20+ Things You Didn’t Know About The Wizard Of Oz!
By nick hadji
2 years ago
1. The Lion Costume Was REAL!
Something we do not know when we watch The Wizard Of Oz is that the cowardly lion costume is actually made of real lion pelts. This is a fact that in the modern day, we do not approve of. The costume for the lion also weighed over one hundred pounds because it was using real lion skin and fur.
(Image Source/ USAtoday)2. The Real Reason Why Judy Garland Wore a Corset...
To look more childlike! Judy Garland was 16 years old when she filmed for The Wizard of Oz. Of course, Dorothy is a young girl in the TWOZ and so to make Judy Garland appear younger they used a corset. This was so that they could flatten her chest so that she looked less like a developed woman. They could not change the actor because Judy Garland's voice was irreplaceable.
(Image Source/ USAtoday)3. The Set Was Often 100 Degrees
Imagine having to work on set at temperatures of 100 degrees, sometimes more. It sounds pretty unbearable. But for The Wizard of oz this was the case because of the lighting. They were using technicolor which at that time required a lot more light than in modern days now that technology has progresses so far.
(Image Source/ flickminuite)4. A Pair of Ruby Slippers Were Stolen in 2005
In 2005 a pair of the ruby slippers that were actually used on the set and as real costume props were stolen. It is unclear how or who, but now the remaining few ruby slippers are kept under lock and key to stop them from being stolen too.
(Image Source/ billboard)5. The Ruby Slippers Weren't Actually Meant To Be Red
They Ruby Slippers are recognisable all over the world as one of the symbols of TWOZ. But, they actually were not supposed to be ruby. In L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Dorothy's slippers were actually silver, not red. But, to make the most of the technicolor and to make them look more of a statement on screen the producers decided to make the slippers ruby red.
(Image Source/ MPRnews)
6. Was It Special Effects or Jell-O?
One thing that you don't expect to be a staple in the production of a film and in the use of special effects is Jell-O. But, for the Emerald city scene the horses had to appear different colours, bright vivid unnatural colours. And, to do this the special effects team did not just make the horses appear colourful they actually used Jell-O powder to literally turn the horses different colours.
(Image Source/ pinterest)7. Shirley Temple Was *Almost* Dorothy
Shirley Temple was one of the front runners to becoming Dorothy. She was one of the few main people who were to play the main character. Temple was 11 years old at the time so it would have been perfect for the portrayal of Dorothy. But, the producers only reservations were that she did not have the vocal capacities of Judy Garland.
(Image Source/ realitywives)8. The Tin Man Makeup Caused A Serious Health Problem
Buddy Ebsen was going to play the character of the Tin Man, he was the front runner at the time. But, when they applied the aluminium dust to him he suffered a very serious allergic reaction which meant that he would be unable to play the part any longer. And so, Jack Haley took his place. They switched from aluminium powder to a paste. But Haley did not agree with he makeup either, it gave him an eye infection. It wasn't as serious however, and he continued the role despite this.
(Image Source/ Bryantpark)9. Terry (Toto) Was Paid £125 Per Week
Terry was a female Cairn Terrier who played the role of Toto. She was paid 125 pounds per week, which at the time was significant (especially for a dog and not a human actress) and it was also more than many of the actors playing the Munchkins received.
(Image Source/ blogspot)10. A Suicide...
This is a very horrifying detail that not many people know about as they watch the film. However it is unsure if it is true. It has been rumoured that one of the Munchkins actually committed suicide on the set by hanging themselves. It is also rumoured that you can see shadow of the hanging in one of the scenes in the background.
(Image Source/ thejudyroom)11. Heavy Doll Makeup
At the start, when filming first started Judy Garland who played Dorothy was given a blonde wig and heavy makeup, kind of baby doll style. It's hard to imagine Dorothy looking like this now. However, director George Cukor decided that this look was not right and so the heavy makeup and unnatural hair was ditched.
(Image Source/ Theindependent)12. Auntie Em Committed Suicide
Clara Blandick in The Wizard of Oz played the great role of Auntie Em, who we all grew to know and love. Sadly, what many people don't know is that in 1962 she committed suicide. Her health was failing her and she could not take it any longer. She left behind a suicide note. The first line of the note read: “I am now about to make the great adventure.”
