We’re Off to See the Wizard!

It's been 75 years since Dorothy stepped into the technicolor world of munchkins and flying monkeys in The Wizard of Oz, which still ranks as one of the most awesome movies of all time. The film is based on the book by Chicago native L. Frank Baum, with a few details changed. For example, did you know that Dorothy's shoes were originally silver instead of ruby red?

The classic tale of Dorothy and her pals following the yellow brick road is only one of many movies based on classic children's books that are still popular today.

No one can take the title of World's Best Nanny away from Mary Poppins. The story of how the book transformed into the Disney movie inspired Saving Mr. Banks.

Legend has it that the title of Roald Dahl's beloved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was changed to Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory for the 1971 movie because a candy company had already cooked up plans to release yummy chocolate Wonka Bars. A more recent remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory stars Johnny Depp as a creepy Mr. Wonka.

The classic Disney version of Alice in Wonderland actually combined two books, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. If you're feeling adventurous and want to continue down the rabbit hole, you can try Tim Burton's spookier version of Alice in Wonderland.

What other classic book and movie combinations do you love?