Sunday, February 22, 2026

Flopcast 720: The Wizard of Oz 1925 - Duck Problems

Back in the 70s and 80s, the television broadcast of The Wizard of Oz was a hugely anticipated annual event. The kids had their Wizard of Oz dolls from Mego, and their Wizard of Oz comic book from Marvel and DC, just to get them through the long year between viewings. But that was the classic movie from 1939. Have you ever seen the 1925 version? Kevin and the Mayor just did, so we're here to file our report for you. This is a bizarre little silent slapstick comedy, and it features a Buster Keaton-type Scarecrow, a Dorothy played by a lady actually named Dorothy, Oliver Hardy (pre-Laurel) as the Tin Man, an unhealthy dose of blatant racism, and a vomiting duck. It's not great, but it is a curiosity. And since it's silent, you don't have to worry about the duck breaking into "Over the Rainbow."

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Show Notes

Larry Semon, Dorothy Dwan, and Oliver Hardy in The Wizard of Oz (1925):

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We'll tackle the 1939 film at some point. In the meantime, you can hear the Mayor talk about it on The 42cast! You can also read about the giant-sized comic book adaptation, released in 1975.

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This Mego ad from 1975 showcases the Oz figures, which you can read more about here.

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The Mayor's original, rather battered toys, welcoming a new Scarecrow:

Little did they know, they would all be replaced sooner or later!