(Image Source/ 11points)13. The Wicked Witch’s Makeup Was Toxic
The makeup for the Wicked Witch (the green makeup) was actually toxic. The actress who played The Wicked Witch was called Margaret Hamilton and she had to go to great lengths to avoid ingesting it. In fact, she stayed on a liquid diet during filming to avoid this. The copper ingredients which turned the makeup green resided for weeks on her skin so that she looked green for weeks after filming.
(Image Source/ USAtoday)14. Judy Garland Was Slapped Across the Face
While Judy Garland was filming the scene where she slaps the cowardly lion, she had a fit of uncontrollable laughter which she could not stop. So, Victor Fleming took her to one side and slapped her in the face completely out of the blue before they were about to do another take of the scene.
(Image Source/ theaceblackblog)15. Wicked Witch Was Severely Burned
The Wicked Witch was in for a rough ride, not only on screen but also during the filming. Not only did she have to deal with toxic green makeup, she also was severely burned during filming. The scene they were filming at the time was the moment she disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
(Image Source/ glamourdaze)16. A LOT Of People Were Involved
After all, it's all about magic and creatures that don't exist. Nowadays, we have technology and we can easily apply special effects. Back then things took a lot more time and effort. The whole production of The Wizard Of Oz took five directors and fourteen writers.
(Image Source/ movieparadise)17. The Green Brick Road
When production first painted the yellow brick road, it appeared on the screen somehow as green. And, the green brick road was not something that the producers wanted to stick with. So, they had to get new industrial yellow paint that actually showed on screen as the same colour it is in the tin. Thankfully, this time it did.
(Image Source/ thefilmstage)18. The Costume Frightened The Workers
Credit to the costume designers, they did their job well enough that the costumes actually scared people. The diners in the MGM cafeteria were actually scared by the costumes of The Scarecrow, The Tin Man and The Cowardly Lion. Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr and Jack Haley all ate their lunch in the dressing room to avoid frightening people. They would also spend their break times there too for the same reason.
(Image Source/ ebay.com)19. Over The Rainbow Was Almost Cut
The song Over The Rainbow is one of the most famous and recognisable songs of all time. Even without watching The Wizard Of Oz, Over The Rainbow has become an iconic song in its own right. The producers of the film thought that it made the film too long and so they suggested it was cut. Thankfully, in the end the decision was made to keep it in.
(Image Source/ columbiauniveristy)20. Tin Man's Chocolate Oil
When filming the movie, the Tin Man's oil was actually made from chocolate sauce. At first, they tried real oil but it would not show up on screen enough to look substantial. So, in the end they opted for chocolate sauce because it showed up in consistency and colour.
(Image Source/ columbiauniveristy)21. 3210 costumes
We know that a LOT of effort went into the making of this film, in every aspect. Whether that is special effects or filming, or costume design - there was no area that cut corners. And, perhaps due to this fact it was one of the most successful films and still is to this very day. There were actually 3120 costumes made in total for The Wizard Of Oz.
(Image Source/ blogspot)22. Incorrect Pythagorean Theorem
Not many people will have known that in the film Pythagorean Theorem is quoted incorrectly. Unless you are a whizz at maths or you take extra notice of every detail then this probably passed you by. The Tin Man actually states Pythagorean Theorem incorrectly in the film.
(Image Source/ blogspot)23. A Recognisable Voice
Producers actually wanted to make The Wizard Of Oz even more successful than Disney's Snow White. But the connections between the two don't end there. The girl who speaks inside the Tin Man's voice is actually the voice of Disney's Snow White. We hear the voice during the song 'If I Only Had a Heart'. The lady behind the voice is named Adriana Caselotti.
(Image Source/ missiontolearn)24. Asbestos Snow
When dealing with asbestos, someone has to be specially trained and equipped because it is that dangerous. However, at the time this was not yet known. And, the snow that we see on the poppy field scene is actually created using Asbestos.
