View source for The Wizard of Oz

{{Short description|1939 film based on the book by L. Frank Baum}}
{{About|the 1939 film|the book|The Wonderful Wizard of Oz{{!}}''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz''|other uses}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = The Wizard of Oz
| image          = Wizard of oz movie poster.jpg
| alt            = 
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Victor Fleming]]{{efn|name=fn1|[[King Vidor]] did some additional directorial input after Fleming's departure, mainly on the sepiatone Kansas scenes; three other directors were previously involved: [[Norman Taurog]] (who directed some Technicolor test sequences), [[Richard Thorpe]] (who was dismissed for rushing through the shoot) and [[George Cukor]] (as an intermediary before leaving to direct ''[[Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone with the Wind]]''). Also, [[Mervyn LeRoy]], the producer on the film, did some brief stints as director for some transitional scenes. All the aforementioned directors were uncredited.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Simpson |first1=Paul |title=A Brief Guide to Oz |date=November 7, 2013 |publisher=[[Constable & Robinson]] |location=London |isbn=978-1-47210-988-0 |page=82}}</ref><ref name="Harmetz" /><ref>{{cite book |last1=McClelland |first1=Doug |title=Down the Yellow Brick Road: The Making of The Wizard of Oz |date=1976 |publisher=[[Bonanza Books]] |location=New York |isbn=0-517-68364-4 }}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=2003 |title=Vol. I: Media, Industry and Society |encyclopedia=Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World |location=London/New York |editor-last1=Shepherd |editor-first1=John |editor-last2=Horn |editor-first2=David |editor-last3=Laing |editor-first3=Dave |editor-link3=Dave Laing |editor-last4=Oliver |editor-first4=Paul |editor-link4=Paul Oliver |editor-last5=Wicke |editor-first5=Peter |editor-link5=Peter Wicke |publisher=[[Continuum International Publishing Group|Continuum]] |isbn=0-8264-6321-5 |page=504}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Woodhouse |first1=Horace Martin |title=The Essential Wizard of Oz: 101 Things You Didn't Know About the Most-Watched Movie in Film History |date=February 22, 2013 |publisher=History Company, LLC |location=Ithaca, New York |isbn=9781482552911 |page=34}}</ref>}}
| producer       = [[Mervyn LeRoy]]
| screenplay     = {{Plainlist|
* [[Noel Langley]]
* [[Florence Ryerson]]
* [[Edgar Allan Woolf]]{{efn|name=fn2|Although Langley, Ryerson and Woolf received credit for the screenplay, directors [[Richard Thorpe]], [[George Cukor]] and [[King Vidor]], along with Irving Brecher, Herbert Fields, Arthur Freed, Yip Harburg, Samuel Hoffenstein, Jack Mintz, and Sid Silvers, worked on the script in the course of development.}}
}}
{{Infobox|decat=yes|child=yes|label1=Adaptation by|data1={{Ubl|Noel Langley}}}}
| based_on       = {{Based on|''[[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]]''|[[L. Frank Baum]]}}
| starring       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Judy Garland]]
* [[Frank Morgan]]
* [[Ray Bolger]]
* [[Bert Lahr]]
* [[Jack Haley]]
* [[Billie Burke]]
* [[Margaret Hamilton (actress)|Margaret Hamilton]]
* [[Charley Grapewin]]
* [[Munchkin#1939 film|The Munchkins]]
}}
| music          = [[Herbert Stothart]]
| cinematography = [[Harold Rosson]]
| editing        = [[Blanche Sewell]]
| studio         = [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]
| distributor    = [[Loew's Incorporated]]<ref name=afi>{{AFI film|7892|The Wizard of Oz}}</ref>
| released       = {{Film date|1939|8|10|[[Green Bay, Wisconsin|Green Bay]]
|1939|8|25|United States}}
| runtime        = 102 minutes<ref>{{cite web |title=The Wizard Of Oz |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-wizard-of-oz-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0yntgzmtu |website=BBFC |publisher=British Board of Film Classification |access-date=September 2, 2021 |format=Cinema}}</ref>
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $2.8 million<ref name="Mannix">{{citation|title=The Eddie Mannix Ledger|publisher=Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study|place=Los Angeles}}.</ref><ref name="BOM">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0032138/|title=The Wizard of Oz (1939)|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=October 25, 2019|archive-date=October 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025173404/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0032138/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| gross          = $29.7 million
}}
'''''The Wizard of Oz''''' is a 1939 American [[Musical film|musical]] [[fantasy film]] produced by [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] (MGM). Based on the 1900 novel ''[[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]]'' by [[L. Frank Baum]], it was primarily directed by [[Victor Fleming]], who left production to take over the troubled ''[[Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone with the Wind]]''. The screenplay is credited to [[Noel Langley]], [[Florence Ryerson]], and [[Edgar Allan Woolf]], but includes contributions from other writers. The film stars [[Judy Garland]], [[Frank Morgan]], [[Ray Bolger]], [[Jack Haley]], [[Bert Lahr]], [[Billie Burke]], and [[Margaret Hamilton (actress)|Margaret Hamilton]]. The music was composed by [[Harold Arlen]] and adapted by [[Herbert Stothart]], with lyrics by [[Yip Harburg|Edgar "Yip" Harburg]].

The film is celebrated for its use of [[Technicolor#Three-strip Technicolor|three-strip Technicolor]], fantasy storytelling, musical score, and memorable characters.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 7, 2010 |title=The Technicolor world of Oz |url=https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/2010/06/the-technicolor-world-of-oz.html |access-date=October 24, 2024 |website=americanhistory.si.edu }}</ref> It was a critical success and was nominated for five [[Academy Awards]], including [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]], winning [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]] for "[[Over the Rainbow]]" and [[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]] for Stothart; an [[Academy Juvenile Award]] was presented to Judy Garland.<ref>{{cite web |last=CineVue |date=November 9, 2022 |title=The enduring legacy of The Wizard of Oz |url=https://cine-vue.com/2022/11/the-enduring-legacy-of-the-wizard-of-oz.html |access-date=October 24, 2024 |website=CineVue }}</ref> It was on a preliminary list of submissions from the studios for an Academy Award for Cinematography (Color) but was not nominated.<ref>{{cite web|title=Academy Awards database: 12th award show search results |website=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |url=https://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/search/getresults?query=%7B%22FilmTitle%22%3A%22%2A%22%2C%22Sort%22%3A%222-Film%20Title-Alpha%22%2C%22AwardShowNumberFrom%22%3A12%2C%22AwardShowNumberTo%22%3A0%2C%22Search%22%3A30%7D}}</ref> While it was sufficiently popular at the box office, it failed to make a profit until its 1949 re-release, earning only $3 million on a $2.7 million budget, making it MGM's most expensive production at the time.<ref name="Mannix" /><ref>{{cite news |first=Frank S. | last=Nugent |date=August 18, 1939 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review |title=The Screen in Review; 'The Wizard of Oz,' Produced by the Wizards of Hollywood, Works Its Magic on the Capitol's Screen – March of Time Features New York at the Music Hall at the Palace |access-date=August 15, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=King|first=Susan|title=How did 'Wizard of Oz' fare on its 1939 release?|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2013-mar-11-la-et-mn-original-wizard-reaction-20130311-story.html|access-date=April 24, 2015|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=March 11, 2013|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114034331/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-xpm-2013-mar-11-la-et-mn-original-wizard-reaction-20130311-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[The Wizard of Oz on television|1956 television broadcast premiere of the film]] on [[CBS]] reintroduced it to the public. According to the U.S. [[Library of Congress]], it is the most seen film in movie history.<ref name="Fricke" /><ref name="Library of Congress">{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/oz/ozsect2.html |title=To See The Wizard Oz on Stage and Film |date=December 15, 2010 |publisher=Library of Congress |access-date=April 16, 2011 |archive-date=September 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929091335/http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/oz/ozsect2.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1989, it was selected by the Library of Congress as one of the first 25 films for preservation in the United States [[National Film Registry]] for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".<ref name="registrylist1">{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/recording-registry/complete-national-recording-registry-listing/|title=Complete National Recording Registry Listing – National Recording Preservation Board – Library of Congress|website=[[Library of Congress]]|access-date=March 18, 2018|archive-date=January 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170107015811/https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-recording-preservation-board/recording-registry/complete-national-recording-registry-listing/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=September 19, 1989|title=Film Registry Picks First 25 Movies|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-09-19-mn-347-story.html|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|location=Washington, D.C.|access-date=April 22, 2020|archive-date=May 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505082616/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-09-19-mn-347-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It is also one of the few films on [[UNESCO]]'s [[Memory of the World Programme|Memory of the World international register]].<ref name="UNESCO">{{cite web | title= The Wizard of Oz (Victor Fleming 1939), produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | url= https://www.unesco.org/en/memory-world/wizard-oz-victor-fleming-1939-produced-metro-goldwyn-mayer | publisher= UNESCO Memory of the World Programme | access-date= April 22, 2025 | df= mdy-all }}</ref> It was ranked second in ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''{{'}}s inaugural 100 Greatest Movies of All Time list published in 2022.<ref name="variety.com">{{cite web |last1=Debruge |first1=Peter |last2=Gleiberman |first2=Owen |last3=Kennedy |first3=Lisa |last4=Kiang |first4=Jessica |last5=Laffly |first5=Tomris |last6=Lodge |first6=Guy |last7=Nicholson |first7=Amy |date=December 21, 2022 |title=The 100 Greatest Movies of All Time |url=https://variety.com/lists/best-movies-of-all-time/ |access-date=December 23, 2022 |website=Variety }}</ref> It was among the top ten in the 2005 [[British Film Institute]] (BFI) list of 50 Films to be Seen by the Age of 14 and is on the BFI's updated list of 50 Films to be Seen by the Age of 15 released in May 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/lists/50-films-see-age-15|title=50 films to see by age 15|publisher=[[British Film Institute]]|date=May 6, 2020|access-date=June 1, 2020|archive-date=May 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528163305/https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/lists/50-films-to-see-by-15|url-status=live}}</ref> It has become the source of many quotes referenced in contemporary popular culture. It frequently ranks on critics' lists of the [[List of films voted the best|greatest films in history]] and is the most commercially successful adaptation of Baum's work.<ref name="Fricke">{{cite book|title=The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History|last=Fricke|first=John|publisher=Warner Books|year=1989|isbn=978-0-446-51446-0|location=New York|author-link=John Fricke|url=https://archive.org/details/wizardofozoffici0000fric}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afi.com/100Years/movies.aspx|title=AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies|website=www.afi.com|access-date=August 9, 2017|archive-date=May 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515202027/http://www.afi.com/100years/movies.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Plot==
[[File:The Wizard of Oz Judy Garland Terry 1939.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|[[Judy Garland]] as Dorothy Gale and [[Terry (dog)|Terry]] as [[Toto (Oz)|Toto]]]]
<!--Per WP:FILMPLOT, plots are between 400 and 700 words.-->
In rural [[Kansas]], [[Dorothy Gale]] lives on a farm owned by her [[Uncle Henry (Oz)|Uncle Henry]] and [[Aunt Em]] and wishes she could be somewhere else. Her neighbor, Almira Gulch, who was bitten by Dorothy's dog, [[Toto (Oz)|Toto]], obtains a sheriff's order authorizing her to seize him, but Toto escapes and returns to Dorothy, who runs away to protect him. Professor Marvel, a charlatan fortune teller, convinces her that Aunt Em is heartbroken, which prompts Dorothy to return home. She returns just as a [[tornado]] approaches the farm. Unable to get into the locked [[storm cellar]], she takes cover in the farmhouse and is knocked unconscious by the window. She seemingly awakens to find the house moving through the air, with her and Toto still inside it and various figures float by with Gulch turning into a witch.

The house comes down in an unknown land, and Dorothy is greeted by a good witch named [[Glinda]], who floats down in a bubble and explains that she has landed in Munchkinland in the [[Land of Oz]], and that the [[Munchkins]] are celebrating because the house landed on the [[Wicked Witch of the East]], killing her. Her sister, the [[Wicked Witch of the West]], suddenly appears, but before she can seize her deceased sister's [[ruby slippers]], Glinda magically transports them onto Dorothy's feet and tells her to keep them on. Because the Wicked Witch has no power in Munchkinland, she leaves, but swears vengeance upon Dorothy and Toto. Glinda tells Dorothy to follow the [[yellow brick road]] to the [[Emerald City]], the home of the [[Wizard of Oz (character)|Wizard of Oz]], as he might know how to help her return home, before she floats away in her bubble.

Along the way, Dorothy meets the [[Scarecrow (Oz)|Scarecrow]], who wants a brain; the [[Tin Woodman|Tin Man]], who wants a heart; and the [[Cowardly Lion]], who wants courage. They reach the Emerald City, despite the efforts of the Wicked Witch. They are initially denied an audience with the Wizard by his guard, who relents due to Dorothy's grief, and they are led into the Wizard's chambers. He appears as a giant ghostly head and tells them he will grant their wishes if they bring him the Wicked Witch's broom.

During their quest, Dorothy and Toto are captured by [[Winged monkeys|flying monkeys]] and taken to the Wicked Witch's castle, but the ruby slippers protect her, and Toto manages to escape, leading the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion to the castle. They free Dorothy, but are pursued and finally cornered by the Witch and her guards, the Winkies. She taunts them and sets fire to the Scarecrow's arm. When Dorothy throws a bucket of water onto him, she inadvertently splashes the Witch, causing her to melt away. The Winkies gratefully give Dorothy the Witch's broom, and the group returns to the Wizard, but he tells them to come back the next day. When Toto pulls back a curtain, the "Wizard" is revealed to be an ordinary man operating machinery that projects a ghostly image of his face. They confront him, who insists he is a good man at heart, but confesses to being a humbug. He then "grants" Dorothy's friends' wishes by giving them tokens to confirm that they had the qualities they sought.

The Wizard reveals that he, like Dorothy, is from Kansas and accidentally arrived in Oz in a hot air balloon. When he offers to take her back to Kansas with him aboard it, she accepts, but Toto jumps out of her arms and she goes after him, and the balloon accidentally lifts off with just the Wizard aboard. Glinda then floats down in her bubble and reappears before she walks over and tells Dorothy she always had the power to return to Kansas using the ruby slippers but had to find that out for herself. After sharing a tearful farewell with her friends, she heeds Glinda's instructions by clicking her heels three times and repeating, "There's no place like home."

Dorothy awakens in her own bed in Kansas. She recounts her adventures, but Aunt Em says that she just had a bad dream. She tells Professor Marvel and the farmhands that they were in Oz also, and they smile, humoring her. As she hugs Toto, she gratefully exclaims, "Oh, Auntie Em, there's no place like home!"<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.moviequotedb.com/movies/wizard-of-oz-the/quote_26340.html | title=View Quote ... The Wizard of Oz ... Movie Quotes Database }}</ref>

==Cast==
In the film's closing credits, whenever a Kansas character has a counterpart in Oz, only that Kansas character is listed. For example, Frank Morgan is listed as playing Professor Marvel, but not the Wizard of Oz. The only Oz characters listed in the credits are Glinda, Nikko, and the Munchkins.
[[File:The Wizard of Oz Lahr Garland Bolger Haley 1939.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8| Left to right: The Cowardly Lion, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man]]
* [[Judy Garland]] as [[Dorothy Gale]]
* [[Terry (dog)|Terry]] as [[Toto (Oz)|Toto]]
* [[Ray Bolger]] as Hunk/[[Scarecrow (Oz)|Scarecrow]]
* [[Jack Haley]] as Hickory/[[Tin Woodman|Tin Man]]
* [[Bert Lahr]] as Zeke/[[Cowardly Lion]]
* [[Frank Morgan]] as Professor Marvel/[[Wizard of Oz (character)|Wizard of Oz]]/Gatekeeper/Carriage Driver/Wizard's Guard
* [[Billie Burke]] as [[Glinda|Good Witch Glinda]] of the North
* [[Margaret Hamilton (actress)|Margaret Hamilton]] as Almira Gulch/[[Wicked Witch of the West]]
* [[Charley Grapewin]] as [[Uncle Henry (Oz)|Uncle Henry]]
* [[Pat Walshe]] as Nikko
* [[Clara Blandick]] as [[Aunt Em]]
* The [[Leo Singer|Singer]] Midgets as the [[Munchkins]] (See {{section link|Munchkin|Actors and actresses}})
* [[Mitchell Lewis (actor)|Mitchell Lewis]] as Winkie Guard Captain<ref name="MLewis">{{cite book | last1=Scarfone | first1=Jay | last2=Stillman | first2=William | title=The Road to Oz: The Evolution, Creation, and Legacy of a Motion Picture Masterpiece | publisher=Lyons Press | year=2018 | isbn =978-1493035328}}</ref>
* [[Adriana Caselotti]] as the voice of [[Juliet]] in the Tin Man's song "[[If I Only Had a Heart]]"<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-adriana-caselotti-1277975.html |title=Obituary: Adriana Caselotti |last=Sibley |first=Brian |date=February 10, 1997 |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |access-date=October 8, 2017 |archive-date=January 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114205803/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-adriana-caselotti-1277975.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Candy Candido]] as the voice of the angry apple tree<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/17268438/the-times-record/ |title=Fair 'Promoters' Having Fun |last=DiNardo |first=John |newspaper=[[The Record (Troy)|The Times Record]] |location=[[Troy, New York]] |date=June 21, 1974 |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102562242/candy-candido-obituary-2/ |title=Candido (continued) |last=Wittman |first=Bob |newspaper=[[The Morning Call]] |location=[[Allentown, Pennsylvania]] |date=May 21, 1999 |page=29 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

==Production==
===Development===
Production on the film began when [[Walt Disney]]'s ''[[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs]]'' (1937) showed that films adapted from popular children's stories and fairytales could be successful.<ref name="Fricke2">{{cite book |title=The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History |last1=Fricke |first1=John |author-link=John Fricke |last2=Scarfone |first2=Jay |last3=Stillman |first3=William |year=1989 |publisher=Warner Books, Inc. |location=New York, NY |isbn=978-0-446-51446-0 |page=[https://archive.org/details/wizardofozoffici0000fric/page/18 18] |url=https://archive.org/details/wizardofozoffici0000fric/page/18 }}</ref><ref name="TheMakingOfAMovieClassic" /> In January 1938, [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] bought the rights to L. Frank Baum's popular novel ''[[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]]'' from [[Samuel Goldwyn]]. Goldwyn had considered making the film as a vehicle for [[Eddie Cantor]], who was under contract to [[Samuel Goldwyn Productions]] and whom Goldwyn wanted to cast as the Scarecrow.<ref name="TheMakingOfAMovieClassic" />

The script went through several writers and revisions.<ref name="Harmetz" /> [[Mervyn LeRoy]]'s assistant, [[William Cannon (director)|William H. Cannon]], had submitted a brief four-page outline.<ref name="Harmetz" /> Because recent fantasy films had not fared well, he recommended toning down or removing the magical elements. In his outline, the Scarecrow was a man so stupid that the only employment open to him was scaring crows from cornfields, and the Tin Woodman was a criminal so heartless that he was sentenced to be placed in a tin suit for eternity. This torture softened him into somebody gentler and kinder.<ref name="Harmetz" /> Cannon's vision was similar to [[Larry Semon]]'s [[The Wizard of Oz (1925 film)|1925 film adaptation]], in which the magical elements are absent.

