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Who is the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the novel on which the film is based?
L. Frank Baum. Baum’s novel was first published in 1900, thirty-nine years before the film’s debut.
What caused Baum to leave military school at 14?
A heart condition. He never earned a high school diploma, instead spending his time exploring acting and stage writing.
Which iconic song from the film was nearly cut to trim down the length of the movie?
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” The studio thought it made the Kansas sequence too long, though it is now one of the film’s hallmarks.
About how much did MGM pay for the rights to L. Frank Baum’s novel: $2,000, $15,000, or $75,000?
$75,000. This was a massive sum at the time, showing how badly the studio wanted to make the film.
Which of these is a song that was cut from the film’s final score: “The Jitterbug,” “Back Home to Kansas,” or “Here Goes Toto”?
“The Jitterbug.” The tune was referencing a dance craze at the time and was supposed to be sung on the way to the Witch’s castle.
What are the names of Dorothy’s aunt and uncle, with whom she lives in Kansas?
Uncle Henry and Aunt Em. The story begins when a cyclone hits their one-room Kansas home, carrying Dorothy to Oz.
What types of stories did Baum particularly enjoy writing?
Fairy tales. He wrote Mother and Father Goose stories as well as modernized fairy tales.
Margaret Hamilton appeared in costume on which children’s program hosted by Fred Rogers?
Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. She wanted to appear in costume to explain to children that witches are make-believe and shouldn’t be feared.
Why did Buddy Ebsen leave the role of the Tin Man?
A reaction to the silver face paint. Ebsen was hospitalized due to a severe reaction to the thick paint.
Did The New Yorker’s film critic Russell Maloney enjoy the film?
No. Despite many good reviews from other sources, the film was maligned by Maloney as a “stinkeroo” lacking any imagination.
Which of the following is not one of Dorothy’s traveling companions in Oz: Toto the dog, the Courageous Lion, or the Scarecrow?
The Courageous Lion. The Lion character is cowardly, and his journey is about finding his courage.
Who stars as Dorothy Gale in the 1939 film adaptation of Baum’s book?
Judy Garland. The child star appears alongside other actors including Ray Bolger and Frank Morgan.
Montreal, Canada, lifted what type of restriction in 1939 to allow a larger audience to see the film?
Age restriction. They allowed minors (under 16) to see the film without an adult.
What type of dog is Toto?
A Cairn terrier. Toto is portrayed by a female dog, who was paid $125 per week—more than some of the human actors.
How many Oscars was the film nominated for?
Five. It won in two categories, Best Original Score and Best Original Song.
How many Oz books did L. Frank Baum write?
14. The last book was published one year after his death, and the series was continued under another author, Ruth Plumly Thompson.
What Wicked Witch actress was so nice in real life that Judy Garland found it hard to act afraid of her?
Margaret Hamilton. Hamilton was also a lifelong fan of the Oz book series and was thrilled to appear in the film.
Which of her companions does Dorothy slap at the midpoint of the film?
The Cowardly Lion. Garland had trouble filming the scene, as she continually giggled throughout each take.
What color was Dorothy’s hair during the early days of filming?
Blonde. The original vision for Dorothy included a blonde wig and rather heavy makeup, before transforming into the iconic Dorothy look we know today.
A thrifted prop jacket worn by Professor Marvel (Frank Morgan) turned out to have belonged to what figure important to the film?
L. Frank Baum. The discovery was made when Morgan found a label inside a coat pocket. The find was confirmed by Baum’s widow.
What is L. Frank Baum’s real first name?
Lyman. He was named for an uncle but hated his first name and went by Frank instead.
Where do the famous ruby slippers from the film now reside?
The Smithsonian National Museum of American History. They are such a popular exhibit that the museum frequently replaces the carpet near the slippers due to wear and tear.
Terry, the main dog who portrays Toto, also appears on film with what curly-haired child star?
Shirley Temple. The two appear together in 1934’s Bright Eyes.
Which character caught fire due to a problem with special effects in one scene?
The Wicked Witch. Margaret Hamilton took about three months to recover after the accident melted her copper-based face paint.
How many directors did the film have?
Four. Some lasted only a couple of weeks, with little to no footage from their time ending up in the finished product.