A visit to Sue Wallace’s home is a journey through the magical world of Oz with Dorothy and friends. The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, an adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s fantasy novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Wallace said, holding up an original copy of Baum’s book.
“I got this signed by some of the actors that were the Munchkins at a Wizard of Oz festival,” she said. The book holds signed wishes for a Happy Birthday dated May 28, 1995, Wallace’s birthday.
Wallace said, “The Wizard of Oz festival was an annual festival in Chesterton, Indiana. The Munchkins had a parade. There were vendors and booths, all celebrating the most seen film in movie history.”
Wallace has a poster that hangs in her home that states, “All I really need to know I learned from The Wizard of OZ.”
Wallace said, “It’s my mantra. Imagination can take you anywhere, even over the rainbow.”
How long has she been collecting items?
Wallace said, “About 40 years. Some are gifts. They are reminders of the person who cares enough about me to give me memorabilia of the movie I love. I have a trivia game on the Wizard of OZ that I can win every time.”
Mary Schlee said, “Sue is not hard to buy presents for. Wizard of Oz finds are great gifts.”
There are Wizard of Oz Franklin Mint Book Plates, Musical Plates, Portrait Plates, Story Plates, and of course the 50th Anniversary Plate. Wallace’s nephew, Riley, claimed the OZ throw as his sleeping blanket when visiting. There are games: Uno, Monopoly, and Trivia. The Wicked Witch of the West’s legs peeking out from under the Television with the ruby slippers still on.
Wallace said, “My brother gave me my favorite piece, the hot air balloon. He found it at a video rental store and made an offer to buy it.”
A Christmas tree with the Wicked Witch’s striped stocking holds Oz ornaments. Wallace said, “I have the Hallmark ornaments.” Pointing at a couple of framed pieces, Wallace said. “This is from the original 35 mm film cell. This photo of Dorothy is actually the artist’s daughter. I knew I had to have it as soon as I saw it.”
Wallace and Schlee recently moved into their new home in Sun City. Wallace said, “We were looking at the time market was very hot. Houses were selling fast. We knew we couldn’t display all the Wizard of Oz as we did in the last house, we had an entire room there, but we found our home with great neighbors.”
Over the rainbow and to Sun City – there’s no place like home.
