How Many Cups Is 10 Oz Mini Marshmallows

From offscreen friendships and jarring pay inequality to the special furnishings and makeup tricks that brought some of the world'south favorite pic characters to life, The Magician of Oz (1939) had so much going on backside the emerald drape and the Technicolor gloss of an amazing fantasy world.

In honor of the 80th anniversary of the film, follow the yellow brick slideshow to peek behind that drape and learn more about the secrets and fun facts that brand the beloved film a timeless classic.

Margaret Hamilton Was a Fan Before the Film

As a self-proclaimed lifelong fan of L. Frank Baum's Oz series, Margaret Hamilton was thrilled to exist considered for a role in the 1939 moving-picture show accommodation. Hamilton called her amanuensis to enquire which character the producers wanted her to play, and her agent famously said, "The witch — who else?"

Hamilton, a single mother, fought MGM for an agreed upon amount of guaranteed work time. Three days before filming began, the studio agreed to a five-week deal. In the terminate, Hamilton was on ready for three months, merely many of her scenes were cut for being too scary for audiences.

Certain, Dorothy Gale doesn't need prosthetics or aluminum makeup, but that doesn't mean Judy Garland wasn't put through the costume department wringer. Although she was young at the fourth dimension, the xvi-year-old Garland had to wear a corset-similar device so she looked more like a preadolescent child.

Director Richard Thorpe suggested Garland wear a blonde wig and loads of "babe-doll" makeup (as whatsoever preadolescent girl would…?). Luckily, that vision of the character changed. Afterward MGM fired Thorpe, the intermediate director George Cukor nixed the heavy makeup and wig. Instead, he told Garland to exist herself. Smart move.

The "Skywriting" Scene Employed Some Great Motion-picture show Magic

The Sorcerer of Oz employs a lot of cracking film tricks, and some of the nigh unique were used in the skywriting scene. In it, the Wicked Witch (Margaret Hamilton) flies above the Emerald City, leaving the phrase "Surrender Dorothy" in her wake in black smoke.

Using a hypodermic needle, the special effects team spread black ink across the bottom of a glass tank that was filled with a thick, tinted liquid (some speculate milk). They wrote the phrase in opposite and filmed the scene from below. Initially, the skywriting ended with the ominous "Or Die — W W W."

The "Snow" in the Poppy Field Was Really Dangerous

One of the Wicked Witch's terminal-ditch efforts to impede Dorothy'southward quest to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz involves a poppy field and some magical sleep-inducing snow. While many like to joke that the poppies and their drowsiness are the consequence of opium (a component of poppies), the scene has a much more than blatant toxic connection than that.

Photograph Courtesy: MGM Studios/Courtesy of Getty Images

All that magical snow? It's actually 100% industrial-grade chrysotile asbestos. Even though the health risks associated with the material were known at the time, information technology was all the same Hollywood'southward preferred choice for false snow. Our communication to Dorothy? Don't catch any snowflakes on your tongue.

Scarecrow's Makeup Stuck Effectually for Awhile

In the cease, Ray Bolger (Scarecrow) was probably grateful for Buddy Ebsen (the original Can Human being's) willingness to trade parts with him for more than reasons than one. The Tin can Man'south aluminum makeup caused a huge amount of problems for Ebsen, who was replaced by Jack Haley.

Although Bolger's makeup experience was amend than Ebsen'southward, he withal had some issues. The Scarecrow'south makeup consisted of a rubber prosthetic, complete with a woven pattern that mimicked the look of burlap. After the film wrapped, the prosthetic left patterns on Bolger'southward face that took more than than a yr to fade.

Margaret Hamilton Was Burned On Set

In a outburst of flames and red smoke, the Wicked Witch (Margaret Hamilton) vanishes from Munchkinland. Although the scene is terrifying for viewers, information technology may have instilled more than fear for Hamilton. On the offset take, the smoke rose from a hidden trapdoor also early.

For the second accept, Hamilton stood on the trapdoor every bit planned, but her cape snagged on the platform when the fire flared up. Her copper-containing makeup heated upward instantly, causing 2d- and third-degree burns on her hands and face. To brand matters worse, the coiffure tried to remedy her burns with (an even more painful) acetone solvent.

The Flight Monkeys Became Falling Monkeys

The Wicked Witch'southward legion of flying monkeys — or Winged Monkeys equally they're called in the source material — have certainly been a source of terror for generations. Almost as scary as the Witch herself, these henchmen soar onto the scene to kidnap Dorothy and Toto — thanks to the magic of pianoforte wires.