Afterward, LeRoy hired screenwriter [[Herman J. Mankiewicz]], who delivered a 17-page draft of the Kansas scenes. A few weeks later, Mankiewicz delivered a further 56 pages. LeRoy also hired [[Noel Langley]] and poet [[Ogden Nash]] to write separate versions of the story. None of these three knew about the others, a common practice at the time. Nash delivered a four-page outline; Langley turned in a 43-page treatment and a full film script. Langley then turned in three more scripts, this time incorporating the songs written by [[Harold Arlen]] and [[Yip Harburg]]. [[Florence Ryerson]] and [[Edgar Allan Woolf]] submitted a script and were brought on board to touch up the writing. They were asked to ensure that the story stayed true to Baum's book. However, producer [[Arthur Freed]] was unhappy with their work and reassigned it to Langley.<ref name="Coan">{{cite news|last=Coan|first=Stephen|title=KZN's very own screen wizard|url=http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global%5B_id%5D=73897|access-date=April 24, 2014|newspaper=The Witness|date=December 22, 2011|archive-date=April 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424044747/http://www.witness.co.za/index.php?showcontent&global%5B_id%5D=73897|url-status=live}}</ref> During filming, [[Victor Fleming]] and [[John Lee Mahin]] revised the script further, adding and cutting some scenes.

They completed the final draft of the script on October 8, 1938, following numerous rewrites.<ref name="timeline">{{cite web|url=http://thewizardofoz.warnerbros.com/movie/cmp/timeline.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070907233032/http://thewizardofoz.warnerbros.com/movie/cmp/timeline.html |archive-date=September 7, 2007 |title=Wizard of Oz Timeline |access-date=September 10, 2007 |publisher=Warnerbros.com |author=Warner Bros }}</ref>  Haley and Lahr are also known to have written some of their dialogue for the Kansas sequence. Others who contributed to the adaptation without credit include three of the men who directed portions of the film or shoot,{{efn|name=fn1}} [[Richard Thorpe]], [[George Cukor]] and [[King Vidor]]; along with other writers [[Irving Brecher]], [[Herbert Fields]], Arthur Freed, Yip Harburg, [[Samuel Hoffenstein]], Jack Mintz, and Sid Silvers. Only Langley, Ryerson, and Woolf were credited for the script.<ref name="TheMakingOfAMovieClassic" />

In addition, songwriter Harburg's son (and biographer) Ernie Harburg reported:
<blockquote>
So anyhow, Yip also wrote all the dialogue in that time and the setup to the songs and he also wrote the part where they give out the heart, the brains, and the nerve, because he was the final script editor. And he – there was eleven screenwriters on that – and he pulled the whole thing together, wrote his own lines and gave the thing a coherence and unity which made it a work of art. But he doesn't get credit for that. He gets lyrics by E. Y. Harburg, you see. But nevertheless, he put his influence on the thing.<ref name="democracynow.org">[http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/11/25/0832252 Democracy Now. November 25, 2004] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114223630/http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04%2F11%2F25%2F0832252 |date=November 14, 2007 }}.</ref>
</blockquote>

Langley seems to have thought that a 1939 audience was too sophisticated to accept Oz as a straight-ahead fantasy; therefore, it was reconceived as a lengthy, elaborate [[dream sequence]].<ref name="Fricke3">{{cite book |title=The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History |last1=Fricke |first1=John |author-link=John Fricke |last2=Scarfone |first2=Jay |last3=Stillman |first3=William |year=1989 |publisher=Warner Books, Inc. |location=New York, NY |isbn=978-0-446-51446-0 |page=[https://archive.org/details/wizardofozoffici0000fric/page/28 28] |url=https://archive.org/details/wizardofozoffici0000fric/page/28 }}</ref><ref name="TheMakingOfAMovieClassic" /> Because they perceived a need to attract a youthful audience by appealing to modern fads and styles, the score had featured a song called "The Jitterbug", and the script had featured a scene with a series of musical contests. A spoiled, selfish princess in Oz had outlawed all forms of music except classical music and [[operetta]]. The princess challenged Dorothy to a singing contest, in which Dorothy's [[Swing music|swing]] style enchanted listeners and won the grand prize. This part was initially written for [[Betty Jaynes (actress)|Betty Jaynes]],<ref>{{cite book| last = Fordin | first = Hugh | title = World of Entertainment | publisher = Avon Books | year = 1976 | isbn = 978-0-380-00754-7 }}</ref> but was later dropped.

Another scene, which was removed before final script approval and never filmed, was an epilogue scene in Kansas after Dorothy's return. Hunk (the Kansan counterpart to the Scarecrow) is leaving for an agricultural college, and extracts a promise from Dorothy to write to him. The scene implies that romance will eventually develop between the two, which also may have been intended as an explanation for Dorothy's partiality for the Scarecrow over her other two companions. This plot idea was never totally dropped, and is especially noticeable in the final script when Dorothy, just before she is to leave Oz, tells the Scarecrow, "I think I'll miss you most of all."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001433010|title=Hollywood Reporter|date= October 20, 2005 }} {{Dead link|date=February 2012|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>

Much attention was given to the use of color in the production, with the MGM production crew favoring some hues over others. It took the studio's art department almost a week to settle on the shade of yellow used for the [[yellow brick road]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Clarke |first=Gerald |year=2001 |title=Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland |publisher=Delta |isbn=978-0-385-33515-7 |page=94}}</ref>

===Casting===
{{See also|Munchkin#1939 film}}
[[File:The Wizard of Oz Judy Garland 1939.jpg|thumb|235x235px|Judy Garland as Dorothy]]
Several actresses were reportedly considered for the part of Dorothy, including [[Shirley Temple]] from [[20th Century Fox]], the most prominent child star at the time; [[Deanna Durbin]], a relative newcomer with a recognized operatic voice; and [[Judy Garland]], the most experienced of the three. Officially, the decision to cast Garland was attributed to contractual issues.{{clarify|date=May 2025}}

[[File:Buddy Ebsen Tin Man.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Ebsen's costume test as the Tin Man]]
[[Ray Bolger]] was originally cast as the Tin Man and [[Buddy Ebsen]] was to play the Scarecrow.<ref name="timeline" /> Bolger, however, longed to play the Scarecrow, as his childhood idol [[Fred Stone]] had done [[The Wizard of Oz (1902 musical)|on stage in 1902]]. With that very performance, Stone had inspired Bolger to become a vaudevillian in the first place. Now unhappy with his role as the Tin Man (reportedly claiming, "I'm not a tin performer; I'm fluid"), Bolger convinced producer Mervyn LeRoy to recast him in the part he so desired.<ref name="cemeteryguide.com">[http://www.cemeteryguide.com/bolger.html Cemetery Guide, ''Hollywood Remains to Be Seen'', Mark Masek] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100521032017/http://cemeteryguide.com/bolger.html |date=May 21, 2010 }}.</ref> Ebsen did not object; after going over the basics of the Scarecrow's distinctive gait with Bolger (as a professional dancer, Ebsen had been cast because the studio was confident he would be up to the task of replicating the famous "wobbly-walk" of Stone's Scarecrow), he recorded all of his songs, went through all the rehearsals as the Tin Man and began filming with the rest of the cast.<ref name="Fricke"/>

[[W. C. Fields]] was originally chosen for the title role of the Wizard (after [[Ed Wynn]] turned it down, considering the part "too small"), but the studio could not meet Fields' fee.<ref>{{cite web |last= |first= |title=Look Back at Making of 'Wizard of Oz' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/back-making-wizard-oz/story?id=18668718 |access-date=November 28, 2023 |website=ABC News }}</ref> [[Wallace Beery]] lobbied for the role, but the studio refused to spare him during the long shooting schedule. Instead, another contract player, [[Frank Morgan]], was cast on September 22.

Veteran [[vaudeville]] performer [[Pat Walshe]] was best known for his performance as various monkeys in many theater productions and circus shows. He was cast as Nikko, the head [[Winged Monkey]], on September 28, traveling to MGM studios on October 3.

An extensive talent search produced over a hundred [[Dwarfism|dwarfs]] to play Munchkins; this meant that most of the film's Oz sequences would have to be shot before work on the Munchkinland sequence could begin. According to Munchkin actor [[Jerry Maren]], the dwarfs were each paid over $125 a week (equivalent to ${{Inflation|index=US|value=125|start_year=1938|r=-2|fmt=c}} in {{inflation/year|US}}). [[Meinhardt Raabe]], who played the coroner, revealed in the 1990 documentary ''The Making of the Wizard of Oz'' that the MGM costume and wardrobe department, under the direction of designer [[Adrian (costume designer)|Adrian]], had to design over 100 costumes for the Munchkin sequences. They photographed and cataloged each Munchkin in their costume so they could consistently apply the same costume and makeup each day of production.

[[Gale Sondergaard]] was originally cast as the Wicked Witch of the West, but withdrew from the role when the witch's persona shifted from sly and glamorous (thought to emulate the [[Evil Queen (Disney)|Evil Queen]] in Disney's ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'') to the familiar "ugly hag".<ref name="Nissen2007">{{cite book |last= Nissen |first= Axel |title= Actresses of a Certain Character: Forty Familiar Hollywood Faces from the Thirties to the Fifties |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=IbpwDl1nt0MC&pg=PA196 |year= 2007 |publisher= McFarland & Company |isbn= 978-0-7864-2746-8 |pages= 196–202 |access-date= April 22, 2020 |archive-date= August 1, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200801212636/https://books.google.com/books?id=IbpwDl1nt0MC&pg=PA196 |url-status= live }}</ref> She was replaced on October 10, 1938, just two days before filming started, by MGM contract player [[Margaret Hamilton (actress)|Margaret Hamilton]]. Sondergaard said in an interview for a bonus feature on the DVD that she had no regrets about turning down the part. Sondergaard would go on to play a glamorous feline villainess in [[20th Century Fox|Fox]]'s version of [[Maurice Maeterlinck]]'s ''[[The Blue Bird (1940 film)|The Blue Bird]]'' in 1940.<ref name="Lev2013">{{cite book |first= Peter |last= Lev |title= Twentieth Century-Fox: The Zanuck-Skouras Years, 1935–1965 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dA3LcAd5O5gC&pg=PA68 |date= March 15, 2013 |publisher= University of Texas Press |isbn= 978-0-292-74447-9 |pages= 67–68 |access-date= April 22, 2020 |archive-date= August 1, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200801211852/https://books.google.com/books?id=dA3LcAd5O5gC&pg=PA68 |url-status= live }}</ref> Hamilton played a role remarkably similar to the Wicked Witch in the Judy Garland film ''[[Babes in Arms (film)|Babes in Arms]]'' (1939).

According to Aljean Harmetz, the "gone-to-seed" coat worn by Morgan as the Wizard was selected from a rack of coats purchased from a second-hand shop. According to legend, Morgan later discovered a label in the coat indicating it had once belonged to Baum, Baum's widow confirmed this, and the coat was eventually presented to her. However, Baum biographer [[Michael Patrick Hearn]] says the Baum family denies ever seeing the coat or knowing of the story; Hamilton considered it a rumor concocted by the studio.<ref>[[Michael Patrick Hearn|Hearn, Michael Patrick]]. Keynote address. [[The International Wizard of Oz Club]] Centennial convention. [[Indiana University]], August 2000.</ref>

===Filming===
====Ebsen replaced by Haley====
The production faced the challenge of creating the Tin Man's costume. Several tests were done to find the right makeup and clothes for Ebsen.<ref name="Care 45–47">{{cite journal|last=Care|first=Ross|date=July 1980|title=Two Animation Books: The Animated Raggedy Ann and Andy; John Canemaker; The Making of the Wizard of Oz . Aljean Harmetz.|journal=Film Quarterly|volume=33|issue=4|pages=45–47|doi=10.1525/fq.1980.33.4.04a00350|issn=0015-1386|url=http://fq.ucpress.edu/content/33/4/45.full.pdf|access-date=September 4, 2019|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114034258/https://online.ucpress.edu/fq/article-abstract/33/4/45/40036/Two-Animation-Books?redirectedFrom=PDF|url-status=live}}</ref> <!-- This citation (used in three places) is for a book review that does not mention this. Perhaps an author can remember or determine the correct attribution(s). -->Ten days into the shoot, Ebsen suffered a toxic reaction after repeatedly inhaling the aluminum dust (which his daughter, Kiki Ebsen, has said the studio misrepresented as an "allergic reaction") contained in the aluminum powder makeup he wore. He recalled taking a breath one evening, and "nothin' happened," Ebsen's way of saying he wasn't receiving any air into his system. He was hospitalized in critical condition.  He spent two weeks on oxygen and was subsequently forced to leave the project.<ref name="Nolasco 2023">{{cite web |last=Nolasco |first=Stephanie |title='Beverly Hillbillies' star Buddy Ebsen lost 'The Wizard of Oz' role for this horrifying reason, daughter says |publisher=Fox News |date=April 2, 2023 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/beverly-hillbillies-star-buddy-ebsen-lost-wizard-oz-role-horrifying-reason-daughter |access-date=April 29, 2025}}</ref> In a later interview (included on the 2005 DVD release of ''The Wizard of Oz''), he recalled that the studio heads appreciated the seriousness of his illness only after he was hospitalized. Filming halted while a replacement for him was sought.

No footage of Ebsen as the Tin Man has ever been released, only photos taken during filming and makeup tests. His replacement, [[Jack Haley]], assumed Ebsen had been fired.<ref>{{cite book| last = Smalling | first = Allen | title = The Making of the Wizard of Oz: Movie Magic and Studio Power in the Prime of MGM | publisher = Hyperion | year = 1989 | isbn = 978-0-7868-8352-3 }}</ref> The makeup used for Haley was quietly changed to an aluminum paste, with a layer of clown white greasepaint underneath, in order to protect his skin. Although it did not have the same dire effect on Haley, he did at one point suffer an eye infection from it. To keep down on production costs, Haley only rerecorded "If I Only Had a Heart" and solo lines during "If I Only Had the Nerve" and the scrapped song "The Jitterbug"; as such, Ebsen's voice can still be heard in the remaining songs featuring the Tin Man in group vocals.

====George Cukor's brief stint====
LeRoy, after reviewing the footage and feeling director Richard Thorpe was rushing the production, adversely affecting the actors' performances, had Thorpe replaced. During reorganization on the production, [[George Cukor]] temporarily took over under LeRoy's guidance. Initially, the studio had made Garland wear a blonde wig and heavy "baby-doll" makeup, and she played Dorothy in an exaggerated fashion. Cukor changed Garland's and Hamilton's makeup and costumes, and told Garland to "be herself". This meant that all the scenes Garland and Hamilton had already completed had to be reshot. Cukor also suggested the studio cast Jack Haley, on loan from Fox, as the Tin Man.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harrod |first1=Horatia |title=Stormier than Kansas: how The Wizard of Oz was made |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/the-wizard-of-oz/making-of-facts-trivia/ |website=The Telegraph |access-date=September 5, 2020 |date=December 25, 2015 |archive-date=May 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509133245/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/the-wizard-of-oz/making-of-facts-trivia/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Victor Fleming, the main director====
<!-- [[WP:NFCC]] violation: [[File:Victor Fleming 01.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Director Victor Fleming]] -->
Cukor did not shoot any scenes for the film, but acted merely as a creative advisor to the troubled production. His prior commitment to direct ''[[Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone with the Wind]]'' required him to leave on November 3, 1938, when [[Victor Fleming]] assumed directorial responsibility. As director, Fleming chose not to shift the film from Cukor's creative realignment. Producer LeRoy had already expressed his satisfaction with the film's new course.

