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John Fricke is a historian/author on The Wizard of Oz and Judy Garland. He has been a major figure in the Oz community for many years. He recently served as consultant for every aspect of the new 2005 deluxe DVD set of M-G-M's The Wizard of Oz, released by Warner Home Video. This includes his participation and appearance in the accompanying L. Frank Baum documentary, The Man Behind the Curtain.
Fricke's four books include 100 Years of Oz —an overview of both Baum's career and the entire Oz phenomenon—and The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History, most recently reissued in 1998 by Warner Books. Fricke has served as lecturer/moderator and/or master of ceremonies at all the major Oz and Baum festivals, celebrations, and conventions, from Frank Baum's hometown in Chittenango, New York, to Chesterton, IN; Wamego, KS; Judy Garland's birthplace in Grand Rapids, MN, and at conventions, conferences, and symposia everywhere from New York to Chicago to California. He is an active member – past president and past editor – of The International Wizard of Oz Club, frequently appearing on programs at Club events. He portrayed Tik-Tok in the first presentation of The Tik-Tok Man of Oz since its original run in 1913 at Club presentations in 1982 and 1984.
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