Grilled 8 Oz Filet of Beef
From offscreen friendships and jarring pay inequality to the special effects and makeup tricks that brought some of the earth's favorite moving picture characters to life, The Sorcerer of Oz (1939) had so much going on backside the emerald curtain and the Technicolor gloss of an amazing fantasy world.
In honor of the 80th anniversary of the film, follow the xanthous brick slideshow to peek backside that drapery and learn more about the secrets and fun facts that make the dearest moving picture a timeless classic.
Margaret Hamilton Was a Fan Before the Film
Every bit a self-proclaimed lifelong fan of L. Frank Baum'southward Oz series, Margaret Hamilton was thrilled to be considered for a role in the 1939 picture adaptation. Hamilton called her agent to enquire 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 fourth dimension. Three days earlier filming began, the studio agreed to a five-week bargain. In the end, Hamilton was on set for three months, but many of her scenes were cut for being too scary for audiences.
Dorothy's Original Look Was More Moving-picture show Star Than Subcontract Girl
Sure, Dorothy Gale doesn't need prosthetics or aluminum makeup, just that doesn't hateful Judy Garland wasn't put through the costume department wringer. Although she was immature at the fourth dimension, the xvi-year-old Garland had to wearable a corset-similar device so she looked more similar a preadolescent child.
Manager Richard Thorpe suggested Garland wear a blonde wig and loads of "baby-doll" makeup (as any preadolescent girl would…). Luckily, that vision of the character changed. After MGM fired Thorpe, the intermediate managing director George Cukor nixed the heavy makeup and wig. Instead, he told Garland to be herself. Smart motility.
The "Skywriting" Scene Employed Some Not bad Movie Magic
The Wizard of Oz employs a lot of great flick tricks, and some of the nigh 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 effects team spread black 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 beneath. Initially, the skywriting concluded with the ominous "Or Die — Due west W W."
The "Snow" in the Poppy Field Was Actually Unsafe
I of the Wicked Witch's last-ditch efforts to impede Dorothy'southward quest to run across the Wonderful Sorcerer of Oz involves a poppy field and some magical sleep-inducing snowfall. While many like to joke that the poppies and their drowsiness are the effect of opium (a component of poppies), the scene has a much more than blatant toxic connection than that.
All that magical snow? Information technology's actually 100% industrial-class chrysotile asbestos. Even though the wellness risks associated with the material were known at the fourth dimension, it was still Hollywood's preferred choice for fake snow. Our advice to Dorothy? Don't take hold of any snowflakes on your tongue.
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 Can Homo's) willingness to trade parts with him. The Tin Human'southward aluminum makeup caused a huge amount of problems for Ebsen, who was replaced past Jack Haley.
Although Bolger's makeup experience was better than Ebsen's, he still had some issues. The Scarecrow's makeup consisted of a prophylactic prosthetic, consummate with a woven pattern that mimicked the expect of burlap. Later on the flick wrapped, the prosthetic left patterns on Bolger's face that took more than a year to fade.
Margaret Hamilton Was Burned On Set
In a burst of flames and red smoke, the Wicked Witch (Margaret Hamilton) vanishes from Munchkinland. Although the scene is terrifying for viewers, information technology may take instilled more fear for Hamilton. On the first take, the smoke rose from a hidden trapdoor as well early on.
For the 2d have, Hamilton stood on the trapdoor as planned, simply her cape snagged on the platform when the fire flared upwardly. Her copper-containing makeup heated up instantly, causing second- and third-degree burns on her hands and face. To brand matters worse, the crew tried to remedy her burns with (an even more painful) acetone solvent.
The Flying Monkeys Became Falling Monkeys
The Wicked Witch's legion of flying monkeys — or Winged Monkeys as they're called in the source material — 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 pianoforte wires.
All the same, the aerial stunt went awry when several of the piano wires snapped, sending actors plummeting a few anxiety to the soundstage floor. To create such a vast troupe of monkeys (and cut down on human marionettes), filmmakers made miniature rubber monkeys to aid populate the sky.
"Over the Rainbow" Was Most on the Cut Room Floor
To no one'due south surprise, the American Film Constitute ranked "Over the Rainbow" #one on a list of 100 Greatest Songs in American Films. But what may surprise you? The (arguably) most iconic song of Judy Garland's career was nearly cut from the motion-picture show.
