- The Wizard of Oz remains a beloved film that captivates audiences of all ages despite being released over eight decades ago.
- Despite the popularity of conspiracy theories surrounding the film, many of them are unfounded, such as the infamous “dead munchkin” theory.
- The dark side of filming The Wizard of Oz includes on-set injuries, Judy Garland’s traumatic experiences, and a controversial connection to Pink Floyd. Dark side of the Moon album.
1939s The Wizard of Oz remains one of the most charming films of all time; although some works of classic cinema do not quite hold up in a modern context, The Wizard of Oz this is one of those rare films that still has the same power to captivate audiences of all ages, even more than eight decades after its initial release. It was initially seen as a box office disappointment, but The Wizard of Oz was showered with praise and considered one of the best films of all time; The American Film Institute ranked it 10th on its list in 2007. With a cultural impact unmatched by any work in cinematic media since (with the possible exception of star Wars), The Wizard of Oz has also been the source of infamous urban legends. While one of the most popular conspiracy theories is not true at all, there are other secrets within the rainbow that are a little unnerving.
A conspiracy theory has emerged that during the first act of the film, during the musical number “We’re To See The Wizard”, Dorothy can be seen in the body of a dead munchkin (Judy Garland), Tin Woodman (Jack Haley) and Scarecrow (Ray Bolger) are walking along the yellow brick road. The theory suggests that one of the extras cast as the munchkin committed suicide., casting a shadow beyond the edge of the frame. In fact, the shadow belongs to a bird that flew onto the set; Given the tedious process of setting up sets for a Technicolor production, it was difficult to hide errors in the final version. Bye this is a dark read The Wizard of Oz this is nothing more than an urban legendother theories are based on reality.
The Wizard of Oz
Young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz by a tornado, and they and three new friends set out on a quest to see the Wizard who can bring her home and complete the others’ quest. wishes.
- Date of issue
- August 15, 1939
- Director
- Victor Fleming, Mervyn LeRoy, Richard Thorpe, King Vidor
- Throw
- Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billy Burke
- Rating
- G
- lead time
- 101
- Main genre
- Adventure
Injuries on the set of The Wizard of Oz
While accidents unfortunately still occur in the industry today, the laxer production standards of Hollywood’s Golden Age allowed many preventable injuries to occur. Initially, Buddy Ebsen was cast as the Tin Man, but later left the production due to the studio’s egregious behavior. The initial makeup applied to his face had serious side effects, making it difficult for Ebsen to breathe, move and speak. during filming; Ebsen stated in a 2005 DVD interview that MGM ignored his reports of illness. MGM reportedly did not believe his reports until medical staff filed a complaint when Ebsen was ordered to film the video amid his deteriorating condition.
When the role was recast with Jack Haley, make-up artists mixed the paste with aluminum powder to prevent contamination; although it eventually infected his right eye, Hayley was able to recover. However, Margaret Hamilton (who starred as the Wicked Witch of the West) suffered second-degree burns to her face during her iconic first appearance in Munchkinland. She was also injured during the scene where the Wicked Witch flies away due to her broom prop exploding and catching fire.
Judy Garland had a traumatic experience with The Wizard of Oz
The tragedy surrounding Judy Garland’s life is one of the darkest stories in Hollywood history; Peter Quilter wrote a biographical musical about Garland’s life called End of the Rainbow which was adapted into a 2019 film Judywho won Renee Zellweger Academy Award for Best Actress. Although Garland’s abuse by her managers, family, and studio employees began even before she released The Wizard of Oz, she was severely underpaid compared to her male counterparts. While Haley, Bolger, Bert LahrAnd Frank Morgan earned approximately $3,000 a week, Garland received $500.
Garland was also heavily medicated with sleeping pills. at the time to meet a strict filming schedule. Director Victor Fleming also slapped Garland during the scene in which she scares the Cowardly Lion to make her cry; Fleming also frequently insulted Garland and emotionally abused her. Garland also later made statements that she was sexually harassed and assaulted by various co-stars played munchkins, whose abuses on the set were frequent. Garland died of an accidental overdose of barbiturates at the age of 47.
Pink Floyd connection to The Wizard of Oz
Darker interpretations The Wizard of Oz were also inspired by an unusual phenomenon that first became popular in 1995. Fort Worth Journal Newspaper writer Charles Savage wrote an article that suggested combining viewing The Wizard of Oz With Pink Floydcult album of 1973 Dark side of the Moon. In the early era of the Internet, fansites and videos carefully cataloged matches and created timed edits. The trend grew in popularity in 2000 when Turner’s classic films aired. The Wizard of Oz which made it possible to synchronize the sound, giving The dark side of the rainbow adherents synchronize the album.
Among the noted matches in the synchronized version is Dorothy balancing on a fence in her Kansas yard as the phrase “balancing on both waves” plays in the song “Breathe”. This transitions into ominous music during “Great Gig in the Sky”, which begins when Dorothy’s house is swept away by a tornado; Ironically, “Money” starts playing during the intro to Oz, which was one of the most expensive releases in MGM history. The characters’ lines are also consistent with the album; the phrase “madman on the grass” is heard during the intro to Scarecrow, and the phrase “madman on the grass” begins at the beginning of “If I Only Had A Brain”.
Despite the popularity of the claims, Pink Floyd deny any connection between them. guitar player David Gilmour suggested that this theory was simply the result of an obsession with the Internet, and drummer Nick Mason revealed that the album was inspired by Sounds of musicand had nothing to do with The Wizard of Oz. Bassist Roger Walters He also stated that the connection was completely fabricated and “has nothing to do with us.”
Like any film that stands the test of time, The Wizard of Oz has inspired many iconic theories, interpretations and remakes. It remains a popular item; Walter March1985 film Return to Oz explored the darker story of how Dorothy returned to the fantasy world as an old woman, Sam Raimi filmed a live-action origin story in 2013 Oz the Great and MightyAnd Kenya Barris is set to make a modern remake from Warner Brothers.
The Wizard of Oz is available to stream on Max in the US.
Watch on Max
Source: Collider
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