Buzz
At nearly 75 years old as of this writing, the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” is arguably one of the most adored movies in history. Numerous legends surround the production, from the tragic fate of its lead star to the perilous filming conditions, and its cast of little people—some of whom are still alive today. Below are ten of the most fascinating facts behind the enchantment of the film.
10. Glinda the Good Witch
In the movie, Glinda is the Good Witch of the North, radiating grace in a stunning pink gown with flowing auburn locks. She is portrayed by the seasoned actress Billie Burke, who was surprisingly 54 years old at the time of filming—eighteen years older than Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West.
9. Marriage
Early drafts of the script hinted that Dorothy and the Scarecrow’s counterpart in Kansas might have had some romantic tension. However, it was ultimately the Tin Man with whom Dorothy would form a bond. In a fascinating twist, Judy Garland’s (Dorothy) daughter, Liza Minnelli, married Jack Haley’s (Tin Man) son, Jack Jr., in 1974. Their marriage, though, was tumultuous and ended in divorce just five years later.
8. Tin Man
Jack Haley wasn't the producers' first pick for the Tin Man role. Originally, the part was meant for Buddy Ebsen, famously known for his role as Jed Clampett on 'The Beverly Hillbillies.' Ebsen filmed for 10 days, but the aluminum powder makeup he wore ended up causing severe illness by entering his lungs. He was rushed to the hospital and required an iron lung for recovery. Once Haley took over, his makeup was switched to an aluminum paste applied over greasepaint.
7. Suicidal Munchkin
One of the most bizarre and widely spread myths about the film is the belief that during the scene where Dorothy meets the Tin Woodsman, a munchkin can be seen hanging himself in the background. Thankfully, the reality is far less tragic. The so-called 'suicidal munchkin' is actually a bird lent by the Los Angeles Zoo, with its wings spread, not a distressed little person.
6. Box Office Flop
'The Wizard of Oz' premiered in 1939, a time when the Great Depression made movie-going an impossible dream for many families. Initially, it was a commercial failure, barely earning back its $2.8 million budget. It wasn’t until the film was re-released in theaters that it started to show a true profit. Since its TV debut in 1956, the movie has become a beloved classic, airing multiple times each year.
5. Nazi Director
The year 1939 was a landmark one for 'The Wizard of Oz' director, Victor Fleming. Just before wrapping up the film, he was brought in to helm another iconic production, 'Gone With the Wind.' According to James Curtis, the author of 'Spencer Tracy: A Biography,' Fleming held pro-Nazi views and was against the United States joining World War II. He even hoped that Nazi Germany would defeat England after France fell.
4. Witch Who Was Burned
The Wicked Witch of the West has been a source of fear for countless children throughout the years. Interestingly, actress Margaret Hamilton, who portrayed the witch, originally worked as a kindergarten teacher. While filming a scene where the witch disappears in a puff of smoke, Hamilton was severely burned when the green makeup on her face and hands caught fire. Afterward, she took time to recover and chose not to participate in any more scenes involving fire. Hamilton would later reprise her role as the Wicked Witch on shows like “Sesame Street” and “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”.
3. Professor Marvel
The real-life counterpart to the Wizard was the traveling showman Professor Marvel. His character was designed to embody a shabby chic style, which led the film’s wardrobe team to search for a tattered coat. They bought several from a thrift store and chose the one that seemed perfect. One day, while wearing the coat, actor Frank Morgan reached into the pocket and was amazed to find an inscription: the coat had once belonged to L. Frank Baum, the author of the Oz books. While some have questioned this uncanny coincidence, both the tailor who made the coat and Baum’s widow affirmed its truth. She was given the coat after the filming was completed.
2. Auntie Em
Clara Blandick, a talented actress who appeared in 118 films, will always be remembered for her role as ‘Auntie Em.’ On April 15, 1962, after attending church, Clara dressed in her finest clothes and fixed her hair, scattered memorabilia and photos from her career around her home, then took a lethal dose of sleeping pills and laid down on the couch. Her final action was to place a plastic bag over her head. She had endured severe arthritis pain and was progressively losing her sight. Her suicide note read: "I am now about to make the great adventure. I cannot endure this agonizing pain any longer. It is all over my body. Neither can I face the impending blindness. I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen." Seven years later, Judy Garland also passed away from a drug overdose.
1. Toto
The Cairn terrier who played Toto in the Wizard of Oz was actually named Terry. During filming, she was hurt when one of the witch’s guards accidentally stepped on her and broke her foot. Judy Garland, falling in love with Terry, asked her trainer, Carl Spitz, if she could keep the dog as her pet, but Spitz refused. Terry went on to enjoy a lengthy career, appearing in 15 movies in total.
+ Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead
In a surprising twist, the song "Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead", which was sung by the munchkins after Dorothy's house landed on the Wicked Witch of the East, was used in a controversial context to mark the death of former UK Prime Minister Margaret "The Iron Lady" Thatcher. The song reached number 2 on the UK charts. The version performed by Klaus Nomi, featured in the clip above, did not, however, make it to number 2.