Yet, the aerial stunt went amiss when several of the pianoforte wires snapped, sending actors plummeting a few feet to the soundstage floor. To create such a vast troupe of monkeys (and cut downwardly on homo marionettes), filmmakers made miniature rubber monkeys to help populate the sky.

"Over the Rainbow" Was Almost on the Cut Room Flooring

To no one's surprise, the American Film Institute ranked "Over the Rainbow" #1 on a list of 100 Greatest Songs in American Films. But what may surprise yous? The (arguably) nigh iconic song of Judy Garland's career was almost cutting from the film.

Studio execs at MGM idea the song made the Kansas scenes as well long. Moreover, filmmakers were concerned that children wouldn't sympathize the song's meaning. Luckily, this unfounded concern melted similar lemon drops. Unfortunately, Garland's tearful reprise of the vocal was left on the cutting room floor.

The Tin Man Costume Didn't Let Jack Haley to Residual Easy

Although Bert Lahr had to schlep around in a ninety-pound lion costume, Jack Haley didn't take it easy either. From the lingering concerns about the aluminum paste-based makeup on his face and hands to the minimal flexibility of the "tin" torso and arms, Haley faced some challenges.

Reportedly, his costume was and then potent that he had to lean against a board to rest properly. Many years later, actor Anthony Daniels, known for playing the protocol droid C-3PO in the Star Wars films, had the same effect with his rigid costume. It seems even fantasy and sci-fi can't help folks escape all their bug.

The Original Tin Human being Was Rushed to the Hospital

Initially, Buddy Ebsen was cast as the Scarecrow, but traded parts with Ray Bolger. However, Ebsen's new graphic symbol, the Can Man, caused him a slew of problems. Namely, the character's silver makeup contained a harmful aluminum grit that coated Ebsen'due south lungs.

Photo Courtesy: John Springer Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

To make matters worse, Ebsen had an allergic reaction, and, unable to breathe, he was rushed to the hospital. MGM recast the office with Jack Haley (and changed up the makeup), but didn't explain why Ebsen "dropped out." Although Ebsen didn't appear in the final film, his vocals can be heard in "We're Off to Come across the Wizard."

A Stocking & Some Miniatures Gave United states of america the Tornado

The tornado that strikes the Gale homestead is full of practical special furnishings that really hold upwardly. The funnel itself was actually a 35-foot long stocking fabricated of muslin. The special effects squad spun information technology around miniatures that resembled the farms and fields of Kansas. Confronting the painted backdrop, the tornado looks menacing.

The Gale house, which falls from the heaven and into Oz, is just a miniature business firm that was dropped onto a heaven painting. Filmmakers then reversed the footage to brand it look like the house was falling out of the clouds.

Hollywood Didn't Pay Up Then Either

Pay inequality has e'er been an result in Hollywood. For case, Adriana Caselotti, voice of the titular character in Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), fabricated $970 for her functioning, though the moving-picture show went on to make roughly $viii million.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Judy Garland'southward pay was better than Caselotti'south — playing Dorothy earned her $500 a week — merely it still didn't reflect the film'south success. Even more discouraging, the folks who portrayed the citizens of Munchkinland were paid a mere $50 per week. (Meanwhile, Terry the dog earned $125 per calendar week as Toto. A real yikes.)

Bert Lahr'south Lion Costume Was Taxing

Originally, MGM idea information technology might cast its mascot — the bodily lion used in the studio's championship card — as the cowardly character. Fortunately, for the safety of the actors and the animal, the filmmakers decided to bandage actor Bert Lahr as the anthropomorphic character instead.

To brand a convincing creature, the costume department fashioned Lahr a ninety-pound outfit made from real panthera leo skin. However, the arc lights used on prepare made things a steamy 100 degrees during filming, which meant Lahr did a lot of sweating unrelated to his graphic symbol's nerves. Each nighttime, 2 stagehands stale the costume for the next 24-hour interval.

The Initial Box Role Returns Were Uneven

The motion picture started shooting in October of 1938 but didn't wrap until March of 1939, racking upwardly an unheard of $2,777,000 in costs. That's nearly $50 million adapted for inflation. Upon its initial release, the motion picture only earned $3 one thousand thousand at the box office — almost $51.8 million by today's standards.

Although that seems impressive for a Low-era film, remember that Disney made $8 million with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). The Sorcerer of Oz'south modest success in the U.Southward. barely covered production and film rights' costs — MGM paid $75,000 to the publisher for those — merely success overseas fortunately bolstered the moving-picture show's returns.

The Nighttime Side of Oz in a Fourth dimension Before "Me Too"

Judy Garland was simply 16 years old when she was cast as Dorothy. Insecure and lonesome, she became addicted to amphetamines and barbiturates, which were ofttimes given to young actors to aid them slumber after studios shot them up with adrenaline and then they could piece of work long hours.