All the Oz sequences were filmed in [[Technicolor#Three-strip Technicolor|three-strip Technicolor]],<ref name="TheMakingOfAMovieClassic">''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Making of a Movie Classic'' (1990). CBS Television, narrated by Angela Lansbury. Co-produced by John Fricke and Aljean Harmetz.</ref><ref name="Harmetz">Aljean Harmetz (2004). ''The Making of The Wizard of Oz''. Hyperion. {{ISBN|0-7868-8352-9}}.</ref> requiring the use of large, hot lights, while the [[Opening credits|opening]] and [[closing credits]], and the Kansas sequences, were filmed in black and white and colored in a [[Photographic print toning#Sepia toning|sepia-tone]] process.<ref name="TheMakingOfAMovieClassic" /> Sepia-tone film was also used in the scene where Aunt Em appears in the Wicked Witch's crystal ball.

''The Wizard of Oz'' was not the first film to use Technicolor,<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 7, 2010 |title=The Technicolor world of Oz |url=https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/2010/06/the-technicolor-world-of-oz.html |access-date=March 26, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> which had been introduced in ''[[The Gulf Between]]'' (1917) as a [[RG color models|two-color]] additive process. ''Oz'' was also not the first to use three-strip Technicolor, the three-color subtractive process (officially known as "[[Technicolor#Process 4: Development and introduction|Technicolor Process 4]]") which allowed for a wider range of reproducible hues compared to the earlier Technicolor processes. Three-strip Technicolor had its live-action debut in a sequence for an earlier MGM feature, the [[Jeanette MacDonald]] musical ''[[The Cat and the Fiddle (film)|The Cat and the Fiddle]]'' (1934), and then made its first three-strip Technicolor process that same year in a [[Traveltalks]]' travelogue short ''Holland in Tulip Time'' (1934).<ref>{{cite journal|last=Higgins|first=Scott|date=2000|title=Demonstrating Three-Colour Technicolor: "Early Three-Colour Aesthetics and Design"|journal=Film History|volume=12|issue=4|pages=358–383|issn=0892-2160|jstor=3815345|doi=10.2979/FIL.2000.12.3.358|doi-broken-date=July 1, 2025 }}</ref> ''[[Becky Sharp (film)|Becky Sharp]]'' (1935), a [[Pioneer Pictures]]/[[RKO Pictures|RKO Radio]] production, was the first feature fully produced in three-strip Technicolor, ''[[The Trail of the Lonesome Pine (1936 film)|The Trail of the Lonesome Pine]]'' (1936), a [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]]/[[Walter Wanger]] production, which was the first fully produced film to be shot outdoors, ''[[The Garden of Allah (1936 film)|The Garden of Allah]]'' (1936), a [[Selznick International Pictures|Selznick International]]/[[United Artists]] production, was the third film fully produced in the process, and another Jeanette MacDonald musical, ''[[Sweethearts (1938 film)|Sweethearts]]'' (1938), was MGM's first feature fully produced in the process, four years earlier since the release of the Traveltalks short film ''Holland in Tulip Time''.<ref name="ASC Magazine">{{Cite web |title=Behind the Curtain - page 1 |url=https://theasc.com/magazine/dec98/wizard/pg1.htm |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=theasc.com}}</ref><ref name="Vox">{{Cite web |title=How Technicolor changed movies|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mqaobr6w6_I|website=YouTube| date=December 2017 }}</ref> It was during the production of ''Sweethearts'' that MGM made the decision to produce most of ''The Wizard of Oz'' in Technicolor,<ref name="ASC Magazine"/> a decision also justified by the concurrent blockbuster success of another Technicolor RKO release, [[Walt Disney]]'s animated ''[[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs]]'' (1937).<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Disney's 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs': Still the Fairest of Them All |date=October 9, 2001 |last=Rends |first=Harry |type=Video documentary |language=English}}</ref>

Production on the bulk of the Technicolor sequences was a long and exhausting process that ran for over six months, from October 1938 to March 1939. Most of the cast worked six days a week and had to arrive as early as 4 AM to be fitted with makeup and costumes, and often did not leave until 7 PM or later. Cumbersome makeup and costumes were made even more uncomfortable by the daylight-bright lighting the early Technicolor process required, which could heat the set to over 100&nbsp;°F (38&nbsp;°C); this also had the side effect of bringing the production's electricity bill to a staggering estimate of $225,000 ({{Inflation|US|225000|1939|r=0|fmt=eq}}).<ref>{{cite web |last=Edwards |first=Owen |title=Without This Camera, the Emerald City Would Have Been the Color of Mud |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/without-camera-emerald-city-would-have-been-color-mud-180961463/ |access-date=September 20, 2024 |website=Smithsonian Magazine }}</ref> Bolger later said that the frightening nature of the costumes prevented most of the Oz principals from eating in the studio commissary;<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Interview of [[Ray Bolger]]|title=The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 50 Years of Magic|publisher=Jack Haley Jr Productions|date=1990}}</ref> and the toxicity of Hamilton's copper-based makeup forced her to eat a liquid diet on shoot days.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Leopold|first1=Ted|title='The Wizard of Oz' at 75: Did you know...?|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/25/showbiz/the-wizard-of-oz-75th-anniversary/index.html|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=September 1, 2017|date=August 25, 2014|quote=Margaret Hamilton's copper-based makeup as the Wicked Witch was poisonous, so she lived on a liquid diet during the film, and the makeup was carefully cleaned off her each day.|archive-date=September 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902003320/http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/25/showbiz/the-wizard-of-oz-75th-anniversary/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It took as many as twelve takes to have Toto run alongside the actors as they skipped down the Yellow Brick Road.

In Hamilton's exit from Munchkinland, a concealed [[elevator]] was installed to lower her below stage level, as fire and [[smoke]] erupted to dramatize and conceal her exit. The first take ran well, but on the second take, the burst of fire came too soon. The flames set fire to her green, copper-based face paint, causing third-degree burns to her hands and face. She spent three months recuperating before returning to work.<ref>{{cite book|title=History of Movie Musicals|last=Aylesworth|first=Thomas|publisher=Gallery Books|year=1984|isbn=978-0-8317-4467-0|location=New York City|pages=[https://archive.org/details/historyofmoviemu0000ayle/page/97 97]|url=https://archive.org/details/historyofmoviemu0000ayle/page/97}}</ref> Her green makeup had usually been removed with [[acetone]] due to its [[toxicity|toxic]] copper content. Because of Hamilton's burns, makeup artist Jack Young removed the makeup with alcohol to prevent infection.<ref name="Harmetz" />

====On-set treatment and abuse allegations====
In the decades since the film's release, credible stories have come out indicating that Judy Garland endured extensive abuse during and before filming.<ref name=":1">{{cite news|title='I'll ruin you': Judy Garland on being groped and harassed by powerful Hollywood men|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2017/11/14/ill-ruin-you-judy-garland-on-being-groped-and-harassed-by-powerful-hollywood-men/|access-date=May 25, 2021|issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bertram|first=Colin|title=Judy Garland Was Put on a Strict Diet and Encouraged to Take "Pep Pills" While Filming 'The Wizard of Oz'|url=https://www.biography.com/news/judy-garland-pills-diet-wizard-of-oz|access-date=May 25, 2021|website=Biography|date=December 10, 2020 }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite news|date=April 4, 2018|title=Claims that Wizard of Oz munchkins molested Judy Garland deserve a response|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-04/why-it-was-so-important-to-find-the-last-surviving-munchkin/9610256|access-date=May 25, 2021|newspaper=ABC News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=ahcadmin |date=August 5, 2024 |title=Behind the Curtain: A Look at The Wizard of Oz's Difficult Production 85 Years Later |url=https://ahcwyo.org/2024/08/05/behind-the-curtain-a-look-at-the-wizard-of-ozs-difficult-production-85-years-later/ |access-date=October 24, 2024 |website=American Heritage Center (AHC) #AlwaysArchiving }}</ref> The studio went to extreme lengths to change her appearance, including binding her chest and giving her [[Benzedrine]] tablets to keep her weight down, along with [[Stimulants|uppers]] and [[Depressants|downers]] that caused giggling fits. There were claims that various members of the cast pointed out her breasts and made other lewd comments. Victor Fleming slapped her during the Cowardly Lion's introduction scene when Garland could not stop laughing at Lahr's performance. Once the scene was done, Fleming, reportedly ashamed of himself, ordered the crew to punch him in the face. Garland, however, kissed him instead.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Snyder |first1=S. James |title=Why Victor Fleming Was Hollywood's Hidden Genius |url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1867611,00.html |magazine=Time |date=December 22, 2008 |access-date=December 30, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Van Luling |first1=Todd |title=5 Things You Still Don't Know About 'The Wizard Of Oz' |date=August 25, 2015 |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/wizard-of-oz-trivia_n_55db25bae4b0a40aa3ab5dc6 |access-date=December 30, 2021}}</ref> She continued to wear false teeth that fit over her own upper teeth that were misaligned. She also wore a rubber disc in each nostril to change the shape of her nose. She would wear the teeth and discs on camera for another five years until her involvement in ''[[Meet Me In St. Louis]]'', whereupon makeup artist Dorothy Ponedel promptly threw the teeth and discs in a drawer after Garland said, "I'm supposed to wear these."<ref>{{cite web |date=September 7, 2014 |title=The misery of Oz: How Hollywood starved its great star |url=https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/the-misery-of-oz-how-hollywood-starved-its-great-star/30555965.html |access-date=November 28, 2023 |website=Independent.ie}}</ref> Claims have been made in memoirs that the frequently drunk actors portraying the Munchkins propositioned and pinched her.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Desta|first=Yohana|title=Judy Garland Was Groped by Munchkins on Wizard of Oz Set, New Memoir Claims|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/02/judy-garland-sid-luft-memoir|access-date=May 25, 2021|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=February 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=February 8, 2017|title=Judy Garland 'sexually harassed' by munchkin co-stars on Wizard of Oz set|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/feb/08/judy-garland-allegedly-sexually-harassed-by-munchkins-on-wizard-of-oz-set|access-date=May 25, 2021|website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite news |last=White |first=Adam |date=February 8, 2017 |title=Judy Garland 'was molested by Munchkins' on the set of Wizard of Oz, according to late husband's memoir |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/judy-garland-molested-munchkins-set-wizard-oz-late-husband-claims/ |access-date=November 28, 2023 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> Garland said that she was groped by [[Louis B. Mayer]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Adams|first=Thelma|date=October 17, 2017|title=Casting-Couch Tactics Plagued Hollywood Long Before Harvey Weinstein|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/features/casting-couch-hollywood-sexual-harassment-harvey-weinstein-1202589895/|access-date=May 25, 2021|website=Variety}}</ref>

==Special effects, makeup and costumes==
[[A. Arnold Gillespie|Arnold Gillespie]], the film's [[special effect]]s director, employed several techniques.<ref name="Care 45–47"/> <!-- See invisible note at first use of this citation. -->Developing the [[tornado]] scene was especially costly. Gillespie used [[muslin]] cloth to make the tornado flexible, after a previous attempt with rubber failed. He hung the {{convert|35|ft|abbr=on}} of muslin from a steel [[gantry crane|gantry]] and connected the bottom to a rod. By moving the gantry and rod, he was able to create the illusion of a tornado moving across the stage. [[Fuller's earth]] was sprayed from both the top and bottom using compressed air hoses to complete the effect. Dorothy's house was recreated using a model.<ref>{{citation|last1=Hejzlar|first1=Zdenek|chapter=Chapter 1: Scope of Phase I Environmental Site Assessments|pages=15–15–11|publisher=ASTM International|isbn=978-0803142732|last2=Worlund|first2=John|doi=10.1520/mnl11243m|title=Technical Aspects of Phase I/II Environmental Site Assessments: 2nd Edition|year=2007|doi-broken-date=July 1, 2025 }}</ref> Stock footage of this tornado was later recycled for a climactic scene in the 1943 musical film ''[[Cabin in the Sky (film)|Cabin in the Sky]]'', directed by Judy Garland's eventual second husband [[Vincente Minnelli]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Cabin in the Sky (1943) Tornado Scene |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuBbR26hIAY |website=YouTube | date=March 9, 2016 |access-date=July 11, 2021}}</ref>

The Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow masks were made of [[foam latex]] makeup created by makeup artist [[Jack Dawn]]. Dawn was one of the first to use this technique.<ref>{{cite book| publisher = Twenty-First Century Books| isbn = 978-0-7613-2918-3| last = Miller| first = Ron| title = Special Effects: An Introduction to Movie Magic| date = 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| publisher = Hal Leonard Corporation| isbn = 978-1-4803-9719-4| last = Hogan| first = David J.| title = The Wizard of Oz FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Life, According to Oz| date = June 1, 2014}}</ref> It took an hour each day to slowly peel Bolger's glued-on mask from his face, a process that eventually left permanent lines around his mouth and chin.<ref name="harmetz">{{cite book| publisher = Chicago Review Press| isbn = 978-1-61374-835-0| last = Harmetz| first = Aljean| title = The Making of The Wizard of Oz| year = 2013| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nSFQAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA272| access-date = October 5, 2020| archive-date = November 14, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201114034259/https://books.google.com/books?id=nSFQAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA272| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews-arts-culture/smithsonian-will-stretch-save-scarecrows-costume-too-180960898/ | title=Smithsonian Will Stretch to Save Scarecrow's Costume, Too }}</ref>

The Tin Man's costume was made of leather-covered [[buckram]], and the oil used to grease his joints was made from [[chocolate syrup]].<ref>{{cite book| publisher = Hal Leonard Corporation| isbn = 978-1-61774-843-1| last1 = Scarfone| first1 = Jay| last2 = Stillman| first2 = William| title = The Wizardry of Oz| year = 2004| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=D0w5WxGi0ggC&pg=PA99| access-date = October 5, 2020| archive-date = November 14, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201114034258/https://books.google.com/books?id=D0w5WxGi0ggC&pg=PA99| url-status = live}}</ref> The Cowardly Lion's costume was made from real lion skin and fur.<ref>{{cite web|agency=CBS/AP|date=November 25, 2014| title = "The Wizard of Oz" Cowardly Lion costume fetches $3 million at auction| website = [[CBS News]]| access-date = August 23, 2018| url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wizard-of-oz-cowardly-lion-costume-casablanca-piano-sell-at-auction/| archive-date = August 23, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180823105726/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/wizard-of-oz-cowardly-lion-costume-casablanca-piano-sell-at-auction/| url-status = live}}</ref> Due to the heavy makeup, Bert Lahr could only consume soup and milkshakes on break, which eventually made him sick. After a few months, Lahr put his foot down and requested normal meals along with makeup redos after lunch.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/dark-secrets-behind-the-making-of-the-wizard-of-oz.html/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523144500/https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/dark-secrets-behind-the-making-of-the-wizard-of-oz.html/ | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 23, 2022 | title='The Wizard of Oz': Dark Secrets Behind the Making of the Hollywood Classic | date=August 24, 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103164324/https://thefashionball.com/celebrity/wizard-of-oz-secrets-tw/ | url=https://thefashionball.com/celebrity/wizard-of-oz-secrets-tw/ | archive-date=November 3, 2023 | title=25 Wonderful and Weird Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Wizard Of Oz | first=Philippa | last=Smythe | date=September 2, 2019}}</ref> For the "horse of a different color" scene, [[Jell-O]] powder was used to color the white horses.<ref>{{cite book| publisher = Macmillan| isbn = 978-0-85170-300-8| last = Rushdie| first = Salman| title = The Wizard of Oz| year = 1992| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Rq46IH1nWb8C&pg=PA4| access-date = August 23, 2018| archive-date = August 19, 2020| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200819210740/https://books.google.com/books?id=Rq46IH1nWb8C&pg=PA4| url-status = live}}</ref> [[Asbestos]] was used to achieve some of the special effects, such as the witch's burning broomstick and the fake snow that covers Dorothy as she sleeps in the field of poppies.<ref>{{cite web| last = Eschner| first = Kat| title = The Crazy Tricks Early Filmmakers Used To Fake Snow| work = Smithsonian| access-date = August 21, 2018| url = https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/crazy-tricks-early-filmmakers-used-fake-snow-180961522/| archive-date = August 21, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180821093747/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/crazy-tricks-early-filmmakers-used-fake-snow-180961522/| url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| publisher = OUP Oxford| isbn = 978-0-19-156008-8| last1 = McCulloch| first1 = Jock| last2 = Tweedale| first2 = Geoffrey| title = Defending the Indefensible: The Global Asbestos Industry and its Fight for Survival| date = 2008| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=CWTeH9GJsfgC&pg=PA18| access-date = August 23, 2018| archive-date = September 8, 2019| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190908043518/https://books.google.com/books?id=CWTeH9GJsfgC&pg=PA18| url-status = live}}</ref>

==Music==
{{Main|Musical selections in The Wizard of Oz{{!}}Musical selections in ''The Wizard of Oz''}}
[[File:Orchestral recording for The Wizard of Oz (1939).jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|Herbert Stothart conducting the MGM Studio Orchestra for ''The Wizard of Oz'', which was recorded at the MGM studios]]

''The Wizard of Oz'' is famous for [[Musical selections in The Wizard of Oz|its musical selections]] and soundtrack. Its songs were composed by [[Harold Arlen]], with lyrics by [[E. Y. "Yip" Harburg]]. They won the [[Academy Award for Best Original Song]] for "Over the Rainbow". The song ranks first in the [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs]] and the [[Recording Industry Association of America]]'s "[[Songs of the Century|365 Songs of the Century]]".

