Behind The Scenes Secrets: The Wizard Of Oz

L. Frank Baum’s Coat In Real Life Was The Wizard’s Coat In The Movie

Sometimes stars just align, and that’s what happened when costume designers were looking for the perfect coat for Frank Morgan, who played both the Wizard and Professor Marvel. They wanted a coat that looked fashionable, but heavily worn, so they hit up a bunch of local thrift stores in their search. They found the perfect coat, and on set, Morgan found a label stitched into the inside of the jacket that said “L. Frank Baum.” It was the author’s coat, which had been tailored just for him. After filming, producers gifted the coat to the author’s widow.

A Munchkin Did Not Hang Himself on Set

This is one of the many conspiracy theories that seem to surroundThe Wizard of Oz,but no, not a single munchkin committed suicide on set. In one scene, conspiracy theorists believe a Munchkin or disgruntled crew member can be seen hanging himself from the trees; however, it’s actually a bird.

MGM had rented about 400 birds from a local zoo that they’d use in various projects. Lots of these birds escaped from their cages, and some ended up onThe Wizard of Ozset. The bird in question is an escaped crane that stretches out its wings in the background. It isnota hanging Munchkin.