Annual Munchkin convention held in West Windsor
WEST WINDSOR — It's been 50 years since it was first televised, 106 since it was written and 150 since the author was born. The International Wizard of Oz Club certainly had something to celebrate. Authors, fans and even a producer gathered at the Hyatt Regency Princeton over the weekend to celebrate the 39th Annual Munchkin Convention of the International Wizard of Oz Club and Oz author L. Frank Baum's 150th birthday. John Fricke of New York City said he has fun at the conventions every year because he enjoys seeing "people I've known for 40 years. It's a big family reunion." This weekend was the first time in 12 years he has been to a convention on the East Coast. Mr. Fricke is a Judy Garland historian, and has written four books — two about Oz and two about Ms. Garland, who played Dorothy in the film. He has also done commentaries on DVDs about Ms. Garland. When he first saw the movie at age five he fell in love. "My cousin smashed me down and told me that I had to see this movie," Mr. Fricke said. "It was life-changing. Suddenly, all I wanted to do was talk about Oz." From there, Mr. Fricke began going to Judy Garland concerts and writing to people around the world about his passion. "Oz and Judy Garland always mean happiness to me," he said. "I love when (the characters) see Emerald City for the first time over the poppy field. It's such a happy moment." David Anthony of Kansas agreed that "The Wizard of Oz" was a huge part of his life, as well. "You cannot leave the state of Kansas without knowing the movie forwards and backwards," he laughed. The movie had such an effect on him that he created a trilogy based on what would have happened next if the film had not been a dream. The first two books will be released in September and the third in December. "All of the stories came to me in dreams," said Mr. Anthony. "I began telling the stories to my nieces and nephews and they loved them." From there, Mr. Anthony began to write his stories down. "Because of 'The Wizard of Oz' I have a little more courage like the Lion and I'm a little more compassionate like the Tin Man," he said. "But I'm not quite as smart as the Scarecrow." Mr. Anthony said that, although he knew the film was popular in Kansas, he had no idea that it was so popular around the country. "Oz people are very friendly," he said. "If that's how it has affected them then I'm glad." Oz affected Mike Makar, director and producer of the 2005 documentary "Yellow Brick Road" in a different way. His brother, who has Down syndrome, performed in a production of The Wizard of Oz through a program called ANCHOR — Answering the Needs of Citizens with Handicaps Through Organized Recreation. The film traces the actors' journey from when they find out their roles to the actual production. "It tells the story of their preparation," said Mr. Makar. "It also follows five of the main characters at home and how they practice." This 75-minute movie premiered on Cinemax Reel Life in December and has been on HBO Family over 150 times since. "It's very rare for someone my age to sell their first movie to HBO," Mr. Makar said. "I feel pretty good about it." His brother also "loves it. He thinks he's Ben Affleck." One time he and some of the cast members from "Yellow Brick Road" went to see "Jersey Boys" on Broadway. At the end of the show, some of the Broadway actors recognized the cast. "They all love the attention," said Mr. Makar. "It's good for them because they don't have a lot of stuff that we experience." As many of the attendees put it, Oz has affected everyone.
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