The Dreamer of Oz

John Ritter as L. Frank Baum, whose “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” inspired the 1939 film. Maud: Annette O’Toole. Mathilde: Rue McClanahan. Dorothy: Courtney Barilla. Badham/Cowardly Lion: Charles Haid. Denslow: David Schramm. Ned: Ed Gale. Reporter: John Cameron Mitchell. Teleplay by Richard Matheson., Interesting made for TV biography of Frank Baum, creator of “The Wizard of Oz,” in which he is remembered through the reminiscence of his wife as the vehicle for the flashbacks that tell of his life and their struggles to hold on to their dreams.