About this season
The Wizard of the Emerald City (Russian: Волшебник Изумрудного города) is a ten-part stop-motion adaptation of the first book in Alexander Volkov's Magic Land series. Produced by Ekran, it is believed to have aired monthly from around December 1973 to September 1974. Because of the wicked Gingema, a young girl named Ellie and her little dog Totoshka are swept away to the Magic Country, where incredible adventures await.
Episodes (10)
1. Ellie in the Magic Land
Aired 17 October 1973 • 24 min
One day, a hurricane caused by the evil sorceress Gingham picks up the van containing Ellie and Toto and brings it to the Magic Land, where wizards, talking animals and other unusual creatures live. The wagon falls right on Gingham and the sorceress dies.
2. The Yellow Brick Road
Aired 24 October 1973 • 19 min
The heroes ended up on the shore of the lake, through which they crossed with the help of a raft. However, Strashila hung on a pole, in addition, a storm arose and instantly carried everyone ashore. Barely alive, the heroes meet the Cowardly Lion, who allegedly attacked Totoshka. The hostess keeps Totoshka away from the Lion, saying that he is cowardly. Having told the reason, the lion burst into tears, declaring that he wanted to become bold.
3. The Emerald City
Aired 31 October 1973 • 18 min
The guards of the Emerald City, seeing Ellie in silver shoes for the first time, decide that a fairy has come to them, and allow her and her friends to Goodwin. The Great and Terrible wizard appears before them in different guises and announces that he will fulfill all their desires when the friends defeat the evil sorceress Bastinda, who sends Flying Monkeys to the Emerald City, who cover the flowers with sand.
4. The Kingdom of Bastinda
Aired 7 November 1973 • 18 min
Ellie, Strashila, Zheleznyy Drovosek, the Lion and Totoshka set off again and come to the Purple Country, where for some reason the wells are covered with sand. The stupid Wolf, Bastinda's servant, says that the mistress does not like water: if you splash it on her, she will melt. Strashila offers to go to Bastinda's castle, taking water.
5. The Denunciation of The Great and the Terrible
Aired 14 November 1973 • 19 min
Ellie finds a wonderful Golden Hat in the castle and becomes the mistress of the Flying Monkeys: they transfer the girl and her friends back to the Emerald City. There, Goodwin's secret is revealed: the imaginary magician turns out to be an ordinary artist.
6. The Secret of Gingham
Aired 21 November 1973 • 19 min
Time passes. Ellie's uncle, the old sailor Charlie, is staying at Ellie's house. Crow Kaggi-Karr brings a letter from Strashila, from which Ellie learns that her friends are in trouble. It turns out that the eagle owl, who used to serve Gingham, brought a chest with the life-giving powder of his former mistress to the gloomy and power-hungry carpenter Oorfene Deuce.
7. The Old Sailor's Ship
Aired 28 November 1973 • 19 min
8. Gardening Soldiers
Aired 4 December 1973 • 19 min
9. The Mysterious Cave
Aired 11 December 1972 • 19 min
10. Ellie Meets Her Friends
Aired 2 January 1974 • 19 min