Director and Writer Edward Bass found out that The Wizard of Oz may have acted as an inspiration to America's most famed serial killer 30 years before Judy Garland graced the screen. What seems an unlikely source of inspiration actually helps exemplify the inventiveness of Bass' leading lady in the upcoming feature film, "Belle". This time, his tale of the Norwegian serial killer, Belle Gunness, who killed her husbands and suitors in turn-of-the-century Indiana, will be taking a leaf from one of America's most famed fables; "The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz", written by L. Frank Baum in 1900. The novel was adapted into a stage play in 1902 and debuted in Chicago, at The Grand Opera House, just two hours from La Porte, Indiana where the Gunness’ farm was located. Though Bass’s story of Belle is fictitious, Both Belle and Dorthy lend themselves to fantastic events in far-away lands. As it turns out, Ms. Gunness was a fan of Mr. Baum's fairytale. Becoming a nationwide hit, the play moved to Broadway and was eventually immortalized by its filmed productions in 1910 and 1939.
Belle was distraught when the play became so successful, that in 1903 it moved to Broadway and in 1910 it hit the big screen. "We were shocked to even learn that there was an early Oz and Belle link,” Bass said. “A link between a killer who went virtually unknown and America’s most famed fable which had a hit sound track". “MGM had hoped to use the track but unfortunately was entirely replaced." Good news for film goers and fans of The Wizard of Oz, Bass will be using the track for Belle".
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