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Wizard of Oz Fact #116: The Cowardly Lion's Costume
Bert Lahr, who played the Cowardly Lion, wore a costume made of real lion skin and fur that weighed approximately 60 pounds. The costume was so hot and uncomfortable that Lahr would frequently ask to remove it between takes, despite the extensive makeup.
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Source: Bert Lahr Biography
Wizard of Oz Fact #115: Oz as Technicolor Showcase
The 1939 film was produced during the early days of Technicolor, and MGM used it as an opportunity to demonstrate the technology’s capabilities. The vibrant colors of Oz: from the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City: were specifically designed to showcase the three-color Technicolor process.
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Source: Technicolor in The Wizard of Oz
Wizard of Oz Fact #114: The Song 'Over the Rainbow'
“Over the Rainbow,” composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, was nearly cut from the film because executives thought it slowed down the narrative. Garland’s emotional performance saved the song, which went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song and become an American classic.
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Source: Over the Rainbow Academy Award
Wizard of Oz Fact #113: Baum's Vision of a Childless Oz
L. Frank Baum envisioned Oz as a place where children could visit but ultimately must return home. This grounded the fantasy in a moral framework about childhood, growth, and the importance of family: themes that continue to resonate in modern Oz adaptations.
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Source: L. Frank Baum's Philosophy of Oz
Wizard of Oz Fact #112: The Munchkinland Sequence
The Munchkinland sequence required 124 Munchkin actors, most of whom were people with dwarfism from circuses and sideshows across America. This was one of the largest ensemble casts ever assembled for a film at that time.
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Source: The Wizard of Oz: Munchkins
Wizard of Oz Fact #111: The Tin Man's Costume Challenge
Jack Haley, who played the Tin Man, wore a heavy aluminum costume that weighed over 60 pounds. The costume got so hot under the studio lights that he had to take frequent breaks. His feet were particularly affected, as he had to wear heavy metal boots.
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Source: Jack Haley Biography
Wizard of Oz Fact #110: Oz Books Continue Beyond Baum
L. Frank Baum wrote 14 Oz books before his death in 1919. The series continued with contributions from other authors, eventually expanding to over 40 official books. The Land of Oz remains one of the most expansive fictional universes in children’s literature.
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Source: The Oz Series Bibliography
Wizard of Oz Fact #109: The Scarecrow's Improvised Dancing
Ray Bolger, who played the Scarecrow, improvised much of his physical comedy and dancing. His rubber-limbed movements were so effective that they became one of the film’s most memorable elements. Bolger had originally auditioned for the role of the Tin Man.
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Source: Ray Bolger Biography