Horrors Behind the Scenes of the Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is possibly the singular most iconic American film of all time. The film was released in 1939, and it was produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film brought some much-needed light to the lives of Americans who were in the middle of the Great Depression. The use of Technicolor set the film apart from many other movies at the time, and the colorful cast, fun score, and beautiful set design all helped solidify this film in history.

While the film ultimately became a huge success, the budget of over two million dollars made it difficult for the studio to break even. It wasn't until the film was re-released ten years later that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer finally made a profit. Still, film critics recognized its genius the moment it was released. The Wizard of Oz was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture. While the film Gone with the Wind ultimately won the title of Best Picture for that year, The Wizard of Oz still took home the Academy Awards for Best Original Song and Best Original Song.

According to the Library of Congress, The Wizard of Oz is the most seen film in history, and for good reason. The filming process may have taken over a year, but every cast and crew member poured their heart and soul into their work. It was a grueling process, but it yielded wondrous results. Even though the film is decades old, it still holds up to the modern standards of a great film, and it can be easily enjoyed by people of all ages.

However, many trials and tribulations went into creating such a masterpiece of a film. Many of the cast members suffered during the filming process, and some were affected permanently. Because The Wizard of Oz was created so long ago, there weren't as many safety regulations on set, and the actors were subjected to dangerous and even deadly conditions. The crew members often used harmful chemicals and reckless pyrotechnics to create the film's special effects. Even though the special effects may have looked great in the final result, they were a huge source of stress for the actors.

Even worse was the fact that actors were not given the protection that they are today. Young Judy Garland was only 16 when she began filming The Wizard of Oz, but she was treated cruelly by the director. Make sure you stick around to find out when director Victor Fleming took things too far. We hope you like this video, and don't forget to subscribe to Facts Verse for more!

Horrors Behind the Scenes of the Wizard of Oz
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[bobwallace]

The first time I saw this as a little kid, the witch, the tornado and the flying monkeys scared the shit out of me.

[attaist]

I can’t count how many lawsuits there would have been if it would be made

[MaskedMan]

A wonderful story:

Not long after seeing The Wizard of Oz, a little girl named Natalie Norris fell ill and was hospitalized. Her mother wrote to MGM and relayed her daughter's wish that she could get a visit from Dorothy. They called Judy, who was of course delighted to do it, and sent Natalie a letter telling her that they had a date. She wanted to come in full Dorothy kit, but by that time everything had been put away in storage, so Judy wore a simple frock and her own short hair, and Natalie didn't mind a bit. Judy chatted with her a while and even sang "Over the Rainbow" to her, bringing Natalie's mother to tears. Later, Natalie showed rapid improvement, and not only recovered, but later in life became a singer herself!

[kevins]

Back in the 1960s, this movie was an annual event, as it was shown on network TV every March. Mom would make popcorn and TANG and set up card table chairs in the living room so we kids could pretend we were watching it in a movie theater.🙂❤

[kristincook]

No actor deserves to be put through that kind of abuse for a movie

[cecilreed]

I was in love with judy garland AND liza minelli...she looked just like her...tragically drugs took judy away way too soon...

[pattappat]

bro really went from child abuse to "uncomfortable costume"

[clarachilds]

Rest in peace to all those amazing legends, who’ve worked so hard just to be able to entertain us :((

[endtheliesnow]

Toto was not overpaid, Toto''s owner was overpaid.

[Julia-lnog]

The saddest part is it wasn't even the producers that got her addicted to drugs, while they helped it was her mother that got her on them at a very young age. Judy even referred to her mother as the real wicked wich of the west

[megabolt]

Dorothy: "How can you talk if you don't have a brain?"
Scarecrow: "I don't know... But an awful lot of people without brains do a lot of talking, don't they?"

[Haze-Haze]

This movie is, and always will be honestly THE BEST film in history, or it basically made movies and cinema what it is today.
I will say though, It's terrible what these actors had to endure and suffer because it was so new then.
But I will also say, this film is almost 80 going on 90, and STILL stands up to this day and was the first major picture shot in Technicolor!
A tragic MASTERPIECE!

[EmmaKantz]

Judy…what a beautiful woman with a tragic life, so much talent and beauty and passion. despite her tragedy, I’ll always admire her talent and determination despite everything.

[billymorris-mcgarr]

The sad thing is that these aren't even the worst of what Judy Garland went through 😔

[davimagalhaes]

I'm Brazilian and this is one of the movies I watched the most during childhood and adolescence! Miss you Judy! This is still one of the greatest musicals in history

[hellsbells]

I have only just come across your channel and what a time to discover it when the Wizard of OZ is the subject.
I don't think any of us realise what actually goes into making these films and hats off to the cast for putting themselves through this.
Judy Garland was one of my most favourite actresses of all time, her talent especially that amazing voice, was second to none.
Her life, although millions never knew, was pretty tragic which is such a shame for someone who gave their life entertaining others.
The Wizard of OZ had a magnificent cast and they all worked brilliantly together, one of my favourite films of all time and with Judy's voice, how could it ever of failed.
Thank you for this amazing insight into how being an actor all those years ago, wasn't as simple as everyone would believe.

[djkellykel]

I will never look at “The Wizard Of Oz” the same again. Thank you giving us all of the facts. Appreciate the channel and content.

[WWEJayGaming]

Is it werid to say that in the next 10 years we’re gonna say that this movie is a century old😂

[suuuup_adds]

I'm more shocked on how they treated Judy, I mean no one ever deserves to be treated like that.

[Sphyix]

After this video I cannot look at this movie the same way anymore no person deserves to be put through this kind of abuse