20th Century Oz (1976)
"Oz" (original title)

Dorothy is a sixteen-year-old groupie riding with a rock band when, suddenly, the van is in a road accident, and she hits her head. She wakes up in a fantasy world as gritty and realistic ... See full summary »

Director:

Chris Löfvén

Writer:

Chris Löfvén

Stars:

Joy Dunstan, Graham Matters, Bruce Spence

4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joy Dunstan	...	Dorothy
Graham Matters	...	Wally / Wizard / record salesman / tram conductor / doorman / face at party
Bruce Spence	...	Bass player / Blondie the Surfie
Michael Carman	...	Drummer / Greaseball the Mechanic
Gary Waddell	...	Guitarist / Killer the Bikie
Robin Ramsay	...	Glin, The Good Fairy
Paula Maxwell	...	Jane
Ned Kelly	...	Bouncer / Truckie
Lorraine West	...	Waitress
Beris Underhill	...	Hotel Receptionist
Russell Thompson	...	1st gay
Gino Lattore	...	2nd gay
Roland Bonnet	...	Manager
Jim Slade	...	Promoter
Martin Allen	...	1st Boy at Dance

Storyline

Dorothy is a sixteen-year-old groupie riding with a rock band when, suddenly, the van is in a road accident, and she hits her head. She wakes up in a fantasy world as gritty and realistic as the one she came from and learns she killed a young thug in the process. A gay clothier called the Good Fairy gives her a pair of red shoes as a reward to help her see the last concert of the Wizard, an androgynous rock singer. She is pursed by the thug's brother who attempts to rape her on several occasions. She also meets a dumb surfer, a heartless mechanic, and a cowardly biker.

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Plot Keywords:

shoe | groupie | concert | hitchhiking | boutique | 

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Taglines:

Follow the Yellow Rock Road...

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Genres:

Fantasy | Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

September 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Twentieth Century Oz

Filming Locations:

Korumburra Drouin Rd, Poowong, Victoria, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

$150,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Australian Film Commission, The, Count Features, Davis Equities Corporation Investment Partnerships

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min 90 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

Playwright David Williamson advised the writers regarding the film's script and receives a thanks credit for this film. Williamson is married to Chris Löfvén's sister, Kristin Williamson.

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Goofs

When Dorothy asks Greaseball why he didn't help Surfie, the scene cuts to a close up of his face. Prior to the cut, the background shows a built up area, with houses and garbage bins by the side of the roadway. In the close-up, the background suddenly shows a long, sweeping hill on a country road.

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Quotes

Dorothy: Fame and fortune... really FUCKS YOU UP!

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Connections

Spoofs The Wizard of Oz (1939)

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Soundtracks

"The Mood"
Performed by Ross Wilson

User Reviews

We`re off to see the wizard..mate.

I rented this obscure aussie relic a few years ago to show at a friend`s place and it was an instant success.The classic tale of the wizard of oz with a decidedly cornball 70`s australian twist.The acting isn`t exactly shakespeare society stuff here,but later ,"Mad max"star Bruce Spence is a beautifully understated surfie/scarecrow and there are some wonderfull comic turns by Gary Wadell and Robin Ramsay as a deliciously 70`s camp fairy godmother/father character.Also note the musical contribution from ex-Daddy Cool frontman Ross Wilson on the title song.In a similar vein to later-day aussie comedies such as "Priscilla queen of the desert".Good fun.