(Image Source/ blogspot)25. The Wicked Witch Was Too Frightening
Back in the day of The Wizard Of Oz, people were less exposed to horror as we are now. Back then the Wicked Witch was seen as way too frightening for children, so that many of the scenes had to either be completely cut out or shortened. This was so that the film would not be considered as too frightening for children to watch.
(Image Source/ blogspot)26. Dorothy's Dress Was Pink
When we picture Dorothy, we picture her with ruby red slippers and a blue and white gingham dress. This is because it's what we see on screen. Yet, the blue and white dress was not actually as it appeared. In real life it was blue and pink gingham.But, because of the technicolor in those days, true white would not show very well on the screen. There were discrepancies between what the colours in real life and how they showed up on screen. And so, to make it look white as it should be, they in fact used pink. This way, it would show up substantially white on the film.
(Image Source/ fanpop)27. It Had Great Reviews
The Wizard Of Oz when it came out was so highly anticipated and everybody was watching, so of course it got a lot of attention and reviews. The New York Times write that: “It is all so well-intentioned, so genial and so gay that any reviewer who would look down his nose at the fun-making should be spanked and sent off, supperless, to bed.”
(Image Source/ wordpress.com)28. Several Scenes Were Cut
As in any film, several scenes from the movie have to be cut at the end of the process to shorten it to an acceptable amount of time. The original film, before it was cut was 120 minutes long. At one point the Tin Man turned into a human beehive. This was completely cut out and so nobody will ever get to see this footage sadly.
(Image Source/ wonderwall)29. Dorothy's Hair Changes
If you have really scrutinised or just paid very close attention (or watched it a thousand times) you may have noticed that Dorothy's hair changes throughout the film. Sometimes it looks longer, sometimes it appears to be shorter in certain scenes. This is because of scenes that had to be taken again and because of changes in her look that were made throughout the film. Which, of course, affected the consistency of her appearance.
(Image Source/ leighvalleylive)30. 124 Munchkins
There were 124 Munchkins cast for the film. As we see in the scenes, there are a lot of Munchkins in the scenes and that were necessary for the filming of The Wizard Of Oz. They are the most numerous of all the characters. The Munchkins did not have a significant part in terms of individual acting however they were crucial to the film. Today, sadly only two of the 124 Munchkins in The Wizard Of Oz are alive today.
(Image Source/ Oscarchamps)31. The Iconic Line
It has become a famously quoted quote in the film - "Fly, my pretties, fly." And, it's said to have come from the Wicked Witch of the West. But, this iconic quote does not actually even exist.What she really says is 'fly, fly, fly'. It's unusual that a highly quoted film and one that everybody recognises is not even in the film at all - it's been totally misquoted.
(Image Source/ alcohollywood)32. You Can Visit the Red Slippers
Who doesn't want to see the most infamous ruby red slippers of all time? A pair of shoes that Judy Garland wore to create a masterpiece. You can now visit them in the Smithsonian.They are, of course, surrounded by red carpet. And, it's had to be replaced three times already because there are that many visitors to see it that the footfall has worn the carpet.
(Image Source/ internationalbusinessinsider)33. The FBI Located The Stolen Slippers...
We previously discussed how some of the ruby slippers had actually been stolen. And this was not taken lightly at all. These were precious artefacts. There was a 13 year hunt to find them and an undercover FBI mission taking place in Minneapolis.They were finally found, but the perpetrator clearly not because no arrests were made. They were asking for information on the 2005 crime. Thankfully however, the red slippers were found after all.
(Image Source/ obsev)34. The Tinman Was Originally the Scarecrow
Imagine of the Tin Man was the Scarecrow? Well it nearly happened. Buddy Ebsen was in fact the guy who was originally cast for the role of the Scarecrow. But later on he swapped his role with Ray Bolger's role.And so, now we have the Tin Man and the scarecrow as we know and love them. It's strange to think of them in different roles now considering we are so familiar with them in their character roles. The idea of messing with the perfectly casted characters is strange now.
(Image Source/ hero.wikia)35. An Activist Group Was Created
An activist group was created because of the Munchkins. Because there were so many people playing the role of the Munchkins, the gathering crowd inspired an activist group.At the time it was called the Midgets of America advocacy group but it is now known as Little People of America.
