Patchwork Girl
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Scraps, the Patchwork Girl | |
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Oz character | |
First appearance | The Patchwork Girl of Oz (1913) |
Created by | L. Frank Baum |
In-universe information | |
Species | Animated Rag Doll |
Gender | female in expression |
Occupation | poet |
Nationality | Munchkin |
The Patchwork Girl (a.k.a. Scraps) is a character from the fantasy
.History
Scraps is a living
She later became the companion of the Scarecrow who found her quite beautiful.
She had major roles in such Oz books as
The Patchwork Girl was likely influenced by the character of Topsy in Uncle Tom's Cabin, and she may have influenced the character of Raggedy Ann.[2]
Scraps in other media
Despite her popularity, to the point that her image was used in at least two advertisements for student desks, she has appeared in only five film productions, two of which were made for television. When Baum produced a film version of the title story, he was not able to find a woman of athleticism suitable to play the role, and therefore cast the male French acrobat
Patchwork Girl appears in Return to Oz. She is seen in the background at Princess Ozma's coronation.
On The Oz Kids, she was voiced by Lori Alan and had numerous infant patchwork kids. She also appeared in Walter Murch's Return to Oz as an unbilled extra. Thundertoad Animation's comparatively primitive CGI version from 2005 featured Cyndi Hotopp in the title role.
There were at least two versions of the above-mentioned advertisement, a classroom poster issued by American Seating Company. They were not bootlegs and were authorized by the publishers. They include the statement "These quaint characters are quoted from the famous Oz books and were created by L. Frank Baum. Used by permission of Reilly and Lee Company, the publishers." However this appears in very fine print and is easy to miss, especially on a small photo or reproduction of the poster. An earlier version of the poster is printed mostly in green and orange, a later version has more colors. A picture of a girl sitting at a desk in the lower right corner is also different in these two versions.
The Patchwork Girl also appeared in a leading role in the unaired television pilot
In Emerald City Confidential, she owns a general store located next to Petra's office. She is also part of Frogman's smuggling ring.
In Talking With..., the second monologue is about a housewife who dresses up as Scraps to escape her mundane life.
Patchwork Girl is a supporting character in Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, voiced by Jessica DiCicco. Just like the books, Scarecrow found her quite beautiful.
References
- ^ Jack Snow, Who's Who in Oz, Chicago, Reilly & Lee, 1954; New York, Peter Bedrick Books, 1988; pp. 156–7.
- ^ Robin Bernstein, Racial Innocence: Performing American Childhood from Slavery to Civil Rights, (New York: New York University Press, 2011), 163–172.