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The Secret of Oz at Pogo 14th May

14 May 2012
19:30	to	21:30

Monday 14th May 7.30pm

The Secret of OZ

The documentary draws parallels with the classic children novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written by L. Frank Baum depicting the story hidden in symbolism about monetary reform and the economic scenario during the late 19th century. The yellow brick road (gold standard), the Scarecrow (farmers), the Tin Man (industrial workers), the Wicked Witch of the West (Cleveland banker J.D. Rockefeller) and the Wicked Witch of the East (New York banker J.P.Morgan), the Emerald City of Oz (greenback money), the illusory power of the Wizard in the capitol city (who monopolized power through deceit), even Dorothy’s silver slippers (changed to ruby slippers for the color movie version -symbols of Baumâ’s and Bryan’s belief that adding silver coin to gold coin would provide much needed money to a depression-strapped, 1890s America). Oz is a virtual forest of monetary reform symbolism, done by someone extremely well versed in the Populist monetary reform goals of the period (Baum was a newspaperman and author) goals which have never changed – they are still valid today, they are needed now more than then.

The pogo cafe kitchen is not open during films, we do serve snacks, teas and coffee beforehand when we have enough staff!