Originally published on 10/22/23

Sure, The Wizard of Oz is a beloved family movie with tons of quotable quotes, but there are so many hidden secrets about this hit classic that you probably never caught when you first watched it all those years ago. In fact, The Wizard of Oz behind the scenes is a treasure trove of little-known facts and strange but true trivia facts.

For instance, certain actors who played our favorite Wizard of Oz characters were stuck in uncomfortable and even downright dangerous costumes or situations on set. From damaging makeup and hot, heavy (100-pound!) costumes, these actors endured many sticky situations to build this memorable film. That’s not the only surprise most viewers didn’t realize!

In addition to the many juicy behind-the-scenes secrets about the making of The Wizard of Oz, there are also some blatantly embarrassing bloopers that somehow made it into the final version. We’re sure the filmmakers hoped we’d never notice these mistakes — one of which involves actress Judy Garland and her iconic dress — but believe us: Once you see them, you’ll never be able to un-see them!

The Wizard of Oz behind the scenes

After we started digging, so many other Wizards of Oz secrets blew our minds. Ever wonder where the name for the “Land of Oz” comes from? And take a wild guess which of the beloved film’s most iconic songs was almost cut from the movie? Producers thought it was too long — and too slow — for younger audiences, but this timeless film just wouldn’t be the same if they hadn’t decided at the last minute to include it.

1. The munchkins didn’t speak English

The Wizard of Oz munchkins have a dark backstory: Many of the actors who played Munchkins had fled to the U.S. from Germany to escape the Nazis. Because most did not speak English, the majority of their voices are dubbed in the film.

2. The falling snow was actually chrysotile asbestos

The Wizard of Oz poppy scene is famous, but it also hides a movie-making secret that would never pass muster today. In the scene, Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion fall asleep in a poppy field, where it begins to snow. The “snow” used was actually potent chrysotile asbestos despite its known health hazards. Yikes!

3. Toto got paid more than The Munchkins

The Wizard of Oz Munchkins were not treated very well. Though it’s partly a sign of the times, the actors who played the Munchkins were paid just $50 a week for a six-day work week, according to one actor, Jerry Maren. Meanwhile, the cute dog playing Toto was paid $125 per week!

4. Dorothy’s hair was two different lengths

Judy Garland’s hair in The Wizard of Oz is a bit peculiar. If you look closely, you will notice that her character Dorothy’s hair changes length during the film. At one point you see her hair is just at her collarbone, but by the end of the film it’s down to her chest.

5. Toto was actually a girl

The Wizard of Oz dog Toto is one of the most famous canines of them all. Did you know she was played by a girl dog? Sadly, the dog playing Toto was stepped on during shooting, and had to be replaced with a doggy double for two weeks of filming while she recovered from her injuries. (Her real name is Terry!)

6. The Lion’s costume came from real lions

Lion from The Wizard of Oz is a beloved, brave character, even if the poor actor playing him might not have been feeling completely like a “king” the entire time. See, the Wizard of Oz Cowardly Lion’s costume was made of real lion skin, which made it incredibly hot for actor Bert Lahr to wear. It was also HEAVY — it weighed nearly 100 pounds!

7. A munchkin was rumored to have died on set

The Wizard of Oz munchkin hanging rumors — who hasn’t heard them? Here’s the truth: The famous story that a swinging shadow in the background of one scene was really an actor committing suicide is false. According to MGM, the shadow was just a large bird stretching its wings. Time to put the Wizard of Oz hanging story to rest, once and for all.

8. Judy Garland wore a corset while filming

The Wizard of Oz Dorothy dress — has there ever been a more famous movie garment? But here’s a strange secret: Judy Garland wore a tight corset under her dress in order to help make her figure look more childlike as Dorothy. In real life, she was 16 years old during the making of the movie. (If you’re making a Wizard of Oz Dorothy Halloween costume, we highly recommend leaving out the corset.)

9. Dorothy’s iconic dress wasn’t actually blue and white

Another The Wizard of Oz Dorothy dress secret: The white in the memorable dress worn by Dorothy was actually pale pink because pink showed up better as white in Technicolor. So odd!

10. The Wicked Witch of The West couldn’t eat while filiming

The Wizard of Oz witch was quite the villain, but no wonder she was cranky! Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, wore copper-based bright green makeup that was dangerous to ingest, so she didn’t eat food during filming! She was only allowed to consume liquids. Imagine? That’s quite the movie diet!

11. Margaret Hamilton’s makeup gave her skin burns

The Wizard of Oz witch makeup didn’t just prevent Hamilton from eating. Although she continued wearing it, the same green makeup caused Hamilton severe skin burns during a botched take of a scene where she leaves Munchkinland in a blast of smoke and fire. So dangerous — and thankfully Hollywood pays a lot more attention to actors’ safety these days.

12. Jack Haley and Ray Bolger also had makeup problems

The Tin Man and Scarecrow also got hurt, so the Witch wasn’t alone in her suffering. The Wizard of Oz Tin Man’s aluminum-based makeup caused an infection in actor Jack Haley’s eyes, and Scarecrow actor Ray Bolger’s face was permanently scarred from wearing prosthetics, like his fake nose. Pretty horrible, right?

13. Judy Garland was slapped on set

In The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland was intentionally hit in the face! While filming the scene when Dorothy slaps the Lion, Garland couldn’t stop giggling — so director Victor Fleming took her aside and slapped HER, after which she nailed the scene in one take. Guess those tears were real!

14. The Tin Man cried chocolate

Tin Man, chocolate — what do the two have in common? Well, when the Tin Man cried in Wizard of Oz, his “tears” were actually made from chocolate sauce, which looked more like water and showed up better on his aluminum makeup. Neat!

15. “Over the Rainbow” almost didn’t make it in the film

The Wizard of Oz “Over the Rainbow” song is probably its most famous tune, but it almost wasn’t the case: One of the beloved film’s most iconic songs was almost cut from the movie! Producers thought “Over the Rainbow” was too long — and too slow — for younger audiences. We’re so glad they changed their minds.

16. The land of Oz came from a filing cabinet

In The Wizard of Oz, the Land of Oz is a magical place. But ever wonder where the name for the Land of Oz comes from? L. Frank Baum, who wrote the original book, invented the name “Oz” when looking at an alphabetical filing cabinet label, “O-Z.” Crazy, but true! Imagine he glanced over at the “A-J” box instead. The Wizard of Aj just doesn’t have the same ring!

17. Dorothy’s shoes weren’t originally red

In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy’s shoes are ruby red. But in Frank’s 1900 novel, her shoes are silver. They made the change so her iconic slippers popped more on camera. Bonus fact: the shoes are currently on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, and they get so many visitors each year that the carpet surrounding their display has to be changed and cleaned regularly. 

Written with Debbie Strong

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/gallery/entertainment/wizard-of-oz-behind-the-scenes