Wizard of Oz 75th Anniversary Limited Edition Review
From offscreen friendships and jarring pay inequality to the special effects and makeup tricks that brought some of the earth'southward favorite film characters to life, The Wizard of Oz (1939) had so much going on behind the emerald drape and the Technicolor gloss of an astonishing fantasy world.
In honor of the 80th ceremony of the film, follow the yellowish brick slideshow to peek behind that drapery and larn more about the secrets and fun facts that brand the beloved film a timeless archetype.
Margaret Hamilton Was a Fan Earlier the Motion picture
Every bit a cocky-proclaimed lifelong fan of L. Frank Baum's Oz series, Margaret Hamilton was thrilled to exist considered for a role in the 1939 film adaptation. Hamilton called her agent to ask which character the producers wanted her to play, and her amanuensis famously said, "The witch — who else?"
Hamilton, a single female parent, fought MGM for an agreed upon amount of guaranteed work time. Three days before filming began, the studio agreed to a five-calendar week deal. In the end, Hamilton was on set for three months, simply many of her scenes were cut for beingness too scary for audiences.
Dorothy's Original Look Was More Movie Star Than Farm Daughter
Sure, Dorothy Gale doesn't need prosthetics or aluminum makeup, but that doesn't mean Judy Garland wasn't put through the costume department wringer. Although she was young at the fourth dimension, the 16-year-onetime Garland had to habiliment a corset-like device so she looked more like a preadolescent child.
Manager Richard Thorpe suggested Garland vesture a blonde wig and loads of "baby-doll" makeup (as whatever preadolescent daughter would…). Luckily, that vision of the character changed. After MGM fired Thorpe, the intermediate director George Cukor nixed the heavy makeup and wig. Instead, he told Garland to be herself. Smart movement.
The "Skywriting" Scene Employed Some Great Movie Magic
The Wizard of Oz employs a lot of not bad flick tricks, and some of the most unique were used in the skywriting scene. In information technology, the Wicked Witch (Margaret Hamilton) flies above the Emerald City, leaving the phrase "Surrender Dorothy" in her wake in black smoke.
Using a hypodermic needle, the special furnishings squad spread blackness ink across the bottom of a glass tank that was filled with a thick, tinted liquid (some speculate milk). They wrote the phrase in reverse and filmed the scene from below. Initially, the skywriting ended with the ominous "Or Dice — W Due west W."
The "Snow" in the Poppy Field Was Actually Unsafe
One of the Wicked Witch's concluding-ditch efforts to impede Dorothy'due south quest to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz involves a poppy field and some magical sleep-inducing snow. While many similar to joke that the poppies and their drowsiness are the issue of opium (a component of poppies), the scene has a much more than blatant toxic connexion than that.
All that magical snow? Information technology'southward really 100% industrial-grade chrysotile asbestos. Even though the health risks associated with the fabric were known at the time, it was still Hollywood's preferred pick for simulated snow. Our advice to Dorothy? Don't catch any snowflakes on your natural language.
Scarecrow's Makeup Stuck Around for Awhile
In the end, Ray Bolger (Scarecrow) was probably grateful in more means than one for Buddy Ebsen (the original Tin can Man'south) willingness to trade parts with him. The Tin Man's aluminum makeup caused a huge amount of problems for Ebsen, who was replaced by Jack Haley.
Although Bolger'south makeup experience was better than Ebsen'due south, he still had some bug. The Scarecrow'south makeup consisted of a rubber prosthetic, complete with a woven design that mimicked the expect of burlap. Later on the film wrapped, the prosthetic left patterns on Bolger's face that took more than a year to fade.
Margaret Hamilton Was Burned On Set up
In a flare-up of flames and red smoke, the Wicked Witch (Margaret Hamilton) vanishes from Munchkinland. Although the scene is terrifying for viewers, it may have instilled more fright for Hamilton. On the first take, the fume rose from a hidden trapdoor too early on.
For the second take, Hamilton stood on the trapdoor every bit planned, just her cape snagged on the platform when the fire flared up. Her copper-containing makeup heated up instantly, causing 2nd- and third-caste burns on her hands and face. To make matters worse, the crew tried to remedy her burns with (an even more than painful) acetone solvent.
The Flying Monkeys Became Falling Monkeys
The Wicked Witch's legion of flying monkeys — or Winged Monkeys as they're chosen in the source cloth — have certainly been a source of terror for generations. Almost as scary equally the Witch herself, these henchmen soar onto the scene to kidnap Dorothy and Toto — thanks to the magic of piano wires.
