film trivia 16 Nightmare Stories From Behind-The-Scenes of Filming 'The Wizard of Oz' f p @
Some stories from the set of The Wizard Of Oz are insanely dark. For such a beloved, ostensibly whimsical film, The Wizard of Oz was a never-ending torrent of misery behind the scenes. Made in 1939, it's still widely appreciated by both children and adults in modern times. Still, there's a lot people don't know about The Wizard Of Oz. While some of the production details are relatively harmless, and at times even charming, you have to remember the movie was produced during the dark days of the old Hollywood studio system.
So, what makes the The Wizard Of Oz behind-the-scenes stories so deplorable? Mix liquor abuse and sexual depravity with a few unfortunate injuries and accidents, add some early movie-making naivety, and divide among five different film directors. Of all behind-the-scenes movie stories, The Wizard Of Oz has some of the most bizarre and shocking. There's a lot more to worry about than lions and tigers and bears. The Pink Floyd sync up may be coincidence, but these stories truly show the dark side of the rainbow.
The Munchkins Were Pimps, Hookers, And Gamblers
The Munchkin actors' antics on The Wizard of Oz were, frankly, bizarre. It's said they engaged in agressively drunken behavior, gambling, and orgies at the Culver Hotel where they were staying. The police were called several times, and one crew member referred to the group as "pimps, hookers, and gamblers."
Supposedly, one Munchkin actor even got stuck in a toilet bowl during a drunken lunch break and had to be rescued. Judy Garland also allegedly accompanied one Munchkin on a date, supervised by her mother. Poor Garland. Bad taste in men was only the least of her troubles.
Judy Garland Was Drugged And Molested
The Wizard Of Oz was both the beginning and end of Judy Garland's career. Actors in the 1930s were under contract to whatever studio they signed with, and they were systemically abused and overworked. Teenage actors were often given adrenaline shots to keep them awake, and barbiturates to help them sleep. Garland was no exception.
Garland was already taking pills before she was hired for Oz, but she began using them more frequently once on set. There are reports she was also molested and sexually harassed by both Munchkin actors and studio executives. Although she went on to star in a handful of other features, it was the alcohol and barbiturate addiction that began on the set of Oz that finally killed her at the age of 47.
The Wicked Witch Got Burned On Set. Twice.
During a take of the scene in which the Wicked Witch escapes Munchkinland in a plume of smoke, the pyrotechnics were accidentally set off too early and a trapdoor malfunctioned, causing actress Margaret Hamilton's broom, hat, and makeup to catch fire. Her face and hands were badly burned. Medics had to use alcohol to remove her toxic makeup, which was also extremely painful.
After returning to work, she was asked to film the "Surrender, Dorothy," scene, which also required smoke effects. She refused (which makes a lot of sense) and her stunt double, Betty Danko, took over. Danko suffered a similar injury during the scene, and was ultimately hospitalized.
The Tin Man Was Poisoned. Also Twice.
After Ray Bolger insisted he would make a better Scarecrow, the part of the Tin Man was given to Buddy Ebsen. However, an allergic reaction to the aluminum powder in the silver-colored makeup forced him to be hospitalized in an oxygen tent. Apparently, no one told the cast why Ebsen left. Due to the way studio contracts functioned at the time, Jack Haley was forced into the role. The production team switched makeup to an aluminum paste, but it caused an eye infection for Haley anyway. Interestingly, Buddy Ebsen's voice can still be heard in a few places in the soundtrack.