film. Laid into this copy are two holograph letters from Ray Bolger, the actor who portrayed the Scarecrow of Oz. One is written on a small undated sheet of personalized stationery and reads: “Dear Bruce, In vaudeville you stood in front of an audience and had to entertain them with your own individual material and style. You had, in those days, no help from records or (truncated) T.V. You were on your own! All the best from the Scarecrow of Oz. Ray Bolger.” The other letter from Mr. Bolger is enclosed in a personalized printed envelope postmarked Feb. 19, 1975, Beverly Hills, addressed to Mr. Al Grossman. The letter within is written on a single sheet of Mr. Bolger’s printed stationery and references various publicity items relating to the original release of The Wizard of Oz that Mr. Grossman was assisting Mr. Bolger in tracking down. Also laid in is a typed letter dated January 30, 1975 from self-proclaimed “Oz buff”, Al Grossman, to Jack Haley, the actor who portrayed the Tin Man of Oz, respectfully offering Mr. Haley access to several Oz related items. At the bottom of the same letter, Mr. Haley has cordially responded to Mr. Grossman with a typed letter detailing an upcoming trip to New York to promote a line of Wizard of Oz toys with Ray Bolger, Mervin Leroy, the director of The Wizard of Oz, and Miss [Margaret] Hamilton, the actress who played the Wicked Witch of the West, signed: “Jack”. Tiny bit of foxing at the outer edges, else near fine in dust jacket. Fine in dust jacket. (Inventory #: 7999E)