MGM composer [[Herbert Stothart]], a well-known Hollywood composer and songwriter, won the [[Academy Award for Best Original Score]].

[[Georgie Stoll]] was associate conductor, and screen credit was given to [[George Bassman]], [[Murray Cutter]], [[Ken Darby]] and Paul Marquardt for orchestral and vocal arrangements. (As usual, [[Roger Edens]] was also heavily involved as an unbilled musical associate to Freed.){{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

The songs were recorded on the studio's scoring stage before filming. Several of the recordings were completed while Ebsen was still with the cast. Although he had to be dropped from the cast because of a dangerous reaction to his aluminum powder makeup, his singing voice remained on the soundtrack (as mentioned in the notes for the CD Deluxe Edition). He can be heard in the group vocals of "We're Off to See the Wizard".

Bolger's original recording of "[[If I Only Had a Brain]]" was far more sedate than the version in the film. During filming, Cukor and LeRoy decided a more energetic rendition better suited Dorothy's initial meeting with the Scarecrow, and it was rerecorded. The original version was considered lost until a copy was discovered in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejudyroom.com/news-oz.html#brain|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513210807/http://www.thejudyroom.com/news-oz.html#brain|url-status=dead|title=The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary News<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=May 13, 2011}}</ref>

===Songs===
{{Track listing
| all_writing     =
| all_lyrics      = E. Y. Harburg
| all_music       = Harold Arlen
| extra_column    = Performer(s)

| title1          = [[Over the Rainbow]]
| extra1          = [[Judy Garland]]

| title2          = [[Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead|Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are]]
| extra2          = [[Billie Burke]] & [[Munchkin|The Munchkin Chorus]]

| title3          = [[Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead|It Really Was No Miracle]]
| extra3          = [[Judy Garland]], [[Billy Bletcher]] & [[Munchkin|The Munchkin Chorus]]

| title4          = [[Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead|We Thank You Very Sweetly]]
| extra4          = Joseph Koziel & [[Frank Cucksey]]

| title5          = [[Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead]]
| extra5          = [[Munchkin|The Munchkin Chorus]]

| title6          = [[Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead|As Mayor of the Munchkin City]]
| extra6          = [[Billy Bletcher]], [[Pinto Colvig]] & J. D. Jewkes

| title7          = [[Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead|As Coroner, I Must Aver]]
| extra7          = Harry Stanton

| title8          = [[Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead|Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead (Reprise)]]
| extra8          = [[Munchkin|The Munchkin Chorus]]

| title9          = [[Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead|The Lullaby League]]
| extra9          = [[Lorraine Bridges]], Betty Rome & Carol Tevis

| title10         = [[Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead|The Lollipop Guild]]
| extra10         = [[Billy Bletcher]], [[Pinto Colvig]] & Harry Stanton

| title11          = [[Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead|We Welcome You to Munchkinland]]
| extra11          = [[Munchkin|The Munchkin Chorus]]

| title12          = [[We're Off to See the Wizard|Follow the Yellow Brick Road]]
| extra12          = [[Judy Garland]] & [[Munchkin|The Munchkin Chorus]]

| title13          = [[If I Only Had a Brain]]
| extra13          = [[Ray Bolger]] & [[Judy Garland]]

| title14          = [[We're Off to See the Wizard]]
| extra14          = [[Judy Garland]] & [[Ray Bolger]]

| title15          = [[If I Only Had a Brain|If I Only Had a Heart]]
| extra15          = [[Jack Haley]] & [[Adriana Caselotti]]

| title16          = [[We're Off to See the Wizard|We're Off to See the Wizard (Reprise)]]
| extra16          = [[Judy Garland]], [[Ray Bolger]] & [[Buddy Ebsen]]

| title17          = [[If I Only Had a Brain|If I Only Had the Nerve]]
| extra17          = [[Bert Lahr]], [[Jack Haley]], [[Judy Garland]] & [[Ray Bolger]]

| title18          = [[We're Off to See the Wizard|We're Off to See the Wizard (Reprise 2)]]
| extra18          = [[Judy Garland]], [[Ray Bolger]], [[Buddy Ebsen]] & [[Bert Lahr]]

| title19          = Optimistic Voices
| extra19          = The Debutantes & [[The Rhythmettes]]

| title20          = [[The Merry Old Land of Oz]]
| extra20          = [[Frank Morgan]], [[Judy Garland]], [[Ray Bolger]], [[Jack Haley]], [[Bert Lahr]], [[Tyler Brooke]], Ralph Sudam, [[Bobby Watson (actor)|Bobby Watson]], Oliver Smith, Charles Irwin, [[Lois January]], Elvida Rizzo, [[Lorraine Bridges]] & Chorus

| title21          = [[If I Were King of the Forest]]
| extra21          = [[Bert Lahr]]

| title22          = The Jitterbug
| note22           = outtake
| extra22          = [[Judy Garland]], [[Ray Bolger]], [[Jack Haley]] & [[Bert Lahr]]

| title23          = [[Over the Rainbow|Over the Rainbow (Reprise)]]
| note23           = outtake
| extra23          = [[Judy Garland]]

| title24          = [[Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead|Hail! Hail! The Witch Is Dead!]]
| note24           = outtake
| extra24          = [[Ken Darby]] & MGM Studio Chorus
}}

===Deleted songs===
[[File:Wizard of Oz lobby card.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Lobby card with still of deleted musical number "Hail! Hail! The Witch Is Dead!", sung upon the return to the Emerald City]]
Some musical pieces were filmed and deleted later, in the editing process.

The song "The Jitterbug", written in a swing style, was intended for a sequence where the group journeys to the Witch's castle. Owing to time constraints, it was cut from the final theatrical version. The film footage of the song has been lost, although silent 8mm color home-film footage of the rehearsals has survived. The audio recording of the song was preserved, and was included in the [[The Wizard of Oz (soundtrack)#1995 TCM / Rhino Records deluxe edition|1995 Rhino Records two-CD deluxe edition of the soundtrack]], as well as on the film's VHS and DVD editions. A reference to "The Jitterbug" remains in the film: The Witch tells her flying monkeys that they should have no trouble apprehending Dorothy and her friends because "I've sent a little insect on ahead to take the fight out of them."<ref>{{cite web |title=The Wizard of Oz [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] – Original Soundtrack – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |publisher=AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-wizard-of-oz-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-mw0000053200 |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809095844/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-wizard-of-oz-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-mw0000053200 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Another musical number cut before release came right after the Wicked Witch of the West was melted and before Dorothy and her friends returned to the Wizard. This was a reprise of "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" (blended with "[[We're Off to See the Wizard]]" and "The Merry Old Land of Oz") with the lyrics altered to "Hail! Hail! The witch is dead!" This started with the Witch's guard saying "Hail to Dorothy! The Wicked Witch is dead!" and dissolved to a huge celebration by the citizens of the Emerald City, who sang the song as they accompanied Dorothy and her friends to the Wizard. Today, the film of this scene is also lost, and only a few stills survive, along with a few seconds of footage used on several reissue trailers. The entire audio track was preserved and is included on the two-CD Rhino Record "deluxe" soundtrack edition.<ref>''The Wizard of Oz: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – The Deluxe Edition'', 2-CD set, original recording remastered, [[Rhino Entertainment|Rhino Records]] # 71964 (July 18, 1995)</ref>

Garland was to sing a brief reprise of "Over the Rainbow" while Dorothy was trapped in the Witch's castle, but it was cut because it was considered too emotionally intense. Because Garland sang the reprise live on set, only the underscoring from the final edit survives. However, the on-set audio of the scene when it was originally filmed under Richard Thorpe still exists and was included as an extra in all home media releases from 1993 onward. The Deluxe Edition soundtrack marries the singing from the Thorpe take to the underscoring from the Fleming version to approximate what this would have sounded like.<ref>Warner Bros. 2005 ''The Wizard of Oz'' Collector's Edition DVD edition, program notes and audio extras.</ref>

===Underscoring===
Extensive edits in the film's final cut removed vocals from the last portion of the film. However, the film was fully [[Underscoring|underscored]], with instrumental snippets from the film's various [[leitmotif]]s throughout. There was also some recognizable classical and popular music, including:
* Excerpts from [[Robert Schumann|Schumann]]'s "[[The Happy Farmer]]", at several points early in the film, including the opening scene when Dorothy and Toto hurry home after their encounter with Miss Gulch; when Toto escapes from her; and when the house "rides" the tornado.
* An excerpt of [[Felix Mendelssohn|Mendelssohn]]'s Scherzo in E minor, Op. 16, No. 2, when Toto escapes from the Witch's castle.
* An excerpt of [[Modest Mussorgsky|Mussorgsky]]'s "[[Night on Bald Mountain]]", when Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion try to escape from the Witch's castle.
* "[[In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree]]", when Dorothy and the Scarecrow discover the anthropomorphic apple trees.
* "[[Gaudeamus Igitur]]", as the Wizard presents awards to the group.
* "[[Home! Sweet Home!]]", in part of the closing scene, at Dorothy's house in Kansas.

(This list is excerpted from the liner notes of the Rhino Records collection.)

==Post-production==
[[Principal photography]] concluded with the monochromatic Kansas sequences on March 16, 1939. When Victor Fleming was called away to replace George Cukor as director of ''[[Gone with the Wind (film)|Gone with the Wind]]'', veteran director [[King Vidor]] agreed to direct ''Oz'' during its final ten days of principal production. This included the bulk of the Kansas scenes, including Garland's performance of "Over the Rainbow."<ref>Orozco, Lance. "He Was a Hollywood Pioneer, but the Central Coast Man Is Now Largely Forgotten." ''KCLU'', KCLU, April 24, 2024, www.kclu.org/local-news/2024-04-24/he-was-a-hollywood-pioneer-but-the-central-coast-man-is-now-largely-forgotten. .</ref>

Reshoots and pickup shots were done through April and May and into June, under the direction of producer LeRoy. When the "Over the Rainbow" reprise was removed after subsequent test screenings in early June, Garland had to be brought back to reshoot the "Auntie Em, I'm frightened!" scene without the song. The footage of Blandick's Aunt Em, as shot by Vidor, had already been set aside for rear-projection work, and was reused.

After Hamilton's severe injuries with the Munchkinland elevator, she refused to do the pickups for the scene where she flies on a broomstick that billows smoke, so LeRoy had [[stunt double]] [[Betty Danko]] perform instead. Danko was severely injured when the smoke mechanism malfunctioned.<ref>''The Making of the Wizard of Oz – Movie Magic and Studio Power in the Prime of MGM – and the Miracle of Production #1060'', 10th Edition, Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc./Random House, 1989.</ref>

At this point, the film began a long, arduous post-production. [[Herbert Stothart]] composed the film's background score, while [[A. Arnold Gillespie]] perfected the special effects, including many of the rear-projection shots. The MGM art department created [[matte painting]]s for many scene backgrounds.

A significant innovation planned for the film was the use of stencil printing for the transition to Technicolor. Each frame was to be hand-tinted to maintain the sepia tone. However, it was abandoned because it was too expensive and labor-intensive, and MGM used a simpler, less expensive technique: During the May reshoots, the inside of the farmhouse was painted sepia, and when Dorothy opens the door, it is not Garland, but her stand-in, Bobbie Koshay, wearing a sepia [[Gingham dress of Judy Garland|gingham dress]], who then backs out of frame. Once the camera moves through the door, Garland steps back into frame in her bright blue gingham dress (as noted in DVD extras), and the sepia-painted door briefly tints her with the same color before she emerges from the house's shadow, into the bright glare of the Technicolor lighting. This also meant that the reshoots provided the first proper shot of Munchkinland. If one looks carefully, the brief cut to Dorothy looking around outside the house bisects a single long shot, from the inside of the doorway to the pan-around that finally ends in a reverse-angle as the ruins of the house are seen behind Dorothy and she comes to a stop at the foot of the small bridge.

[[Test screening]]s of the film began on June 5, 1939.<ref name="geo">{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/6396/timeline.htm|title="The Wizard of Oz"...&nbsp;A Movie Timeline|website=Jim's "Wizard of Oz" Website Directory|publisher=geocities.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114114015/http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/6396/timeline.htm|archive-date=November 14, 2007|access-date=September 10, 2007}}</ref> ''Oz'' initially ran nearly two hours long. In 1939, the average film ran for about 90 minutes. LeRoy and Fleming knew they needed to cut at least 15 minutes to get the film down to a manageable running time. Three sneak previews in [[San Bernardino, California|San Bernardino]], [[Pomona, California|Pomona]] and [[San Luis Obispo, California]], guided LeRoy and Fleming in the cutting. Among the many cuts were "The Jitterbug" number, the Scarecrow's elaborate [[Busby Berkeley]]-directed dance sequence following "If I Only Had a Brain", reprises of "Over the Rainbow" and "[[Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead]]", and a number of smaller dialogue sequences. This left the final, mostly serious portion of the film with no songs, only the dramatic underscoring.

"Over the Rainbow" was almost deleted. MGM felt that it made the Kansas sequence too long, as well as being far over the heads of the target audience of children. The studio also thought that it was degrading for Garland to sing in a barnyard. LeRoy, uncredited associate producer Arthur Freed and director Fleming fought to keep it in, and they eventually won. The song went on to win the [[Academy Award for Best Original Song]], and came to be identified so strongly with Garland herself that she made it her signature song.

After the preview in San Luis Obispo in early July, the film was officially released in August 1939 at its current 101-minute running time.

==Release==
===Original theatrical run===
[[File:Wizard of Oz (Oconomowoc) cropped.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|A memorial which incorrectly attributes  the film's world premiere to the Strand Theatre in [[Oconomowoc, Wisconsin]], on August 12, 1939]]
The film premiered at the Orpheum Theatre in [[Green Bay, Wisconsin]], on August 10, 1939,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/7892|title=AFI{{!}}Catalog|website=catalog.afi.com|access-date=September 3, 2019|archive-date=January 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125153124/https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/7892|url-status=live}}</ref> although this is disputed by the August 23, 1939, issue of "The Exhibitor," which places the debut a day earlier in New Bedford, Massachusetts.<ref>{{cite web|title=On This Day In Judy Garland's Life And Career – August 10 |date=August 10, 2018 |url=https://judygarlandnews.com/2018/08/10/on-this-day-in-judy-garlands-life-and-career-august-10/ |access-date=January 21, 2025}}</ref> The first sneak preview was held in [[San Bernardino, California]].<ref>Down The Yellow Brick Road: The Making of The Wizard Of Oz"McClelland, 1976 Publisher Pyramid Publications (Harcourt Brace Jonavich)</ref> The film was previewed in three [[test market]]s: [[Kenosha, Wisconsin]], on August 11, 1939; [[Dennis, Massachusetts]], also on August 11;<ref>{{cite web | title= Hello, yellow brick road | url= http://www.jsonline.com/news/waukesha/51361182.html | date= July 21, 2009 | first= Scott | last= Williams | publisher= [[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]] | access-date= October 21, 2011 | quote= John Fricke, a historian who has written books about ''The Wizard of Oz'', said that MGM executives arranged advance screenings in a handful of small communities to find out how audiences would respond to the musical adventure, which cost nearly $3 million to produce. Fricke said he believes the first showings were on the 11th, one day before Oconomowoc's preview, on Cape Cod in Dennis, Massachusetts, and in another southeastern Wisconsin community, Kenosha. | archive-date= January 16, 2010 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100116025719/http://www.jsonline.com/news/waukesha/51361182.html | url-status= live }}</ref><ref name="mad2009">{{cite web | title= No Place Like Home: 'Wizard of Oz' premiered here 70 years ago | url= http://host.madison.com/article_5c61ec86-41d1-5eef-a2da-e2ad874a4aeb.html | date= August 18, 2009 | first= Katjusa | last= Cisar | publisher= Madison.com | access-date= October 21, 2011 | quote= Oconomowoc's Strand Theatre was one of three small-town movie theaters across the country where "Oz" premiered in the days prior to its official Hollywood opening on Aug. 15, 1939&nbsp;... It's possible that one of the other two test sites – Kenosha and the Cape Cinema in Dennis, Massachusetts – screened the film a day earlier, but Oconomowoc is the only one to lay claim and embrace the world premiere as its own. | archive-date= August 25, 2017 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170825104341/http://host.madison.com/article_5c61ec86-41d1-5eef-a2da-e2ad874a4aeb.html | url-status= live }}</ref> and the Strand Theatre in [[Oconomowoc, Wisconsin]], on August 12.<ref name = wsj>{{cite news | title = Beloved movie's premiere was far from L.A. limelight | work = Wisconsin State Journal | page = a2 | date = August 12, 2009 }}</ref>

The Hollywood premiere was on August 15, 1939,<ref name="mad2009"/> at [[Grauman's Chinese Theatre]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/graumans-chinese-theatre-makeover-hollywood-279246 | work=The Hollywood Reporter | title=Grauman's Chinese Makeover: How the Hollywood Landmark Will Be Revamped | access-date=April 28, 2020 | archive-date=August 3, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803123252/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/graumans-chinese-theatre-makeover-hollywood-279246 | url-status=live }}</ref> The New York City premiere, held at [[Capitol Theatre (New York City)|Loew's Capitol Theatre]] on August 17, 1939, was followed by a live performance with Garland and her frequent film co-star [[Mickey Rooney]]. They continued to perform there after each screening for a week. Garland extended her appearance for two more weeks, partnered with Rooney for a second week and with ''Oz'' co-stars Ray Bolger and Bert Lahr for the third and final week. The film opened nationwide on August 25, 1939, one week before the [[Invasion of Poland]] which started [[World War II]].

