There is no question that this film from 1939 has become a holiday classic in so many ways. It is enchanting, it is humorous, it is captivating and it is entertaining on so many levels. Then there is the unforgettable music and cast. However, behind the scenes this film had many problems, setbacks and disasters that were rarely, if ever, disclosed. Here are just a few that will really surprise you.

The Tin Man – he was played by Jack Haley, but Haley was actually brought in as a last-minute replacement for Buddy Ebsen. After only nine days of filming Ebsen was hospitalized after his lungs failed. The white makeup he had been wearing was coated with noxious aluminum dust, which he had breathed in to his  system.

The Cowardly Lion – Played by funnyman Bert Lahr, his costume was partially made up from real lion pelts and weighed almost 50 pounds. Lahr had to stay in costume and makeup the entire days of the shoot with temps near 100 degrees

Judy Garland – She was 16 at the time of filming and was given a steady diet of both barbiturates and amphetamines to keep her slim and keep her awake. The practice was not uncommon in the 30’s, but it did leave her an addict and it was an overdose of barbiturates that killed her at the age of 47.

Toto -Toto is undoubtedly one of the most iconic dogs in cinematic history. Terry, the brindle cairn spaniel who played Toto, earned $125 per week and the actors who played the Munchkins were on between $50 and $100 a week.

Margaret Hamilton – She was badly burned during the shoot.  When she leaves Munchkinland the Wicked Witch of the West exits in a plume of flame. The flame was only supposed to come out after she had safely dropped through a trap door, but the door didn’t open fast enough. Hamilton’s hands and face were burned as a result, and the incident took her out of production for six weeks.

The Cowardly Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow – Believe it or not they were banned from the MGM dining hall. During the shoot actors Bert Lahr, Jack Haley and Ray Bolger were denied entry. Apparently, their makeup was just too unsettling for them to be around other people during lunch. So box lunches were sent to them.

The Munchkins –  As if being paid less than a dog wasn’t bad enough, the actors playing the Munchkins also had half of their pay taken from them. Hiring agent Leo Singer was the individual responsible. After some he brought in were not short enough, his fee was reduced. So he took 50 percent of their wages and kept it for himself to make up for the loss.

The Wicked Witch of the West – Buddy Ebsen wasn’t the only person to suffer from potentially lethal makeup on set. Margaret Hamilton’s green body paint was copper-based, meaning it was dangerous if she swallowed any. So, instead she had to have liquid lunches and drink through a straw as a precaution. The makeup also had to be taken off using rubbing alcohol after each day.

The Scarecrow – Ray Bolger who played the character was left scarred for a year. Given the nature of the role, the actor had to wear uncomfortable prosthetics every time on set. But they were placed on his face so tightly he was left with visible indentations for nearly twelve months after the film was done.

Judy Garland – As if the drugs we mentioned weren’t enough, they also had her in a corset and her breasts strapped down to make her appear younger. They also kept her on a diet of black coffee and chicken soup to keep her thin. Any wonder why this star had so many problems later?

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If you want to see the whole list that include loaded guns, injuries to stand ins, different directors, horses and Jell-o and more backstage happenings that went on go to: http://petsdetective.com/a/pop-culture/film/behind-the-scenes-secrets-wizard-of-oz/40/  There are really some eye opening things to learn about thi9s classic film.