Return to Oz Wheelers

suehle

suehle

New Member
I had the idea one day that I'd like to make a Wheeler costume. I'm starting to waffle on it since it's become clear that I may have been the only person who actually saw this movie. Every time I mention it, I get blank looks. Nevertheless, still thinking about it. :)

Here's a YouTube vid. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM0RFE3QGAU

So obviously, the wheels are the hard part. I'm looking for thoughts about how to put this together. I've been looking around a bit, and I think the wheelchair wheels that supply sites actually call wheelchair casters are about the right size. Maybe around 8"? A cycling friend pointed out that brakes would be a good feature. I hadn't even thought of it! IMDB has this: "The first prototype of the wheeled stilts that the Wheeler used were a disaster, they had no brakes and the actor could not even stand. Director William Wall contacted Pons Maar, the head Wheeler from Disney's "Return to Oz", who advised to have the rear wheels "ratchet" forward only, and to install front brakes."

And in this picture from "under the suit," you can see the brakes as well as what else is going on. I just don't know anything at all about wheeled mechanisms, so I'm really starting from scratch!

1583824909_c6216570b7.jpg



Thanks for any ideas you might have here!
 
THE creepiest 'Disney' movie of all time! I loved this movie growing up (and still love it today!)
I wish you luck with this - I don't think I have EVER seen anyone do a wheelers costume!!
 
I remember "Return to Oz"....remember it freaked the crap outta me as a kid!

Hope you get some good info. I'd be cool to see someone wheeling around!
 
I liked it as a kid too, took me a while to find it on DVD several years ago, but it will be cool to see this build if you do it!
 
Love that flick...thought of doing a Wheeler awhile ago but couldn't get past the mechanical issues and the cost of overcoming them. Good luck!
 
Need to cut those metal shapes, secure them together either by weld/spot weld even. find appropriate wheels, install bicycle brakes and then some cushioning. One of my favorite movies. My personally I'd love to see Tik-tok built :) but the wheeler will look awesome too :)
 
Wow. Those dudes have horrible posture.



I've never even seen The Wizard of Oz, let alone this movie. Looks weird to say the least. :lol
 
A Wheeler!! Gonna be a GREAT costume!! I've always loved this movie! Always wanted a ruby key like the one to Mombi's head cases!! Who wants to make me one?!!
And old GL has Tik-Toc. UNFAIR! He should be somewhere to be seen and enjoyed by more people--Tik-Tok, not GL :lol Click 1 Click 2
Who wants to build me one?!! I :love Tik-Tok!!!

Shylaah
 
I visited Skywalker ranch a few years ago and it blew my mind seeing it there. I should have taken detailed notes :) If someone can get out there get a tape measure around his waist :).
 
Without giving away the farm, and the obvious that this a year later. I myself started putting this get up together ; and let me tell you; no offense but do or i hope you did more homework because honestly every other comment is absolutely useless right now and has been. Next up i hope you have experience in fabrication and machine work. Oh and lets not forget the budget to even do the stilts/ wheels right which has run me personally in grand total about 450$!!!!! No joke. There's a heavy need for industrial style tools and materials some of which are expensive and do require training in.
8" wheels? Ha! Try again ill do this much for you its a 12" wheel and its only 1" thick good luck i found mine and took me 3 weeks to find. This is crucial to have that size if you don't just don't bother with this costume. Not that Im knocking your skill or know it btw. O i have seen 4 other recreations and they look like ass. This is where my resentment comes from. People taking on something that's too much to chew and then looks like ****. Why bother making something if it doesn't look or operate correctly.
 
One of my all-time favorite movies! I'd LOVE to see this done! Apparently there was a Wheeler at Dragon*con one year and I missed it!
 
Don't worry, I always received blank stares or head shakes when I mention this too...even after I noted Fairuza Balk was Dorothy. :p

The wheelers scared the crap out of me the first time viewing the film. The evil queen who was swapping heads out like hats, made me uneasy to say the least. The whole thing freaked me out. But now I have the pleasure of showing it to my kids... yeah.


the costume is busy as hell, not to mention the custom helmets. I'm assuming the actual wheels were custom as they don't seem to be from anything stock I've ever seen. I hope you have enginuity on your side. This seems like quite the tackle. :)
 
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^^How to make friends and influence people 101, huh? That guy's got a great start on this forum.

I definitely remember this movie. I actually saw it recently on cable, and watched it for the first time years ago. The funny thing is that I could have sworn it was animated. I remembered Jack Pumpkinhead, and kept looking for a movie with him in it, but the only one I found was Return to Oz. When I finally gave in and watched it, I realized that my memories had obviously been cloudy as this was what I had seen.
 
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