===Television===
{{Main|The Wizard of Oz on television|l1=''The Wizard of Oz'' on television}}

MGM sold [[CBS]] the rights to televise the film for $225,000 (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|225000|1956}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}}) per broadcast.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/variety204-1956-11/page/n33|author=Chan.|page=33|title=Television reviews: Wizard of Oz|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=November 7, 1956|access-date=October 27, 2019|via=[[Archive.org]]}}</ref> It was first shown on television on November 3, 1956, as the last installment of the ''[[Ford Star Jubilee]]''.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Ford Star Jubilee |title=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Cable and Network Shows 1946 – present | first1 = Tim | last1= Brooks | first2= Earle | last2=Marsh | page = 425 | publisher= [[Ballantine Books]] | year= 2003 | isbn = 978-0-345-45542-0 | quote = Last telecast: November 3, 1956&nbsp;... The last telecast of ''Ford Star Jubilee'', however, was really something special. It was the first airing of what later became a television tradition – Garland's classic 1939 film ''The Wizard of Oz'', with Judy's 10-year-old daughter [[Liza Minnelli]] and Lahr (the Cowardly Lion from the film) on hand to introduce it.}}</ref> It was a ratings success, with a [[Nielsen rating]] of 33.9 and an audience share of 53%.<ref name=rating>{{cite magazine|title=Hit Movies on U.S. TV Since 1961|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=January 24, 1990|page=160}}</ref>

It was repeated on December 13, 1959, and gained an even larger television audience, with a Nielsen rating of 36.5 and an audience share of 58%.<ref name=rating/> It became an annual television tradition.

The UK television premiere was on Christmas Day, 1975, on [[BBC1]].  The estimated UK television audience was 20 million.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bufvc.ac.uk/articles/feature-films-on-british-television-in-the-1970s/4 | title=Feature Films on British Television in the 1970s |publisher=British Universities Film & Video Council }}</ref>

===Home media===
On October 25, 1980, the film was released on videocassette (in both [[VHS]] and [[Betamax]] format) by [[MGM Home Entertainment|MGM/CBS Home Video]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=MGM/CBS Home Video ad|magazine=Billboard|date=November 22, 1980|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mCQEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22MGM+CBS%22+Billboard&pg=PT58|access-date=April 20, 2011|archive-date=November 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114034259/https://books.google.com/books?id=mCQEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22MGM+CBS%22+Billboard&pg=PT58|url-status=live}}</ref> All current home video releases are by [[Warner Home Video]] (via current rights holder [[Turner Entertainment Co.|Turner Entertainment]]).

The film's first [[LaserDisc]] release was in 1983. In 1989, there were two releases for the 50th anniversary, one from Turner and one from [[The Criterion Collection]], with a commentary track. LaserDiscs came out in 1991 and 1993, and the final LaserDisc was released September 11, 1996.<ref>{{cite web |author=Julien Wilk |title=LaserDisc Database – Search: Wizard of Oz |publisher=Lddb.com |date=February 28, 2010 |url=https://www.lddb.com/search/IMDb/0032138 |access-date=March 6, 2010 |archive-date=August 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816075516/http://www.lddb.com/search/IMDb/0032138 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The film was released on the [[Capacitance Electronic Disc|CED]] format once, in 1982, by MGM/UA Home Video.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.wendyswizardofoz.com/selectavision.html |title=WOO CED Exclusive |access-date=July 7, 2014 |archive-date=November 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125143751/http://www.wendyswizardofoz.com/selectavision.html |url-status=live }}</ref> It has also been released multiple times outside of the North American and European markets, in Asia, in the [[Video CD]] format.<!-- Removed link to Indian video store. -->

The first DVD release was on March 26, 1997, by MGM/UA Home Video. It contained no special features or supplements. On October 19, 1999, ''The Wizard of Oz'' was re-released by Warner Home Video to celebrate the film's 60th anniversary, with its soundtrack presented in a new [[5.1]] [[surround sound]] mix. The DVD also contained a behind-the-scenes documentary, ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic'', produced in 1990 and hosted by [[Angela Lansbury]], which was originally shown on television immediately following the 1990 telecast of the film. It had been featured in the 1993 "Ultimate Oz" LaserDisc release. Outtakes, the deleted "Jitterbug" musical number, clips of pre-1939 ''Oz'' adaptations, trailers, newsreels, and a portrait gallery were also included, as well as two radio programs of the era publicizing the film.

In 2005, two DVD editions were released, both featuring a newly restored version of the film with an [[audio commentary]] and an isolated music and effects track. One of the two DVD releases was a "Two-Disc Special Edition", featuring production documentaries, trailers, outtakes, newsreels, radio shows and still galleries. The other set, a "Three-Disc Collector's Edition", included these features, as well as the digitally restored 80th-anniversary edition of the 1925 feature-length silent film version of ''The Wizard of Oz'', other silent ''Oz'' adaptations and a 1933 animated short version.

The film was released on [[Blu-ray]] on September 29, 2009, for its 70th anniversary, in a four-disc "Ultimate Collector's Edition", including all the bonus features from the 2005 Collector's Edition DVD, new bonus features about Victor Fleming and the surviving Munchkins, the telefilm ''[[The Dreamer of Oz: The L. Frank Baum Story]]'', and the miniseries ''MGM: When the Lion Roars''. For this edition, Warner Bros. commissioned a new transfer from the original negatives at [[8K Video Format|8K resolution]]. The restoration job was given to Prime Focus World.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.primefocusworld.com/wizard-of-oz/|title=The Wizard of Oz (1939) 3D|website=Prime Focus World|access-date=April 9, 2016|archive-date=April 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421220736/http://www.primefocusworld.com/wizard-of-oz/|url-status=live}}</ref> This restored version also features a [[lossless]] 5.1 [[Dolby TrueHD]] audio track.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/MGM/Warner_Home_Video/Film_Restoration/Michael_S._Palmer/Off_To_See_The_Wizards:_HDD_Gets_An_In_Depth_Look_at_the_Restoration_of_The_Wizard_of_Oz_%28UPDATED_-_Before_and_After_Pics!%29/3397 |title=Off To See The Wizards: HDD Gets An In Depth Look at the Restoration of 'The Wizard of Oz' |publisher=Highdefdigest.com |date=September 11, 2009 |access-date=March 6, 2010 |archive-date=February 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212163510/http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/MGM/Warner_Home_Video/Film_Restoration/Michael_S._Palmer/Off_To_See_The_Wizards:_HDD_Gets_An_In_Depth_Look_at_the_Restoration_of_The_Wizard_of_Oz_(UPDATED_-_Before_and_After_Pics!)/3397 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On December 1, 2009,<ref>{{citation|title=The Wizard of Oz Blu-ray Release Date December 1, 2009|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Wizard-of-Oz-Blu-ray/7704/|access-date=March 5, 2020|archive-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407140928/https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Wizard-of-Oz-Blu-ray/7704/|url-status=live}}</ref> three Blu-ray discs of the Ultimate Collector's Edition were repackaged as a less expensive "Emerald Edition". An Emerald Edition four-disc DVD arrived the following week. A single-disc Blu-ray, containing the restored movie and all the extra features of the two-disc Special Edition DVD, became available on March 16, 2010.<ref>{{citation|title=The Wizard of Oz DVD Release Date March 16, 2010|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/The-Wizard-of-Oz-DVD/21580/|access-date=March 5, 2020|archive-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407142219/https://www.blu-ray.com/dvd/The-Wizard-of-Oz-DVD/21580/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2013, the film was re-released on DVD, [[Blu-ray]], [[Blu-ray#Blu-ray 3D|Blu-ray 3D]] and [[UltraViolet (website)|UltraViolet]] for the 90th anniversary of [[Warner Bros.]] and the 75th anniversary of the film.<ref name="IMAX 3D">{{cite web|url=http://family-room.ew.com/2013/06/04/wizard-of-oz-imax-3d-run/|title='Wizard of Oz' coming back to theaters for IMAX 3D run|access-date=June 4, 2013|archive-date=June 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616024513/http://family-room.ew.com/2013/06/04/wizard-of-oz-imax-3d-run/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.etonline.com/movies/125577_Wizard_of_Oz_Goes_3D_for_WB_90th_Celebration/ |title='Wizard of Oz' Goes 3D for W.B. 90th Celebration |date=October 3, 2012 |publisher=ETonline.com |access-date=November 2, 2012 |archive-date=December 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121210043023/http://www.etonline.com/movies/125577_Wizard_of_Oz_Goes_3D_for_WB_90th_Celebration/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Many special editions were released in 2013 in celebration of the film's 75th anniversary, including one exclusively by [[Best Buy]] (a SteelBook of the 3D Blu-ray) and another by [[Target Corporation|Target]] stores that came with a keepsake lunch bag.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://steelbookreview.com/shop/the-wizard-of-oz-3d-best-buy-futurepak |title=WOO Best Buy SteelBook Exclusive |access-date=July 7, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715003608/http://steelbookreview.com/shop/the-wizard-of-oz-3d-best-buy-futurepak/ |archive-date=July 15, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=3480|title=WOO Target Exclusive|access-date=July 7, 2014|archive-date=November 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123200711/https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=3480|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film was issued on 4K [[Ultra HD Blu-ray]] on October 29, 2019, featuring both a [[Dolby Vision]] and an [[HDR10+]] grading from an 8K transfer.<ref>[https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=25610 The Wizard of Oz 4K Blu-ray] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826015002/https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=25610 |date=August 26, 2019 }}. ''Blu-ray.com''. August 23, 2019.</ref> Another 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release, including collective replica items from the film's Hollywood premiere was released on November 5, 2024, to celebrate the film's 85th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=35041 | title=Wizard of OZ: 85th Anniversary Theater Edition 4K Blu-ray }}</ref>

===Re-releases===
[[File:The Wizard of Oz 1955 Lobby Card.jpg|thumb|This lobby card for the 1955 re-release carried a contemporary image of Garland.]]

Although the 1949 re-issue used sepia tone, the 1955 re-issue showed the Kansas sequences in black and white instead, a practice that continued on television broadcasts and home releases until the 50th anniversary [[VHS]] release in 1989.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://entertainment.time.com/2010/08/30/top-10-movie-rereleases/slide/the-wizard-of-oz/|title=The Wizard of Oz|last=Cruz|first=Gilbert|date=August 30, 2010|magazine=Time|access-date=January 21, 2011|archive-date=December 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218015045/http://entertainment.time.com/2010/08/30/top-10-movie-rereleases/slide/the-wizard-of-oz/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[MGM Children's Matinees|The MGM "Children's Matinees" series]] re-released the film twice, in both 1970 and 1971.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kiddiematinee.com/w-woz.html|title=The Wizard of Oz (1939, U.S.)|date=November 3, 1956|publisher=Kiddiematinee.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112202639/http://www.kiddiematinee.com/w-woz.html|archive-date=January 12, 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=March 6, 2010}}</ref> It was for this release that the film received a G rating from the MPAA.

For the film's 60th anniversary, Warner Bros. released a "Special Edition" on November 6, 1998, digitally restored with remastered audio.

In 2002, the film had a [[Limited release|very limited re-release]] in U.S. theaters, earning only $139,905.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=wizardofoz01.htm|title=The Wizard of Oz (2002 re-issue) (2002)|publisher=boxofficemojo.com|access-date=April 28, 2020|archive-date=November 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124055031/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=wizardofoz01.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 23, 2009, the film was re-released in select theaters for a one-night-only event in honor of its 70th anniversary and as a promotion for various new disc releases later in the month. An encore of this event took place in theaters on November 17, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://clclt.com/charlotte/the-wizard-of-oz-70th-anniversary-encore-event/Film?oid=2365152|title=The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Encore Event|date=November 17, 2009|agency=Creative Loading|access-date=August 30, 2017|archive-date=August 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830102752/https://clclt.com/charlotte/the-wizard-of-oz-70th-anniversary-encore-event/Film?oid=2365152|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Wizard of oz IMAX.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Poster for the 2013 [[IMAX|IMAX 3D]] re-release, as part of the film's 75th anniversary]]
An [[IMAX 3D]] theatrical re-release played at 300 theaters in North America for one week only beginning September 20, 2013, as part of the film's 75th anniversary.<ref name="IMAX 3D" /> Warner Bros. spent $25&nbsp;million on advertising. The studio hosted a premiere of the film's first IMAX 3D release on September 15, 2013, in Hollywood at the newly remodeled [[TCL Chinese Theatre]] (formerly Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the site of the film's Hollywood premiere). It was the first motion picture to play at the new theater and served as the grand opening of Hollywood's first 3D IMAX screen. It was also shown as a special presentation at the [[2013 Toronto International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2013/biz/news/warner-bros-plans-25-million-campaign-around-the-wizard-of-oz-anniversary-1200590969/|title=Warner Bros. Plans $25 Million Campaign Around 'The Wizard of Oz'|last=Graser|first=Marc|date=August 28, 2013|work=Variety|access-date=September 11, 2013|archive-date=September 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902211830/http://variety.com/2013/biz/news/warner-bros-plans-25-million-campaign-around-the-wizard-of-oz-anniversary-1200590969/|url-status=live}}</ref> This re-release grossed $5.6&nbsp;million at the North American box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=wizardofozimax.htm|title=The Wizard of Oz (3D/IMAX) (2013)|date=October 17, 2013|work=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=August 25, 2017|archive-date=August 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825142932/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=wizardofozimax.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2013, in preparation for its IMAX 3D release, the film was submitted to the MPAA for re-classification. According to MPAA rules, a film that has been altered in any way from its original version must be submitted for re-classification, and the 3-D conversion fell within that guideline. The 3D version received a PG rating for "Some scary moments", although no change was made to the film's original story content. The 2D version still retains its G rating.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865584657/6The-Wizard-of-Oz7-reissue-could-signal-the-end-of-the-G-rating.html?pg=all|title=Chris Hicks: 'The Wizard of Oz' reissue could signal the end of the G rating|last=Hicks|first=Chris|website=[[Deseret News]]|date=August 14, 2013|access-date=May 21, 2016|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235408/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865584657/6The-Wizard-of-Oz7-reissue-could-signal-the-end-of-the-G-rating.html?pg=all|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The film was re-released on January 11 and 14, 2015, as part of the "TCM Presents" series by [[Turner Classic Movies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amctheatres.com/movies/tcm-presents-the-wizard-of-oz|title=TCM Presents The Wizard of Oz|work=Variety|access-date=September 6, 2015|archive-date=September 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929161825/https://www.amctheatres.com/movies/tcm-presents-the-wizard-of-oz|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film was re-released by [[Fathom Events]] through "TCM Big Screen Classics" on January 27, 29, 30, 2019, and February 3 and 5, 2019, as part of its 80th anniversary. It also had a one-week theatrical engagement in [[Dolby Cinema]] on October 25, 2019, to commemorate the anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aol.com/article/entertainment/2019/01/24/the-wizard-of-oz-to-return-to-theaters-for-80th-anniversary/23651755/|title='Wizard of Oz' is returning to theaters for its 80th anniversary|date=January 24, 2019 |access-date=February 1, 2019|archive-date=February 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202042002/https://www.aol.com/article/entertainment/2019/01/24/the-wizard-of-oz-to-return-to-theaters-for-80th-anniversary/23651755/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film returned to theaters on June 5 and 6, 2022, to celebrate Judy Garland's 100th birthday.<ref>Miller, Caroline. [https://movieweb.com/the-wizard-of-oz-returns-to-theaters/ "The Wizard of Oz Returns to Theaters for Judy Garland's 100 Birthday Celebration"], Movieweb.com, May 8, 2022</ref>

