5 Things You Never Knew About 1985’s ‘Return to Oz’
When Return to Oz hit theaters on June 21, 1985, it was not quite the whimsical musical fans of the 1939 classic were expecting. Instead, audiences were greeted with a darker, more haunting version of Oz — one that was closer in tone to L. Frank Baum’s original novels (and a little tiny bit traumatizing for some younger viewers). Directed by acclaimed film editor Walter Murch in his first and only directing effort, the film starred 10-year-old Fairuza Balk in her debut role as Dorothy Gale. The story follows Dorothy’s return to a crumbling Emerald City, where she faces new villains like Princess Mombi and the Nome King, and teams up with strange but endearing allies including Tik-Tok, Jack Pumpkinhead, Billina the chicken and a flying sofa creature called the Gump.
Despite its visually stunning effects and a faithful adaptation of Baum’s source material, Return to Oz was a box office disappointment in the U.S., but later gained a cult following and was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. Here are five things you may not know about this eerie cult classic:
1 The ruby slippers caused behind-the-scenes headaches
Buena Vista/Everett Collection
In a twist worthy of Oz itself, Disney didn’t own the rights to the ruby slippers, since they were created for the 1939 MGM movie and didn’t appear in the original novels. To use them in Return to Oz, Disney had to pay MGM a hefty licensing fee. The slippers themselves were handmade with Austrian glass beads, and the heat from stage lights often melted the glue, causing beads to fall off mid-scene. Balk also moved around so much that the costume department eventually told her to only wear them when absolutely necessary on camera.
2 Director Walter Murch was briefly fired
Everett Collection
Just a week into filming, Disney executives panicked over the budget and Murch’s slow, meticulous shooting style. They fired him, but not for long. Murch reached out to some friends in high places, including George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola and Steven Spielberg. The trio convinced Disney to rehire him, with Lucas even offering to take over directing if needed. Murch returned and completed the film on schedule.
3 Jack Pumpkinhead inspired a Tim Burton favorite
Buena Vista/Everett Collection
If Jack Pumpkinhead from Return to Oz looks oddly familiar, you’re not imagining things. It has been speculated that Jack served as some inspiration for Jack Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas. With his lanky limbs and oversized head, Pumpkinhead walked so Skellington could dance. Oz also combined stop-motion elements with puppetry and costume work in a way that would become standard in Burton’s later films.
4 Tik-Tok was operated by a gymnast, backwards
Everett Collection
One of the film’s most beloved characters, Tik-Tok the mechanical man, was brought to life through a truly uncomfortable method. Gymnast Michael Sundin contorted himself inside the costume by bending backward and upside down to control the legs. He couldn’t see where he was going and had to perform blind while other crew members guided him around the set.
5 It was the first film to feature the now-iconic Disney castle logo
Walt Disney Co./Everett Collection
Today, the Walt Disney Pictures castle logo is instantly recognizable, but it made its very first appearance before Return to Oz. The rainbow-arched castle against a blue background debuted with this film, ushering in a new era of Disney branding. That little piece of trivia might surprise fans, especially since Return to Oz feels so un-Disney in tone.
Remind 
’80s Where Are They Now
March 2023
Who can forget all the great TV shows, movies and music of the ‘80s? See what your favs are up to now!
Buy This Issue