Trace the path along the yellow brick road through a landmark moment in film.
Eighty-five years ago,
The Wizard of Oz
showed up in movie theaters and irrevocably transformed the medium.
Inspired by L. Frank Baum’s book, the cherished movie traces the adventures of Dorothy Gale (
Judy Garland
) along with her band of friends—a scarecrow searching for a brain (Ray Bolger), a tin man longing for a heart (Jack Haley), and a cowardly lion craving courage (Bert Lahr)—navigate their way through the enchanting realm of Oz. Despite facing challenges posed by the wicked witch from the west (Margaret Hamilton), this group ultimately reaches the wizard (Frank Morgan). Eventually, Dorothy manages to return to Kansas with assistance from the benevolent good witch Glinda (Billie Burke).
It’s a well-known tale, though the story of
Wicked
— which hits theaters on Nov. 22 — flips the narrative on its head by showing how the Wicked Witch came to be so, well, wicked while Glinda the Good remained, you know, good.
While
The Wizard of Oz
cemented its cast in entertainment history, not everyone in the ensemble went on to fortune and riches afterward. In fact, many of the stars are best remembered for the 1938 film, which defined their careers.
Ahead of
Wicked
taking flight, here’s a look back at the original
The Wizard of Oz
cast and what became of them following Dorothy’s return to Kansas.
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The Wizard of Oz
Judy Garland (Dorothy Gale)
Judy Garland plays the role of Dorothy Gale, a kind-hearted girl from Kansas, who dreams of returning home along with her dog Toto and her newly acquired ruby red slippers.
In 1922, Garland began her career by performing alongside her siblings in a vaudeville act. At just 13 years old, she signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Over the course of her time at the studio, which spanned almost three decades, she starred in approximately 30 movies, including
The Wizard of Oz
(1939),
Find Me in St. Louis
(1944), and
Easter Parade
(1948). She was nominated for an Academy Award for her performances in these roles:
A Star Is Born
(1954) and
Judgment at Nuremberg
(1961), and hosted
The Judy Garland Show
(1963–1964), receiving two Emmy nomination mentions.
She was also a successful recording artist, with her tracks “Over the Rainbow” and “Meet Me in St. Louis” (both from some of her most renowned movies) turning into signature tunes for the actress. In 1962, she made history as the first female to claim the Grammy Award for Album of the Year using her live performance album.
Judy at Carnegie Hall
.
Though
The Wizard of Oz
It propelled Garland’s career forward; however, her on-set experiences were far from enchanting. While filming,
Oz
, she was offered “
pep pills
She used amphetamines to maintain her energy levels and stay slim during the day. In the evening, she was administered barbiturates to aid her sleep. These medications resulted in addiction problems that haunted Garland throughout her life until she passed away at 47 years old in 1969 due to an unintentional drug overdose.
Garland’s former husband Sid Luft as well
claimed in his posthumously released autobiography
She was frequently harassed by several of the performers who portrayed the Munchkins. They would torment Judy on set by placing their hands up her skirt… These men were 40 or more years old,” he stated.
Garland had four marriages: first to David Rose from 1941 to 1944; then to Vincente Minnelli from 1945 to 1951, during which time they had a daughter together.
Liza Minnelli
; Luft (1952–1965), with whom she shares son Joey Luft and daughter Lorna Luft; Mark Herron (1965–1969); and Mickey Deans, whom she married in March 1969, just three months before her death.
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Frank Morgan (the Wizard of Oz)
Besides playing the illustrious Wizard of Oz who transports Dorothy back home via a hot air balloon, Frank Morgan also portrayed the Wizard’s gatekeeper, the carriage driver, and took on the role of Professor Marvel.
Oz
.
Morgan made his first appearance onscreen in 1916’s
The Suspect
And he continued to appear regularly in movies, TV shows, and radio programs until his passing in 1949 at the age of 59. Though
The Wizard of Oz
One of his most iconic performances remains his standout role, Morgan was also known for his compelling parts in various productions.
The Store Across the Corner
(1940) and portraying King Louis XIII as
The Three Musketeers
(1948).
In 1914, he wed Alma Muller; together they had a son named George. Morgan grappled with alcoholism, which was also observed.
Aljean Harmetz’s book
The Creation of The Wizard of Oz
That the actor arrived at work every day carrying a petite black briefcase filled with spirits.
Ray Bolger (the Scarecrow)
By the time Ray Bolger took on the role of the Scarecrow, he had already established himself as a prominent figure on both stages and screens. It’s during his farewell with Dorothy that she says, “I think I’ll miss you most of all,” when leaving the magical land of Oz.
In addition to
The Wizard of Oz
, he is most renowned for portraying the cunning Barnaby in the initial production
Babes in Toyland
In 1961, he appeared in a film. He tied the knot with Gwendolyn Rickard in 1929, and they stayed together till his passing in 1987 at the age of 83 after battling bladder cancer. The pair did not have any children.
It was surprisingly revealed that Bolger had difficulties with the Scarecrow’s outfit.
Harmetz wrote
In her 1977 book, Bolger discovered it was almost impossible to use the bathroom on set because, whenever he took off his clothes, the prop straw would spread everywhere.
Bolger went to Garland’s funeral alongside Harold Arlen, the composer of “Over the Rainbow.” He was the final remaining star from that movie.
The actor never diminished his involvement in
The Wizard of Oz
, saying
in a 1976 interview
that he felt lucky to be a part of a movie that left such an impression on the culture. “It’s a great American classic,” he said, “and after I’m gone, it will be — and I will be — remembered. And very few people can say they were remembered for anything in life.”