(Image Source/ obsev)36. There Are Lots of Book/Film Differences
As with any book and film, the film can never be a true representation or replica of the book. In The Wizard of Oz, there are around 44 major differences. Although this is significant, it is certainly not unusual for this to happen.And, the story line was kept the same for the important parts. Some of the major differences included things such as the changing of colours to fit to the screen better.
(Image source/ incepop.com)37. Only Two Munchkins Spoke
Considering there were so many Munchkins, it is surprising to find out that actually only two of them really spoke. And, you may be questioning this because more than two munchkins speak in the film.However, professional voice actors and singers were dubbed for the rest of the time. Despite being the majority of the cast, the Munchkins were given the least acting to do.
(Image source/ Youtube.com)38. MGM Paid Frank Baum $75,000
MGM really wanted the film rights to Frank Baum's film. They were very eager to produce the film and knew how great it would be. But first, they had to pay him for the rights of the film.And so, they paid him 75,000. Which, in comparison to films in today's world seems very insignificant. But, this was massive money back then and a tribute to just how great Baum's novel was. And, to how much they wanted it.
(Image source/ frenchtoastsunday.com)39. Nominee For 6 Awards
The Wizard of Oz was a breakthrough film. For one, it's special effects and use of colour were like none other at this point in time. And, the acting and the story line and everything about it made it an immediate hit.People had seen nothing quite like it before. So, it was nominated for 6 academy awards. But, unfortunately it did lose the Best Picture award to Gone With the Wind. However, it was still a very impressive feat.
(Image source/ evanerichards.com)40. The Original Film Was Viewed Once
We learned in an earlier point that the original Wizard of Oz film was 120 minutes. This was cut down because it was thought to be too long. Yet, it was actually viewed one time before, by a theatrical audience.This lucky audience were the only people that ever got to see the real uncut version of The Wizard of Oz. Now that's certainly a claim to fame. Unfortunately it's too late for a release of the extended version...
(Image source/bodybuilding.com)41. It Was All A Studio Set
The Wizard of Oz was shot solely on a studio set. Apart from one scene, which was a shot of the clouds in the sky in the opening credits. Most films use a combination of real location sets aswell as studio sets.However, not The Wizard of Oz. I guess this is less surprising considering the magical theme of the entirety of the film. For example, where in real life has a yellow brick road with purple horses?
(Image source/ Youtube.com)42. Apple Juice Fire
The secrets of The Wizard of Oz are truly spilling out. Remember the scene when the witch tries pulling off Dorothy's ruby slippers and the fire starts? Well, this was by no means real fire.It was actually apple juice. By speeding up the footage it somehow makes the effect of the apple juice look like a real fire. Chocolate oil, apple juice fire...we've heard it all.
43. The Wicked Witch’s Death Certificate
In the movie, the Wicked Witch’s death certificate is dated May, 6 1938. This was actually the day Frank Baum died. The creator of the novel and the person whom without him, there would be no story or film.And so, to pay tribute to him they marked his death in the story but tied it in with the Wicked Witch so that the same date would appear on her death certificate. This is not something people notice or realise when they see the movie.
(Image source/ upmoments.com)44. The Dress is For Sale
Are there any more iconic dresses that Dorothy's? We don't think so. This dress would be recognised globally. But, what we didn't realise is that you can actually get your hands on it.I mean, you'd have to have a spare $350,000-$500,00 dollars because that's what it's worth. But it is actually for sale. Of course, only someone with extreme wealth could buy it and so it has not yet been purchased. So, it won't be something that's our next fancy dress option.
(Image source/ fanpop.com)45. More Than 100 Dogs Auditioned
Toto was not always Toto, there was some serious casting that occurred. The same process for the characters who are human, or even perhaps more stringent.After all, having a dog on set can throw up a series of problems if they aren't potty trained or do not listen to any kind of instructions. So, more than 100 dogs auditioned before they finally found the perfect dog we know today as Toto.
(Image source/ dgpforpets.com)46. The Wicked Witch Was A Kindergarten Teacher
Who'd have thought that the Wicked Witch of the West would actually be a Kindergarten teacher. Especially since she was told during filming that sometimes she was too scary.And, her scenes often had to be cut because the effect on children would be too terrifying. It makes it all the more ironic that her professional job was actually working with young children.