The spotlight — and her dissentious contract with MGM — didn't help, leading to lifelong struggles with an eating disorder and alcoholism. Co-ordinate to a writer for Express, "[Garland] was molested by older men, including studio chiefs [and head Louis B. Mayer], who considered her little more than their 'property.'" Moreover, MGM forced Garland to stick to a wildly unhealthy diet of cigarettes, java and chicken soup.

The Voice of Snowfall White Had a Cameo

A few years before The Wizard of Oz debuted, Walt Disney's characteristic-length animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) became a smash-hit. Not only did the film revolutionize the animation industry, it also reinvigorated the fantasy genre.

Disney wanted to follow up Snow White — then the about successful film of all time — with an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, only MGM endemic the rights. By happenstance, Adriana Caselotti, who voiced Snow White, had an uncredited role in Oz. During the Tin Homo's "If I Only Had a Heart," Caselotti speaks her sole line, "Wherefore art g Romeo?"

The Scarlet Slippers Are Props & Treasured Artifacts

Keeping in line with the volume, Dorothy's iconic footwear was originally silver, but screenwriter Noel Langley felt the blood-red color would really pop in glorious Technicolor. Designed by MGM'southward primary costume designer Gilbert Adrian, the shoes are each covered in most 2,300 sequins.

Photograph Courtesy: Larry Marano/FilmMagic/Getty Images

One of the remaining pairs is on view in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Since the brandish is so heavily trafficked, the museum has replaced the carpet there several times. Some other pair were stolen from Minnesota'due south Judy Garland Museum in 2005, simply the FBI recovered the slippers for the establishment in 2018.

Just One Sequence Was Filmed "On Location"

The Sorcerer of Oz is your archetype adventure story, and Dorothy'due south quest leads her from a Kansas farm to another world — complete with corn fields, poppy-filled meadows and forests. Yet, despite all these scenic locations, nearly all the scenes were shot on a soundstage.

As was customary at the fourth dimension, immense, detailed backdrops were painted past studio artists, making it possible for filmmakers to transport audiences to far away places without filming on location. In fact, the merely location footage in the film is the opening title sequence — those clouds are 100% the real bargain.

A Second Toto Was Brought In

Toto, played primarily by Terry, is ane of the nigh beloved dogs in film history. Terry was famously not a huge fan of special effects and tin can oft be seen running out of a shot when something loud or alarming happens — similar when the Tin Man spouts out all of that steam.

Afterward one of the Witch's guards accidentally stepped on her, Terry was on bedrest for ii weeks. Filmmakers went through two doubles to detect ane that resembled the original canine player more closely.

Fun fact: Judy Garland was and so fond of Terry that she wanted to adopt the dog.

Margaret Hamilton "Mourns the Wicked" Witch

In addition to being a huge fan of the Oz books, Margaret Hamilton also believed her character was more than just your run-of-the-mill evil villain. More than 35 years after the film debuted, Hamilton, donning her Witch's costume to show kids it was brand-believe, appeared on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, where Fred Rogers interviewed her about the character.

Co-ordinate to Hamilton, the and then-called Wicked Witch relished everything she did, merely she was also a sad, alone figure. In short, things never went well for the frustrated Witch. Oddly plenty, the Broadway musical Wicked also takes this approach to the Witch'southward character.

The "Horse of a Different Color" Was Made Possible Thanks to a Nutrient Product

In 1939, audiences were just equally amazed as Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Homo and the Cowardly Lion when the horse in Emerald City took on a rainbow of colors. This "horse of a different color" was made possible thanks to a surprising food item…

Jell-O crystals were used to color the horses, which meant filmmakers had to motility speedily — the animals were eager to lick up the sweetness treat. But the colorful steed isn't the simply interesting component in this fan-favorite scene. The horse-fatigued railroad vehicle was once endemic past President Abraham Lincoln and now resides at the Judy Garland Museum.

The Makeup Department Hired Extra Hands

From the citizens of Munchkinland and Emerald City to the Witch'due south flight monkeys, and so many actors had to undergo a makeup transformation in order to give life to this fantasy moving picture. To go along up with the daily demands, MGM chosen upon workers from the studio mailroom and courier service to manage makeup stations.

Since most of the Ozian ensemble required prosthetics, makeup artists — and "makeshift" artists — formed a kind of costuming assembly line. Most actors had to arrive before v:00 in the morning — six days a week! — to begin the intensive process.

