From executives behind the film demanding their sick and injured actors return to set despite still needing to heal, to the director of the film slapping a 16-year-old and encouraging her to take pills to regulate her appetite and stay slim, the set and filming process of the Wizard of Oz was toxic.
There were reports of lewd behaviour from cast members, drunken orgies, and abusive control of 17-year-old Judy Garland, who was forced to go on a diet and wear an iron corset because she was too 'fat' for the lead role.
As conceived and written by Lyman Frank Baum in 1900, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" was a political allegory of turn-of-the-century America. Written in the waning days of the Populist movement of the late 1800s, it was the story of the sad collapse of Populism and the issues upon which the movement was based.
It almost sounds as if the Wizard of Oz is some kind of god, sending his message down from the clouds. But then Toto, Dorothy's dog, discovers that the Wizard is no god. In fact, he's just a guy operating a bunch of controls behind a green curtain.
"While filming 'The Wizard of Oz', Garland was receiving criticism about her weight and had her food rationed by the studio. "She soon began taking amphetamines, which the MGM studio willingly gave to young actors and actresses in order to give them the energy to continue filming for hours at a time.
What was the official cause of death for Judy Garland?
Garland died from an accidental barbiturate overdose in London on June 22, 1969, less than two weeks after her 47th birthday. Her exceptional talents and vulnerabilities had made her one of the most enduringly popular Hollywood icons of the 20th century, and her funeral in New York City drew some 22,000 mourners.
One of the creepiest moments in the entire movie is when Miss Gulch, Dorothy's nemesis in Kansas, transforms into the Wicked Witch on her broom. It's a powerful moment for the girl and for those in the audience, as it shows just how far she has ventured from the world she thought she knew.
The Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Cowardly Lion each have a “missing” characteristic that motivates them to travel with Dorothy to the Wizard of Oz- the Scarecrow wants a brain, the Tin Woodman wishes for a heart, and the Cowardly Lion yearns for courage.
What does the tornado in The Wizard of Oz represent?
Tornadoes were often used to illustrate political revolution. In the story, a tornado takes Dorothy from the dreary, barren land of Kansas to the beautiful and abundant Oz. This symbolizes the wealth possible with the addition of silver to the gold standard. The Scarecrow represents the foolish farmer.
In Baum's subsequent Oz novels, it is the Nome King who is the principal villain; the Wicked Witch of the West is rarely even referred to again after her death in the first book. The witch's most popular depiction was in the classic 1939 film based on Baum's novel, where she was portrayed by Margaret Hamilton.
What does the cowardly lion represent in The Wizard of Oz?
the Cowardly Lion represented northern reformers; the Emerald City represented Wall Street, greenback colored; and. the Wizard represented the Money Power, whose influence rests on manipulation and illusion.
When Judy Garland was cast in the role of Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, she was not their first choice. Producers Arthur Freed and Mervyn LeRoy indeed wanted her cast from the beginning, but the studio chief wanted Shirley Temple from 20th Century Fox.
Shirley Temple was the favourite to play Dorothy, but her singing skills were not strong enough. The role was ultimately a big break for Garland, then a contract player at MGM. The film originally featured the Wizard as the central character, and both W.C. Fields and Bert Lahr turned down the part.
Morgan is best remembered for his performance in The Wizard of Oz (1939), in which picture he played a total of six roles, most notably the Wizard, which included the carnival huckster "Professor Marvel", the gatekeeper at the Emerald City, the coachman of the carriage drawn by "The Horse of a Different Color", the ...
The Tin Man did not have a heart because he was turned into a living statue made of tin by the Wicked Witch of the East, who cast a spell on him that took away his ability to feel emotions.
"I think I'll miss you most of all." Thus Dorothy says goodbye to the Scarecrow. Why the strange partiality? Because, in an earlier draft of the script, Dorothy and the Kansas counterpart of the Scarecrow are sweet on each other.
Who was the most coward in the story The Wizard of Oz?
The Cowardly Lion makes his first appearance in the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. He is the last of the companions Dorothy befriends on her way to the Emerald City where he ambushes her, Toto, Scarecrow, and Tin Woodman. When he tries to bite Toto, Dorothy slaps him.
The Wicked Witch of the East was featured in the film The Wizard of Oz (1939), in which she is the sister of the Wicked Witch of the West. As in the book, she is killed when Dorothy's house falls on her. The Wicked Witch of the West was not pleased with Dorothy for the death of her sister.
What is the most famous scene in The Wizard of Oz?
The moment Dorothy emerges from her house after the tornado in MGM's The Wizard of Oz is one of the most memorable scenes in movie history, but have you ever wondered how it was made?
Answer and Explanation: Some may argue that the entire narrative of The Wizard of Oz is based on hallucinogenic drug use. However, Baum provides little indication that Dorothy's journey to Oz is fueled by her drug use.
Garland, the legendary star of “The Wizard of Oz” who battled an addiction to prescribed drugs, collapsed on stage during a June 29, 1968 performance at what was then called the Garden State Arts Center (now PNC Bank Arts Center) in Holmdel.