(Image source/ factinate.com)47. It's the Second Wizard of Oz
Not many people know this at all. The fact that The Wizard of Oz is not the only and original Wizard of Oz to ever be made is a surprise to most people. But, in 1925 a silent film called The Wizard of Oz was created.The star of the film Oliver Hardy, from the beloved Laurel and Hardy played the Tin Man. Considering the Wizard of Oz we all know and love contains so much sound and singing, it's hard to think that it could ever have been a silent movie.
(Image source/ historytoday.com)48. It Took 26 Weeks To Film
It was revealed that the film took 26 weeks to film. Bert Lahr who played the lion did not think that filming would last very long at all. His contract lasted five weeks and so he naturally assumed that it would only take around this amount of time to film.He thought he'd earn a little bit of money because it was not going to last very long. Thankfully for him, it worked out very well because actors were paid by the week back then and so he got 26 weeks of pay instead of just 5.
(Image source/ clickamerica.com)49. It Cost 3 Million
It has been estimated that MGM spent around 2.77 million dollars to create the movie. MGM were totally set on making this film and making it well. The price back then equals roughly to around 50 million dollars today.Which, is massive money. For one, the triple layer colour system which was in place back then was very expensive to run. But, the producers were very keen for the colours to be a huge part of the movie.
(Image source/ historytoday.com)50. It Didn't Profit For 20 Years
Nobody knows whether anyone who had created the film has foreseen that they would not make almost immediate profit. I guess, when that amount of money goes into a film you realise that it will take a while to start making profit once it has been earned back.But, it is highly doubtful that would've predicted it would take almost 20 years. These film makers must have had to exercise a lot of patience whilst in wait of their fortune. or, maybe they though it would never happen.
(Image source/ historytoday.com)51. Dorothy Was Named After A Tornado Victim
There are lots of speculation surrounding Dorothy's name and the reason for it. But, many people think that she was named after a woman who died in Kansas because of a tornado. The link is clear and so many think Dorothy is in memory of the woman who lost her life to the tornado.
(Image source/ simbasible.com)52. She's Meant To Be Like Everyone Else
Dorothy is actually meant to be just like you or me. She's not meant to be something special or some kind of unattainable figure. The purpose of her character was to represent the average American. Her two traits to be included in her character were sympathy and someone who is identifiable.
(Image source/ Britannica.com)53. The Tin Man Is Political
The Tin Man is not random at all, and neither is the fact that he does not have a heart. He actually represents factory workers in the US who are so often treated with poor conditions and poor pay. The fact he has no heart represents the heartless way they are treated. So, he's not just the loveable character we know him for, he stands for a significant political message.
(Image source/ parents.com)54. The Scarecrow Signifies Midwestern Farmers
The Tin Man is not the only political figure, the Scarecrow also has a hidden message. He represents the midwestern farmers. The Scarecrow who has no brain is to symobolise how farmers had been represented. The Scarecrow is actually very intelligent and this is to show the difference between their portrayal and the reality.
(Image source/ Britannica.com)55. The Lion Was Based On A Politician
The political references don't stop there. The cowardly lion is thought to portray William Jennings Bryan, who was a populist and a politician who ran for office but failed to get the voted. He was said to give a roar at his speeches in front of the crowds.
(Image source/ historytoday.com)56. The Wicked Witches Are Metaphorical For Money and Greed
The Wicked Witches aren't just scary figures. They represent a threat to American society. They symbolise power and greed - they enslave the munchkins. It's all a message to show that power and money can turn a society immoral if they exploit people for it.
(Image source/ thelostmediaarchive.com)57. The Emerald City Represents Washington D.C
Frank Baum's novel is not just a fairytale. It is full of messages which is one of the reasons it is so powerful. All of these hidden messages are portrayed in a way that is accessible to all. The Emerald City represents Washington D.C the nation's capital.
58. It's A Facade
The portrayal of The Emerald City in the film is that it is this amazing city, on the surface. This is what people think it is. In reality and it is discovered in the film it's really not magical at all. This is to symbolise how Washington is a facade based on unprinted electronic money.
