In Hollywood Arthur Freed was a legendary producer and lyricist. He was never credited with any work on The Wizard of Oz film, but he did receive a promotion from MGM for his contributions. This promotion eventually led to his first credit with Rodgers and Hart’s Broadway musical, Babes in Arms, which also starred The Wizard of Oz’s, Judy Garland, along with Mickey Rooney. The trio of Freed, Garland, and Rooney would work together on a number of successful “backyard” musicals throughout their careers.
While Louis B Mayer voted for Shirley Temple for the role, Freed insisted that Judy Garland, with her singing chops, she was a much better choice.
The Original Tin Man Was Poisoned By The Makeup
Beverly Hillbillies, Buddy Ebsen, spent almost as little time on set as both the film's first two directors. Ebsen was accidentally poisoned by his own makeup a little over a week before filming was set to begin. The silver makeup, a main staple of the Tin Man's costume, was made partly of aluminum dust, which Ebsen breathed in, due to its presence on the entirety of his face. He was hospitalized when his lungs failed.
After two weeks in the hospital it still took six more weeks of rest at home for the actor to recover. It turned out that Ebsen was actually allergic to the aluminum dust, and was recast by Jack Haley, who did not have the same allergy. However, to avoid any other possible mishaps, an aluminum paste replaced the original aluminum powder makeup. Better safe than sorry.
Why Shirley Temple?
Shirley Temple was the darling of American film in the 1930's. She starred in everything: The Little Princess, Heidi, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, to name only a few. She was a paparazzi princess. Her photos and her off set antics were in all of the magazines. There is even a photo where you can see the Wizard of Oz book on one of the pint sized star's own bookshelves.
She was also blonde, the very image of the Dorothy from the books. It was really no wonder producers went after her for the part when they began casting The Wizard of Oz film.
Judy Garland As Dorothy Gale
It may seem lucky that Judy Garland, despite being the studio's second choice, got the role of Dorothy Gale, but we never really know the effect our experiences and opportunities will have on us until much farther down the road. Beyond being forced to take drugs while on set Garland was also made to wear a corset for the part. At 16 she was a teenager, her body and her life were changing. Despite everything the studio also insisted she lose another 12 pounds.
The Wizard of Oz may have solidified Garland as a bonafide Hollywood star, but the continued evidence of abuse and exploitation she suffered continues to haunt her legacy, as well as that of MGM studios, all these years later. How, as a teenager in the public spotlight, could she ever be expected to recover from the comments about her weight, and the constant demands that she improve her appearance by men many times her own age? Garland once said of herself, "I was frightful. I was fat – a fat little pig in pigtails." MGM worked to build her public image, but never once considered her self-esteem.
The Famous Dress
Dorothy Gale's blue and white gingham dress is one of the most recognizable costumes in Hollywood history. Beyond its look, the dress was designed with particular pockets for use in very specific scenes. In the seam of the skirt, for instance, there is a hidden pocket that held the handkerchief that Dorothy uses to wife away the Cowardly Lion's tears on screen.
Being one of the most recognizable costumes in the history of Hollywood certainly paid off when the dress itself went up for auction in November of 2012. The single blue checkered gingham dress fetched nearly half a million dollars at auction.