It was the quintessential Golden Age of Hollywood film : loveable characters ( yes , even the bad guy rope ) , tricky song - and - dance telephone number , and a account that still makes audience cry 80 years after its initial dismission . The Wizard of Ozis an often - copy but never - duplicated cinematic treasure ( in this years of the multiple remake , that ’s saying something ) that remains an integral part of childhood decennary after it first enchanted audience in theaters .
Based on L. Frank Baum ’s wildly pop 1900 children’sbookThe terrific Wizard of Oz , the iconic MGM film from 1939 is still a gift that keeps on give way with its innumerable catchphrases ( “ There ’s no place like home , ” “ It ’s a twistah ! It ’s a twistah ! ” “ I ’ll get you my pretty , and your little andiron , too ! ” ) , and timeless songs like “ Over the Rainbow ” and “ We ’re Off to See the Wizard . ”
Many movies have endeavor to top that magical , liveliness - alter moment when farm girl Dorothy Gale ( a 16 - yr - erstwhile Judy Garland ) opens the door to Munchkinland and merchandise her drab , sepia - chant Kansas life for one of limitless Oz Technicolor — and none has yet succeeded . But as with any other classic movie , The Wizard of Ozhas its percentage of triumphs , tragedies , and trivia . Read on for some of some insight into this venerated Hollywood masterpiece .
1. You can thank the power of Technicolor for Dorothy’s ruby slippers.
More so than the braids , the toy Toto , or even the blue - and - livid ginghamdress , those sparkly blood-red - red shoes are the key to any Dorothy Gale costume . But one of the most important figure of speech of the enduringWizard of Ozmythos didnotcome from the judgment of generator L. Frank Baum , but insteadfromOzscreenwriter Noel Langley . InThe Wonderful Wizard of Ozbook series , Dorothy ’s shoe were made of ash grey . However , Langleyrecommendedthe slippers be changed to ruby for the flick due to the fact that the brightred huewould show up much well against the Technicolor yellow brick road .
The fluent shoes did make a comeback nearly 40 years after , whenThe Wizwas adapted for the big screen and Diana Ross ’s Dorothy kicked it old - school for her Oz footwear .
2. Getting Dorothy home to Kansas was an easier feat than maintaining a director forThe Wizard of Oz.
Victor Fleming may be the one officially credited onscreen , butThe Wizard of Ozcan boastfourdirectors . The first , Richard Thorpe , was fired after less than two weeks . George Cukor was brought in next , but he wassummoned awayto go work on — of all projects!—Gone With the nothingness . Then Fleming stepped in , until he too was ring over to assist withGone With the tip , andKing Vidorwas hired to complete the movie .
3. Ray Bolger, forever immortalized as the Scarecrow, was initially cast as the Tin Man.
And he was n’t too well-chosen about it . Ray Bolger felt his signature , loose - limbed saltation style would be suffocate as the eat - stiff Tin Man ( “ I ’m not a canister performer . I ’m liquid , ” say Bolger of the part ) . So he managed toconvincethe actor cast as the Scarecrow , Buddy Ebsen , to tack theatrical role . Considering Ebsen was so cushy about the modification , it seemed like this was all meant to be . Or not …
4. Buddy Ebsen, the original Tin Man, had to be replaced after suffering a severe allergic reaction to the aluminum powder makeup.
Nine daytime into production onThe Wizard of Oz , Ebsen found himself in the infirmary , unable to suspire from the aluminum - powder makeup he wore as the Tin Man ( cue the “ Nice expiration , Bolger , ” here ) . " My lung were surface with that aluminium rubble they had been powdering on my boldness , " Ebsen explain in the bookThe Making of The Wizard of Oz . The histrion , who would go on to star inThe Beverly HillbilliesTV show in the sixties , was subsequentlyreplacedby Jack Haley ( whose Tin Man makeup was pull off from a powder to a paste ) .
5. Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, suffered burns from her makeup.
Ebsen was n’t the only one who had a near - fatal experience with hisOzcosmetics . Actress Margaret Hamilton , who play the dark-green - skinned Wicked Witch of the West , suffered a 2d - degree burn on her boldness and a third - arcdegree suntan on her handwriting while film her fibre ’s striking , fiery exit from Munchkinland . Hamilton learn after the fact that her makeup was pig - establish ( read : toxic ) , and that if it had n’t been remove instantly , she may not have live to recount the narrative .
6. Judy Garland’s original Dorothy look was much more Hollywood glamour girl.
Judy Garland ’s Dorothy will always be remember for her bare farm - girl look ( and the subtle Emerald City makeover later in the movie ) , but when production first begin onThe Wizard of Oz , Garland was give the traditional Hollywood treatment . That meant a bouncy , blond wigging and short ton of composition . as luck would have it , for the picture show ’s legacy , Glam Dorothy did n’t last long . It was interim directorGeorge Cukorwho did forth with the wig and cosmetic , turning Dorothy back into what she was all along : A girl from the Kansas prairie .
