July 25, 2009

The Wizard of Oz, 70 years on

Writers and directors came and went, a witch nearly died, the dog needed a stunt double and when the film was finished, it was a critical and commercial flop. Seventy years on, here's our pictorial celebration of The Wizard of Oz

Scene from The Wizard of Oz — The Wizard of Oz bombed when it was finally released in 1939 but over the past 70 years, the film – starring Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Jack Haley as the Tin Man, Judy Garland as Dorothy and Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion – has become a cherished treasure Photograph: Kobal

Judy Garland as Dorothy with the book of The Wizard of Oz — Judy Garland as Dorothy with L Frank Baum's book of The Wizard of Oz. That the story survived more or less intact through 10 writers, four directors and the full might of the Hollywood sausage machine was seen as practically mystical Photograph: Ronald Grant Archive

Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz — The production was a miserable one for most of the actors. Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, nearly died when her makeup caught fire Photograph: Ronald Grant Archive

Toto the dog in The Wizard of Oz — Toto the dog had to have a stunt double, after being blown across the floor like a toupee when the wind machines were turned on Photograph: Kobal

Margaret Pellegrini, who played a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz — There were kinky stories aplenty about the Munchkins, one of whom was played by Margaret Pellegrini. At 85, she is still in constant demand Photograph: Dan Tuffs

Cast and crew of The Wizard of Oz in 1939 — Cast and crew of The Wizard of Oz in 1939: (clockwise from left) Bert Lahr, Ray Bolger, MGM executive LK Sidney, Yip Harburg, composer/conductor Meredith Willson, music publisher Harry Link, Harold Arlen and Judy Garland. Harburg is barely recognised today, but he's the lyricist behind the enduring Over the Rainbow Photograph: Harburg Estate

Billie Burke and Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz — Billie Burke and Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz. The film's makers had considered Shirley Temple for Dorothy while Burke won the role of Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, over Fanny Brice and Gracie Fields Photograph: Kobal

Dorothy's ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz — Dorothy's ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz. The film cost $2.7m, MGM's most expensive film of 1939 Photograph: Ronald Grant Archive

Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz — Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz. For some, the key to the film's appeal is the way it addresses our fundamental anxieties, 'the feeling that we're all right inside ourselves' Photograph: Kobal

Lorna Luft, daughter of Judy Garland, outside the Palladium, London — For Judy Garland's daughter Lorna Luft, after her mother died, the film was 'one of the only ways I had to be near her' and endures because of 'her honesty. Her innocence'. Photograph: David Levene/Guardian

Leave a Comment Cancel comment