The Wizard of Oz is surrounded by folklore. Generations of fans have watched the movie in awe of its mystery, history, and pop culture relevance. The biggest fans have certainly done their research on the cast and characters, and many have read the original book by L. Frank Baum.
A movie with such a long legacy is sure to have some secrets here and there. In fact, members of the cast of The Wizard of Oz are just as famous as the movie is, but there's a lot about them that some fans may not have known. Here are 10 things about the cast of The Wizard Of Oz that fans of every age should learn by heart.
The Wizard Played Multiple Roles In The Movie
Many were considered for the role of the Wizard, but it ultimately went to Frank Morgan. Morgan did a lot more in the film than play the Wizard and Professor Marvel. He was also seen as the Gatekeeper, the Carriage Driver, and the Guard. That's a total of five roles in the same film!
Frank Morgan's IMDb acting credits are flooring, with 100 credits from 1916 to 1950.
The Tin Man's Costume Was Toxic
The Tin Man that won America's hearts is Jack Haley, but that was not always the case. Renowned actor Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the Tin Man, but he became very sick when the aluminum powder required by his costuming got into his lungs.
Jack Haley replaced Ebsen, and the make-up artists learned to use aluminum paste. It is believed that Haley was not aware of Ebsen's plight, according to the documentary at the end of a fiftieth anniversary tape for The Wizard of Oz.
The Scarecrow Was Meant To Be The Tin Man
Ray Bolger is the perfect Scarecrow, but things may have gone very differently. Bolger was originally cast as the Tin Man, and Buddy Ebsen would have been the Scarecrow.
Bolger was able to persuade Louis B. Mayer to switch the roles, so not only did he get to sing "If I Only Had a Brain," but he also dodged that aluminum bullet!
Shirley Temple Was Almost Cast As Dorothy
If Judy Garland hadn't won the role of Dorothy Gale, it could have been Shirley Temple. The curly-top child actress was everywhere in the 30s, but she lacked one thing that Judy had going for her: a mature and robust singing voice.
Garland was the clear choice when it came to the music, but it's interesting to think about what Shirley Temple would have brought to the role.
Judy Garland Isn't Judy Garland's Real Name
Only those who've seen Judy or the biopic Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows would know that Judy Garland's birth name was Frances Gumm.
The tumultuous life of Judy Garland is worth looking into, and it's especially fascinating that her star rose on a parallel path with Shirley Temple's. Both actresses would face torment through volatile marriages as well as growing pains in transition from child star to adult actress.
The Wicked Witch Of The West Almost Looked Different
The Wicked Witch of the West could have taken on quite a different look. Before going with Margaret Hamilton for the role of Miss Gulch/the Witch, MGM considered Gale Sondergaard. The 50th anniversary tape documentary reveals that Sondergaard would have been a "slinky and seductive" witch, much like the Evil Queen in Disney's Snow White.
This wouldn't do, and Gale Sondergaard did not want to look ugly, so she rejected the part. It then went to a character actress named Margaret Hamilton, and Hamilton was pretty convincing. In fact, she experienced a near-fatal accident on set. Remember that fiery exit the Wicked Witch of the West makes? Well, Hamilton was drawn below the set by an elevator, and the flames engulfed her face due to the copper in her makeup. Thankfully, a makeup artist named Jack Young saved her life by wiping off that copper.
Toto The Dog Has 21 Movie Credits
Toto is an important part of The Wizard of Oz. Toto's real name was Terry, and the female Cairn Terrier is listed as an IMDb actress with 21 credits!
Most of the roles are uncredited, but Terry's credit has always read "Toto" for The Wizard of Oz. The movie wouldn't be the same without her, and she did pretty well for herself making $125 a week in the late 30s!
The Coroner Got The Role Thanks To Great Articulation
The Coroner was one of the most polished and regal roles of The Wizard of Oz, and there's a reason for that. Meinhardt Raabe was cast as the Coroner, and he believed that he got the role because he articulated his words so clearly in the audition.
He participated in the World's Fair in 1934 before his important part in The Wizard of Oz. Meinhardt Raabe had a long life of 95 years.
Auntie Em Was Clara Blandick's Nth Aunt Role
Auntie Em was played by Clara Blandick, an actress born in 1880 in a ship off the coast of Hong Kong. Blandick was no stranger to the role of the aunt. Besides Auntie Em, she was known as Aunt Pewtie, Aunt Cissy, Aunt Martha, Aunt Mattie, and more.
Tragically, the accomplished actress committed suicide in 1962. She struggled with arthritis and was nearly blind. Her admirers will always remember her as Dorothy's beloved Auntie Em.
Many Consider The Cowardly Lion To Be Bert Lahr's Best Role
Comedian Bert Lahr is loved for his role as the Cowardly Lion. In fact, Turner Classic Movies has regarded the role as his very best on screen, stating that the Cowardly Lion most "allowed him to tap into his personality."
Sadly, Lahr collapsed on the set of his final film (The Night They Raided Minsky's), had a hemorrhage due to cancer complications, and died in 1967. He will always be remembered for making children of all generations laugh.