Sure, The Wizard of Oz is a beloved family movie, but there are so many hidden secrets about this hit classic that you probably never caught when you first watched it all those years ago. In fact, the movie is a treasure trove of little-known facts and strange-but-true trivia.
For instance, certain actors who played our favourite Wizard of Oz characters were stuck in uncomfortable and even downright dangerous costumes or situations on-set. From damaging makeup and hot, heavy (100-pound!) costumes, these actors endured many sticky situations to build this memorable film.
In addition to the many juicy behind-the-scenes secrets about the making of The Wizard of Oz, there are also some blatantly embarrassing bloopers that somehow made it into the final version. We’re sure the filmmakers hoped we’d never notice these mistakes – one of which involves actress Judy Garland and her iconic dress – but believe us: Once you see them, you’ll never be able to un-see them!
After we started digging, so many other Wizard of Oz secrets blew our minds. Ever wonder where the name for the ‘Land of Oz’ comes from? And take a wild guess which of the beloved film’s most iconic songs was almost cut from the movie? Producers thought it was too long–and too slow–for younger audiences, but this timeless film just wouldn’t be the same if they hadn’t decided at the last minute to include it!
Many of the actors who played Munchkins had fled to the U.S. from Germany to escape the Nazis. Because most did not speak English, the majority of their voices are dubbed in the film.
In one scene, Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion fall asleep in a poppy field, where it begins to snow. The “snow” used was actually potent chrysotile asbestos, despite its known health hazards.
The colored horse was actually a genius trick! The production team used a Jell-O tint to achieve the horse’s ever-changing coat. Don’t worry, though! They consulted the ASPCA, so it was totally safe for the animals.
The Cowardly Lion’s costume was made of a real lion skin, which made it incredibly hot for actor Bert Lahr to wear. It was also HEAVY–it weighed nearly 100 pounds!
The twister wasn’t actually a twister. To create the same effect in a safer way, a 35-foot muslin stocking was used and swirled with dirt and dust.
The dog playing Toto was stepped on during shooting, and had to be replaced with a doggy double for two weeks of filming while she recovered from her injuries. (Her real name is Terry!)
The famous rumor that a swinging shadow in the background of one scene was really an actor committing suicide is false; MGM has stated that it was just a large bird stretching its wings.
Judy Garland wore a tight corset under her dress in order to help make her body look more childlike as Dorothy; in real life, she was 16 years old during the making of the movie.
The white in the dress worn by Dorothy was actually pale pink, because it showed up better as white in Technicolor.
No wonder she was cranky! Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch, wore copper-based green makeup that was dangerous to ingest, so she only could consume liquids during filming.
Although she continued wearing it, the same green makeup caused Hamilton severe skin burns during a botched take of a scene where she leaves Munchkinland in a blast of smoke and fire.
She wasn’t the only one hurt; the Tin Man’s aluminium-based makeup caused an infection in actor Jack Haley’s eyes, and Scarecrow actor Ray Bolger’s face was permanently scarred from wearing prosthetics.
While filming the scene when Dorothy slaps the Lion, Garland couldn’t stop giggling–so director Victor Fleming took her aside and slapped HER, after which she nailed the scene in one take.
When the Tin Man cried, his “tears” were actually made from chocolate sauce.
One of the beloved film’s most iconic songs was almost cut from the movie! It was “Over the Rainbow,” which producers thought was too long–and too slow–for younger audiences.
Ever wonder where the name for the Land of Oz comes from? L. Frank Baum, who wrote the original book, invented the name “Oz” when looking at an alphabetical filing cabinet label, “O-Z.”
This story originally appeared on our sister site, Woman’s World
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