Iconic Oz Casting: Who Played Dorothy Back In The Day
- 01. Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz OG: casting secrets revealed
- 02. The Iconic 1939 Cast Breakdown
- 03. Main Cast Members and Their Character Hat Role
- 04. Casting Controversies and Last-Minute Changes
- 05. Behind-the-Scenes Production Facts
- 06. Legacy and Enduring Cultural Impact
- 07. Modern Adaptations and Voice Cast Contrast
Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz OG: casting secrets revealed
Judy Garland played Dorothy Gale and Frank Morgan played the Wizard of Oz in the original 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz, the iconic MGM musical film that premiered on August 25, 1939, at the London Theatre in London, England, and went into general release on August 17, 1939, in the United States. Garland was 16 years old during filming, though studio executives initially considered casting adult actresses before settling on the teenage star who had been under MGM contract since 1935. Morgan portrayed not only the Wizard but also four other characters including Professor Marvel, the Gatekeeper, the Cabbie, and the Wizard's Guard, making him one of the most versatile performers in the original cast lineup.
The Iconic 1939 Cast Breakdown
The legendary ensemble that brought L. Frank Baum's beloved story to cinematic life included eight principal performers whose names are now synonymous with film history forever. Each actor underwent extensive preparation, with some spending months rehearsing dance routines and vocal arrangements under MGM's rigorous studio system.
Main Cast Members and Their Character Hat Role
| Actor | Primary Character | Alternative Characters | Age During Filming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judy Garland | Dorothy Gale | None | 16 |
| Frank Morgan | The Wizard of Oz | Professor Marvel, Gatekeeper, Cabbie, Guard | 49 |
| Ray Bolger | Scarecrow | Hunk (Kansas farmhand) | 35 |
| Jack Haley | Tin Man | Hickory (Kansas farmhand) | 41 |
| Bert Lahr | Cowardly Lion | Zeke (Kansas farmhand) | 44 |
| Billie Burke | Glinda the Good Witch | None | 54 |
| Margaret Hamilton | Wicked Witch of the West | Miss Gulch | 37 |
Casting Controversies and Last-Minute Changes
The road to casting the final principal actors was fraught with dramatic changes that almost altered cinema history forever. Ray Bolger was originally cast as the Tin Man, while Buddy Ebsen (later famous as Jed Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies) was scheduled to play the Scarecrow. However, Bolger passionately lobbied director Victor Fleming to play the Scarecrow instead, arguing that his background as a soft-shoe dancer made him perfect for the floppy, limber character.
Buddy Ebsen agreed to switch to the Tin Man role, but tragedy almost struck when the aluminum powder makeup used for the costume caused severe respiratory damage, forcing hospitalization after just two days of filming. Jack Haley replaced Ebsen, and the makeup formula was changed to aluminum paste applied under the skin rather than powder, a critical safety modification that saved future performers from similar harm.
- Judy Garland was not MGM's only candidate; Shirley Temple from 20th Century Fox was seriously considered but contractual issues prevented the deal
- Deanna Durbin, a relative newcomer with an operatic voice, was also in contention for Dorothy before Garland won the role
- W.C. Fields desperately wanted the Wizard role but was rejected because producers felt his personality was too over-the-top for the character
- Buddy Ebsen's aluminum powder poisoning led to Jack Haley's casting as the Tin Man, fundamentally changing production safety protocols
- Margaret Hamilton suffered severe burns during the Wicked Witch's fiery exit scene when special effects pyrotechnics malfunctioned
Behind-the-Scenes Production Facts
Filming commenced on October 13, 1938, and wrapped on March 10, 1939, spanning an grueling 149 days of principal photography under relentless studio pressure. The iconic ruby slippers were actually silver in L. Frank Baum's original 1900 novel but were changed to red to showcase Technicolor's vibrant new three-strip process, which revolutionized color cinematography. Sidney Franklin originally directed early sequences before Victor Fleming took over, and uncredited directors Norman Taurog and Richard Thorpe also contributed to scenes.
"Over the rainbow" was almost cut from the film because MGM executives thought it slowed the pacing, but producer Mervyn LeRoy insisted it stay, and it went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The film's budget reached $2,777,000, making it one of the most expensive productions of its era, yet it earned only $3,063,000 in its initial theatrical run, failing to turn a profit initially. However, repeated television broadcasts beginning in 1956 transformed it into a cultural phenomenon, with over 45 million households watching the annual CBS broadcast by the mid-1960s.