Studio execs at MGM idea the song made the Kansas scenes as well long. Moreover, filmmakers were concerned that children wouldn't understand the vocal's significant. Luckily, this unfounded business melted similar lemon drops. Unfortunately, Garland's tearful reprise of the vocal was left on the cutting room floor.
The Tin Man Costume Didn't Allow Jack Haley to Rest Easy
Although Bert Lahr had to schlep effectually in a 90-pound lion costume, Jack Haley didn't have it easy either. From the lingering concerns virtually the aluminum paste-based makeup on his face and easily to the minimal flexibility of the "tin" torso and arms, Haley faced some challenges.
Reportedly, his costume was so stiff that he had to lean against a lath to balance properly. Many years later, histrion Anthony Daniels, known for playing the protocol droid C-3PO in the Star Wars films, had the same consequence with his rigid costume. It seems even fantasy and sci-fi can't help folks escape all their issues.
The Original Tin Man Was Rushed to the Hospital
Initially, Buddy Ebsen was cast as the Scarecrow, only traded parts with Ray Bolger. All the same, Ebsen's new grapheme, the Tin Man, caused him a globe of issues. Namely, the character'southward argent makeup contained a harmful aluminum dust that coated Ebsen's lungs.
To brand matters worse, Ebsen had an allergic reaction, and, unable to breathe, he was rushed to the infirmary. MGM recast the role with Jack Haley (and inverse up the makeup), simply didn't explicate why Ebsen "dropped out." Although Ebsen didn't appear in the concluding film, his vocals can be heard in "We're Off to Meet the Wizard."
A Stocking & Some Miniatures Gave Us the Tornado
The tornado that strikes the Gale homestead is full of practical special furnishings that really concur up. The funnel itself was actually a 35-foot long stocking made of muslin. The special effects team spun it around miniatures that resembled the farms and fields of Kansas. Against the painted backdrop, the tornado looks menacing.
The Gale firm, which falls from the sky and into Oz, is just a miniature house that was dropped onto a heaven painting. Filmmakers and then reversed the footage to make it look like the house was falling out of the clouds.
Hollywood Didn't Pay Up And then Either
Pay inequality has always been an issue in Hollywood. For example, Adriana Caselotti, voice of the titular graphic symbol in Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), fabricated $970 for her performance. The film went on to make roughly $8 meg.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Judy Garland'south pay was better than Caselotti's — playing Dorothy earned her $500 a week — but it still didn't reverberate the moving-picture show's success. Even more discouraging, the folks who portrayed the citizens of Munchkinland were paid a mere $50 per week. (Meanwhile, Terry the domestic dog earned $125 per calendar week as Toto. A real yikes.)
Bert Lahr'due south King of beasts Costume Was Taxing
Originally, MGM thought it might cast its mascot — the bodily lion used in the studio's title carte — as the cowardly grapheme. Fortunately, for the safe of the actors and the fauna, the filmmakers decided to bandage actor Bert Lahr as the anthropomorphic character instead.
To brand a convincing creature, the costume department fashioned Lahr a xc-pound outfit fabricated from real lion skin. However, the arc lights used on set made things a steamy 100 degrees during filming, which meant Lahr did a lot of sweating unrelated to his grapheme's nerves. Each night, 2 stagehands dried the costume for the next day.
The Initial Box Office Returns Were Uneven
The film started shooting in Oct of 1938 but didn't wrap until March of 1939, racking up an unheard of $two,777,000 in costs. That'south most $50 meg adapted for inflation. Upon its initial release, the movie merely earned $three million at the box office — almost $51.viii million by today's standards.
Although that seems impressive for a Depression-era film, remember that Disney fabricated $8 one thousand thousand with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). The Wizard of Oz's modest success in the U.S. barely covered production and moving-picture show rights' costs — MGM paid $75,000 to the publisher for those — but success overseas fortunately bolstered the film'south returns.
The Dark Side of Oz in a Fourth dimension Before "Me As well"
Judy Garland was just 16 years one-time when she was cast equally Dorothy. Insecure and lonesome, she became addicted to amphetamines and barbiturates, which were frequently given to young actors to help them sleep afterward studios shot them upwards with adrenaline so they could work long hours.
