Magical Return to Oz movie costumes and wardrobe props on display...

One of the real highlights of Disney's D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center on August 9 this year for me was getting to see this fantastic collection of original Return to Oz costumes up close in the Treasures of The Walt Disney Archives exhibit.

Original costumes and wardrobe props from Return to Oz

Although not as a huge box office hit as 1939's iconic The Wizard of Oz musical fantasy, the 1985 non-musical film received positive reception by fans as a faithful adaptation of L. Frank Baum's original Oz book series.

I really have fond memories of this fantastical movie from my youth, so to see these wonderful costumes so close and not hidden away behind a display cabinet or protective screen was a real treat.

Original Tik-Tok costume from Return to Oz

My favourite character from Walter Murch's film was the clockwork one-man-army 'Tik-Tok' and it was a real thrill to see this gleaming wind-up robot in person. This version of the 'Royal Army of Oz' features the cleaned up golden sheen given to the automaton after the defeat of the evil 'Nome King', rather than the rusty version that features in the rest of the film.

This suit was actually worn by two performers, Tim Rose and Michael Sundin (who I remember being a presenter on the BBC children's TV show Blue Peter, with there being a whole behind-the-scenes report on how he fit inside and moved in the suit, which he apparently wasn't allowed to be inside for more than ten minutes at a time).

Emerald City policeman and Woot costumes from Return to Oz

Also in display were these very green costumes worn by the Emerald City inhabitants, including a policeman outfit and the costume worn by the Gillikin character named 'Woot' (played by Nicholas Pandolfi). 

Jack Pumpkinhead prop head from Return to Oz

In the movie, one of the characters that Dorothy meets on her return visit to Oz is 'Jack Pumpkinhead', who was created out of wooden limbs and a pumpkin head to scare the witch 'Mombi' by the 'Princess Ozma', the real ruler of Oz.

Return to Oz movie poster

In this sequel to The Wizard of Oz, Fairuza Balk played the heroine 'Dorothy Gale', but unlike Judy Garland in the original, she didn't wear a technicolor blue gingham dress, but instead a rather drab 1900's dustbowl farm girl pinstripe dress.

Dorothy Gale dress worn by Fairuza Balk in Return to Oz

Raymond Hughes was Costume Designer on Return to Oz and if you like these original costumes, be sure to also check out the ruby slippers worn by Fairuza Balk in Return to Oz.

Apparently Disney paid a huge fee to MGM use the ruby slippers in this sequel, as Dorothy wore silver shoes in L. Frank Baum's original novel.

Scarecrow costume worn by Justin Case from Return to Oz

In this 1985 version, the infamous 'Scarecrow' received an updated look and a crown as the king of the Emerald City. The Scarecrow is imprisoned and turned into a giant emerald ornament by the Nome King, that is, until Dorothy frees her friend.

Dorothy is also reunited with another of her friends, the tin woodsman after he has been turned to stone by the Nome King, along with the 'Cowardly Lion' and the other citizens of the devastated Emerald City.

Return to Oz Tin Man character prop

This version of the Tin Man without a heart, is less a man in a costume, but more a film prop.

If you're a fan of the Land of Oz, be sure to also check out these original costumes and props from 2013's Oz The Great and Powerful.