When Will the Wizard of Oz Amusement Park Be Open Again
From offscreen friendships and jarring pay inequality to the special effects and makeup tricks that brought some of the world'south favorite moving-picture show characters to life, The Sorcerer of Oz (1939) had and then much going on behind the emerald curtain and the Technicolor gloss of an amazing fantasy globe.
In award of the 80th anniversary of the motion-picture show, follow the yellow brick slideshow to peek behind that curtain and learn more nearly the secrets and fun facts that make the beloved film a timeless classic.
Margaret Hamilton Was a Fan Before the Picture show
As a self-proclaimed lifelong fan of L. Frank Baum's Oz series, Margaret Hamilton was thrilled to be 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 mother, fought MGM for an agreed upon amount of guaranteed work time. Iii days before filming began, the studio agreed to a five-week bargain. In the stop, Hamilton was on ready for three months, but many of her scenes were cut for existence also scary for audiences.
Certain, Dorothy Gale doesn't need prosthetics or aluminum makeup, only that doesn't hateful Judy Garland wasn't put through the costume department wringer. Although she was young at the time, the sixteen-year-old Garland had to wear a corset-like device so she looked more like a preadolescent child.
Managing director Richard Thorpe suggested Garland habiliment a blonde wig and loads of "baby-doll" makeup (equally whatsoever preadolescent girl would…). Luckily, that vision of the graphic symbol changed. After MGM fired Thorpe, the intermediate director George Cukor nixed the heavy makeup and wig. Instead, he told Garland to be herself. Smart move.
The "Skywriting" Scene Employed Some Great Movie Magic
The Wizard of Oz employs a lot of great film tricks, and some of the most unique were used in the skywriting scene. In it, the Wicked Witch (Margaret Hamilton) flies in a higher place the Emerald Metropolis, leaving the phrase "Give up Dorothy" in her wake in black smoke.
Using a hypodermic needle, the special furnishings squad 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 below. Initially, the skywriting concluded with the ominous "Or Die — West W W."
The "Snow" in the Poppy Field Was Really Unsafe
I of the Wicked Witch'southward last-ditch efforts to impede Dorothy's quest to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz involves a poppy field and some magical sleep-inducing snowfall. While many similar to joke that the poppies and their drowsiness are the outcome of opium (a component of poppies), the scene has a much more blatant toxic connection than that.
All that magical snow? It's actually 100% industrial-grade chrysotile asbestos. Fifty-fifty though the wellness risks associated with the material were known at the time, it was still Hollywood'south preferred pick for faux snow. Our advice to Dorothy? Don't grab any snowflakes on your tongue.
Scarecrow's Makeup Stuck Around for Awhile
In the terminate, Ray Bolger (Scarecrow) was probably grateful in more ways than one for Buddy Ebsen (the original Tin can Man's) willingness to trade parts with him. The Can Human'south aluminum makeup caused a huge corporeality of bug for Ebsen, who was replaced past Jack Haley.
Although Bolger's makeup feel was meliorate than Ebsen's, he still had some bug. The Scarecrow's makeup consisted of a safe prosthetic, consummate with a woven pattern that mimicked the look of burlap. After the film wrapped, the prosthetic left patterns on Bolger'southward confront that took more than a year to fade.
Margaret Hamilton Was Burned On Set up
In a burst of flames and red smoke, the Wicked Witch (Margaret Hamilton) vanishes from Munchkinland. Although the scene is terrifying for viewers, it may accept instilled more fear for Hamilton. On the first take, the smoke rose from a hidden trapdoor besides early.
For the 2d take, Hamilton stood on the trapdoor as planned, merely her cape snagged on the platform when the burn flared up. Her copper-containing makeup heated up instantly, causing second- and third-degree burns on her hands and face. To make 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'south legion of flying monkeys — or Winged Monkeys as they're called in the source material — have certainly been a source of terror for generations. Most as scary equally the Witch herself, these henchmen soar onto the scene to kidnap Dorothy and Toto — thanks to the magic of piano wires.
Yet, the aeriform 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 downward on human marionettes), filmmakers made miniature safety monkeys to assist populate the heaven.
