The Wizard of Oz - the Book

In Girl in the Glass, Declan compares the ALVA’s collection of machines to the Wizard of Oz, with his sliced-up brain hidden behind the curtain. While the professor and James also decide which of the four main characters they, along with Commander Kingston and Embrie, represent, they are referencing the book. They discuss the movie, based on the book by Frank Baum, which would be released into theaters August 25, 1939, just a few months later. Declan decided it would be a flop, as it was too silly for adults, and like he predicted, the theatrical release was underwhelming, with ticket sales of $3 million versus a $2.7 million budget. It wasn’t until the 1950s, when the Wizard of Oz was shown on television, did the movie achieve massive popularity and become a cultural icon.