The Wizard of Oz

This page is about the 1939 MGM Film. It includes production info, interesting facts, bloopers, deleted scene info, & film info. If you need more info or have info to add please e-mail me.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer(MGM) bought the rights to The Wizard of Oz in 1937. Production started fo the film in 1938. It had a great cast Judy Garland(Dorothy),Ray Bolger(Scarecrow),Jack Haley(Tin Man),Bert Lahr(Lion),Frank Morgan(Wizard) & Billie Burke(Glinda) The movie was an instant success after its release in 1939. It was rereleased many times until it was released on home video in the mid' 80's. It is the biggest reson for the success of Oz.

*Judy Garland at age 16 played a 12 year old girl.

*During the filming of Munchkinland scene Margaret Hamilton's Hat,Broom & Cloak caught fire & she suffered severe 2nd & 3rd degree burns on her hands & lower face.

*Ray Bolger was oringinaly cast as the Tin Man but asked to play the Scarecrow because his childhood heroe was Fred A. Stone who played the Scarecrow in the 1902 play.

*After only a few weeks of production Buddy Ebsen(Tin Man) became very ill from his "allumineum dust" make-up & was replaced by Jack Haley.

*The Wizard of Oz had 4 directors, Richard Thorpe(Fired after 2 weeks), George Cukor(Temporary director designed Dorothy Final Costume/Make-Up), Victor Fleming(Primary), & King Vidor(Kansas Scenes)

*Shirley Temple was wanted for Dorothy, but Mervyn LeRoy did not believe she had the singing talent & 20th Century Fox would not loan her to MGM.

*Gale Sondergaard was hired to play a "Slinky & Seductive" Wicked Witch, the sequinced gown did not pass as a Witch & she was given "The Ugly Treatment" at that time she happily left Oz behind & later quoted, "I was not about to make myself look ugly. I have no regrets, absolutley no Regrets."

*THERE IS NO HANGING PERSON IN THE WIZARD OF OZ IT IS A LARGE BIRD FLAPPING ITS WINGS WHILE THE BIRD TRAINER TRIES TO CATCH IT!

Deleted Scenes:
The Scarecrow Dance-A longer version of Ray Bolger's dance that was greatly directed by Busby Burkley & Ray Bolger had some hillarious moments, but the scene was scrapped after a few preview showings. The clip is now available in its entire form on the 2000 Warner Bros. Wizard of Oz DVD & Video.

The Jitterbug-On the way to the Witch's castle, the Witch sent the Jitterbug after Dorothy & Friends. The bug sent them in a dancing frenzy which weakened them against the Winged Monkeys. The film still includes an indication of the scene in which the Witch state "I sent a little insect on a head to take the fight out of them!". Clips from Harold Arlens home videos are the only clips of the scene available to the public. The clips are on the 50th Anniversary Video release as well as the 2000 Warner Bros. Edition.

Over the Rainbow(Reprise)-Dorothy was to sing another verse of Over the Rainbow while prisoner of the Witch, but was so sad it was scrapped. It is unknown if clips exist.

Triumphent Return-The triumphent return to the Emerald included a reprise of Ding-Dong the Witch is Dead as the heros parade through the Emerald City. Footage for this scene no longer exist.

*When attempting to escape the Witch's Castle Dorothy & the Tin Man switch places after the Witch's door slams shut.

*Dorothy's hair changes length throughout the film.

*Dorothy's dress appears to be fuller & fluffier after the Emerald City scene.

*After the Witch leaves Munchkinland, Glinda knocks her wand into her crown.

*The sewer lid in which one of the Munchkins emerges from during "Come Out, Come Out" does not appear in any other scenes.

*After slapping the Lion, you can see Judy use Terri(Toto) to cover her face so you couldn't see her giggling.

*The Tin Man smashes a flowerpot to make a crown for the cowardly Lion, but when the crown is dropped it does not break.

 

"The Wizard of Oz: 50th Anniversary Pictorial History" by John Fricke, Jay Scarfone, & William Stillman.

"The Making of the Wizard of Oz" by Aljean Harmetz.

"100 Years of Oz" by John Fricke & Willard Carrol.

"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic" Produced by Jack Haley Jr. & Hosted by Angela Lansbury.

Official Title:
"The Wizard of Oz"

Misc. Info:
Rated G(eneral Audiences)-1hr. 41 Mins.

Production Company:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Turner Entertainment Co.

Cast:
Judy Garland-Dorothy

 Frank Morgan-Wizard

 Ray Bolger-Scarecrow

Bert Lahr-Cowardly Lion

 Jack Haley-Tin Man

 Billie Burke-Glinda

 Margaret Hamiltion-Wicked Witch

Charley Grapewin-Uncle Henry

Clara Blandick-Aunt Em

Pat Walsh-Nikko 

 The Munchkins.

Producer:
Mervyn LeRoy

Director:
Victor Fleming

Screen Play:
Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson, & Edgar Allan Woolf

Photographed in: Technicolor & Sepia Tones

Currently Available From:
Warner Home Video/DVD
"The Wizard of Oz: Deluxe Edition"(Same As Above w/ Script, Photos, & Collectors Box)

Sound Track Available From:
Rhino Records