"Over the Rainbow" Was Almost on the Cutting Room Floor
To no one's surprise, the American Motion picture Institute ranked "Over the Rainbow" #1 on a listing of 100 Greatest Songs in American Films. Simply what may surprise y'all? The (arguably) most iconic song of Judy Garland'due south career was about cut from the film.
Studio execs at MGM thought the song made the Kansas scenes too long. Moreover, filmmakers were concerned that children wouldn't understand the song's meaning. Luckily, this unfounded concern melted like lemon drops. Unfortunately, Garland's tearful reprise of the song was left on the cut room floor.
The Can Homo Costume Didn't Let Jack Haley to Remainder Easy
Although Bert Lahr had to schlep around in a 90-pound lion costume, Jack Haley didn't have information technology easy either. From the lingering concerns about the aluminum paste-based makeup on his face and hands to the minimal flexibility of the "tin" body and arms, Haley faced some challenges.
Reportedly, his costume was and so stiff that he had to lean against a board to rest properly. Many years later, histrion Anthony Daniels, known for playing the protocol droid C-3PO in the Star Wars films, had the aforementioned issue with his rigid costume. It seems even fantasy and sci-fi tin can't help folks escape all their problems.
The Original Tin Human Was Rushed to the Hospital
Initially, Buddy Ebsen was cast as the Scarecrow, merely traded parts with Ray Bolger. Still, Ebsen's new character, the Tin Human being, caused him a world of bug. Namely, the grapheme'due south silver 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 hospital. MGM recast the role with Jack Haley (and changed upwards the makeup), but didn't explain why Ebsen "dropped out." Although Ebsen didn't announced in the last movie, his vocals can exist heard in "We're Off to See the Magician."
A Stocking & Some Miniatures Gave U.s. the Tornado
The tornado that strikes the Gale homestead is full of practical special effects that really hold up. The funnel itself was actually a 35-foot long stocking made of muslin. The special furnishings team spun it around miniatures that resembled the farms and fields of Kansas. Against the painted backdrop, the tornado looks menacing.
The Gale business firm, which falls from the sky and into Oz, is just a miniature house that was dropped onto a heaven painting. Filmmakers then reversed the footage to make it look similar the business firm was falling out of the clouds.
Hollywood Didn't Pay Upwardly Then Either
Pay inequality has e'er been an result in Hollywood. For example, Adriana Caselotti, vocalization of the titular graphic symbol in Walt Disney's Snowfall White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), made $970 for her operation. The film went on to make roughly $viii million.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Judy Garland's pay was better than Caselotti'southward — playing Dorothy earned her $500 a week — merely it still didn't reflect the film'southward success. Fifty-fifty more discouraging, the folks who portrayed the citizens of Munchkinland were paid a mere $50 per week. (Meanwhile, Terry the 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 actual lion used in the studio'due south title card — as the cowardly character. Fortunately, for the safety of the actors and the animal, the filmmakers decided to cast histrion Bert Lahr as the anthropomorphic graphic symbol instead.
To make a convincing fauna, the costume section fashioned Lahr a 90-pound outfit made from real king of beasts skin. Withal, the arc lights used on set fabricated things a steamy 100 degrees during filming, which meant Lahr did a lot of sweating unrelated to his character's nerves. Each night, two stagehands dried the costume for the next 24-hour interval.
The Initial Box Office Returns Were Uneven
The moving picture started shooting in October of 1938 but didn't wrap until March of 1939, racking up an unheard of $2,777,000 in costs. That's nearly $50 million adjusted for inflation. Upon its initial release, the movie only earned $3 million at the box function — about $51.8 million by today's standards.
Although that seems impressive for a Low-era film, think that Disney made $8 meg with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). The Magician of Oz'south modest success in the U.S. barely covered production and picture rights' costs — MGM paid $75,000 to the publisher for those — but success overseas fortunately bolstered the film's returns.
