Film Notes
     "When it was released during Hollywood's golden year of 1939, The Wizard of Oz didn't start out as the perennial classic it has since become. The film did respectable business, but it wasn't until its debut on television that this family favorite saw its popularity soar. And while Oz's TV broadcasts are now controlled by media mogul Ted Turner (who owns the rights), the advent of home video has made this lively musical a mainstay in the staple diet of great American films. Young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), her dog, Toto, and her three companions on the yellow brick road to Oz, the Tin Man (Jack Haley), the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), and the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), have become pop-culture icons and central figures in the legacy of fantasy for children. As the Wicked Witch who covets Dorothy's enchanted ruby slippers, Margaret Hamilton has had the singular honor of scaring the wits out of children for more than six decades. The film's still as fresh, frightening, and funny as it was when first released. It may take some liberal detours from the original story by L. Frank Baum, but it's loyal to the Baum legacy while charting its own course as a spectacular film. Shot in glorious Technicolor, befitting its dynamic production design (Munchkinland alone is a psychedelic explosion of color and decor), The Wizard of Oz may not appeal to every taste as the years go by, but it's required viewing for kids of all ages." (Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com)
     The Wizard of Oz is in sepia tone and three-strip Technicolor. Originally not rated, but given an MPAA G rating for video. In L. Frank Baum's book, Dorothy's magical slippers weren't ruby-red, but silver. The original Tin Man was Buddy Ebsen. He was replaced after his makeup, which contained pure aluminum dust, coated his lungs and left him hospitalized. Jack Haley took over the role and wore a safer, paste-based makeup. The studio wanted W.C. Fields for the role of the Wizard of Oz, but his asking price was too high. Shirley Temple was considered for the role of Dorothy. Over the Rainbow was originally cut from the movie because MGM executives thought it slowed down the film's pace. A "Jitterbug" musical number was also cut from the final print. A longer version of If I Only Had a Brain was discovered in the MGM vaults in 1973, choreographed by Busby Berkeley. The versions with additional material run around 119 minutes. Aired originally on the CBS Television Network November 3, 1956. The CBS Television Network celebrated the film's 40th year on television May 10, 1996 by showing an original, unedited print of the film that included the "Jitterbug" dance sequence and other footage never screened in theatres. In addition, the station ran a documentary on the making of the movie. Angela Lansbury hosted the special. Among the additional footage is Ray Bolger's Scarecrow dance number; the "Jitterbug" number; Buddy Ebsen's rendition of If I Only Had a Heart, the original trailer; and Judy Garland at the 1939 Oscars. Additional cast: Pat Walshe (Nikko) and Toto (as Toto, the Dog). Additional credits: Natalie Kalmus (Technicolor director); Henri Jaffa (associate Technicolor director); Allen Davey, ASC (associate photography); and Buddy Connolly (musical numbers staging). The silent 1925 version,  The Wizard of Oz, starred Larry Semon; remade as The Wiz (set in New York City)