The spotlight — and her dissentious contract with MGM — didn't assistance, leading to her lifelong struggles with an eating disorder and alcoholism. According to a author for Limited, "[Garland] was molested by older men, including studio chiefs [and head Louis B. Mayer], who considered her little more than than their 'belongings.'" Moreover, MGM forced Garland to stick to a wildly unhealthy diet of cigarettes, coffee and craven soup.
The Vocalisation of Snowfall White Had a Cameo
A few years before The Sorcerer of Oz debuted, Walt Disney's feature-length animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) became a blast-hitting. Non only did the movie revolutionize the animation industry, it besides reinvigorated the fantasy genre.
Disney wanted to follow up Snow White — and then the most successful picture show 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 Tin Man'due south "If I Only Had a Heart," Caselotti speaks her sole line, "Wherefore art grand Romeo?"
The Cerise Slippers Are Props & Treasured Artifacts
Keeping in line with the book, Dorothy'south iconic footwear was originally silvery, merely screenwriter Noel Langley felt the ruby-red color would actually pop in glorious Technicolor. Designed by MGM'due south chief costume designer Gilbert Adrian, the shoes are each covered in nearly 2,300 sequins.
One of the remaining pairs is on view in the Smithsonian Establishment'south National Museum of American History. Since the brandish is so heavily trafficked, the museum has replaced the carpet there several times. Some other pair were stolen from Minnesota's Judy Garland Museum in 2005, but the FBI recovered the slippers for the institution in 2018.
Only 1 Sequence Was Filmed "On Location"
The Wizard of Oz is your classic adventure story, and Dorothy's quest leads her from a Kansas farm to some other world — complete with corn fields, poppy-filled meadows and forests. All the same, despite all these scenic locations, nearly all the scenes were shot on a soundstage.
As was customary at the time, immense, detailed backdrops were painted past studio artists, making information technology possible for filmmakers to ship audiences to far away places without filming on location. In fact, the only location footage in the moving-picture show is the opening title sequence — those clouds are 100% the existent bargain.
A Second Toto Was Brought In
Toto, played primarily by Terry, is 1 of the most love dogs in movie history. Terry was famously not a huge fan of special effects and can oftentimes exist seen running out of a shot when something loud or alarming happens — similar 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 notice 1 that resembled the original canine actor more than closely.
Fun fact: Judy Garland was and so fond of Terry that she wanted to adopt the domestic dog.
Margaret Hamilton "Mourns the Wicked" Witch
In improver to being a huge fan of the Oz books, Margaret Hamilton also believed her character was more than than just your run-of-the-mill evil villain. More than 35 years after the movie debuted, Hamilton, donning her Witch's costume to show kids it was make-believe, appeared on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, where Fred Rogers interviewed her near the character.
According to Hamilton, the so-chosen Wicked Witch relished everything she did, but she was too a sad, alone figure. In curt, things never went well for the frustrated Witch. Oddly enough, the Broadway musical Wicked as well takes this approach to the Witch's graphic symbol.
The "Equus caballus of a Unlike Color" Was Made Possible Thanks to a Food Product
In 1939, audiences were just equally amazed as Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Human and the Cowardly Lion when the horse in Emerald Urban center took on a rainbow of colors. This "horse of a different color" was made possible thanks to a surprising food item…
Clot-O crystals were used to colour the horses, which meant filmmakers had to motion quickly — the animals were eager to lick up the sweet care for. But the colorful steed isn't the only interesting component in this fan-favorite scene. The equus caballus-drawn wagon was one time owned past President Abraham Lincoln and now resides at the Judy Garland Museum.
The Makeup Department Hired on Extra Hands
From the citizens of Munchkinland and Emerald City to the Witch's flying monkeys, so many actors had to undergo a makeup transformation in gild to requite life to this fantasy flick. To go on 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 assembly line. Most actors had to go far before 5:00 in the morning — vi days a week! — to begin the intensive process.
Memorable (& Often Misquoted) Lines Make full the Moving-picture show
The moving picture is chock-full of iconic, memorable songs, and information technology has the great fortune of being responsible for some of the almost quoted lines in movie history as well. In 2007, Premiere compiled a list of "The 100 Greatest Flick Lines" and placed a whopping three of the film's lines on the list.
