tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post278827318735772253..comments2024-03-09T05:53:59.542-05:00Comments on Oz and Ends: The Scarecrow and the Tin WoodmanUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-35752522055822118462007-04-10T19:48:00.000-05:002007-04-10T19:48:00.000-05:00I detect very little sexuality in Baum's writing (...I detect very little sexuality in Baum's writing (in contrast to his successor Thompson, where it pops up in awkward spots). He doesn't show or emphasize much physical attraction and contact between married couples in his kids' books, nor even between the few courting couples. And of course many of his characters don't have the anatomy for sex (though, for all we see, Dorothy doesn't, either). As a result, I don't feel that can be a yardstick of the relationships he creates. <BR/><BR/>On the other hand, Baum does show a wide variety of marriages. In <I>Tin Woodman</I> alone, we see or hear of an unhappy couple (the Yoops), a contented but not delighted one (Nimmie Amee and Chopfyt), and one or two happy ones (the Swynes, the Winkie couple toward the start of the adventure). <BR/><BR/>Along that spectrum, the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman seem to be among the happiest. Each is indeed the other's "chosen comrade." And in a world without sex, being happy together seems to be all a pairing requires, even if neither man would claim to have a loving heart.J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-6661222871213783752007-04-10T19:15:00.000-05:002007-04-10T19:15:00.000-05:00I think Baum intended for the two to be very close...I think Baum intended for the two to be very close friends. Due to their physical structures, it would be very difficult for either to pursue a sexual or romantic relationship with anyone. I admit that, given Baum's writing, it does seem as if these two may have some disclosed relationship with each other. I really doubt Baum intended to insinuate a homosexual relationship between the two, though it does seem strange for two men to decide to live together, although, in "Emerald City," the Scarecrow has his own home. (Dropped in later books.)<BR/><BR/>I guess it's something an Oz fan can decide for themselves.<BR/><BR/>One Oz fan who is adapting "Wonderful Wizard" as a screenplay (who I may collaborate with in the future) has decided to have Nick and Nimmee reunite in his adaptation.Jayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03766446206846532440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-65511798085516667552007-04-09T08:23:00.000-05:002007-04-09T08:23:00.000-05:00Thanks for the info on Hazel Dawn. (Ah, they knew ...Thanks for the info on <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/ldscelebs/hazel-dawn-1.html" REL="nofollow">Hazel Dawn</A>. (Ah, they knew how to create stage names in those days, didn't they?) <BR/><BR/>That source also helps to explain why it's not easy to find this information in print. Not that there's much attention given to David Montgomery at all.J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-80359330140113090862007-04-08T23:47:00.000-05:002007-04-08T23:47:00.000-05:00Hazel Dawn was a musical comedy actress, her most ...Hazel Dawn was a musical comedy actress, her most famous role was as star of "The Pink Lady." She knew David Montgomery. In an unpublished oral interview she said that Montgomery was gay, that his dressers were known as "Dave's boys." This remains third-hand evidence because I was told this by David Maxine who was told it by the person who conducted the interview with Hazel Dawn.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-3264163896567439932007-04-08T17:36:00.000-05:002007-04-08T17:36:00.000-05:00That actress's statements would indeed be evidence...That actress's statements would indeed be evidence coming from Montgomery's lifetime. Who was she? Are her comments available in print?J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-57070148752711794822007-04-08T14:34:00.000-05:002007-04-08T14:34:00.000-05:00I think there won't be any first-hand confirmation...I think there won't be any first-hand confirmation that Montgomery was gay. He died more than 90 years ago, and as a rule homosexuality wasn't publicly discussed during his lifetime. There is anecdotal evidence about his close relationships with men from an actress who worked with Montgomery. And the fact that such a major star wasn't involved romantically with women is circumstantial evidence.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-60867003755370203742007-04-07T17:13:00.000-05:002007-04-07T17:13:00.000-05:00I really enjoyed reading this, it brought back fon...I really enjoyed reading this, it brought back fond memories from a faze when I was 9 or so and read all of the Oz books. :)Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15192628745431017199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-16139260832463500242007-04-07T16:46:00.000-05:002007-04-07T16:46:00.000-05:00So I've read, but only second- or thirdhand on Oz ...So I've read, but only second- or thirdhand on Oz email lists. I haven't seen the evidence from Montgomery's lifetime.J. L. Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15405157000473731801noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28103455.post-25850808429467802942007-04-07T16:05:00.000-05:002007-04-07T16:05:00.000-05:00Maybe Baum transferred more than the Tin Woodman's...Maybe Baum transferred more than the Tin Woodman's name from the 1903 show. David Montgomery, the actor who played Nick, was known for his liaisons with men.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com