7. Frank Morgan played not one, not two, butfivecharacters inThe Wizard of Oz.
Most of the main thespian inThe Wizard of Ozplayed two roles : A Kansas character and his or her Oz counterpart . This meant Ray Bolger ( Scarecrow ) , Jack Haley ( Tin Man ) , and Bert Lahr ( Cowardly Lion ) doubled as fieldhand , and Margaret Hamilton got wicked in both Kansas ( Miss Gulch ) and Oz ( the Witch ) . But Frank Morgan , who portray the suspect Professor Marvel in the Kansas scenes ( and was only billed for that role in the credits ) , not only showed up in Oz as the Wizard , but also as the uppity Doorman to the Emerald City , the Horse - of - a - Different - Color - owning Cabbie , and the snippy ( later , sobbing ) Wizard ’s Guard .
8. Margaret Hamilton appeared onMister Rogers' Neighborhoodto talk about her most famous role.
In 1975 , formerkindergarten teacherMargaret Hamilton was a guest onMister Rogers ’ Neighborhood . On this episode , Hamilton spoke with Fred Rogers at distance about her celebrated — albeit frightening — purpose , as a mode to avail children follow at menage empathise that her playing the Wicked Witch , in the word of a familiarNeighborhoodterm , was all “ make - believe . ”
Hamilton discussed how Kyd could well understand with the Witch ’s perspective by explaining her misunderstood nature : “ She ’s what we refer to as ‘ defeated . ’ She ’s very distressed because she never fetch what she need . ” ( A prescient Hamilton was also hitting on the construct for the novel — and subsequent musical — Wickedhere , 20 years before its publishing . ) The actress then end her visit with Mr. Rogers in the cool elbow room possible : Dressing up in a Wicked Witch of the West costume ( sans green makeup ) and briefly slipping into her mischievous yak .
9. The classic 1939 MGM film was not the first cinematic adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s novel.
Back in 1910 , a 13 - minute silent film calledThe Wonderful Wizard of Ozwas produced . By today ’s standard , it ’s delightfully creepy , but 105 long time ago , it was in all likelihood a disclosure for interview . The motion picture also tooka lotof liberties with Baum ’s original report , which can be befuddle for modern watcher . In this version , Dorothy and the Scarecrow are already pals by the fourth dimension they ’re both sweep up in the ( very primitive - looking ) cyclone for their journey to Oz . The picture show also ends with Dorothy ditching Kansas and prefer instead to perplex around this far more exciting magical ground . “ There ’s no space like – Oz ? ”
Another mute film , also calledThe Wizard of Oz , was let go of in 1925 and boast a young Oliver Hardy in the part of the Tin Woodsman . It , too , deviated significantly from the playscript .
10. At one point, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion were doing a 1939 dance craze: the Jitterbug.
But you never got to see it , because the entire chronological succession was cut fromOzfor time ( plus there ’s the theory that producers feel inserting an up - to - the - minute dance craze would date the film ) . Right before the Wicked Witch ’s Flying Monkeys condescend upon Dorothy and her friend in the Haunted Forest , the chemical group was supposed to beattackedby an insect ( “ The Jitterbug ” ) that would make them trip the light fantastic toe uncontrollably . In fact , at the jump of the clip above , you’re able to still hear the Witch comment to one of her monkeys , “ I ’ve sent a small insect on ahead to take the fight out of them ” ( continuity be damned ) .
Full audio of the “ Jitterbug ” song still exists , as well as some very raw footage . The “ Jitterbug ” strain - and - terpsichore number has also been reinstate in some leg versions ofThe Wizard of Oz(including a 1995 high school product that featured the author of this piece ) .
11. Toto the dog made more than the Munchkin actors.
Margaret Pellegrini , who limn one of the Munchkins in the film , said that she waspaid $ 50a week to work onOz . In 1939 , that was a decent wage for a work out actor . difficulty was , Dorothy ’s canine companion was pull in a whopping $ 125 a week . That had to make thing ill-chosen on readiness .
12. An Iowa newspaper article spunThe Wizard of Ozas a cure for “war nerves.”
One solar day after Germany encroach upon Poland ( thus start the Second World War ) , Iowa’sMason City Globe Gazetteranan articleheraldingThe Wizard of Oz ’s run at the local motion picture theater . As a way to both increase morale and ticket sales , Ozwas bill as the stark escapist phantasy for those distressed about the events abroad . The literal headline read : “ War Nerves ? SeeThe Wizard of Ozfor a Genuine Rest . ” Glinda the Good Witch and her cohorts may not have been able to remove the problem of encroaching Nazism , but at least they provide a couple hour ’ worth of quilt aside from the horrors of the real world .