The Dark Side of Oz in a Fourth dimension Earlier "Me Too"
Judy Garland was only xvi years erstwhile when she was cast as Dorothy. Insecure and lonesome, she became addicted to amphetamines and barbiturates, which were often given to young actors to help them sleep after 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 author for Express, "[Garland] was molested past older men, including studio chiefs [and caput Louis B. Mayer], who considered her lilliputian more than their 'property.'" Moreover, MGM forced Garland to stick to a wildly unhealthy diet of cigarettes, coffee and craven soup.
The Vocalisation of Snow White Had a Cameo
A few years before The Wizard of Oz debuted, Walt Disney'due south feature-length animated flick Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) became a smash-hit. Not but did the film revolutionize the blitheness industry, information technology also reinvigorated the fantasy genre.
Disney wanted to follow up Snow White — then the near successful film of all time — with an accommodation of The Wizard of Oz, but MGM endemic the rights. By happenstance, Adriana Caselotti, who voiced Snow White, had an uncredited role in Oz. During the Tin Man's "If I Only Had a Heart," Caselotti speaks her sole line, "Wherefore art thou Romeo?"
The Ruby-red Slippers Are Props & Treasured Artifacts
Keeping in line with the volume, Dorothy's iconic footwear was originally silverish, just screenwriter Noel Langley felt the red color would really pop in glorious Technicolor. Designed by MGM'south master costume designer Gilbert Adrian, the shoes are each covered in about 2,300 sequins.
One of the remaining pairs is on view in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Since the display is so heavily trafficked, the museum has replaced the rug there several times. Another pair were stolen from Minnesota's Judy Garland Museum in 2005, simply the FBI recovered the slippers for the institution in 2018.
Merely One Sequence Was Filmed "On Location"
The Magician of Oz is your classic chance story, and Dorothy'southward quest leads her from a Kansas farm to another earth — complete with corn fields, poppy-filled meadows and forests. All the same, despite all these scenic locations, most 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 title sequence — those clouds are 100% the existent deal.
A Second Toto Was Brought In
Toto, played primarily past Terry, is ane of the most beloved dogs in film history. Terry was famously non a huge fan of special effects and can ofttimes be seen running out of a shot when something loud or alarming happens — like when the Tin can Man spouts out all of that steam.
After one of the Witch's guards accidentally stepped on her, Terry was on bedrest for two weeks. Filmmakers went through two doubles to find one that resembled the original canine actor more than closely.
Fun fact: Judy Garland was and so addicted of Terry that she wanted to prefer the dog.
Margaret Hamilton "Mourns the Wicked" Witch
In add-on to being a huge fan of the Oz books, Margaret Hamilton also believed her character was more than merely your run-of-the-manufacturing plant evil villain. More than 35 years afterward the moving picture debuted, Hamilton, donning her Witch's costume to show kids it was make-believe, appeared on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, where Fred Rogers interviewed her most the character.
According to Hamilton, the so-chosen Wicked Witch relished everything she did, but she was likewise a sorry, solitary figure. In short, things never went well for the frustrated Witch. Oddly enough, the Broadway musical Wicked also takes this approach to the Witch's character.
The "Horse of a Dissimilar Color" Was Made Possible Thanks to a Food Product
In 1939, audiences were just every bit amazed as Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Homo and the Cowardly Lion when the horse in Emerald City took on a rainbow of colors. This "horse of a dissimilar color" was made possible thanks to a surprising nutrient particular…
Jell-O crystals were used to colour the horses, which meant filmmakers had to motility quickly — the animals were eager to lick up the sweet treat. Simply the colorful steed isn't the just interesting component in this fan-favorite scene. The horse-fatigued carriage was once owned by President Abraham Lincoln and at present 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 guild to give life to this fantasy film. To keep upwardly with the daily demands, MGM called upon workers from the studio mailroom and courier service to manage makeup stations.
Since virtually of the Ozian ensemble required prosthetics, makeup artists — and "makeshift" artists — formed a kind of costuming assembly line. Almost actors had to arrive earlier 5:00 in the forenoon — 6 days a week! — to begin the intensive process.
Memorable (& Ofttimes Misquoted) Lines Fill the Picture
The picture show is chock-full of iconic, memorable songs, and it has the cracking fortune of being responsible for some of the most quoted lines in picture history equally well. In 2007, Premiere compiled a list of "The 100 Greatest Movie Lines" and placed a whopping three of the film's lines on the list.
