The Wizard of Oz isn’t just a movie—it’s a masterpiece that has captured hearts for generations. “It’s got incredible music, a chemistry among the cast that feels electric, and it’s a perfect storm,” William Stillman, co-author of the new book The Road to Oz, told Closer Weekly. In the latest issue, now on newsstands, Stillman dives into the behind-the-scenes drama of this beloved classic. But here’s the kicker: it wasn’t all rainbows and lollipops. The making of this 1939 film was fraught with challenges that most fans have never heard about.
A Dorothy Dilemma: Judy vs. Shirley
Let’s rewind to the beginning. When it came to casting Dorothy, the role almost went to someone other than Judy Garland. Can you believe that? Shirley Temple was the frontrunner because she more closely matched the description of Dorothy from L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s novel. But Shirley’s studio wouldn’t let her out of her contract to star in the MGM film. That’s when Judy Garland stepped in, despite being older than the character was originally written to be. It was a bold choice, but one that ultimately paid off in a big way.
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But being cast as Dorothy wasn’t all sunshine and lollipops for Judy. At just 16 years old, she had to endure some pretty intense physical transformations. Her breasts were bound to make her appear younger, and a small piece of foam rubber was used to cover a gap on the bridge of her nose. And let’s not forget the dieting. The studio wanted her to look slimmer on camera, so they pushed her to diet. But Judy found a way around it with help from Florence Baum, L. Frank Baum’s daughter. Florence would sneak Judy extra mashed potatoes and gravy during lunch breaks, keeping the young actress nourished despite the studio’s demands.
Drugs, Fire, and Other Set Dangers
With all the pressure on set, the studio turned to barbiturates to keep Judy’s energy levels up. These weren’t street drugs, but prescription medications that were, at the time, seen as harmless as vitamins. But as Stillman points out, “There was gross negligence.” This early exposure to drugs would tragically lead to Judy’s lifelong struggle with pill addiction and her fatal overdose in 1969.
And it wasn’t just Judy who faced dangers. Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, suffered burns to her hands and face during a fiery scene. Sparks from a light nearly set young Judy ablaze in another scene, but Ray Bolger, who played the Scarecrow, came to her rescue. Unfortunately, his straw costume caught fire, and he had to be doused with a fire extinguisher. It’s a testament to the bravery and camaraderie among the cast that they managed to get through such perilous situations.
