On the Carpet with 'OZ' Stars

Royal Oak Native Sam Raimi Directs Former Teacher in 'Oz the Great and Powerful'

Jim Moll, former Birmingham drama teacher now Royal Oak High School's interim principal, appears in the movie as Emerald City Citizen #10

Among those walking the yellow carpet at the Emagine Theatre Tuesday for the advance screening of Disney’s fantastical adventure Oz: The Great and Powerful was Royal Oak High School Interim Principal Jim Moll—or Emerald City Citizen #10. Moll is an actor at heart. He's the former Birmingham Groves High School drama teacher and a current member of the Farmington Players community theater group. Moll was a young teacher at Groves when Sam Raimi, 53, was in his class. Cult actor Bruce Campbell, 54, who starred in many of Raimi’s films, is also a former student. Both Raimi and Campbell were born in Royal Oak. “Sam was here to shoot Oz: The Great and Powerful film in Pontiac, so he contacted four or five of his old teachers to visit him on set…

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New Interim ROHS Principal Conjures Ways to Charm Students

In his first week at Royal Oak High School, Jim Moll connects with kids with games, handshakes and lunch.

At 6-foot-3-inches, Jim Moll – the new interim principal of Royal Oak High School – is difficult for anyone to ignore – except for teenagers. Not to be dissuaded, Moll is working hard to get their attention, even if it takes some “Magic.” “I’m a pretty gregarious guy,” Moll said. “So the students don’t get to just walk by me. I say, ‘Hello! How are you doing?’ They are getting used to me. I am sure they think I am intrusive, but I am calling it 'hands on.'” The 60-year-old administrator is subbing for Michael Greening, who was placed on paid administrative leave Dec. 16 for "possible financial irregularities" related to a student activities fund. As part of his effort to get to know as many of the school's roughly 1,500 students as he can…

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