Memorable (& Ofttimes Misquoted) Lines Make full the Film

The film is brimming-total of iconic, memorable songs, and it has the great fortune of beingness responsible for some of the most quoted lines in movie history as well. In 2007, Premiere compiled a list of "The 100 Greatest Moving-picture show Lines" and placed a whopping three of the flick's lines on the list.

"Pay no attention to that man behind the drape" was voted #24, while "There's no identify like home" nabbed the 11th spot. Finally, the frequently misquoted "Toto, I have a feeling we're non in Kansas anymore" landed in the 62nd spot.

The Witch'due south Burn down Employed Some Technical Wizardry (& Juice)

Clearly, the technical wizardry — or witchcraft — in the movie is incredible. Like the "horse of a different color" sequence, another iconic, special effects-heavy scene harnessed the ability of everyday household items to pull off fun tricks.

Shortly after Dorothy arrives in Munchkinland, the Wicked Witch tries to snatch the ruby slippers from the young girl'southward feet. However, burn strikes the Witch's easily, repelling her. This "fire" is actually apple juice spouting from the slippers in a sped-upwards clip to make it look more flame-similar.

Technicolor Required Some Ingenuity in the Props Department

Experimenting with Technicolor was role fun and part problem-solving for filmmakers. In order to properly capture scenes with the Technicolor camera, the soundstage needed to be lit with arc lights, which often heated the gear up to a toasty 100 degrees.

Afterwards the lights were set up, the experts experimented with what would look best on motion-picture show, specially in colorized grade. For example, the white part of Dorothy's dress is actually pinkish — simply considering it filmed ameliorate. And the oil the Tin can Human is so excited near? It's actually chocolate syrup.

The Wicked Witch of the East Makes More than I Appearance

Part of the Wicked Witch of the W's beef with Dorothy is that the young girl dropped a house on her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East, who was the brusque-lived possessor of the ruby slippers. Although Margaret Hamilton already plays both the Wicked Witch of the West and her Kansas counterpart Almira Gulch, she as well plays the Wicked Witch of the East — if just briefly.

During the tornado sequence, an addled Dorothy looks out her bedroom window and watches Gulch transform into a witch, her shoes shimmering. For fans, this glint indicates the witch outside the window is wearing the crimson slippers. The restored version of the film makes that shimmer fifty-fifty more noticeable.

The Film'due south Running Time Was Cut Down Several Times

The first cut of the film clocked in at a running time of 120 minutes. Although that seems like nothing by today's Curiosity moving-picture show standards, producer Mervyn LeRoy felt it was long and unwieldy and wanted to chop off 20 minutes.

Subsequently cut the famed "Jitterbug" number and an extended Scarecrow dance sequence, the picture show was 112 minutes long. LeRoy held a second preview screening, and, after, nixed Dorothy's "Over the Rainbow" reprise, an Emerald City reprise of "Ding! Dong! The Witch Is Dead," a scene where the Can Man becomes a human being beehive (Yikes!) and a few Kansas sequences.

So Much for a "Wicked" Witch

Filmmakers deemed Margaret Hamilton's Wicked Witch of the West performance besides frightening for audiences and cut or trimmed many of her scenes. But non everyone thought her performance was terrifying — namely Judy Garland, who played the Wicked Witch's nemesis, Dorothy Gale.

Off-screen, the movie's starring foes were actually friends. One story that emerged from the prepare described Garland excitedly showing off a apparel to Hamilton, declaring she was going to wearable information technology for her graduation. Unfortunately, MGM'southward Louis B. Mayer sent Garland on a press tour the day of her graduation. Upset, Hamilton phoned Mayer and chewed him out.

Giving Credit to Technicolor

In the opening credits, the text reads "Photographed in Technicolor," equally opposed to the more apt "Colour Sequences by Technicolor." The phrasing of the credits makes it seem every bit though the entire film was shot in color. Was this done deliberately, or was it a pocket-size syntactical simulated pas?

It's widely believed this was a bit of a stunt done to enhance the surprise of the picture turning into full three-strip Technicolor when Dorothy arrives in Oz. Posters made at the time of the film'due south debut made no mention of sepia tint (or "black-and-white"), adding credence to this theory.

Ane of History'south Most-Watched Films

Although The Wizard of Oz proved popular in theaters, another film released the same year, too directed past Victor Fleming, really topped the box office. (Y'all may take heard of that lilliputian movie — it's chosen Gone with the Wind.) Nonetheless, MGM's musical fantasy may have more than staying power than other films of the era, thanks in office to re-releases.

The flick was first broadcast on telly on Nov 3, 1956, and garnered an impressive 44 meg viewers. It'due south believed that The Wizard of Oz is one of the 10 most-watched feature-length movies in pic history, largely due to the number of almanac television screenings, theater viewings and various format re-releases.