To celebrate the 85th anniversary, "Fathom Big Screen Classics" (now taken over from TCM) released the film  January 28, 29 and 31, 2024, with a special introduction by Leonard Maltin and a preshow trivia game hosted by "Oz Vlog" host Victoria Calamito.<ref>{{cite web |last=Barnes | first= Mike | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/big-screen-classics-2024-1235753916/ | publisher=Hollywood Reporter | date=December 14, 2023 | title='Wizard of Oz,' 'Rear Window,' 'Gone With the Wind,' 'Blazing Saddles' on Big Screen Classics 2024 Lineup (Exclusive)}}</ref>

====''The Wizard of Oz'' at Sphere====
{{Main|The Wizard of Oz at Sphere}}
[[File:Ruby slippers display promoting The Wizard of Oz at Sphere on Aug 28 2025.jpg|thumb|A pair of legs with ruby slippers outside of [[Sphere (venue)|Sphere]], promoting the [[The Wizard of Oz at Sphere|venue's immersive 4D version]] of the film]]
An "immersive" 75-minute version of the film began screening at [[Sphere (venue)|Sphere]] in the [[Las Vegas Valley]] on August 28, 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=...More Than You Can Imagine: The Wizard Of Oz At Sphere |author=Sphere Entertainment Co. |date=June 10, 2025 |url=https://www.sphereentertainmentco.com/more-than-you-can-imagine-the-wizard-of-oz-at-sphere/ |access-date=June 16, 2025}}</ref> It was produced by [[Sphere Entertainment]] and [[Jane Rosenthal]] in collaboration with [[Google]], Warner Bros., and VFX studio Magnopus. [[Artificial intelligence]] provided by [[Google AI]] was used to [[Image scaling|upscale]] the video resolution for the venue's [[16K resolution]] screen and, using the Veo 2 and Imagen 3 [[Gemini (chatbot)|Gemini]] models, [[Artificial intelligence art|generate additional imagery]] to expand shots beyond what was originally in frame. An estimated 1.2 petabytes of data were processed for the project. Live multi-sensory effects such as flashing lights, [[Haptic communication|haptics]], [[Wind machine|wind]], [[Fog machine|fog]] and scents are employed during screenings of the film. [[Jennifer Lame]] served as editor, along with [[Ben Grossmann]] as visual effects specialist, Paul Freeman as principal audio artist and Zack Winokur as creative director.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2025/film/news/wizard-of-oz-sphere-ai-google-cloud-1236363959 |title= 'The Wizard of Oz at Sphere' Will Use AI and Advanced Computing to 'Reimagine' 1939 Classic |date= April 8, 2025 |access-date= April 9, 2025 |website= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Carolyn|last=Giardina}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sphereentertainmentco.com/sphere-studios-announces-two-new-experiences-in-production/|title=Sphere Studios Announces Two New Experiences In Production|website=[[Sphere Entertainment]]|date=April 4, 2025|access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/the-wizard-of-oz-sphere-immersive-experience-1236359827/|title='The Wizard of Oz' to Screen at the Sphere as a 'Fully Immersive Experience'|website= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Michaela|last=Zee|date=April 4, 2025|access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.google/products/google-cloud/sphere-wizard-of-oz/|title=The AI magic behind Sphere's upcoming 'The Wizard of Oz' experience|website=Google – The Keyword|first=Matt A.V.|last=Chaban|date=April 8, 2025|access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/news/643604/sphere-entertainment-las-vegas-wizard-of-oz-immersive-from-the-edge|title=An immersive version of The Wizard of Oz is coming to the Las Vegas Sphere|website=[[The Verge]]|first=Andrew|last=Liszewski|date=April 4, 2025|access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://variety.com/2025/music/news/wizard-of-oz-sphere-sound-design-socre-judy-garland-vocals-1236440153/ |title= How 'The Wizard of Oz' Is Finding a Whole New Sound at Sphere, With a Re-Recorded Orchestra, an Untouched Judy Garland, and Aural Design That Puts You in the Twister: 'Hold Onto Your Dentures' |date= July 27, 2025 |access-date= July 27, 2025 |website= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Chris|last=Willman}}</ref> The film's soundtrack was also remastered to fit the Sphere's immersive sound system, in addition to having the entire score re-recorded with an 80-piece orchestra under the direction of [[David Newman (composer)|David Newman]], on the same scoring stage where it was originally recorded.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2025/06/10/wizard-of-oz-sphere-las-vegas-ai-tickets/84117127007 |title= Inside the Las Vegas Sphere's plans to enhance 'The Wizard of Oz' using AI |date= June 10, 2025 |access-date= June 10, 2025 |website= [[USA Today]]|first=Melissa|last=Ruggieri}}</ref> The project has had a mixed reception.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Allen G. |title='Wizard of Oz at Sphere' in Las Vegas is an eye-popping, yet soulless spectacle |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/wizard-oz-sphere-las-vegas-21017397.php |website=www.sfchronicle.com |publisher=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref> A soundtrack of this version of the film was released on November 7, 2025 with an a cappella version of "Over the Rainbow" sung by Judy Garland.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://neon.reviewjournal.com/kats/it-stops-your-heart-revamped-classic-highlights-sphere-soundtrack-3323922/ |title= 'It stops your heart:' Revamped classic highlights Sphere soundtrack |date= November 7, 2025 |access-date= November 7, 2025 |publisher= [[Las Vegas Review-Journal]]}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Critical response===
''The Wizard of Oz'' received universal acclaim upon its release.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bogosian |first=Ted |date=August 15, 2014 |title=The enduring wonder of 'The Wizard of Oz': Opinion |url=https://www.nj.com/opinion/2014/08/the_enduring_wonder_of_the_wizard_of_oz_opinion.html |access-date=October 3, 2024 |work=[[The Star-Ledger]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Wade |first=Tony |date=November 26, 2015 |title="The Wizard of Oz" used to be an annual television event |url=https://www.dailyrepublic.com/lifestyle/local-lifestyle-columnists/the-wizard-of-oz-used-to-be-an-annual-television-event/article_dc660ce1-f43f-54fb-ab11-9e9dd963f74a.html |access-date=October 3, 2024 |work=[[Daily Republic]]}}</ref> Writing for ''[[The New York Times]]'', [[Frank Nugent]] considered the film a "delightful piece of wonder-working which had the youngsters' eyes shining and brought a quietly amused gleam to the wiser ones of the oldsters. Not since Disney's ''[[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs]]'' has anything quite so fantastic succeeded half so well."<ref name="nyt1939">{{cite news | title= ''The Wizard of Oz'', Produced by the Wizards of Hollywood, Works Its Magic on the Capitol's Screen | url= https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B07EEDD1138EE3BBC4052DFBE668382629EDE | date= August 18, 1939 | first= Frank S. | last= Nugent | author-link= Frank S. Nugent | work= The New York Times | archive-date= January 27, 2025 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250127010858/https://www.nytimes.com/1939/08/18/archives/the-screen-in-review-the-wizard-of-oz-produced-by-the-wizards-of.html | url-status= live }}</ref> Nugent had issues with some of the film's special effects:
<blockquote>
with the best of will and ingenuity, they cannot make a Munchkin or a Flying Monkey that will not still suggest, however vaguely, a Singer's Midget in a [[Jack Dawn]] masquerade. Nor can they, without a few betraying jolts and split-screen overlappings, bring down from the sky the great soap bubble in which Glinda rides and roll it smoothly into place.<ref name="nyt1939"/>
</blockquote>
According to Nugent, "Judy Garland's Dorothy is a pert and fresh-faced miss with the wonder-lit eyes of a believer in fairy tales, but the Baum fantasy is at its best when the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion are on the move."<ref name="nyt1939"/>

Writing in ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', John C. Flinn predicted that the film was "likely to perform some record-breaking feats of box-office magic," noting, "Some of the scenic passages are so beautiful in design and composition as to stir audiences by their sheer unfoldment." He also called Garland "an appealing figure" and the musical numbers "gay and bright".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/1939/film/reviews/the-wizard-of-oz-3-1200412289/ |title=Review: 'The Wizard of Oz' |last=Flinn |first=John C. |date=August 16, 1939 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=September 22, 2015 |archive-date=September 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930022052/http://variety.com/1939/film/reviews/the-wizard-of-oz-3-1200412289/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''[[Harrison's Reports]]'' wrote, "Even though some persons are not interested in pictures of this type, it is possible that they will be eager to see this picture just for its technical treatment. The performances are good, and the incidental music is of considerable aid. Pictures of this caliber bring credit to the industry."<ref>{{cite journal |date=August 26, 1939 |title=The Wizard of Oz |url=https://archive.org/stream/harrisonsreports21harr#page/n161/mode/2up |journal=[[Harrison's Reports]] |location=New York |publisher=Harrison's Reports, Inc. |page=134 }}</ref>

''[[Film Daily]]'' wrote: {{blockquote|[[Leo the Lion (MGM)|Leo the Lion]] is privileged to herald this one with his deepest roar{{mdash}}the one that comes from way down{{mdash}}for seldom if indeed ever has the screen been so successful in its approach to fantasy and extravaganza through flesh-and-blood... handsomely mounted fairy story in Technicolor, with its wealth of humor and homespun philosophy, its stimulus to the imagination, its procession of unforgettable settings, its studding of merry tunes should click solidly at the box-office.<ref>{{cite journal |date=August 10, 1939 |title=Reviews: The Wizard of Oz |url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily76wids#page/n301/mode/2up |journal=[[Film Daily]] |page=6 }}</ref>}}

Some reviews were less positive. Some moviegoers felt that the 16-year-old Garland was slightly too old to play the little girl who Baum intended his Dorothy to be. Russell Maloney of ''[[The New Yorker]]'' wrote that the film displayed "no trace of imagination, good taste, or ingenuity" and declared it "a stinkeroo",<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/books/double-take/the-allure-of-oz |title=The Allure of Oz |last=Overbey |first=Erin |author-link=Erin Overbey |date=March 8, 2013 |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |access-date=September 22, 2015 |archive-date=October 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007213308/http://www.newyorker.com/books/double-take/the-allure-of-oz |url-status=live }}</ref> while Otis Ferguson of ''[[The New Republic]]'' wrote: "It has dwarfs, music, Technicolor, freak characters, and Judy Garland. It can't be expected to have a sense of humor, as well – and as for the light touch of fantasy, it weighs like a pound of fruitcake soaking wet."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Meyerson |first1=Harold |last2=Harburg |first2=Ernie |date=1995 |title=Who Put the Rainbow in the Wizard of Oz?: Yip Harburg, lyricist |publisher=University of Michigan Press |pages=156–157 |isbn=978-0-472-08312-1 }}</ref> Still, the film placed seventh on ''[[Film Daily]]''{{'s}} year-end nationwide poll of 542 critics naming the best films of 1939.<ref>{{cite journal |date=January 12, 1940 |title='Ten Best' of 1939 |url=https://archive.org/stream/filmdaily77wids#page/n79/mode/2up |journal=[[Film Daily]] |page=1 }}</ref>

===Box office===
According to MGM records, during the film's initial release, it earned $2,048,000 in the U.S. and $969,000 in other countries throughout the world, for total earnings of $3,017,000. However, its high production cost, plus the costs of marketing, distribution, and other services, resulted in it not being a financial success during its initial release and a loss of $1,145,000 for the studio.<ref name="Mannix"/><ref name=breakingeven>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/the-history-and-legacy-of-the-wizard-of-oz|title=The History and Legacy of The Wizard of Oz: Remembering the Yellow Brick Road Before Wicked|first=Cassidy|last=Ward|publisher=NBC News|date=October 31, 2024|accessdate=September 30, 2025}}</ref> It would not [[break even]] until its 1949 re-release,<ref name=breakingeven /> which earned it an additional $1.5&nbsp;million (about ${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US-GDP|1.5|1949|r=0}}}} million in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}}). Christopher Finch, author of the Judy Garland biography ''Rainbow: The Stormy Life of Judy Garland'', wrote: "Fantasy is always a risk at the box office. The film had been enormously successful as a book, and it had also been a major stage hit, but previous attempts to bring it to the screen had been dismal failures." He also wrote that after the film proved to be popular, Garland signed a new contract with MGM giving her a substantial increase in salary, making her one of the top ten box-office stars in the United States.<ref>{{cite book |last=Finch |first=Christofer |title=Rainbow: The Stormy Life Of Judy Garland |year=1975 |publisher=Ballantine Books |isbn=978-0-345-28407-5 |page=84}}</ref>

The film was also re-released domestically in 1955. Subsequent re-releases between 1989 and 2019 have grossed $25,173,032 worldwide,<ref name="BOM"/> for a total worldwide gross of {{US$|{{#expr:3017000+1500000+25173032}}|long=no}}.

===Legacy===
The film was not the first to use color, but the way in which the film was saturated with Technicolor proved that color could provide a magical element to fantasy films. The film is iconic for its symbols such as the Yellow Brick Road, ruby slippers, Emerald City, Munchkins, and the phrase "There's no place like home".<ref>{{cite web |title=The Wizard of Oz |url=https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780199791286/obo-9780199791286-0360.xml |access-date=October 24, 2024 |website=obo }}</ref> The film became a global phenomenon and is still well known today.<ref>{{cite web |last=Siu-Chong |first=Mollie |date=March 29, 2018 |title=The Phenomenon of The Wizard Of Oz |url=https://convocations.purdue.edu/the-phenomenon-of-the-wizard-of-oz/ |access-date=October 24, 2024 |website=Purdue Convocations }}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] included it in his canon of Great Movies, writing that "''The Wizard of Oz'' has a wonderful surface of comedy and music, special effects and excitement, but we still watch it six decades later because its underlying story penetrates straight to the deepest insecurities of childhood, stirs them and then reassures them."<ref name="Ebert">{{cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=December 22, 1996 |title=The Wizard of Oz (1939) |publisher=rogerebert.com |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19961222/REVIEWS08/401010348/1023 |access-date=August 30, 2012 |archive-date=September 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920053521/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F19961222%2FREVIEWS08%2F401010348%2F1023 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In his 1992 appreciation of the film for the [[British Film Institute]], author [[Salman Rushdie]] acknowledged its effect on him, noting "''The Wizard of Oz'' was my very first literary influence".<ref>{{cite book |title=The Wizard of Oz |last=Rushdie |first=Salman |author-link=Salman Rushdie |year=2000 |publisher=BFI Pub. |isbn=978-0-85170-300-8 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=clnSeZfFrY8C |access-date=August 30, 2012 |archive-date=November 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114034259/https://books.google.com/books?id=clnSeZfFrY8C |url-status=live }}</ref> In ''Step Across This Line'', he wrote: "When I first saw ''The Wizard of Oz'', it made a writer of me."<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Step Across This Line|url=https://penguinrandomhousehighereducation.com/book/?isbn=9780679783497|website=Penguin Random House Higher Education|access-date=June 2, 2020|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809073452/https://penguinrandomhousehighereducation.com/book/?isbn=9780679783497|url-status=live}}</ref> His first short story, written at the age of 10, was titled "Over the Rainbow".<ref name=":0" /> It was the favorite film of [[David Lynch]], who referenced it regularly in his own work.<ref>{{cite news| last=Richardson| first=Amy| title=Long live the wizard, David Lynch| date=January 17, 2025| work=[[Los Angeles Times]]| url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2025-01-17/appreciation-david-lynch-long-live-the-wizard}}</ref> The references Lynch made to it are explored in [[Alexandre O. Philippe]]'s documentary ''[[Lynch/Oz]]'' (2022).<ref>{{cite web |last=Raub |first=Jordan |date=May 21, 2023 |title=Unpacking David Lynch's Lifelong Obsession With The Wizard of Oz |url=https://thefilmstage.com/unpacking-david-lynchs-life-long-obsession-with-the-wizard-of-oz/ |work=The Film Stage}}</ref>

In a 2009 retrospective article about the film, ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' film critic and author [[Mick LaSalle]] declared:
<blockquote>
...the entire [[Munchkin Country|Munchkinland]] sequence, from Dorothy's arrival in Oz to her departure on the yellow brick road, has to be one of the greatest in cinema history – a masterpiece of set design, costuming, choreography, music, lyrics, storytelling, and sheer imagination.<ref>{{cite news |title=Thoughts on 'The Wizard of Oz' at 70 |url=http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Thoughts-on-The-Wizard-of-Oz-at-70-3213164.php |access-date=February 25, 2010 |work=The San Francisco Chronicle |first=Mick |last=LaSalle |date=October 30, 2009 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031058/http://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Thoughts-on-The-Wizard-of-Oz-at-70-3213164.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
</blockquote>

In 2018, it was named the "most influential film of all time" as the result of a study conducted by the [[University of Turin]] to measure the success and significance of 47,000 films from around the world using data from readers and audience polls, as well as internet sources such as [[IMDb]]. It would top the list in their study, followed by the [[Star Wars|''Star Wars'' franchise]], ''[[Psycho (1960 film)|Psycho]]'' (1960), ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'' (1933) and ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey]]'' (1968) rounding out the top 5.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Wizard of Oz Is Officially the Most Influential Film of All Time |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/11/the-wizard-of-oz-influential-film-study |access-date=February 2, 2024 |magazine=Vanity Fair |first=Yohana |last=Desta |date=November 30, 2018}}</ref>

On the film review aggregator site [[Rotten Tomatoes]], ''The Wizard of Oz'' has a 98% rating based on 170 reviews, with an average score of 9.4/10. Its critical consensus reads, "An absolute masterpiece whose groundbreaking visuals and deft storytelling are still every bit as resonant, ''The Wizard of Oz'' is a must-see film for young and old."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_wizard_of_oz_1939|title=The Wizard of Oz|publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=January 26, 2025|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605033254/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_wizard_of_oz_1939|url-status=live}}</ref> At [[Metacritic]], which assigns a normalized rating to reviews, the film received a score of 92 out of 100, based on 30 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-wizard-of-oz-1939|title=''The Wizard of Oz'' Reviews|publisher=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=December 20, 2013|archive-date=May 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525043652/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-wizard-of-oz-1939|url-status=live}}</ref>

The film was included by the Vatican in [[Vatican's list of films|a list of important films]] compiled in 1995, under the category of "Art".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://old.usccb.org/movies/vaticanfilms.shtml |title=Vatican Best Films List |work=Official website of the [[United States Conference of Catholic Bishops|U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops]] |access-date=April 20, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422064928/http://old.usccb.org/movies/vaticanfilms.shtml |archive-date=April 22, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2019, ''Bright Lights Film Journal'' published Amy Kenyon's memoir/analysis, [https://brightlightsfilm.com/the-wizard-of-oz-at-80-archive-of-a-rust-belt-girl/#.Xa38uW5FzIV "The Wizard of Oz at 80: Archive of a Rust Belt Girl."]

