Behind The Scenes Secrets: The Wizard Of Oz

Judy Garland Was Drugged to Get Through Filming

In 2017, you’d probably be outraged and shocked to hear that child actors were being fed drugs to keep up with their often nerve-wracking and intense filming schedule; however, in the ’30s, this was common.

Judy Garland was given barbiturates and amphetamines to keep her skinny on set (gross) and keep her awake. This experience may have helped her during the filming process, but it left her an addict, which she could never shake. FilmingThe Wizard of Ozmade Garland’s career, but it also ruined her life. She died from an overdose at age 47.

Toto Made More Money Than the Munchkins

Toto was a star performer played by Terry, a female Cairn terrier who appeared in an impressive 16 films. At the timeThe Wizard of Ozwas being filmed, Terry had already starred in a film with Shirley Temple (1934’sBright Eyes).It’s no wonder that this movie star of a dog got paid more than the munchkins – actual human actors. Toto raked in $125 per week (equivalent to about $1,700 in 2017). The munchkins made between $50 and $100 a week, which is no small chunk of change for 1939, but hardly the movie star salary you’d imagine.