(Image source/ upmoments.com)59. The Wizard Represents The US Presidency
Frank Baum is critical of the US presidency, in particular Grover Cleveland and William McKinley. The wizard turns out to be an old man with no talent who has made himself appear to be some kind of fantastic wizard. This shows how the presidency are based on lies and appearances.
(Image source/ thebuyernet.com)60. The Winged Monkey's Represent Native Americans
The quote “we were a free people, living happily in the great forest, flying from tree to tree, eating nuts and fruits, and doing just as we pleased without calling anybody master…This was many years ago, long before Oz came out of the clouds to rule over this land” is referring to how European settlers to the North American continent started to enslave and eradicate native Americans.
(Image source/ pinterest.com)61. The Silver Slippers Represent The Gold Standard
The slippers as we know were meant to be silver, this represented the political decision - the introduction of the gold standard in the United States. Silver was eliminated as a fiduciary backing metal. As a result of this the reliance upon paper money grew and grew. Then, there was massive deflation.
(Image source/ fnieartamerica.com)62. Oz Is Short For Ounce
This ties in with the next point. The name of Oz is short for ounce. Which, is what is used to measure the wight of gold and silver. Everything in The Wizard of Oz has a hidden political or social meaning. Even, the title of the film which many people do not realise.
(Image source/ historytoday.com)63. The Yellow Brick Road Shows The Gold Standard
The reason that the yellow brick road is yellow is not random - it represents the gold standard. As we have discovered, Baum contested the gold standard as did many people at the time. The slippery and broken nature of the bricks portrayed in the film shows this.
(Image source/ fanpop.com)64. There's A Reason Dorothy Does Not Slip On The Yellow Brick Road
So, from watching the film you may have noticed that the Scarecrow always slips on the yellow brick road. Dorothy on the other hand does not. This is because he represents a farmer who will suffer due to the gold standard. Dorothy with her 'silver' (ruby in the film) slippers will be fine.
(Image source/ thekansascitystar.com)65. It's Feminist
Frank Baum realised that at the time, all of the books revolved around string male protagonists and weak and vulnerable women. He wanted to change that. And so, he made Dorothy. The lead protagonist who needs no male assistance and who has a gentle strength of mind.
(Image source/ pinterest.com)66. Dorothy May Be Named After Baum's Child Who Died
Baum and his wife lost a baby. Many people speculate that Dorothy Gale is named after her. It is well known that his wife grieved for her for many years and never truly recovered from the loss of the baby. And so, many people think Dorothy is in loving memory of her.
(Image source/ lostmediaarchive.com)67. All The Males Are Flawed
Dorothy tries to assist the male characters on their quest. The only other male character is the wizard who is a total fraud. Michael Hearn described Dorothy: “refreshingly goes out and solves her problem herself rather than waiting patiently like a beautiful heroine in a European fairy tale for someone else.”
(Image source/ thefashionball.com)68. The Cyclone Represents Political Unrest
At the time, there was much political unrest. And so, the cyclone is a physical representation of the way it caused havoc in the US. By using the cyclone we can see the damage, but it is actually metaphorical as much of Baum's work is to show the political troubles of the time.
(Image source/ obsev.com)69. Many Think It's Religious
Many people actually regard The Wizard of Oz as very religious. Some think that the yellow brick road shows the pathway towards spiritual enlightenment and belief. Others actually think the opposite and regard it as Atheist. The way everything that has been believed in is proved false at the end.
(Image source/ pinterest.com)70. It's A Nod To The Drug Problem
At this time, drugs in America were a massive problem. There was a rise in drugs and the different kind of drugs being taken. The Wizard of Oz can be seen to have references to drugs and hallucinogenics. One clear example of this is in the poppy field.
(Image source/ parade.com)71. It Shows Children As Better
All of the adults in The Wizard of Oz are deeply flawed and have been affected by greed or bitterness in some kind of way. Yet, Dorothy the main character has the spirit of a child, she is good and empathetic and unaffected by things of the world yet. It highlights how adults are susceptible to bad influences.