In November 2024, it became the oldest film in history to join [[Letterboxd]]'s "One Million Watched Club" and held this distinction until ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'' joined the club in March 2025.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.threads.net/@letterboxd/post/DC4j7Q1hqUM | title=Threads }}</ref>

Many notable people in the world of entertainment have voiced their admiration for the film and its influence on their work over the years, including filmmakers [[James Cameron]], [[Jon M. Chu]], [[Greta Gerwig]], [[Jim Henson]], [[Ron Howard]], [[George Lucas]], [[Oz Perkins]], [[Steven Spielberg]], [[Ant Timpson]], [[John Waters]] and [[Michael Williams (film director)|Michael Williams]], actors [[Josh Gad]], [[Cailee Spaeny]] and [[Michelle Yeoh]], and musician [[Alex Turner]] of the [[Arctic Monkeys]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://letterboxd.com/journal/the-wizard-of-oz-85th-anniversary/ |title=Emerald City Dreams: reckoning with the complex legacy of The Wizard of Oz at 85 |work=[[Letterboxd]] |date=August 27, 2024 |access-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/favorite-movies-famous-actors/ |title=20 Of Your Favorite Actors' Favorite Movies |work=[[Screen Rant]] |date=December 5, 2023 |access-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://medium.com/@Jetfire852/the-influences-of-star-wars-the-wizard-of-oz-246540a010b6|title=The Influences of Star Wars: The Wizard of Oz |work=[[Medium (website)|Medium]] |date=December 10, 2015 |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/afi-new-movie-club-streaming-film-1203550321/|title=Steven Spielberg Launches AFI's New Movie Club With 'The Wizard of Oz' |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=March 31, 2020 |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://scriptmag.com/features/short-circuit-wizard-ozland-filmmaking-showcase-skills|title=SHORT CIRCUIT: The Wizard of Ozland – Filmmaking Showcase of Skills |work=Script Magazine |date=March 18, 2016 |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/josh-gads-five-favorite-films/ |title=Josh Gad's Five Favorite Films |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>

==Accolades==
=== Academy Awards ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Award
! Date of ceremony
! Category
! Nominee(s)
! Result
! Ref.
|-
| rowspan="6"| [[12th Academy Awards|Academy Awards]]
| rowspan="6"| [[12th Academy Awards|February 29, 1940]]
| [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Outstanding Production]]
| [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]]
| {{nom}}
| align="center" rowspan="6"| <ref name="Oscars1940">{{cite web |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1940 |title=The 12th Academy Awards (1940) Nominees and Winners |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] |access-date=January 23, 2014 |archive-date=January 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128185131/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1940 |url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Production Design|Best Art Direction]]
| [[Cedric Gibbons]] and [[William A. Horning]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]]
| [[Herbert Stothart]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]]
| "[[Over the Rainbow]]" <br /> Music by [[Harold Arlen]]; <br /> Lyrics by [[Yip Harburg|E. Y. Harburg]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Academy Award for Best Visual Effects|Best Special Effects]]
| [[A. Arnold Gillespie]] and [[Douglas Shearer]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Academy Juvenile Award]]
| [[Judy Garland]] <br /> For her outstanding performance as a screen juvenile during the past year. <br /> (She was jointly awarded for her performances in ''[[Babes in Arms (film)|Babes in Arms]]'' and ''The Wizard of Oz'').
| {{yes|Honorary}}
|}

===American Film Institute lists===
The [[American Film Institute]] (AFI) has compiled various lists which include this film or its elements.
* [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies]] – No. 6
* [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills]] – No. 43
* [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains]]:
** [[Wicked Witch of the West]] – No. 4 Villain
* [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs]]:
** "[[Over the Rainbow]]" – No. 1
** "[[Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead]]" – No. 82
* [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes]]:
** "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." (Dorothy Gale) – No. 4
** "There's no place like home." (Dorothy) – No. 23
** "I'll get you, my pretty – and your little dog, too!" (Wicked Witch of the West) – No. 99
* [[AFI's Greatest Movie Musicals]] – No. 3
* [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Cheers]] – No. 26
* [[AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition)]] – No. 10
* [[AFI's 10 Top 10]] – No. 1 [[Fantasy film]]<ref>{{cite web | title= Top 10 Fantasy | url= http://www.afi.com/10top10/fantasy.html | publisher= [[American Film Institute]] | access-date= June 18, 2008 | archive-date= June 19, 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080619174214/http://www.afi.com/10top10/fantasy.html | url-status= live }}</ref>

===Other honors===
* 1989: The film was one of the inaugural group of 25 films added to the [[National Film Registry]] list.<ref name="registrylist1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/programs/static/national-film-preservation-board/documents/wizard_oz.pdf|title=accessed 3/18/2018.|website=[[Library of Congress]]|access-date=March 18, 2018|archive-date=February 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215113351/https://www.loc.gov/programs/static/national-film-preservation-board/documents/wizard_oz.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
* 1999: ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s 100 Maverick Movies – No. 20.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.filmsite.org/rstone.html |title=100 Maverick Movies in 100 Years from Rolling Stone |publisher=Filmsite.org |access-date=March 6, 2010 |archive-date=March 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331174042/http://www.filmsite.org/rstone.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 1999: ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s 100 Greatest Films – No. 32.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.filmsite.org/ew100.html |title=The 100 Greatest Movies of All Time by Entertainment Weekly |publisher=Filmsite.org |access-date=March 6, 2010 |archive-date=March 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331185517/http://www.filmsite.org/ew100.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 2000: ''[[The Village Voice]]''{{'}}s 100 Best Films of the 20th Century – No. 14.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmsite.org/villvoice.html |title=100 Best Films&nbsp;– Village Voice |publisher=Filmsite.org |date=January 4, 2000 |access-date=March 6, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331174817/http://www.filmsite.org/villvoice.html |archive-date=March 31, 2014 }}</ref>
* 2002: Nominated – 1939 [[Palme d'Or]]
* 2002: ''[[Sight & Sound]]''{{'}}s Greatest Film Poll of Directors – No. 41.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/topten/poll/directors-long.html |title=Sight & Sound &#124; Top Ten Poll 2002 – The rest of the directors' list |publisher=BFI |date=September 5, 2006 |access-date=March 6, 2010 |archive-date=March 9, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309163857/https://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/topten/poll/directors-long.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 2005: ''[[Total Film]]''{{'}}s 100 Greatest Films – No. 83<ref>{{cite web |author= |date=October 24, 2005 |title=Movie News: Who is the greatest? |publisher=[[Total Film]] |url=http://www.totalfilm.com/movie_news/who_is_the_greatest |access-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-date=November 22, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061122073241/http://www.totalfilm.com/movie_news/who_is_the_greatest |url-status=live}}</ref>
* 2005: The [[British Film Institute]] ranked it second on its list of the 50 films you should see by the age of 14, after ''[[Spirited Away]]''.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}
* 2006: The film placed 86th on [[Bravo (U.S. TV network)|Bravo]]'s ''100 Scariest Movie Moments''.<ref name="bravo">{{cite web |url=http://www.bravotv.com/The_100_Scariest_Movie_Moments/index.shtml |publisher=Bravotv.com |title=The 100 Scariest Movie Moments |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060713230931/http://www.bravotv.com/The_100_Scariest_Movie_Moments/index.shtml |archive-date=July 13, 2006 |access-date=January 23, 2014}}</ref>
* 2007: It topped ''Total Film''{{'}}s 23 Weirdest Films.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.listsofbests.com/list/30267 |title=Total Film's 23 Weirdest Films of All Time on Lists of Bests |publisher=Listsofbests.com |date=April 6, 2007 |access-date=March 6, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207085229/http://www.listsofbests.com/list/30267 |archive-date=February 7, 2009 }}</ref>
* 2007: The film was listed on UNESCO's [[Memory of the World Programme|Memory of the World international register]].<ref name="UNESCO" />
* 2007: ''[[The Observer]]'' ranked the film's songs and music at the top of its list of 50 greatest film soundtracks.<ref name="guard">{{cite news |author=The Observer Music Monthly |date=March 18, 2007 |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/mar/18/features.musicmonthly14 |title=The 50 Greatest Film Soundtracks |access-date=September 10, 2007 |archive-date=September 15, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070915183120/http://observer.guardian.co.uk/omm/story/0,,2032992,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* 2020: The [[British Film Institute]] changed its list to "[https://www.bfi.org.uk/lists/50-films-see-age-15 50 films to see by age 15 – Updated]"<ref>{{cite web|title=50 films to see by age 15 – Updated|url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/lists/50-films-see-age-15|website=British Film Institute|date=May 6, 2020 |access-date=June 2, 2020|archive-date=May 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200528163305/https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/lists/50-films-to-see-by-15|url-status=live}}</ref> calling ''Oz'' "The most wonderful of musicals"
* 2020: The film appears annually since this year on ''[[New York Magazine]]''{{'}}s list of "The Best Movies That Lost Best Picture at the Oscars."<ref>{{cite news|title=The Best Movies That Lost Best Picture at the Oscars|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/best-oscar-best-picture-losers.html|magazine=[[New York Magazine]]|access-date=March 17, 2025}}</ref>
* 2022: The film was ranked 2nd in ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''{{'}}s inaugural list of The 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.<ref name="variety.com"/>
* 2023: The film was ranked 5th in ''[[Parade (magazine)|Parade]]''{{'}}s list of The 100 Best Movies of All Time.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Murrian |first1=Samuel R. |date=October 6, 2023 |title=The 100 Best Movies of All Time |url=https://parade.com/1222580/samuelmurrian/best-movies-all-time/ |access-date=October 10, 2023 |website=Parade }}</ref>
* 2023: The film was ranked 4th in ''[[Comic Book Resources]]''{{'}} list of The Best Movies of All Time.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vaux |first1=Robert |last2=Giatras |first2=David |date=October 14, 2023 |title=The Best Movies of All Time, Ranked |url=https://www.cbr.com/best-movies-all-time-ranked/#the-wizard-of-oz-1939 |access-date=October 20, 2023 |website=Comic Book Resources }}</ref>
* 2024: The film was ranked 7th on ''[[IndieWire]]''{{'}}s list of The 63 Best Movie Musicals of All Time.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chapman |first1=Wilson |last2=Zilko |first2=Christian |last3=Foreman |first3=Allison |date=January 10, 2024 |title=The 63 Best Movie Musicals of All Time, Ranked |url=https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/best-musicals-all-time-movies/the-wizard-of-oz-3/ |access-date=January 30, 2024 |website=IndieWire }}</ref>

==Sequels and reinterpretations==
{{Main|Adaptations of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz{{!}}Adaptations of ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz''}}