Even so, the aeriform stunt went awry when several of the piano wires snapped, sending actors plummeting a few feet to the soundstage floor. To create such a vast troupe of monkeys (and cut down on human marionettes), filmmakers made miniature rubber monkeys to help populate the sky.
"Over the Rainbow" Was Near on the Cutting Room Floor
To no one's surprise, the American Pic Institute ranked "Over the Rainbow" #1 on a list of 100 Greatest Songs in American Films. Only what may surprise you? The (arguably) most iconic song of Judy Garland'due south career was well-nigh cut from the flick.
Studio execs at MGM thought the vocal made the Kansas scenes besides long. Moreover, filmmakers were concerned that children wouldn't understand the song's meaning. Luckily, this unfounded concern melted similar lemon drops. Unfortunately, Garland'southward tearful reprise of the song was left on the cutting room flooring.
The Tin Man Costume Didn't Allow Jack Haley to Residuum Easy
Although Bert Lahr had to schlep around in a 90-pound lion costume, Jack Haley didn't have it easy either. From the lingering concerns nigh the aluminum paste-based makeup on his face and hands to the minimal flexibility of the "tin" torso and artillery, Haley faced some challenges.
Reportedly, his costume was then potent that he had to lean against a board to rest properly. Many years later, player Anthony Daniels, known for playing the protocol droid C-3PO in the Star Wars films, had the same effect with his rigid costume. It seems even fantasy and sci-fi tin can't aid folks escape all their bug.
The Original Tin can Homo Was Rushed to the Hospital
Initially, Buddy Ebsen was bandage every bit the Scarecrow, but traded parts with Ray Bolger. However, Ebsen's new character, the Tin Human being, caused him a globe of issues. Namely, the character's silver makeup contained a harmful aluminum dust that coated Ebsen's lungs.
To make matters worse, Ebsen had an allergic reaction, and, unable to breathe, he was rushed to the hospital. MGM recast the role with Jack Haley (and changed up the makeup), but didn't explain why Ebsen "dropped out." Although Ebsen didn't appear in the final flick, his vocals can be heard in "We're Off to See the Sorcerer."
A Stocking & Some Miniatures Gave U.s.a. the Tornado
The tornado that strikes the Gale homestead is full of practical special furnishings that really hold upwardly. The funnel itself was actually a 35-human foot long stocking made of muslin. The special furnishings team spun it around miniatures that resembled the farms and fields of Kansas. Confronting the painted backdrop, the tornado looks menacing.
The Gale house, which falls from the heaven and into Oz, is but a miniature house that was dropped onto a sky painting. Filmmakers then reversed the footage to brand information technology look similar the house was falling out of the clouds.
Hollywood Didn't Pay Upward Then Either
Pay inequality has e'er been an outcome in Hollywood. For example, Adriana Caselotti, vocalism of the titular graphic symbol in Walt Disney'southward Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs (1937), made $970 for her operation. The film went on to make roughly $8 million.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Judy Garland's pay was better than Caselotti's — playing Dorothy earned her $500 a week — but it still didn't reflect the moving-picture show's success. Even more discouraging, the folks who portrayed the citizens of Munchkinland were paid a mere $fifty per week. (Meanwhile, Terry the domestic dog earned $125 per week as Toto. A real yikes.)
Bert Lahr's Lion Costume Was Taxing
Originally, MGM thought it might cast its mascot — the bodily lion used in the studio'southward title bill of fare — as the cowardly character. Fortunately, for the safety of the actors and the animal, the filmmakers decided to cast player Bert Lahr as the anthropomorphic character instead.
To brand a convincing animal, the costume department fashioned Lahr a 90-pound outfit made from real lion skin. All the same, the arc lights used on set up made things a steamy 100 degrees during filming, which meant Lahr did a lot of sweating unrelated to his character'southward fretfulness. Each night, two stagehands dried the costume for the side by side twenty-four hours.
The Initial Box Role Returns Were Uneven
The flick started shooting in Oct of 1938 merely didn't wrap until March of 1939, racking up an unheard of $2,777,000 in costs. That's virtually $l meg adjusted for inflation. Upon its initial release, the movie only earned $three million at the box office — most $51.eight 1000000 by today'south standards.
Although that seems impressive for a Depression-era moving-picture show, recall that Disney made $8 meg with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). The Wizard of Oz'south small-scale success in the U.S. barely covered production and film rights' costs — MGM paid $75,000 to the publisher for those — simply success overseas fortunately bolstered the film'due south returns.
The Dark Side of Oz in a Time Earlier "Me Besides"
Judy Garland was just 16 years sometime when she was cast as Dorothy. Insecure and lonesome, she became addicted to amphetamines and barbiturates, which were oft given to young actors to assistance them sleep afterward studios shot them up with adrenaline so they could work long hours.
