 Walter Murch (qv) never intended for this film to be viewed as a  direct sequel to _Wizard of Oz, The (1939)_ (qv); rather, he  intended it as a partial sequel with some direct references (the  ruby slippers, actors playing characters in Oz and the "real world")  but in closer similarity to the Oz novels (the appearance of the Oz  characters, Oz being a real place as opposed to a dream). The  misconception that the film was ever meant to emulate the MGM  musical probably contributed to its failure at the box office.