"Pay no attention to that man behind the pall" was voted #24, while "There's no place like habitation" nabbed the 11th spot. Finally, the frequently misquoted "Toto, I accept a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore" landed in the 62nd spot.
The Witch's Fire Employed Some Technical Wizardry (& Juice)
Clearly, the technical wizardry — or witchcraft — in the moving-picture show 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 on Dorothy arrives in Munchkinland, the Wicked Witch tries to snatch the ruby slippers from the young girl's feet. However, fire strikes the Witch'due south easily, repelling her. This "fire" is actually apple tree juice spouting from the slippers in a sped-upwardly clip to go far expect more flame-like.
Technicolor Required Some Ingenuity in the Props Department
Experimenting with Technicolor was part fun and part trouble-solving for filmmakers. In order to properly capture scenes with the Technicolor camera, the soundstage needed to exist lit with arc lights, which often heated the set up to a toasty 100 degrees.
After the lights were ready, the experts experimented with what would look best on picture show, especially in colorized form. For example, the white part of Dorothy'southward dress is actually pink — simply considering it filmed meliorate. And the oil the Tin Human is then excited nigh? It's actually chocolate syrup.
The Wicked Witch of the East Makes More Than Ane Appearance
Function of the Wicked Witch of the Westward'due south beef with Dorothy is that the young girl dropped a firm on her sis, the Wicked Witch of the East, who was the short-lived possessor of the ruby slippers. Although Margaret Hamilton already plays both the Wicked Witch of the West and her Kansas counterpart Almira Gulch, she as well plays the Wicked Witch of the E — if merely 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 outside the window is wearing the ruby slippers. The restored version of the film makes that shimmer even more noticeable.
The Picture show's Running Time Was Cutting Down Several Times
The first cut of the picture clocked in at a running time of 120 minutes. Although that seems like nothing past today's Marvel pic standards, producer Mervyn LeRoy felt it was long and unwieldy and wanted to chop off 20 minutes.
Afterwards cutting the famed "Jitterbug" number (superlative correct) and an extended Scarecrow trip the light fantastic toe sequence, the film was 112 minutes long. LeRoy held a 2nd preview screening, and, afterwards, nixed Dorothy's "Over the Rainbow" reprise, an Emerald City reprise of "Ding! Dong! The Witch Is Dead," a scene where the Tin Man becomes a human beehive (Yikes!) and a few Kansas sequences.
So Much for a "Wicked" Witch
Filmmakers accounted Margaret Hamilton's Wicked Witch of the West performance too frightening for audiences and cut or trimmed many of her scenes. But not everyone idea her performance was terrifying — namely Judy Garland, who played the Wicked Witch's nemesis, Dorothy Gale.
Off-screen, the moving-picture show's 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 wear it for her graduation. Unfortunately, MGM's Louis B. Mayer sent Garland on a printing tour the twenty-four hour period 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," as opposed to the more than apt "Color Sequences by Technicolor." The phrasing of the credits makes it seem equally though the entire motion picture was shot in color. Was this done deliberately, or was it a minor syntactical imitation pas?
It's widely believed this was a bit of a stunt washed to enhance the surprise of the moving picture turning into total three-strip Technicolor when Dorothy arrives in Oz. Posters made at the time of the picture's debut made no mention of sepia tint (or "black-and-white"), adding credence to this theory.
Ane of History's Nigh-Watched Films
Although The Wizard of Oz proved popular in theaters, another moving picture released the same twelvemonth, likewise directed by Victor Fleming, actually topped the box office. (You may have heard of that fiddling movie — information technology's chosen Gone with the Air current.) All the same, MGM's musical fantasy may take more staying power than other films of the era, thank you in function to re-releases.
The flick was beginning broadcast on telly on November 3, 1956, and garnered an impressive 44 million viewers. It's believed that The Wizard of Oz is one of the 10 most-watched feature-length movies in film history, largely due to the number of annual television screenings, theater viewings and various format re-releases.
Source: https://www.ask.com/tvmovies/wizard-of-oz-facts?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740004%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex
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