Little Known Facts!

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Here's some info I collected...If you know of any facts I left out email me and I'll add it to the list!

The film originally contained an elaborate production number called "The JitterBug", which cost $80,000 and took five weeks to shoot. In the scene, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly lion, and the Tin Woodsman are on their way to the Witch's castle when they are attacked by "jitter bugs" - furry pink and blue mosquito-like "rascals" that give one "the jitters" as they buzz about in the air. When, after its first preview, the movie was judged too long, MGM officials decided to sacrifice the "Jitter Bug" scene. They reasoned that it added little to the plot and, because a dance by the same name had just become popular, they feared it might date the picture. The Witch still refers to the bug in the final film, just before telling the Monkeys to "Fly!" Only home movies of the filming of "The Jitterbug" survive, though the song is on current versions of both the soundtrack CD and the recent anniversary edition videotape. The sequence was also incorporated into a recent stage version of the musical.
Ogden Nash wrote an unused screenplay.
When making the movie, two takes were done for the Witch scene in Munchkin Land where she disappears in a cloud of smoke. The first is the one used. However, on the second take, Margaret Hamilton's (the witch) face make-up caught on fire as she fell through the trap door. Fortunately, she was not seriously hurt.
The title role was written with W.C. Fields in mind. Producer Mervyn LeRoy wanted Ed Wynn, who turned down the role. Studio executive Freed wanted Fields, and offered him $75,000. Fields supposedly wanted $100,000.
Frank Morgan has five roles: Professor Marvel, the gatekeeper of the Emerald City, the cab driver (of the horse of a different color), the Wizard's guard, and the Wizard. It is also possible that he was made up for the projected image of the Wizard.
Ray Bolger was originally casted for the part of the Tinman, but after fighting to be the Scarecrow he got that part instead.
Buddy Ebsen was casted to be the Tinman. Aluminum dust was used for his make-up. The dust coated his lungs and he was taken to the hospital. During months of recooperation the Tinman was recasted, and Jack Haley became the new Tinman. Aluminum paste replaced the aluminum dust. Ebsen's voice can still be heard in "Off to see the Wizard".
Terry (Toto) was stepped on by one of the witch's guards, and had a double for two weeks. A second double was obtained, because it resembled Toto more closely.
Young screen play writer Noel Langley was responsible for changing Dorothy's silver slippers to ruby slippers, establishing the fantasy characters as hired hands, and the line "There's no place like home!", among other changes.
L. Frank Baum got the name of Oz from his filing cabinet, one drawer saying A-N, and the other O-Z.
Dorothy originally had long, curly, blonde hair.
"Over the Rainbow" was cut after the second preview fearing that it would slow down the film. After reconsideration is was put back.
The date inscribed on the certificate for the death of the Wicked Witch of the East is the death date of L. Frank Baum - May 6.
Morgan's Professor Marvel coat was taken from a rack of second-hand clothing purchased by the studio wardrobe department; he was astounded when, just by chance, he turned out the coat's pocket and found the name L. Frank Baum (the Oz books' author) sewn into the lining. Baum's widow and the tailor who made the coat confirmed that the coat had, indeed, been his. Upon completion of filming, the coat was presented to Baum's widow.
The "tornado" was a thirty-five foot long muslin stocking, photographed with miniatures of a Kansas farm and fields.
A lengthy dance for the Scarecrow was cut.
The horses in Emerald City palace were colored with Jello crystals. The scenes had to be shot quickly, before the horses started to lick it off.
Many of the Munchkins' voices were dubbed by professional singers, as many of the actors had poor English or couldn't sing.
Director Victor Fleming did not finish the film, being assigned to take over direction of Gone with the Wind (1939). Fleming stayed with Oz until the color photography was completed, and then handed over to King Vidor, who directed the black and white sequences.
This fact was given to me by one of you: "In the Lion's King of the Forest song there was a little interlude in which Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Tinman sang about how the other animals would respect him and about his wife being queen. It's on the current soundtrack of the movie."