13. Busby Berkeley choreographed an extended (and deleted) version of “If I Only Had a Brain.”
Another fatal accident of the cutting room base , this extended “ If I Only Had a Brain ” sequence showcased Ray Bolger ’s deft control over his on the face of it pliable organic structure . It is also highly trippy and give the Scarecrow the incomprehensible power to fly — which was n’t go to mousse with the rest of the movie ( if the Scarecrow could fell , then why didn’thego one - on - one with the Wicked Witch ? ) . Luckily for Berkeley , the decision to delete this part of the scene in no way hurt the legendary director - choreographer ’s plaza in the annals of movie musical history .
14. Margaret Hamilton used to sneak into Billie Burke’s dressing room.
It ’s not easy being green , as Margaret Hamilton can attest . The Wicked Witch actress ’ sorry apology for a fertilization room was a canvas tent that , in Hamilton ’s words , was “ just awful . ” But Billie Burke , who portrayed Glinda the Good Witch , had her own thin slicing of pink - and - blue air - hued heaven on the MGM lot that was credibly grace by Glinda herself ( in reality , Burke was the widow of vaudeville impresario Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. and knew a thing or two about glamorous support ) . “ She had a pink and blue dressing room , ” said Hamilton inThe devising of The Wizard of Oz . “ With pinkish and blue powder puffs and pinkish and risque bottles fill with powder and babe oil . And pinkish and naughty peppermints . ” So on Clarence Shepard Day Jr. Burke was n’t on stage set , Hamilton acknowledge to eating her dejeuner in her atomic number 27 - star ’s castle - like inner holy .
15. Shirley Temple was considered for the role of Dorothy.
At 10 class older , Shirley Templefit the little - girl profile of Dorothy Gale much more than the teenaged Judy Garland . She was also a corner office sensation who could guarantee jammed movie household . So it made good business sense that some ofThe Wizard of Oz ’s producer were considering the shaver star for the role . But the official reason for why Temple ultimately did n’t end up as Dorothy remains a part of Hollywood lore : it could have been because 20thCentury Fox would n’t loan her to MGM for the film , or because Temple was supposedly part of an inter - studiotradewith Clark Gable and Jean Harlow that fell through upon Harlow ’s decease in 1937 . Also , while Temple may have charm movie audiences with her cherubic interpretation of “ On the Good Ship Lollipop , ” she did n’t stand a chance when going up against a vocal power station like Garland .
16. Victor Fleming slapped Judy Garland in order to finish a shot.
Today , it would be considered abuse and grounds for immediate dismissal . But 76 year ago , slapping your star across the face was not only condoned , it actually produced termination . When Judy Garland could n’t get her giggles under restraint when Bert Lahr ’s Cowardly Lion made his big entering , theater director Victor Fleming did n’t have time to run games . He took Garland away , whackedher on the cheek , and then order her to “ Go in there and piece of work . ”
17. Jello-O was the secret ingredient behind the horse of a different color.
When Dorothy and her admirer get in the Emerald City , they take a scenic tour around the fun - fill townsfolk courtesy of a cabbie and his Horse of a Different Color . to reach the horse ’s purpleness , then red , then yellow chromaticity , the production squad created a Jell - oxygen - based tint that would n’t be harmful to the animals on set ( yep , the ASPCA was involved ) . The gelatin gunpowder work wonders , except for the fact that the Equus caballus could n’t stop figure out its sugary sweet off their pelage !
18.The Wizard of Ozhas several connections to Walt Disney’sSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
After Disney ’s first - ever feature - length renovate motion picture , Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , did gangbusters at the box office following its 1937 tone ending , MGM mogul Louis B. Mayer was determined to follow in Uncle Walt ’s queer - tale - to - screen footsteps . And once Mayer was in productiononThe Wizard of Oz , theSnow Whiteinfluences were hard to avoid . Actress Gale Sondergaard was tested as the Wicked Witch of the West , with the purpose thatthe character would be a sultry villainessà laSnow White ’s Evil Queen . But even though manufacturer ultimately decided that “ Bad witches are ugly”—and Sondergaard lost out on the part — Snow White still literally managed to sneak into the picture unseen : Adriana Caselotti , who voiced Snow White in the Disney movie , sang the line“Wherefore artistry thou , Romeo ? ” during the Tin Man ’s elegy , “ If I Only Had a Heart . ”
Additional source : The Wonderful Wizard of Oz : 50 Years of MagicdocumentaryThe Making of The Wizard of Oz , by Aljean HarmetzA Brief Guide to Oz : 75 Years go Over the Rainbow , by Paul SimpsonVictor Fleming : An American Movie Master , by Michael SragowThe Wizard of Oz FAQ : All That ’s pull up stakes to Know About Life agree to Oz , by David J. Hogan
