The Wizard Of… Hell? There are various rumors and conspiracies of the situations that the cast of the 1939 movie, The Wizard Of Oz, went through during the filming. Such as makeup and costumes incidents, hospital trips, abuse, all very sickening situations that each actor went through. We’re not talking about how the movie turned out, we’re talking about the behind the scenes, which can be completely different, one is fantasy, one is real life.
This movie came out on August 25, 1939. However the movie was made from October 1938 to March 1939, most of the cast worked 6 days a week and had to arrive super early to get into their costumes and get their makeup done. The Cowardly lion’s makeup took the most time to finish, the actor, Bert Lahr, could not eat solid foods after his makeup was done. This actor’s costume was made from an actual lion hide and it weighed around 90lbs, which made the actor struggle even move. The wicked witch, Margaret Hamilton, received second and third-degree burns all over her body due to her green copper makeup that became dangerously hot during the filming of a fire scene. The snow in one of the scenes was pure asbestos, which could give you a lung condition.
The Tin Man’s costume was made of actual metal, so the actor, Jack Haley, couldn't even sit down during the filming of the movie, he also had a violent reaction to silver makeup and had to be sent to the hospital. Judy Garland, the main character, Dorothy, was only 16 years old during her time on set and was given amphetamines, forced to diet, they made her to smoke many cigarettes a day, she struggled with mental health, etc. There is also a legend that says that an actor hanged himself on set during filming, there is even a video trying to prove this. This legend was never evidenced, though it created a lot of controversy.
For this legend there are various points of view, some people think the “death on set” was actually just a silhouette of a bird in the studio, not someone hanging themselves. On the other hand, some people believe an actor actually committed suicide on set. This movie won 2 awards and received 98% rotten tomatoes… but was it worth it? The production team was obviously not professional, the director, Victor Fleming, would even slap the actors on set for giggling or forgetting their lines. It is absolutely terrifying thinking about what the cast went through.
I also linked a video of the possible evidence of the death on set.
QUESTIONS:
Have you ever heard about this? Did you find it interesting?
Do you believe the death on set actually happened or is it only a legend?
Would you be willing to be treated like this if you were paid more than $500 per week? (which was the amount they paid most of the actors)
Replies
ive heard a lil about this and i find it kind of interesting. i think the death on set attualy happened because these people were pushed to thee absoult breaking point just trying to make this movie. no i wouldnt be willing to get treated like that for any amount of money.
I have heard about this before, and it makes me so sad to hear. I definitely wouldn't be willing to work in these conditions, no matter the money. I'm so glad that movie making techniques have advanced and are no longer life threatening to the actors.
Yes, this topic is very sad. Just thinking about how all these greats actors were treated horribly physically and mentally is very sad, I would'nt be willing to work in those conditions either.
I have heard about some of the conditions on set, like how Dorthey had to smoke and diet to the point of near death. I think that based on some of the points given, a suicide on set could be true. I would not work on that set or any other set that treated me like that, even with that much money on the line.
I agree, I would also base my answer by thinking of all the other main points. It is very unfortunate how they were treated, I would not accept that money either.
ive heard about it a while ago and heard about how was the makeup was toxic and had bad side effects to the actors. I think it could be possible their was a death beucase of all of the stuff they went through trying to film the movie. If i didnt know the things and stuff was toxic
Ive never heard of things about death on sets or the toll on the people involved. I just thought it was a fun family movie. In today's money that's about $11,000 a week absolutely I'm doing the film.
I've watched the film before with my family, but I didn't know anything about the behind-the-scences struggle. I believe that the death on set was only a legend. Even if I was getting payed $500 dollars a week, I still woulnd't let the film makers treat me poorly.
I've watched the film before with my parents, but I did not know about any of the behind-the-scenes abuse/struggle. I cannot imagine working under those circumstances with such an abusive director and toxic environment. I'm sure developments have been made to improve sets, but I personally wouldn't put up with that treatment for only $500 a week.
I've watched this film a really long time ago, I'm planning on watching again and trying to evidence some of these tragedies. Not many people knew about this either, it is very rare. Production teams and sets have a 100% improved a lot, thankfully.
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