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Wizard of Oz
ruby slippers following 18 years
Bert Lahr (who played the Cowardly Lion)
Similar to many members of the cast, Bert Lahr is most renowned for his part in
The Wizard of Oz.
As the movie unfolds, his portrayal of the Cowardly Lion transforms dramatically, becoming boldly protective towards his companions and uncovering his own inherent worth.
Along with components in
Anything Goes
(1954) and
The Night They Stormed Minsky’s
In 1968, Lahr was one of the earliest performers to appear in the iconic play.
Waiting for Godot
As Estragon, he showcased the performance in Europe and then had its U.S. premiere in Miami, Florida, before transitioning to a successful run on Broadway.
Lahr often encountered issues with his lion costume; the bulky rubber mask limited his mobility and impeded his capacity to move his jaw properly. Harmetz noted this in his writing.
The Creation of The Wizard of Oz
Lahr accepted having only liquid meals through straws during the entire shooting period.
The only things that belonged to him were his cheeks and his eyes,” said Charlie Schram, Lahr’s makeup artist, according to Harmetz. “He had an immense fur wig atop his head and his chin was concealed beneath a furry beard. He also wore mittens, and aside from looking genuinely like a lion, his costume was heavily padded; it felt akin to lugging around a mattress everywhere. After every scene, he needed to remove his entire lion outfit because he would invariably be drenched in sweat. Poor Mr. Lahr endured quite a lot.
Lahr was initially married to Mercedes Delpino, and they had a son together. Later, he wedded Mildred Schroeder, and with her, he had one son and one daughter. Lahr passed away from pneumonia in 1967 during the production of a film.
The Night They Stormed Minsky’s
.
Jack Haley (the Tin Man)
Jack Haley portrayed the ostensibly cold-hearted yet surprisingly tender Tin Man, who became the second ally to accompany Dorothy on her legendary journey along the golden brick road.
Haley
replaced Buddy Ebsen
The role of the Tin Man was initially offered to an actor who had to withdraw due to illness caused by the aluminum powder used in the face paint. Similarly, things weren’t much smoother for Ray Bolger, who, along with several others in “Oz,” faced difficulties because of their costumes. As quoted in Harmetz’s book, Bolger stated, “I couldn’t lie down wearing that outfit; I couldn’t even sit properly. The most I could do was lean against something at an angle.”
He appeared in musicals alongside Shirley Temple.
Poor Little Rich Girl
) and Frank Sinatra (
Higher and Higher
). After
Oz
, Haley took part in
One Body Too Many
(1944),
People Are Funny
(1946), and
Norwood
(1970). His last film role was an uncredited appearance in
Martin Scorsese
‘s
New York, New York
(1977) featuring Garland’s daughter, Liza Minnelli.
Haley passed away in 1979 at the age of 81 following a heart attack. He remained unmarried and childless. A compilation of his writings,
Heart of the Tin Soldier
It was published posthumously in 2000.
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Billie Burke (as Glinda the Good Witch of the North)
In the film, Billie Burke portrayed Glinda the Good Witch of the North, assisting Dorothy and her eclectic group of friends as they venture towards the Emerald City.
Upon
Oz
After its release, Burke had received a 1938 Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film.
Merrily We Live
(1938), she additionally performed in the
Topper
Movies, the lead among them featuring Cary Grant and Constance Bennett as spirits tormenting Burke’s spouse. She worked alongside George Cukor on this project.
Dinner at Eight
(1933) and appeared in
The Gentleman Who Arrived for Keeps
(1940).
Margaret Hamilton, who portrayed the evil opposite of Glinda, remembered in
The Creation of The Wizard of Oz
That her co-star was among the most recognizable members of the cast. As a result, Burke had access to a more spacious and well-appointed changing area decorated in shades of pink and blue. Hamilton would often slip into Burke’s space whenever the actress playing the Good Witch wasn’t required for filming, giving her a chance to relax away from the bustling set.
In 1914, Burke wedded Broadway producer Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. The couple welcomed their daughter in 1916 and stayed together until Ziegfeld passed away in 1932. Burke breathed her last in 1970 at the age of 85 and was laid to rest next to her deceased spouse in New York.
Margaret Hamilton (the Wicked Witch of the West)
Margaret Hamilton portrayed the terrifying Wicked Witch of the West, who harbors animosity toward Dorothy and her small canine companion as well.
An ex-schoolteacher who transitioned into acting during the early 1930s, Hamilton made her debut alongside Helen Hayes and Robert Montgomery.
Another Language
(1933). She appeared in
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
(1938), in W.C. Fields’
My Little Chickadee
(1940) and in Bud Abbott and Lou Costello’s
Comin’ Round the Mountain
(1951), portraying an evil witch who clashes with the comedians.
According to
The Creation of The Wizard of Oz
Hamilton had to depart from the production for six weeks after being injured during the scene where the Wicked Witch disappears in a cloud of smoke. The plan involved an unseen lift lowering her below stage level as soon as the smoke and flames were activated, but this mechanism malfunctioned when she was still visible, resulting in severe second and third-degree burns. Given that the makeup used contained copper-based greens which could become dangerous if entering the blood system, her wounds needed cleansing with acetone to prevent infection.
From 1931 to 1938, Hamilton was wed to Paul Boynton Meserve, following which she single-handedly brought up their child. She passed away due to a heart attack in 1985 at the age of 82.
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The Wizard of Oz
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