The classic “The Wizard of Oz” made its debut in 1939 attracting public attention for the exhibition of ultra -controlled scenes on cinema screens. This is because it is the first film that uses technology quite innovative for the moment. However, it was considered a box office failure, as it cost $ 2.7 million and produced only $ 3 million.
To make the film, it took 14 writers and five directors: the first, Richard Thorpe, was fired after not having liked the producers; So George Cuckor did not direct any scene; Then Victor Fleming, who was responsible for most, but came out to command “and the wind took him”; Then he came King Vidor, who took over and finished shooting the film; And finally, Mervyn Leroy, who is even a producer also directed some scenes.
These are just some curiosities about one of the most acclaimed films in the history of cinema, which still has many other stories. Take a look at 10 of the most curious facts on “The Wizard of Oz”!
10 Curiosity about Oz’s magician
1 – Hundreds of dwarf actors
For the roles of the inhabitants of Munchkinland, more than 350 dwarfs have been hired, which have gained only $ 50 per week. As a comparison, the Totó dog had a $ 125 salary for the same period of work.
It was also possible to listen to the voice of only two during the film, since many did not know how to sing or did not speak English well. For this reason, the Munchkin were expressed by professional singers and only those who deliver Dorothy a bouquet of flowers did not have to be nicknamed.
2 – Street clothes and eating disorders
In the film, Dorothy was only 10 years old, so her interpreter Judy Garland was forced to use a very close corset to hide the breasts and sides of 16 -year. Subsequently, they say that he became a trauma for an actress, who has started to suffer from various ailments that involve his body for years.
When he was already at the end of his life, Judy Garland still became dependent on drugs for weight loss, sank the debt and continued suicide several times, dying of an overdose in 1969 at the age of 47.
3 – Strange and painful costumes
The clothes of Bert Lahr, who produced the cowardly lion, weighed over 45 kg and was made with parts of real lions and were very hot. Due to the high quantity of sweat at the end of the day, two people spent all night washing the dry costume to be worn the next day.
In addition, the prosthesis made it impossible for the actor to eat solid foods, since some parts were made of paper and could cancel. With this, he could only feed on soups and milk for the most of the time during filming.
As for the scarecrow, the trick was made with a rubber prosthesis that imitated a fabric, allowing the identification of the character’s lines. The mask left Ray Bolger’s face marked when he took off his costume and wanted more than a year because the lines disappeared from his face.
4 – injuries to recordings
The winged flying monkeys were interpreted by Extra, which were suspended from floor ropes. They were also very injured, as they were demolished on the floor, every time they were massacred in a scene.
5 – Blonde Dorothy
When we think of the characters of “The Wizard of Oz”, in addition to the scarecrow, the lion and the man, we think of Dorothy, with his blue clothes, red shoes and black hair. However, the idea was initially different.
At the beginning of the recordings, Judy Garland wore a completely different blonde wig. However, George Cuckor, the director who did not direct any scene, excluded the idea and sent the actress “alone”.
6 – Real Lion
The producer Mervyn Leroy, who ultimately guided some scenes at the end of the recordings, wanted a real lion in the film, which would be expressed by an actor. The feline named Jackie, famous for the MGM signs, suffered a test, but soon the idea was discarded.
7 – Allergic reaction and replacement
Actor Buddy Ebsen was originally chosen to play the Spaventapasseri and Ray Bolger, the man can. However, Bolger insisted that he wanted to be the scarecrow, exchanging paper with Ebsen. However, Buddy Ebsen had an allergic reaction because of the makeup, which had aluminum powder, precipitating the actor in hospital with breathing problems.
Still hospitalized, Ebsen learned that he had been replaced by Jack Haley, later declaring that this was the greatest humiliation of his career. To worsen things, the actor had also undergone cuts and injuries to the clothes of the lata character.
8 – Brechó costume and a coincidence
The Department of Costume wanted a decomposition apparition to the magician (Frank Morgan) and, therefore, were used smoke Sit that were on sale in the second -hand stores. The director Victor Fleming chose one and, in the break of a recording, Morgan saw a label in the clothes, saying that the coat belonged to L. Frank Baum, author of the book “The Magician of Oz”.
To be sure of the coincidence, the team contacted the tailor who made the clothes and confirmed the story. After the filming is over, the clothes were donated to the author’s widow.
9 – Painting of gelatin
The city of the emeralds had colored horses and, to leave them like this, the animals were painted with powder gelatin, to be less harmful to chemical tincture. However, the scenes had to be recorded as soon as possible, since the animals were licked and totally removed the product.
10 – Red shoes
Dorothy’s red shoes are a great icon of the film. Before being worn by the character, several shoes were tested: before they were silver, but Louis B. Mayer thought that the ruby ​​red tone was better in Technicolor. The actress and singer Debbie Reynolds had one of the unused couples and the real ones went to the Smithsonian Museum.
Nowadays, the carpet in front of the shoes must be exchanged several times a year, it has made the popularity of the open footwear ends easily the object spent.
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Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
