Ozoplaning with the Wizard of Oz

Did You Know?

• The ruler of Stratovania, Strutoovious the Seventh, is also called 'Strut of the Strat'.
• Princess Azarine's protectors include the great stag Shagomar and his wife Dear Deer.

Synopsis

The story begins with a dinner party attended by seven characters from Baum's first book, including the castle-housemaid Jellia Jamb. After dinner, the Wizard leads his guests to a glass-domed building housing two silver aircraft he has created, the Ozpril and the Oztober. The guests board the craft to inspect them. The Soldier with the Green Whiskers, suffering a stomach cramp from eating too many pickles, accidentally slams into the Oztober's control panel, causing it to take off. The Wizard, startled, takes the Ozpril in pursuit with Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow. The Tin Woodman eventually gains control of the Oztober and lands in the sky-country Stratovania. He claims the land for Ozma, angering its ruler Strutoovious the Seventh, who forces the Tin Woodman to fly him and his army to Oz, leaving Jellia and the Soldier behind. The Wizard's party arrives in the second ozoplane, but it is blown up by the Stratovanians; the Ozites escape by leaping off the skyland on winged staffs stolen from two Stratovanians. They land at Red Top Mountain in the Quadling Country, where the usurper Bustabo captures them. The Wizard is sent to find the rightful ruler Princess Azarine, while the hostages escape and reunite with the Wizard, Azarine, and her protectors Shagomar and Dear Deer. The group reaches Glinda's palace, and the Wizard uses her magic to combat the Stratovanian invasion.