Here are some facts I've gathered from fellow OZ fans!
The Wicked Witch was originally supposed to be "slinky and seductive", and was supposed to be played by Gale Sondergaard. However, she rejected the role when a glamorous costume was replaced with the design worn by Margaret Hamilton.
MGM's The Wizard of Oz is a 101-minute film that cost $3,700,000 to produce.
The world premier showing of MGM's The Wizard of Oz was at the Strand Theatre in Oconomowoc, Wisc.
MGM's The Wizard of Oz Hollywood premiere was at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood. The author's widow, Maud Baum, her granddaughter, Ozma Baum, and actor Fred Stone - famous for his performance on stage as the Scarecrow (1902-1911) attended the event. Ten-tier bleachers lined the entrance and 3,000 stood to see the stars arrive.
Actress Fanny Brice was originally proposed for the role of Glinda in MGM's 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz.
Trade press and industry experts wanted a real lion - even MGM's own Leo - to be used instead of an actor in a lion costume in the making of the MGM classic film of The Wizard of Oz.
Director Richard Thorpe originally began production on the film; after scrapping his footage, MGM brought in George Cukor, who lasted three more days. Although Victor Fleming received sole director credit, King Vidor directed the opening and closing scenes in black-and-white.
Billie Burke's singing voice was dubbed by Lorraine Bridges.
The first television showing of Oz was on the CBS network on November 3, 1956. It was shown on CBS' "Ford Star Jubilee" program. Judy Garland inaugurated the "Ford Star Jubilee" series with her first TV special on September 24, 1955. In November 1996, CBS celebrated 40 years of Oz with a special showing of the movie with special interviews and a documentary.
Ray Bradbury's short story, "The Exiles," describes a future in which psychologists succeed in destroying all books of fantasy. The story ends with the collapse of the Emerald City as the last Oz book goes up in flames.
The Wizard of Oz is the most-watched movie of all time. It is estimated that more than one billion people have seen it (that's one-sixth of the earth's population!).

Here are some facts I've gathered from fellow OZ fan Thomas C.! Thanks!
"Billie Burke refused to refer to Glinda as the "Good Witch." She instead would only call Glinda "The Good Fairy." She didn't like being called a "Witch."
One copy of Dorothy's dress was black and white with a brownish wash applied to the dress. This dress was worn by Judy's stand in Bobbie Koshay for the moment when Dorothy opens the door and the film becomes color. As Bobbie Koshay (as Dorothy) opened the door, Judy Garland was waiting to step through the door with the Blue gingham dress on. This was done so that the switch to color could be done in one shot.
The snow flakes in the poppy field where made of white gypsum, which is used to make plaster of Paris. This was very hazardous to inhale. The actors were advised not to breath too deeply.
On the floor of the Witch's Castle around the huge crystal ball is a ring with the 12 signs of the Zodiac. The went unnoticed in the film because you rarely if ever see the floor.
In May of 1939 Judy Garland and Billie Burke were called back to do some pick up shots. The shot that they needed to re do was when Glinda takes off in her bubble after telling Dorothy to "Follow the Yellow Brick Road." In March Burke had broken her leg and was in a cast. Thanks to the length of her costume no one was the wiser that she had a cast on her leg."

Here are some NEW facts I've gathered from fellow OZ fan "ElvisHere"! Thanks!
the slippers were ruby red in the movie (really Silver in the origanal Book by L. Frank Baum.) b/c producers felt that the red would show of technicolor better.
they went through approx. 100 scarecrow masks throughout the movie.
The ruby slippers were made from chiffon material. The ruby beads were attached to the slippers by being hand sewn to them
in the original book by L. Frank Baum there is NO professor Marvel
Auntie Em's apron cost the studio $1
it took 7 weeks to train Toto
Margaret hamilton was paid $1,000/wk -- Judy $500/wk -- Toto $125/wk Jack Haley $3,000/wk
Judy was 16 yrs old when she played Dorothy.
The 1st publication of Baum's Book "The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz" sold 10,000 copies in 2 weeks
Baum was 43 when he created "the Wonderful Wizard Oz Oz"
Hickory's last name is Tucker
The Studio Production number for this movie is 1060
Ray Bolger's face became permanently lined due to his scarecrow makeup and masks
17 mintues and 30 seconds of the movie is in black and white
Emerald city costumes were made from silk and wool so that they could be dyed
the tallest munchkin as 4'8"
there was 8 sand bags attached to the Wizards balloon
Prof. Marvels horse name is Sylvester
The Wicked Witches hat has black ribbons protruding down the back
Scarecrows makeup and mask took 2hrs/day to put on -- Tin Man's make up took 1hr and 45 minutes/day to put on
in the org. script..the tin man threatens to chop off the Wizard of Oz's head when he is exposed as a fake
In the Org book by Baum..the Wicked Witch carries an umbrella not a broomstick
The "L" in L. Frank Baum's name stands for Lyman
The lion's costume weighed 70 lbs
In the Org Book by Baum...there is no Lullaby league OR Lollipop guild
it took 5 months and 3 days to make Wiz of Oz
in the Org script....the skywriting scene said "Surrender Dorothy or Die. WWW."
the scarecrows costume was made from Asbestos to keep him from getting burned
Margaret hamilton was 36 when she made this movie

If you have a little known fact send it to me and I'll post it!

Updated: May 24, 2000

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Little Known Facts!

Here are some facts I've gathered from fellow OZ fans!

Here are some facts I've gathered from fellow OZ fan Thomas C.! Thanks!

Here are some NEW facts I've gathered from fellow OZ fan "ElvisHere"! Thanks!

If you have a little known fact send it to me and I'll post it!