Legacy and Enduring Cultural Impact
Nearly eight decades after its release, the 1939 masterpiece remains the most-watched film in American television history, with continuous broadcasts on network and cable channels generating billions in cumulative viewership. Judy Garland's performance earned her a special juvenile Academy Award at age 17, recognizing her "outstanding performance as a screen juvenile". The film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 1989 as among the first 25 films deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
- The Singer Midgets played the 124 Munchkins, requiring transportation via 20 chartered buses to the Burbank Studios lot
- Toto was played by a female Cairn Terrier named Terry, who earned $125 per week compared to Garland's $500
- The poppy field scene required 100 pounds of artificial poppies and took three days to film due to complex camera movements
- Emma Hamilton (Margaret Hamilton's stunt double) suffered second-degree burns during the Wicked Witch's smoke disappearance trick
- The film won two Academy Awards: Best Original Score (Herbert Stothart) and Best Original Song ("Over the Rainbow" lost but Garland won juvenile Oscar)
Modern Adaptations and Voice Cast Contrast
The 2017-2020 Cartoon Network animated series Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz featured Kari Wahlgren voicing Dorothy and Queen Ozma, a stark contrast to Garland's live-action portrayal. Bill Fagerbakke voiced the Scarecrow and JP Karliak voiced the Tin Man/Nome King in this modern reimagining that aired 78 episodes over three seasons. This animated series updated the characters for contemporary audiences while maintaining core character archetypes from both Baum's novels and the 1939 film.
Over 85 years since Garland's iconic performance, more than 10 actresses have portrayed Dorothy in various stage productions, films, and television adaptations, including Lea Michele and Zooey Deschanel in modern reinterpretations. However, none have matched the cultural resonance of Garland's original performance, which remains the definitive interpretation for generations of viewers worldwide.
The original The Wizard of Oz continues generating revenue through licensing deals worth millions annually, with the ruby slippers themselves valued at over $3 million in private sales. MGM Chuyện has restored the film multiple times using digital technology, with the most recent 4K restoration completed in 2024 for its 85th anniversary. Garland's portrayal of Dorothy remains one of cinema's most beloved performances, consistently ranking in the top 10 greatest movie roles of all time by American Film Institute surveys.
Helpful tips and tricks for Iconic Oz Casting Who Played Dorothy Back In The Day
Who played Dorothy in the original Wizard of Oz?
Judy Garland portrayed Dorothy Gale, the Kansas farm girl transported to the magical Land of Oz. Garland was born Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and began performing in vaudeville with her two older sisters at age age two. She auditioned for the role in 1935 at just 13 years old and was hired on the spot without a screen test, reportedly because producer Mervyn LeRoy was immediately impressed by her vocal power and screen presence.
Who played the Wizard in the original Wizard of Oz?
Frank Morgan played the enigmatic Wizard of Oz, a humbug magician from Omaha who rules the Emerald City. Born Francis Phillip Morgan Jr. on June 1, 1890, in New York City, Morgan was a seasoned character actor who appeared in over 70 films before landing this career-defining role. His doubleshot performance as five different characters required meticulous makeup changes and distinct vocal modulations for each role.
Did Shirley Temple almost play Dorothy?
Yes, Shirley Temple was MGM's top choice initially, but 20th Century Fox refused to loan her out due to contractual obligations, making Judy Garland the logical alternative. Temple was 10 years old at the time and already the biggest child star in America, but her signature curly blonde hair and baby-faced appearance didn't match the devastated farm girl vision producers wanted.
Why was Buddy Ebsen replaced as the Tin Man?
Buddy Ebsen developed severe aluminum powder poisoning after inhaling the metallic makeup during filming, causing respiratory failure and requiring hospitalization for over a week. Jack Haley immediately replaced him, and production switched to safer aluminum paste makeup that reduced inhalation risks significantly.
How old was Judy Garland when she played Dorothy?
Judy Garland was 16 years old during principal photography (September 1938 to March 1939), though studio makeup artists aged her appearance with subtle contouring to make her seem slightly older than her actual age. She had been under contract with MGM since 1935 when she auditioned at age 13 and was hired immediately.
What other roles did Frank Morgan play?
Frank Morgan portrayed five distinct characters: the Wizard of Oz, Professor Marvel (the Kansas fortune teller), the Gatekeeper at the Emerald City, the Cabbie who drives Dorothy's wagon, and the Wizard's Guard. His ability to create distinct vocal patterns and physical mannerisms for each role demonstrated exceptional range within single film performance.