In the famous poppy field scene in The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy, tot, and the Cowardly Lion fall asleep as it begins to snow. The snow, as you may have guessed, was fake. What you probably don’t know is that the fake snow was made up of 100% industrial-grade chrysotile asbestos. At the time of filming it was already known that asbestos came with many health concerns and problems.
The production used the asbestos despite the known dangers. The evidence about health issues related to asbestos was discovered nearly 40 years before production on The Wizard of Oz even began. While no news ever came out about any of the actors or crew suffering from anything linked to asbestos hazards it’s still not a decision that seems wise in hindsight.
Judy's Liza
Liza Minnelli, daughter of Judy Garland, found fame in show business like her mother. Song and dance were clearly in Liza's genes. In 1984, Liza was interviewed for New York Times article on her late mother. Garland's daughter recalled the first time she ever performed with her mother. She recalled how, in that moment, their relationship grew from a loving one to a competitive one.
"I think that what Mama was saying was, 'You're everything I wanted you to be. You're a force to be dealt with and I created it, and now I've come up against it," Minnelli said. In a strange coincidence Dorothy Gale's daughter found herself, for a short while, married to the Tin Man's son, Jack Haley Jr.
Clara Blandick As Auntie Em
The character of Auntie Em was played by actress Clara Blandick. The part was a relatively small one in the film; it was certainly key to the films larger themes and elements. Auntie Em very much represented the longed for ideal of home and happiness that both Dorothy and, perhaps Judy Garland, shared. Blandick, like Garland, however suffered off set and away from the idealized character she portrayed.
By the 1950's Blandick suffered from sight loss, significant arthritis, and a severe lack of hope. On April 15, 1962 the actress attended church before returning home and rearranging her bedroom …
The Wicked Witch As Dorothy
Almost fifty years after portraying The Wicket Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz, Margaret Hamilton appeared on an episode of "Mister Roger's Neighborhood," in 1968. Hamilton discussed with Rogers how she came to play The Wicked Witch of the West. She described the witch as lonely and sad, and how she never did achieve what she so desired.
Hamilton also put on some of the original costume to help children understand that costumes and makeup were just pretend, that there really were no real witches, and they should not be afraid. The way Hamilton discussed the Wicked Witch with Rogers is very similar to how the character is portrayed in the more recent Broadway musical, "Wicked."
Betty Danko The Stunt Witch
After being burned on her hands and face in Munchkinland when the trapdoor refused to open on time, Margaret Hamilton refused to do any more stunts involving fire when she finally returned to set. Another actress, Betty Danko, took over as the witch's stand in for any scenes involving fire. Originally Dank was only paid $11 a day though her pay rose to $35 a day as she took on more stunts.
When filming the "Surrender Dorothy" scene, where the witch flies above Emerald City, Betty was also burned. For part of the scene she had to sit on a smoking pipe that was designed to look like the Wicked Witch's broomstick. The pipe subsequently exploded. Due to her injuries ,Danko was then forced to spend two weeks in the hospital. She received permanent scarring on her legs, but returned to continue doing stunts for the film.