The spotlight — and her damaging contract with MGM — didn't help, leading to her lifelong struggles with an eating disorder and alcoholism. According to a writer for Express, "[Garland] was molested by older men, including studio chiefs [and head Louis B. Mayer], who considered her little more than than their 'property.'" Moreover, MGM forced Garland to stick to a wildly unhealthy diet of cigarettes, coffee and chicken soup.
The Vocalization of Snow White Had a Cameo
A few years before The Wizard of Oz debuted, Walt Disney's feature-length animated moving-picture show Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) became a boom-hit. Not only did the movie revolutionize the animation industry, it also reinvigorated the fantasy genre.
Disney wanted to follow up Snow White — then the most successful film of all time — with an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, but MGM owned the rights. By happenstance, Adriana Caselotti, who voiced Snow White, had an uncredited office in Oz. During the Can Human's "If I Only Had a Centre," Caselotti speaks her sole line, "Wherefore art thou Romeo?"
The Ruby Slippers Are Props & Treasured Artifacts
Keeping in line with the book, Dorothy'due south iconic footwear was originally silvery, but screenwriter Noel Langley felt the red color would actually pop in glorious Technicolor. Designed by MGM's chief costume designer Gilbert Adrian, the shoes are each covered in about 2,300 sequins.
1 of the remaining pairs is on view in the Smithsonian Institution'southward National Museum of American History. Since the display is so heavily trafficked, the museum has replaced the carpet in that location several times. Another pair were stolen from Minnesota's Judy Garland Museum in 2005, but the FBI recovered the slippers for the institution in 2018.
Only I Sequence Was Filmed "On Location"
The Wizard of Oz is your classic take a chance story, and Dorothy'due south quest leads her from a Kansas farm to another world — complete with corn fields, poppy-filled meadows and forests. Still, despite all these breathtaking locations, nearly all the scenes were shot on a soundstage.
As was customary at the time, immense, detailed backdrops were painted by studio artists, making it possible for filmmakers to transport audiences to far away places without filming on location. In fact, the only location footage in the film is the opening championship sequence — those clouds are 100% the real bargain.
A 2nd Toto Was Brought In
Toto, played primarily by Terry, is i of the nearly honey dogs in film history. Terry was famously not a huge fan of special furnishings and tin oftentimes exist seen running out of a shot when something loud or alarming happens — like when the Tin Man spouts out all of that steam.
After one of the Witch'south guards accidentally stepped on her, Terry was on bedrest for two weeks. Filmmakers went through ii doubles to find one that resembled the original canine actor more closely.
Fun fact: Judy Garland was so fond of Terry that she wanted to adopt the dog.
Margaret Hamilton "Mourns the Wicked" Witch
In addition to being a huge fan of the Oz books, Margaret Hamilton also believed her character was more than just your run-of-the-mill evil villain. More than 35 years subsequently the moving-picture show debuted, Hamilton, donning her Witch's costume to show kids it was brand-believe, appeared on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, where Fred Rogers interviewed her nigh the character.
According to Hamilton, the and then-chosen Wicked Witch relished everything she did, but she was also a sad, lone effigy. In short, things never went well for the frustrated Witch. Oddly enough, the Broadway musical Wicked besides takes this arroyo to the Witch'southward character.
The "Horse of a Dissimilar Color" Was Made Possible Thank you to a Food Production
In 1939, audiences were just as amazed as Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion when the horse in Emerald Metropolis took on a rainbow of colors. This "horse of a different colour" was made possible cheers to a surprising food particular…
Jell-O crystals were used to color the horses, which meant filmmakers had to movement chop-chop — the animals were eager to lick up the sweet treat. But the colorful steed isn't the only interesting component in this fan-favorite scene. The horse-drawn carriage was once owned by President Abraham Lincoln and now resides at the Judy Garland Museum.
The Makeup Section Hired on Extra Hands
From the citizens of Munchkinland and Emerald Urban center to the Witch'south flying monkeys, so many actors had to undergo a makeup transformation in order to give life to this fantasy film. To continue up with the daily demands, MGM chosen upon workers from the studio mailroom and courier service to manage makeup stations.
Since most of the Ozian ensemble required prosthetics, makeup artists — and "makeshift" artists — formed a kind of costuming associates line. Most actors had to arrive before 5:00 in the morning — half dozen days a week! — to begin the intensive process.
Memorable (& Oftentimes Misquoted) Lines Fill the Film
The film is clogged of iconic, memorable songs, and information technology has the great fortune of being responsible for some of the well-nigh quoted lines in movie history also. In 2007, Premiere compiled a listing of "The 100 Greatest Motion picture Lines" and placed a whopping three of the film'south lines on the list.
