The Wizard of Oz (1939) | |
| Director(s) | Victor Fleming, Mervyn LeRoy (uncredited), King Vidor (uncredited) |
| Producer(s) | Mervyn LeRoy, Arthur Freed (associate uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Musical |
| Top Topics | Book-Based, Exotic Lands |
Featured Cast:
The Wizard of Oz Overview:
The Wizard of Oz (1939) was a Adventure - Family Film directed by King Vidor and Mervyn LeRoy and produced by Mervyn LeRoy and Arthur Freed.
The film was based on the novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and also Musical written by L. Frank Baum published in 1900 (novel); Jan 20, 1903 - Oct 3, 1903 (play performed at Majestic Theatre, NY).
SYNOPSIS
Treasured by millions with each new screening, this colorful musical fantasy defines for many the greatest achievements of Hollywood's classic period. MGM put every resource into the production, from dazzling Technicolor (an early use of the three-strip process; the colors astonished audiences of the day), marvelous songs from Arlen and Harburg that would become standards, a star-making performance from Garland (actually the studio's third choice for the role), and the thousands of studio artisans who created hundreds of costumes and 70 sets for an ambitious, months-long production led by three of the studio's most-trusted directors (and early sequences, not in the final cut, by Richard Thorpe). The result follows a Kansas farm girl (Garland) who escapes her black-and-white life and Hamilton's threat to do away with her beloved dog, Toto, to a Technicolor world that lies over the rainbow. After becoming the hero of Munchkin Land, Garland and Toto link arms with Bolger, Haley, and Lahr (the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion) to place each of their desires in front of the fabled Wizard, desires that they learn are really always within their reach. One of the classics that rewards each viewing. The special 50th anniversary video edition includes 17 minutes of extra footage, including Ray Bolger's scarecrow dance and the rehearsal and sound track from the jitterbug dance, both of which were edited out of the film; Buddy Ebsen (the initial Tin Man) performing "If I Only Had a Heart"; Judy Garland receiving her Oscar; the original theatrical promotional trailer; and a 32-page souvenir booklet.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
.The Wizard of Oz was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1989.
Academy Awards 1939 --- Ceremony Number 12 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Art Direction | Cedric Gibbons, William A. Horning | Nominated |
| Best Cinematography | Hal Rosson | Nominated |
| Best Music - Scoring | Herbert Stothart | Won |
| Best Music - Song | Music by Harold Arlen; Lyrics by E. Y. Harburg | Won |
| Best Picture | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
Mysteries of Oz Documentary Celebrates 85th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz
By Annmarie Gatti on Aug 19, 2024 From Classic Movie Hub BlogHollywood’s crowning achievement is its greatest enigma Here’s some exciting news for The Wizard of Oz fans (and who isn’t :)) Coming Soon! Mysteries of Oz: 85 Questions Answered is a new documentary from AMS Pictures that explores the magic, music, and myths surrounding the ... Read full article
Cinemallennials: The Wizard of Oz (1939)?
By Dave Lewis on Jul 27, 2021 From Classic Movie Hub BlogCinemallennials: The Wizard of Oz (1939) For those of you who are unfamiliar with Cinemallennials, it is a bi-weekly podcast in which I, and another millennial, watch a classic film that we?ve never seen before, and discuss its significance and relevance in today?s world. In this epi... Read full article
Silver Screen Standards: The Wizard of Oz (1939)
By Jennifer Garlen on Jul 8, 2019 From Classic Movie Hub BlogFor the very first post of a column called ?Silver Screen Standards,? I can?t think of a better choice than The Wizard of Oz (1939), a film that continues to delight and amaze viewers of all ages eighty years after its original release. People often ask me to name my favorite movie, a request I find... Read full article
Book Review: “The Wizard of OZ FAQ: All That’s Left To Know About Life According To Oz”
By Stephen Reginald on Jan 19, 2019 From Classic Movie ManBook Review: “The Wizard of OZ FAQ: All That’s Left To Know About Life According To Oz” Just when you thought you knew everything there was to know about The Wizard of Oz, here’s a book to inform you how little you actually do know about the classic film. Released durin... Read full article
Win Tickets to see ?TCM Big Screen Classics: The Wizard of Oz 80th Anniversary? (Giveaway runs now through Jan 13)
By Annmarie Gatti on Jan 8, 2019 From Classic Movie Hub BlogWin tickets to see ?The Wizard of Oz? on the big screen! In Select Cinemas Nationwide Sun Jan 27, Tues Jan 29, Wed Jan 30 ?Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more.? CMH continues into our?4th year of our partnership with Fathom Events?- with the?1st?of our 14 movie ticket givea... Read full article
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Quotes from
Hunk: Now look here, Dorothy, you ain't using your head about Miss Gulch. You'd think you didn't have any brains at all.
Dorothy: I have so got brains.
Hunk: Well, why don't you use them? When you come home, don't go by Miss Gulch's place. Then Toto won't get in her garden, and you won't get in no trouble. See?
Dorothy: Oh Hunk, you just won't listen, that's all.
Hunk: Well, your head ain't made of straw, you know.
Dorothy: I've got a witch mad at me and you might get into trouble!
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Facts about
The title role was written with W.C. Fields in mind. Producer Mervyn LeRoy wanted Ed Wynn, who turned down the role. MGM executive Arthur Freed wanted Fields, and offered him $75,000. Fields supposedly wanted $100,000. According to a letter from Fields' agent (which he claimed was written by Fields) Fields turned down the role to devote his time to writing the script for You Can't Cheat an Honest Man. Since the role was perceived as being too small, additional roles were written for the actor in hopes of balancing the screen time for the actor playing the wizard with that of the rest of the cast. Thus Frank Morgan plays the roles of the Wizard, Professor Marvel, the Gatekeeper, the cab driver with the "horse of a different color" who performs a musical number, and the Wizard's Guard. It is also possible that Morgan was made up for the spooky projected image of the Wizard's face transposed on the billowing steam in his Throne Room.
Although it has been long believed that Lorraine Bridges dubbed Billie Burke's singing voice in the film, she actually did not. Ms. Burke did her own singing as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North.
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