(Image source/ blogspot.com)72. The Good Witch Isn't So Good
Actually, the good witch in The Wizard Of Oz is not as good as she appears. In fact she may represent Imperial American Foreign Policy. The hint is when she sets the Munchkins free. Yet before Dorothy's arrival she has done nothing to help them.
(Image source/ evanerichards.com)73. Toto Means Teetotaler
Toto actually represents the prohibition movement, which Baum approved of unlike many others at the time. So, Toto a faithful and loyal companion represents the prohibition movement. He's also described many times in the book as following Dorothy 'soberly'.
(Image source/ newsok.com)74. Judy Garland Had To Diet
Judy Garland had to go on a diet for filming. This is because she was supposed to look more little and childlike. And, at the age of 16 she was maturing. So she had to diet for the part and she consumed pretty much solely cottage cheese and chicken soup so that she would lose weight.
(Image source/ factinate.com)75. She Had Mental Health Problems
Judy Garland was struggling majorly at the time of filming The Wizard of oz. And, her treatment on the set made it even worse. Aside from not being offered any kind of support, they actually made it worse. At the age of 16 she had a lot to cope with.
(Image source/ wallpapersafari.com)76. She Had A Drug Problem
So. we know that she struggled with bad mental health problems. And, she was also hooked on drugs at the time of filming. The two were related and she went through a dark time during filming, where she relied on drugs and found it hard to stop. Many people do not know this fact and Garland.
77. Judy Garland Was Underpaid
She was only paid 500dollars per week. And, when you consider that she was the lead role and her part has become one of the most influential roles ever - it's pretty shocking. The Tin Man was paid around 3000 dollars in comparison which puts into perspective how unfairly she was paid.
(Image source/ thelostmediaarchive.com)78. The Tin Man Couldn't Sit Down
It looks uncomfortable to be the Tin Man, and it certainly was to play the Tin Man. Because it took so long for the crew to get the outfit on and off him, he had to wear it the whole day. Which yes, meant that he could not even sit down for the whole day.
(Image source/ parents.com)79. The Munchkins Represent Children
The Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz represent children. As we know, TWOZ places a high value on children. And so, the mentality and innocence of the munchkins and their happy go lucky nature reflects this. They are good, and adults in the film are flawed.
(Image source/ industrycentral.com)80. The Golden Path
The yellow brick road is very similar to the golden path in Buddhism. For this reason, many people think that the yellow brick road is based upon the Buddhist one. The golden path represents the journey of the soul - which is similar to what Dorothy goes through on her testing journey.
(Image source/ jenifershop.com)81. There Were Some Child Munchkins
Margaret Pellegrini was playing the role of a Munchkin, she only 16 years old at the time. Considering her age as well as her small role as a flowerpot Munchkin - she only got paid $50 a week. Which, was more or less one third of what Toto was being paid.
82. Many fans thought Somewhere Over the Rainbow was too long
As we already know, Over the Rainbow was cut out of the film multiple times before leaving it in. Many thought it was too complicated and too long. Even some of the fans when it first released felt that the song should've been left out. Now it's such a success it's a known song everywhere.
(Image source/ pinterest.com)83. Ray Bolger Had Permanent Scars
Ray Bolger played the scarecrow. He had to have a rubber mask glued-on to his face every single day - it sounds uncomfortable. By the end of filming, he had permanent scars on his face from the glue and the mask. There were a lot of maladies from the filming of The Wizard of oz.
(Image source/ wallpapercave.com)84. People Fainted A Lot
It became a normal sight to see people carrying people off stage. People fainted a lot during the filming of The Wizard of Oz because as we know, the lights made the set so hot. And so, it became kind of common place that someone would faint and people would hurry on set and cart them off again for a while.
(Image source/ WBUR.com)85. Fleming Felt Terrible About Slapping Garland
It's still pretty shocking to us that Fleming slapped Judy Garland. He said at the time: 'Now darling, this is serious,' slapped her on the cheek, then ordered, 'Now go in there and work.'" Well, turns out he felt terrible about it (as he should) and told the rest of the crew that someone should punch him.