"Pay no attention to that human behind the curtain" was voted #24, while "There'southward no place like home" nabbed the 11th spot. Finally, the frequently misquoted "Toto, I have a feeling we're non in Kansas anymore" landed in the 62nd spot.
The Witch'southward Fire Employed Some Technical Wizardry (& Juice)
Clearly, the technical wizardry — or witchcraft — in the movie is incredible. Like the "horse of a different color" sequence, another iconic, special furnishings-heavy scene harnessed the power of everyday household items to pull off fun tricks.
Shortly later Dorothy arrives in Munchkinland, the Wicked Witch tries to snatch the carmine slippers from the young girl's anxiety. All the same, fire strikes the Witch's hands, repelling her. This "fire" is actually apple juice spouting from the slippers in a sped-up clip to arrive look more flame-similar.
Technicolor Required Some Ingenuity in the Props Department
Experimenting with Technicolor was function fun and part problem-solving for filmmakers. In society to properly capture scenes with the Technicolor photographic camera, the soundstage needed to be lit with arc lights, which often heated the set up to a toasty 100 degrees.
Later on the lights were set, the experts experimented with what would look best on picture, especially in colorized form. For case, the white part of Dorothy'due south dress is actually pink — simply because it filmed amend. And the oil the Can Man is so excited nearly? It'southward actually chocolate syrup.
The Wicked Witch of the Eastward Makes More Than Ane Appearance
Part of the Wicked Witch of the W's beefiness with Dorothy is that the young daughter dropped a business firm on her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East, who was the short-lived owner of the ruby slippers. Although Margaret Hamilton already plays both the Wicked Witch of the West and her Kansas counterpart Almira Gulch, she also plays the Wicked Witch of the Due east — if just briefly.
During the tornado sequence, an addled Dorothy looks out her bedroom window and watches Gulch transform into a witch, her shoes shimmering. For fans, this glint indicates the witch exterior the window is wearing the scarlet slippers. The restored version of the film makes that shimmer even more than noticeable.
The Pic'south Running Time Was Cut Down Several Times
The showtime cutting of the film clocked in at a running time of 120 minutes. Although that seems like nothing by today'south Marvel movie standards, producer Mervyn LeRoy felt it was long and unwieldy and wanted to chop off twenty minutes.
After cut the famed "Jitterbug" number (top right) and an extended Scarecrow trip the light fantastic toe sequence, the moving picture was 112 minutes long. LeRoy held a second preview screening, and, afterwards, nixed Dorothy's "Over the Rainbow" reprise, an Emerald City reprise of "Ding! Dong! The Witch Is Expressionless," a scene where the Tin Man becomes a homo beehive (Yikes!) and a few Kansas sequences.
So Much for a "Wicked" Witch
Filmmakers deemed Margaret Hamilton'south Wicked Witch of the West performance too frightening for audiences and cut or trimmed many of her scenes. But not anybody thought her performance was terrifying — namely Judy Garland, who played the Wicked Witch'south nemesis, Dorothy Gale.
Off-screen, the film'due south starring foes were actually friends. 1 story that emerged from the set described Garland excitedly showing off a dress to Hamilton, declaring she was going to vesture it for her graduation. Unfortunately, MGM's Louis B. Mayer sent Garland on a press tour the mean solar day of her graduation. Upset, Hamilton phoned Mayer and chewed him out.
Giving Credit to Technicolor
In the opening credits, the text reads "Photographed in Technicolor," equally opposed to the more apt "Color Sequences by Technicolor." The phrasing of the credits makes it seem equally though the entire moving-picture show was shot in colour. Was this done deliberately, or was it a minor syntactical faux pas?
It'south widely believed this was a chip of a stunt washed to enhance the surprise of the picture turning into full three-strip Technicolor when Dorothy arrives in Oz. Posters made at the time of the film'south debut made no mention of sepia tint (or "blackness-and-white"), adding credence to this theory.
One of History'south Most-Watched Films
Although The Magician of Oz proved pop in theaters, another motion-picture show released the same year, likewise directed by Victor Fleming, actually topped the box office. (Y'all may have heard of that little moving picture — it's called Gone with the Wind.) All the same, MGM'south musical fantasy may have more than staying power than other films of the era, thanks in part to re-releases.
The film was first broadcast on television on November iii, 1956, and garnered an impressive 44 million viewers. It'southward believed that The Wizard of Oz is one of the ten near-watched feature-length movies in film history, largely due to the number of annual television screenings, theater viewings and various format re-releases.
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