Even though this year's Wizard of Oz Festival in Northwest Indiana is already wrapped up for another year, Halloween is just around the corner.

That means that green meanie, the Wicked Witch of the West is still very much in demand.

However, when it comes to merchandising and decorations, other than Hallmark's ongoing line of holiday tree ornaments, it's difficult for manufacturers to get their hands on the rights to create collectibles based on the classic 1939 MGM.

That's because the rights to the film, as well as the rights to many other legendary films, are held by none other than a media mogul more powerful that even the mighty Wizard of Oz -- Ted Turner.

And with his team of lawyers, he vehemently protects the rights to "The Wizard of Oz" as though they were Dorothy's ruby slippers.

All the more reason I was surprised to receive a pitch for the ultimate in "Wizard of Oz" collectibles for the fan with pockets as deep as that twister that carried Dorothy Gale over the rainbow.

Publicist Joseph Tateoka for the swanky gifty-type gift gallery Hammacher Schlemmer sent me the following pitch:

"Good morning, Philip:

With the month of October in full swing, readers everywhere are dusting off their Halloween decorations and starting to decorate their homes and yards with witches, ghosts and more. This year Hammacher Schlemmer introduces the Talking Wicked Witch of the West as a life-size decoration that is sure to please everyone. This statue depicting the Wicked Witch of the West from "The Wizard of Oz" will thrill young trick-or-treaters and bring back a touch of nostalgia with the film's famous phrase, 'I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!' Best, Joseph Tateoka"

I'm told this un-jolly green giant, standing at 5-feet, 2-inches operates based on a sound and vibration detection sensor and features the exact line spoken by the original film's actress Margaret Hamilton.

"Halloween would be incomplete without a new and unique product from Hammacher Schlemmer sure to thrill, frighten and entertain trick-or-treaters young and old," said Fred Berns, General Manager for Hammacher Schlemmer in a media release shared by Tateoka.

"This will captivate the younger generation while offering an added touch of nostalgia and there's no doubt that with this enchanting new product, your house will be the most popular on the block this Halloween season."

Okay, now for the price tag: $2,500 plus $450 for shipping and handling.

But I should also point out that there's also a small tabletop version standing at 17 inches available for $125.

Both models are made from polyresin and painted in high-gloss lacquer for a look that resembles fine porcelain

For more information, check out hammacher.com or (800) 227-3528.

Described as "America's Longest Running Catalog," Hammacher Schlemmer has been around since 1848. We have a downtown Chicago location on Michigan Avenue, while the famed flagship store is on East 57th Street in New York City.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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