The Wizard of Oz has become one of the most important and beloved films of all time. While its initial release in 1939 was not a box office smash, the movieâs return to theaters over the years â and airings on television throughout the decades â has cemented the film as an American classic and one of the most influential motion pictures of all time.
The Wizard of Oz, adapted from L. Frank Baumâs childrenâs book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, established Judy Garland as one of Hollywoodâs brightest stars, with her song âSomewhere Over the Rainbowâ becoming a standard. Dorothyâs ruby slippers, Glindaâs bubble, the flying monkeys and the Wicked Witch of the Westâs immortal line, âIâll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!â also became central parts of American pop culture.
Still, the creation of the movie â and what really happened on set â has remained a subject of fascination for decades. Ahead, here are some photos from behind the scenes of The Wizard of Oz that give a look into the movieâs production.
Judy Garland on Set
Judy Garland and Toto the dog are pictured enjoying some down time on set.
Frank Morganâs Makeup Test
Frank Morgan played the Wizard of Oz, and here heâs photographed in a test for his on-camera makeup.
Judy Garlandâs Wardrobe Test
Though Garlandâs pigtails are her most iconic Wizard of Oz hairstyle, she also wears her hair half-up and half-down near the end of the film.
Ray Bolgerâs Makeup Test
Ray Bolger, who played the Scarecrow, is pictured here in a screen test for his makeup. He was also known for his work on Broadway and in 1961âs Babes in Toyland.
Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West
Margaret Hamiltonâs look as the Wicked Witch of the West included her iconic nails.
âThe Wizard of Ozâ Cast
The publicity blitz for the release of The Wizard of Oz involved toys, games and lots of other merch â just like the release of Wicked in 2024.
Sneaking into the Witchâs Castle
Jack Haley as the Tin Man, Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion and Bolger as the Scarecrow are pictured as their characters try to rescue Dorothy.
Meeting the Wizard
In the original novel of The Wizard of Oz, the Emerald City wasnât actually green. Instead, the Wizard made everyone who entered wear green-tinted glasses.
Promoting âThe Wizard of Ozâ
The cast kept busy on their promotional tour, singing songs from the film together on NBC Radio in 1939.
Back in Kansas
The Wizard of Oz had almost every actor playing a double role â one person in Kansas, and another in Oz â except for Garland and Burke.
Saving Dorothy
Garlandâs career only picked up more after The Wizard of Oz. Meet Me in St. Louis would follow five years later.
The Witch Is Dead!
The munchkins in The Wizard of Oz were played by both little people and children.
The Witchâs Demise
The flying monkeys â also known as the winged monkeys â are one of the most famous parts of the movie (and haunted many childrenâs dreams for years). In the original book, however, the monkeys could also talk.
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