The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" title in "Shrek: Totally Tangled Tales"

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum. The story has been referenced throughout numerous pieces of Shrek spin-off media, most notably in the "Shrek: Totally Tangled Tales" DVD game.

Basic overview

A Kansas girl named Dorothy finds herself in the Land of Oz after a twister and follows a yellow brick road to the Emerald City. She is joined by other friends and encounters many perils as she tries to find her way home.

Storybook Animation

Dorothy Gale is walking down the yellow brick road with Scarecrow, Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion. The camera zooms in on a barking Toto, with Dorothy looking at him happily.

Shrek characters based on the novel

• Steve and Ed
• Dorothy Gale
• Scarecrow
• Tin Man
• The Cowardly Lion
• Toto
• The Wicked Witch of the West

Mentioned characters in the DVD game

• Glinda the Good Witch
• The Wizard of Oz

Trivia

• MGM's 1939 film adaptation is referenced multiple times throughout the Shrek franchise:
  • In Shrek 2, the Fairy Godmother makes her entrance in a floating bubble, similar to Glinda the Good Witch.
  • Witches have green skin, similar in appearance to the Wicked Witch of the West. One such witch melts in Shrek Forever After after Rumpelstiltskin spills water on her.
  • In Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Jack Horner says, "I'll get you, my kitties. And your little dog too," referencing the iconic line from the Wicked Witch of the West.
• The storybook animation purposefully borrows the likenesses of the characters in the 1939 film. This was done to trick players into answering questions relating to the book incorrectly.
  • This is especially noticeable with the ruby slippers, which were silver in the book
• The tombstones of the Witch of the West and the Witch of the East are shown in the background when Shrek and Donkey are walking through the Dead End Graveyard in Shrek-4D.
• In Shrek the Musical, during the reprise of "What's Up, Duloc?", Lord Farquaad "levitates" to the top of his castle and mimics the iconic "Defying Gravity" riff from Wicked. He even sings, "And no one's gonna bring me down!" as bright green rear lights shine down on him.
• In Swamp Talk, it's mentioned that the Wicked Witch of the West was accidentally melted by Donkey when he spilled punch on her offscreen. This version of her may or may not be considered canon to the series.