(Image source/ vintag.com)86. She Kissed Garland on the Nose
This leads on from the last point. But, after being slapped in the face most of us would have a similar reaction. But, when Garland heard Fleming asking someone to punch him for what he did, instead she gave him a kiss on her nose. It's definitely the best reaction he could have hoped for.
(Image source/ icepop.com)87. The Flying House Was Actually Falling
For this shot, the crew made a recreation of Dorothy's house and then dropped the house onto a floor. The floor was painted to look like the Kansas sky. They then filmed this falling house in slow motion and then put the footage in reverse for the movie so that it looked like it was blowing into the sky.
(Image source/ Huffpost.com)
(Image source/ Huffpost.com)88. It's The Most Watched Movie Of All Time
Now this is an impressive feat. The most watched movie of all time. Considering how many millions of movies are out there right now - to be the most watched is a massive achievement. And, we can understand why. Nobody can compete with this classic film.
(Image source/ CNN.com)89. Frank Baum Had A Strange Inspiration
Apparently, when Baum came up with the name it came from a very strange source of inspiration ... a filing cabinet. When he decided to choose “Oz”, he was actually looking at an alphabetical filing cabinet label, “O-Z. Then, he clearly thought that was the chosen name.
90. The Majority Of The Munchkins Fled Nazi Germany
The majority of the Munchkins had actually fled from Nazi Germany to seek refuge in the U.S and escape Hitler's regime and come to America. This is one of the reasons the voices of the Munchkins had to be dubbed because the accent was German rather than American.
91. Garland Had A Crush On Fleming
Fleming was one of the main directors. And, it turned out that Judy Garland actually had a major crush on him. Fleming directed the majority of the film before leaving before it was finished to go and work on a different project. Garland was not happy at all...
92. Over the Rainbow Is From A Child's Operetta
It turns out that Over the Rainbow was not entirely original. It was actually inspired by a child's operetta of the same name. But, of course it was changed and twisted to make it different from the original. But, people don't realise where it came from.
(Image source/ parents.com)93. MGM Shadowed It's Stars
MGM were infamous for having their big cast members shadowed. They had a clause in their contract which instructed them on how to conduct themselves. So, they would have someone watch them now and then to check up on what they were doing...pretty creepy!
94. Garland Was Allowed To Work 4 Hours A Day
Because Garland was a minor, she was only legally allowed to work four hours a day. And so to make the most of every last second they had with Garland on the set, they sent the makeup and hair team at home so that it would eat into her working hours of the day.
(Image source/ thefashionball.com)95. Glenda the Witch Had A facelift Just Before The Film
Back then, cosmetic surgery was not so commonplace as it is today. And so, a facelift consisted of pulling back the skin and gluing it, and then covering it. She wanted to appear younger for the film so she had this done to appear wrinkleless on the screen.
(Image source/ blogspot.com)96. Water Companies Noticed A Dip In Use While People Watched
When the film was finally released, the country all tuned in to watch. In fact, water companies noticed that during the film time water use stopped. Afterwards, when people had finished watching everybody headed to the toilet and water use went up at the same time as everybody finished the film.
97. Garland's Ex Husband Claimed Judy Was Molested
Judy Garland's ex-husband claimed that his once wife was molested or harassed repeatedly by the actors who played the munchkins. A lot of them were men in their 40s. And her ex husband named Sid Luft said they would often put their hands up her skirt and grab her.
(Image source/ factinate.com)98. Garland Was Often Accompanied By Her Mother
Judy Garland of course was a child when she played the role of Dorothy. And so, she was often accompanied by her mother who would stay on set with her or nearby in case she ever needed her support. She wasn't there all of the time, but she had to be accompanied due to being a minor.
(Image source/ evanerichards.com)99. The Munchkins Loved To Party
The Munchkins, who were played by the little people were not trained actors. Most of them were normal working men or women. And, after the filming day was over a lot of them loved to party. They would go after afterwards and celebrate with a drink or a few.
100. She Went On A Date With One Of The Munchkins
Apparently, back during filming one of the little people who played the Munchkins asked Judy Garland out on a date. He was young like Garland and had a crush on her. Judy Garland apparently said no because her mother would not allow it. But, the date did occur, it was just in a friendly capacity.
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