"Pay no attention to that man backside the curtain" was voted #24, while "At that place'due south no place like abode" nabbed the 11th spot. Finally, the frequently misquoted "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore" landed in the 62nd spot.
The Witch'south Fire Employed Some Technical Wizardry (& Juice)
Conspicuously, the technical wizardry — or witchcraft — in the moving-picture show is incredible. Similar the "horse of a different color" sequence, another iconic, special effects-heavy scene harnessed the power of everyday household items to pull off fun tricks.
Shortly after Dorothy arrives in Munchkinland, the Wicked Witch tries to snatch the ruddy slippers from the young girl'south feet. However, fire strikes the Witch'southward hands, repelling her. This "burn down" is actually apple juice spouting from the slippers in a sped-upward clip to brand it look more flame-like.
Technicolor Required Some Ingenuity in the Props Department
Experimenting with Technicolor was part fun and part problem-solving for filmmakers. In order to properly capture scenes with the Technicolor camera, the soundstage needed to be lit with arc lights, which frequently heated the prepare upward to a toasty 100 degrees.
After the lights were set, the experts experimented with what would expect best on film, especially in colorized grade. For example, the white part of Dorothy'due south clothes is really pinkish — simply because information technology filmed ameliorate. And the oil the Tin Human being is so excited about? It's actually chocolate syrup.
The Wicked Witch of the Due east Makes More Than One Appearance
Part of the Wicked Witch of the West's 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 owner of the scarlet slippers. Although Margaret Hamilton already plays both the Wicked Witch of the West and her Kansas counterpart Almira Gulch, she too plays the Wicked Witch of the E — if simply 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 movie makes that shimmer fifty-fifty more noticeable.
The Motion picture's Running Time Was Cut Down Several Times
The starting time cut of the film clocked in at a running fourth dimension of 120 minutes. Although that seems similar zip by today's Marvel movie standards, producer Mervyn LeRoy felt it was long and unwieldy and wanted to chop off 20 minutes.
After cutting the famed "Jitterbug" number (top right) and an extended Scarecrow dance sequence, the film was 112 minutes long. LeRoy held a second preview screening, and, subsequently, 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 human beehive (Yikes!) and a few Kansas sequences.
So Much for a "Wicked" Witch
Filmmakers deemed Margaret Hamilton's Wicked Witch of the Due west performance too frightening for audiences and cut or trimmed many of her scenes. Simply not everyone thought her performance was terrifying — namely Judy Garland, who played the Wicked Witch's nemesis, Dorothy Gale.
Off-screen, the moving picture's starring foes were really friends. One story that emerged from the set described Garland excitedly showing off a wearing apparel to Hamilton, declaring she was going to wear information technology for her graduation. Unfortunately, MGM's Louis B. Mayer sent Garland on a printing tour the 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," as opposed to the more apt "Colour Sequences by Technicolor." The phrasing of the credits makes it seem as though the entire film was shot in color. Was this done deliberately, or was information technology a minor syntactical false pas?
Information technology's widely believed this was a chip of a stunt done to enhance the surprise of the picture show turning into full iii-strip Technicolor when Dorothy arrives in Oz. Posters made at the time of the film's debut made no mention of sepia tint (or "black-and-white"), calculation credence to this theory.
Ane of History'southward Most-Watched Films
Although The Wizard of Oz proved popular in theaters, another motion picture released the same yr, as well directed past Victor Fleming, actually topped the box part. (Y'all may have heard of that footling moving-picture show — it's called Gone with the Wind.) Nevertheless, MGM's musical fantasy may have more staying power than other films of the era, thanks in part to re-releases.
The film was first broadcast on idiot box on November 3, 1956, and garnered an impressive 44 million viewers. It'southward believed that The Wizard of Oz is one of the 10 near-watched feature-length movies in film history, largely due to the number of almanac television set screenings, theater viewings and various format re-releases.
Source: https://www.ask.com/entertainment/wizard-of-oz-facts?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740004%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex
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