The book that started it all. Baum would become nationally famous, and quite well off for a while after writing this particualr tale. The book differs from the movie, but the sentiment is the same. Many more books about OZ would soon follow, and eventually, Dorothy would rule OZ. The one thing I loved about these books is that OZ and the Emerald City is real. It is not a dream. Dorothy never wakes up from anything. At the end of this tale, she is discovered running back down the road, Toto at her feet, toward her farm in Kansas. She absolutely realizes that she has lived, she had experienced, she understands, and all she needs is where it's always been: Right in front of her all the time. Home.



The original look for Margaret Hamilton's "Wicked Witch" character. Notice the difference:



There were four different directors workng on this film. One of them, the great Cukor, did little but change hairstyles and make yp. One of his treasures included redifining Judy Garland's character from a blonde dimwit, to "...just being herself."




There was never any doubt who would play Glinda The Good Witch. Florenz Ziegfield's wife was never better.




Victor Flemming is the director credited with the movie. He was, however, one of four directors working on the project. He was called away in the middle of filming, to finish his multi Oscar winning classic "Gone With The Wind." It was a good year for Victor.




King Vidor. Another director and one that treated Garland with kindess and respect. Unfortunately, he only lasted a month.



The Little People. Contrary to rumors on the set, they were mostly professional and on time. Only two of them spoke english (the two above) and their voices were dubbed by other singers. Garland's stories of them are....shall we say....exaggerated just a tad. They were in awe of Judy and never spoke ill of her. Only one of the orignal Little People is still alive. One of the actors had a home that is 4 streets down from where I live in California. It has a tiny white picket fence, and a tiny front door, and, according to my friend Tom, on the inside: all the counters, doorknobs, and window sills are lowered in order to fit te previous owner's height. When I get homesick, I drive by it and stare at the garden.




The movie was plagued with problems. Hamilton was severely burned during one scene, Buddy Ebsen (from "The Beverly Hillbillys") was originally cast as the Tin Man and developed a nasty allergy to the silver make up, and had to bow out of the movie altogether, and Garland's addiction was in it's infancy.




This was the first movie of it's kind that blended both black and white and color to show dramatic tension. The first half of the film in dusty greys depicts Dorothy's Kansas as a dreary, humdrum life from which she must escape. Then, after landing in Munchinkland, as the door is opened (by her double by the way) the technicolor is used in full force, giving a make believe land a richness and a fragrance never before seen by audiences. It was spetcular, and Fleming's idea from the start.




The head of the Wizard is said to be Frank Morgan.




Garland and Bolger remained friends throughout the years and appeared together many times on Television. However, they only did one more picture together as adults. Can you name the film?




Margaret Hamilton became Judy's confidant and psuedo-Mother figure. She helped her with her school work, they chatted on set, and Judy told her of her problems and heart breaks. When the movie wrapped, they rarely spoke.




Everyone in the cast received rave reviews for their performances. It broke even at the box office, but that "Gone With The Wind" flick took a lot of the wind out of it's sails. It was also, primarily, thought of as a children's movie, whereas half of America was awaiting the arrival of Scarlett O'Hara.




Garland's head strong Mother was another problem to contend with on the set. Always present, always demanding, and always pushing Judy to work harder, better, and faster. It drove everyone on the set to distraction unti finally, Flemming had her thrown off.




There is no doubt it is Judy's performance that is the center of this film. Along with the story itself, it's wonderful writing, and the terriffic score Judy's ability to creep inside a character is evident even at such a young age. She can get more out of one line than most actor's can out of an entire monologue. Pictire Shirley Temple attempting this script. It simply isn't the same. This is beyond a young teenager. Try and think of an actress at the age of 16 years old, that gives this kind of performance today. Aint no such thing. And then there's her voice. It's unparralleled in it's depth, and wonderment, and range. She was a true prodigy and this performance made her not only a national celebrity, but an American Icon.




This film changed my life when I first saw it on TV with my Mom by my side. We sat on my bed and watched in amazement. I write about it, I quote it, and I believe it. I believe there is a place we can go and it's not a place we can get to by a boat or a plane. It is Home. It is where we settle. It is what we've learned and what we've experienced. Sometimes we have to travel a million miles to end up realizing what's right next door. Especially now, I've been thinking a lot about Oz. I've been thinking a lot about somewhere where there isn't any trouble. I happen to be one of those people that truly believe in magic and dreams coming true. I believe in happy endings, and although things in my life have been grave and dire, somewhere in the back of my pea brain, was this movie. I know things aren't that simple, but I also know I can't stop dreaming.

I can find home.

I can be whole.

There is no place like it........