Behind The Scenes Secrets: The Wizard Of Oz

The 1939 filmThe Wizard of Ozis one of the most iconic films of all time. It launched Garland into the throes of major movie stardom. Though the film made Garland’s career, it also ruined her life.Ozwas a gorgeous, Technicolor film, but there was an undeniable darkness on set – from drug addiction and assault to injury and near death.

“Over the Rainbow” Was Almost Cut from the Film

“Over the Rainbow” is one of the most well-known songs of all time, but it almost didn’t exist as we know it.The Wizard of Ozhad an insanely long run-time. It was two hours long, and producers had to cut it down by at least 20 minutes for it to be a reasonable length. “Over the Rainbow” was originally cut because producers thought the black and white scenes dragged, and that younger audiences wouldn’t understand the song’s message (they were totally wrong). Instead of cutting the version Dorothy sang in Kansas, they ended up cutting the reprise when Dorothy was imprisoned in the Wicked Witch’s lair.

Victor Fleming Slapped Judy Garland on Set

Yes, it’s true. Victor Fleming slapped Judy Garland on set. To make things worse, the actress was just 16 years old at the time of the film’s shooting. Talk about totally inappropriate! It happened when director Victor Fleming ran into a bit of trouble during the scene where Dorothy slaps the Cowardly Lion. Apparently, Garland just couldn’t stop laughing. At this point in Garland’s career, she was less of a massive movie star and more of a teenage girl; she had never been in a production of this scale.

According to producer Pandro S. Berman, after Garland’s unshakeable case of the giggles was well under way, Fleming pulled her aside, slapped her and then told her to get back to work. That’s one way to rip the smile right off of a teenage girl’s face.