* An official 1972 sequel, the animated ''[[Journey Back to Oz]]'', featuring the voice of Judy Garland's daughter [[Liza Minnelli]], was produced to commemorate the original film's 35th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejudyroom.com/oz/production.html#timeline |title=The Wizard of Oz Production Timeline |quote=The first official sequel to ''The Wizard of Oz'' is released, an animated film titled ''Journey Back to Oz''. |access-date=February 28, 2012 |archive-date=February 28, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120228114916/http://www.thejudyroom.com/oz/production.html#timeline |url-status=live }}</ref>
* ''[[The Wiz]]'', a musical based on the novel, opened in 1974 in [[Baltimore]] and in 1975 with a new cast on Broadway. It went on to win seven [[Tony Award]]s, including [[Tony Award for Best Musical|Best Musical]]. A [[The Wiz (film)|film adaptation]] was released in 1978.
* In 1975, a comic book adaptation of the film titled ''MGM's Marvelous Wizard of Oz'' was released. It was the first co-production between [[DC Comics]] and [[Marvel Comics]]. Marvel planned a series of sequels based on the subsequent novels. The first, ''The Marvelous Land of Oz'', was published later that year. The next, ''The Marvelous Ozma of Oz'' was expected to be released the following year but never came to be.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Abramowitz |first=Jack |date=December 2012 |title=The Secrets of Oz Revealed |magazine=[[Back Issue!]] |issue=61 |publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]] }}</ref>
* In 1985, [[Walt Disney Pictures|Walt Disney Productions]] released the live-action fantasy film ''[[Return to Oz]]'', starring [[Fairuza Balk]] in her film debut as a young Dorothy Gale<ref>{{cite web | url = https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9F03EFD91039F932A15755C0A963948260 | title=Film: A New 'Oz' Gives Dorothy New Friends | work = [[The New York Times]] | date = June 21, 1985 |access-date=March 8, 2013 | last=Maslin | first = Janet | quote = Instead of the ''Wizard of Oz'' sequel that its title suggests, ''Return to Oz''...&nbsp;is more of a grim variation. This time, in a story derived largely from L. Frank Baum's ''[[The Land of Oz (book)|The Land of Oz]]'' [sic] and ''[[Ozma of Oz]]'', a pint-sized Dorothy has been brought to the screen with a different set of sidekicks; for instance, instead of traveling to Oz with Toto, Dorothy is this time accompanied by a different Baum creation, Billina the Chicken. Once there, she meets a whole new set of friends&nbsp;{{nbsp}}...}}</ref> and based on ''[[The Marvelous Land of Oz]]'' (1904) and ''[[Ozma of Oz]]'' (1907). With a darker story, it fared poorly with critics unfamiliar with the ''Oz'' books and was not successful at the box office, although it has since become a popular [[cult film]], with many considering it a more loyal and faithful adaptation of what L. Frank Baum envisioned.<ref name="Geraghty">{{cite book | last =Geraghty | first =Lincoln | title =American Hollywood | publisher = Intellect Books | year =2011 | isbn =978-1-84150-415-5| page =187}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.etonline.com/movies/131252_Return_to_Oz_Flashback_with_Fairuza_Balk/index.html?viewFull=true | title = Flashback Exclusive: A 'Return to Oz' | date = March 5, 2013 | access-date = March 15, 2013 | work = ET Online | archive-date = June 3, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130603133852/http://www.etonline.com/movies/131252_Return_to_Oz_Flashback_with_Fairuza_Balk/index.html?viewFull=true | url-status = live }}</ref>
* The Broadway musical ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]'' premiered in 2003, based on the [[Wicked (Maguire novel)|titular novel]] by [[Gregory Maguire]], which itself re-imagined the 1939 film and Baum's original novel. It has since gone on to become the second highest-grossing Broadway musical of all time, and has won three [[Tony Awards]], seven [[Drama Desk Awards]], and a [[Grammy Award]].
** The musical was later adapted as a [[The Wicked Years#Film adaptions of musical|two-part film]] directed by [[Jon M. Chu]]. The first part, ''[[Wicked (2024 film)|Wicked]]'', was released on November 22, 2024, while the second part, ''[[Wicked: For Good]]'', is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025.
* [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] and [[Tim Rice]] produced a [[The Wizard of Oz (2011 musical)|stage musical of the same name]], which opened in 2011 at the [[West End theatre|West End]]{{'}}s [[London Palladium]].
* An animated film called ''[[Tom and Jerry and the Wizard of Oz]]'' was released in 2011 by Warner Home Video, incorporating [[Tom and Jerry]] into the story as Dorothy's "protectors".<ref>[http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Tom-and-Jerry-and-The-Wizard-of-Oz-Blu-ray/23662/#Overview Tom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz Blu-ray] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605135346/http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Tom-and-Jerry-and-The-Wizard-of-Oz-Blu-ray/23662/#Overview |date=June 5, 2016 }} Blu-ray, Retrieved June 17, 2016</ref>
** A sequel titled ''[[Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz]]'' was released on DVD on June 21, 2016.<ref>[https://www.warnerbros.com/tom-and-jerry-back-oz Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116090725/https://www.warnerbros.com/tom-and-jerry-back-oz |date=November 16, 2018 }} Warnerbros.com, Retrieved June 18, 2016</ref>
* In 2013, [[Walt Disney Pictures]] released a "[[Spiritual successor|spiritual prequel]]" titled ''[[Oz the Great and Powerful]]''. It was directed by [[Sam Raimi]] and starred [[James Franco]], [[Mila Kunis]], [[Rachel Weisz]] and [[Michelle Williams (actress)|Michelle Williams]]. It was the second film based on Baum's ''Oz'' series to be produced by Disney, after ''Return to Oz''. It was a commercial success but received a mixed reception from critics.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=oz.htm |title=Oz The Great and Powerful (2013) |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |date=August 28, 2013 |access-date=April 28, 2020 |archive-date=May 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501225403/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=oz.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/oz_the_great_and_powerful/ |title= Oz the Great and Powerful (2013) |publisher= [[Rotten Tomatoes]] |date= March 5, 2013 |access-date= June 17, 2016 |archive-date= March 7, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130307113512/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/oz_the_great_and_powerful/ |url-status= live }}</ref>
* In 2014, independent film company Clarius Entertainment released a big-budget animated musical film, ''[[Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return]]'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Tampubolon |first=Rama |date=May 7, 2013 |title=3D Animated Movie, Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return, Voice Starring Lea Michele, Opens May 9, 2014 And It's Coming To Cannes |website=Rama's Screen |url=http://www.ramascreen.com/3d-animated-movie-legends-of-oz-dorothys-return-voice-starring-lea-michele-opens-may-2-2014-and-its-coming-to-cannes |access-date=May 9, 2014 |archive-date=March 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307054039/http://www.ramascreen.com/3d-animated-movie-legends-of-oz-dorothys-return-voice-starring-lea-michele-opens-may-2-2014-and-its-coming-to-cannes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which follows Dorothy's second trip to Oz. The film fared poorly at the box office and was received negatively by critics, largely for its plot and unmemorable musical numbers.
* In February 2021, [[New Line Cinema]], [[Temple Hill Entertainment]] and ''Wicked'' producer [[Marc Platt (producer)|Marc Platt]] announced that a new film version of the original book is in the works with ''[[Watchmen (TV series)|Watchmen]]'''s [[Nicole Kassell]] slated to direct the reimagining, which will have the option to include elements from the 1939 film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/wizard-oz-remake-show-development-nicole-kassell-producer/|title=Wizard of Oz Remake In The Works From Watchmen TV Show Director|website=Screen Rant|last=Mehrtens|first=Michelle|date=February 10, 2021|access-date=February 10, 2021}}</ref>
* In August 2022, it was announced that [[Kenya Barris]] would write and direct a modern remake.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/wizard-of-oz-kenya-barris-warner-bros-new-movie-directing-writing-khalabo-ink-society-producing-1235092446/ | title=Kenya Barris to Write & Direct Reimagining of 'Wizard of Oz' for Warner Bros; Khalabo Ink Society Producing | date=August 15, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/wizard-of-oz-remake-kenya-barris-1235341583/|title='Black-ish' Creator Kenya Barris to Direct 'Wizard of Oz' Remake at Warner Bros.|website=Variety|last=Rubin|first=Rebecca|date=August 15, 2022|access-date=August 19, 2022}}</ref> In January 2024, Barris confirmed that he finished penning the script and remarked "The original ''Wizard of Oz'' took place during the [[Great Depression]] and it was about self-reliance and what people were going through, I think this is the perfect time to switch the characters and talk about what someone imagines their life could be. It's ultimately a [[hero's journey]], someone thinks something's better than where they're at, and they go and realize that where they're at is where they should be. I want people to be proud and happy about where they're from. But I want the world to take a look at it and I hope that will come through." This involved changing the time period to the present day and changing Dorothy's home from Kansas to the Bottoms of [[Inglewood, California]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/kenya-barris-richard-pryor-biopic-television-series-1235879679/ | title=Kenya Barris' Richard Pryor Biopic is a 10-Episode Series; New 'Wizard of Oz' is Set in Inglewood and 'It's a Wonderful Life' Remake Has POC Lead: 'I'm Still a Believer in IP' | date=January 20, 2024 }}</ref>
* The 2024 marketing campaign for [[American Idol (season 22)|season 22]] of ''[[American Idol]]'' is directly themed after this film, complete with a commercial featuring [[Ryan Seacrest]] and the judges [[Katy Perry]], [[Lionel Richie]] and [[Luke Bryan]] dressed as Tin Man, Dorothy, Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow following the "Golden Ticket Road" to [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]]. This was to reflect the show's plans to visit the judges' hometowns throughout the season.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/american-idol-promo-wizard-of-oz-season-22-katy-perry-1235573915/ | title=Katy Perry Leads 'American Idol' Crew Down Yellow Brick Road in 'Wizard of Oz'-Themed Promo | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/american-idol-season-22-wizard-of-oz-promo-katy-perry-1234937093/ | title=Katy Perry is Dorothy in Campy 'American Idol'-Meets-'Wizard of Oz' Promo | magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] | date=December 29, 2023 }}</ref>

==Cultural impact==
According to the US Library of Congress exhibition ''The Wizard of Oz: an American Fairy Tale'' (2010):<ref>{{cite web |title=The Wizard of Oz: An American Fairy Tale |url=https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/oz/ |website=Library of Congress |date=April 21, 2000 |access-date=February 3, 2021}}</ref>
<blockquote>
''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' is America's greatest and best-loved home-grown fairytale. The first totally American fantasy for children, it is one of the most-read children's books&nbsp;... Despite its many particularly American attributes, including a wizard from Omaha, [the 1939 film adaptation] has universal appeal...<ref>{{cite web|title=The Wizard of Oz: An American Fairy Tale|website=[[Library of Congress]]|url=https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/oz/|date=April 21, 2000|access-date=December 29, 2017|archive-date=February 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160207210214/http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/oz/|url-status=live}}</ref> Because of its many television showings between 1956 and 1974, it has been seen by more viewers than any other movie".<ref name="Library of Congress"/></blockquote>

In 1977, [[Aljean Harmetz]] wrote ''[[The Making of The Wizard of Oz]]'', a detailed description of the creation of the film based on interviews and research; it was updated in 1989.<ref>{{cite book |isbn = 978-0-7868-8352-3|title = The Making of the Wizard of Oz: Movie Magic and Studio Power in the Prime of MGM|last1 = Harmetz|first1 = Aljean|date = 1998| publisher=Hyperion }}</ref>

===Ruby slippers===
[[File:Dorothy's Ruby Slippers, Wizard of Oz 1938.jpg|thumb|An original pair of the ruby slippers on display at the [[Smithsonian Institution]]]]
Because of their iconic stature,<ref name="SI">{{cite web |title=The Ruby Slippers: Inventing an American Icon |author=Dwight Blocker Bowers |publisher=The Lemelson Center |date=January 2010 |url=http://invention.smithsonian.org/resources/online_articles_detail.aspx?id=593 |access-date=April 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420213857/http://invention.smithsonian.org/resources/online_articles_detail.aspx?id=593 |archive-date=April 20, 2010 }}</ref> the [[ruby slippers]] worn by Judy Garland in the film are now among the most treasured and valuable [[film memorabilia]] in movie history.<ref>{{cite news |last=Burke |first=Monte |date=December 3, 2008 |title=Inside The Search For Dorothy's Slippers |work=[[Forbes]] |url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/12/03/wizard-slippers-collection-forbeslife-cx_mb_1203slippers.html |access-date=April 28, 2010 |archive-date=February 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210222904/http://www.forbes.com/2008/12/03/wizard-slippers-collection-forbeslife-cx_mb_1203slippers.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Dorothy actually wore [[Silver Shoes]] in the book series, but the color was changed to ruby in pre-production by screenwriter Noel Langley<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rhodes |first1=Jesse |date=January 2009 |title=For Those Ruby Red Slippers, There's No Place Like Home |journal=[[Smithsonian (magazine)|Smithsonian]] |publisher=[[Smithsonian Institution]] |url=http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/for-those-ruby-red-slippers-theres-no-place-like-home-130170740/?no-ist}}</ref><ref name=Guardian>{{cite news |title=Judy Garland's missing ruby slippers: anonymous donor offers $1m reward |author=Ascanio Branca |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=July 13, 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/costume-and-culture/2015/jul/13/wizard-of-oz-stolen-ruby-slippers-anonymous-donor-1m-reward}}</ref><ref name="SI2018">{{cite web |last1=Daley |first1=Jason |title=After 13-Year Chase, F.B.I. Nabs Pair of Dorothy's Ruby Slippers |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fbi-nabs-dorothys-ruby-slippers-after-13-years-run-180970196/ |website=Smithsonian.com |publisher=Smithsonian Institution |access-date=September 4, 2018 |date=September 4, 2018}}</ref> to take advantage of the three-strip Technicolor process. [[Adrian (costume designer)|Adrian]], MGM's chief costume designer, was responsible for the final design. Five known pairs of the slippers exist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/oz/ozsect2.html|title=To See the Wizard – The Wizard of Oz: An American Fairy Tale – Exhibitions – Library of Congress|last1=Baum | first1=L. Frank |date=April 21, 2000|website=www.loc.gov|access-date=December 29, 2017|archive-date=September 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929091335/http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/oz/ozsect2.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Another, differently styled pair, not used in the film, was sold at auction by actress [[Debbie Reynolds]] for $510,000 (not including the buyer's premium) in June 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/debbie_reynolds_auction_breaks_up_historic_hollywood_collection |title=Debbie Reynolds Auction Breaks Up Historic Hollywood Collection |access-date=January 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318102352/http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/debbie_reynolds_auction_breaks_up_historic_hollywood_collection |archive-date=March 18, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> One pair of Judy Garland's ruby slippers are located in Washington D.C. at the [[National Museum of American History|Smithsonian National Museum of American History]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Institution |first=Smithsonian |title=Dorothy's Ruby Slippers |url=https://www.si.edu/object/dorothys-ruby-slippers%3Anmah_670130 |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=Smithsonian Institution }}</ref>

In 2005, one of the pairs of the ruby slippers was stolen while on loan to the Judy Garland Museum in Garland's hometown. They were recovered in an FBI sting operation in 2018. In 2023, Terry Jon Martin pleaded guilty to stealing the slippers,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 13, 2023 |title=Man pleads guilty to stealing Wizard of Oz ruby slippers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67101888 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> but he was not sentenced to prison because he was in hospice care and had less than a year to live.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 22, 2024 |title=Dying thief stole Wizard of Oz ruby slippers as 'one last score' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68062368 |access-date=February 28, 2025 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> At the time they were stolen, the slippers were insured for $1 million. In December 2024, they were sold at auction for over $32 million,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Rebecca |title=Ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in 'Wizard of Oz' sell for $32.5 million at auction |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ruby-slippers-worn-judy-garland-wizard-oz-sell-325-million-auction-rcna183339 |website=[[NBC News]] |access-date=December 16, 2024 |date=December 8, 2024}}</ref> more than $26 million above the previous [[List of most valuable celebrity memorabilia|highest price ever paid for a piece of entertainment memorabilia]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |title=Kurt Cobain's 'MTV Unplugged' guitar sells for $6 million at auction |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kurt-cobain-unplugged-guitar-auction-1018229/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=December 16, 2024 |date=June 20, 2020}}</ref> The shoes are one of four authentic pairs that are still intact.<ref>{{cite news |first=Margaret |last=Stafford |url=https://apnews.com/article/solen-ruby-slippers-wizard-of-oz-5d142469ad5f052f6af053d20dbf20c4 |title=Man indicted in theft of 'Wizard of Oz' ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland |date=May 18, 2023 |publisher=[[AP News]] |access-date=May 23, 2023}}</ref>

===Dorothy's dress and other costumes===
In July 2021, [[Catholic University of America]] reported that a dress worn by Dorothy, believed to have been given to Rev. [[Gilbert Hartke]] by [[Mercedes McCambridge]] as a gift in 1973, was found in the university's Hartke Building after being missing for many years. The university said an expert on the movie's memorabilia at the [[Smithsonian Institution|Smithsonian's]] [[National Museum of American History]] said five other dresses apparently worn by Judy Garland were "probably authentic". The dress found at the university had characteristics shared by the other five, including a "secret pocket" for Dorothy's handkerchief, and Garland's name written in a specific style. The university said the dress would be stored in Special Collections.

Another of the dresses sold at auction in 2015 for nearly $1.6 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://abc7chicago.com/dorothy-dress-judy-garland-wizard-of-oz-found-university/10901379/|title=University finds missing Dorothy dress from 'The Wizard of Oz'|last=Cullinane|first=Susannah|work=[[WLS-TV]]|via=[[CNN]]|date=July 21, 2021|access-date=July 24, 2021}}</ref> Many other costumes have fetched six-figure prices as memorabilia. See [[List of film memorabilia]].

===Theme park attractions===
''The Wizard of Oz'' has a presence at the [[Disney Parks and Resorts]]. The film had its own scene at [[The Great Movie Ride]] at [[Disney Hollywood Studios]] at [[Walt Disney World Resort]], and is also represented in miniature at [[Disneyland]] and at [[Disneyland Paris]] as part of the [[Storybook Land Canal Boats]] attraction in [[Fantasyland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://allears.net/2019/10/22/the-wonderful-world-of-disney-has-a-long-history-with-the-wonderful-world-of-oz/|title=The Wonderful World of Disney Has a Long History With the Wonderful World of Oz|date=October 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://photosmagiques.com/2013/03/11/finding-oz-in-disneyland-paris/|title=Finding Oz in Disneyland Paris|date=March 11, 2013}}</ref> The Great Movie Ride was shut down in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |last=Roseboom |first=Matt |date=August 13, 2017 |title=Guest Editorial: The closure of The Great Movie Ride is the end of an era in Disney themeing |url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/guest-editorial-the-closure-of-the-great-movie-ride-is-the-end-of-an-era-in-disney-themeing/ |access-date=April 27, 2023 |website=Attractions Magazine }}</ref>

On July 20, 2022, it was announced that [[Warner Bros. Movie World]] would be adding a new precinct based on the 1939 film ''The Wizard Of Oz''. It features two coasters manufactured by [[Vekoma]]. It opened in 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.parkz.com.au/article/2022/07/20/729-Journey_Over_the_Rainbow_with_an_all-new_The_Wizard_of_Oz_Precinct_Coming_to_Warner_Bros_Movie_World.html|title=Journey Over the Rainbow with an all-new The Wizard of Oz Precinct Coming to Warner Bros. Movie World|date=July 20, 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[The Dark Side of the Rainbow]]
* [[Friend of Dorothy]]
* [[List of cult films]]
* [[Political interpretations of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz|Political interpretations of ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'']]
* [[Wizard of Oz festival]]
* ''[[The Wiz]]'' (musical)
* ''[[The Wiz (film)|The Wiz]]'' (film)
* ''[[Return to Oz]]''
* ''[[Wicked (Maguire novel)|Wicked]]'' (book)
* ''[[Wicked (musical)|Wicked]]'' (musical)
* ''[[Wicked (2024 film)|Wicked]]'' (film)
* ''[[Wicked: For Good]]'' (follow-up to above film)
* ''[[The Wizard of Oz in Concert: Dreams Come True]]''

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

'''Bibliography'''
* Bernier, Michelle (2010) ''Did these stories really happen?''. Createspace {{ISBN|1-4505-8536-1}}
* Cox, Stephen (1996) ''The Munchkins of Oz''. Cumberland House {{ISBN|1-58182-269-3|978-1-58182-269-4}}
* [[Stanley Green (historian)|Green, Stanley]] (1999) ''Hollywood Musicals Year by Year'' (2nd ed.) Hal Leonard Corporation {{ISBN|0-634-00765-3}} pages 88–89.
* [[Meinhardt Raabe|Raabe, Meinhardt]] and Kinske, Daniel (2005) ''Memories of a Munchkin: An Illustrated Walk Down the Yellow Brick Road''. Back Stage Books {{ISBN|0-8230-9193-7}}
* Scarfone, Jay and Stillman, William (2004) ''The Wizardry of Oz: The Artistry And Magic of the 1939 MGM Classic – Revised and Expanded''. Applause Books {{ISBN|0-517-20333-2|978-0-517-20333-0}}
* Thomas, Rhys (1989) ''The Ruby Slippers of Oz''. Tale Weaver {{ISBN|0-942139-09-7|978-0-942139-09-9}}

'''Further reading'''
* {{cite book |last1=Burger |first1=Alissa |chapter=The Wizard of Oz |title=Cinema and Media Studies |date=November 29, 2022 |isbn=978-0-19-979128-6 |publisher=Oxford University Press |doi=10.1093/OBO/9780199791286-0360  }}

==External links==
{{Commons category|The Wizard of Oz (film)}}
{{Wikiquote|The Wizard of Oz}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{AFI film|7892}}
* {{IMDb title|0032138}}
* {{TCMDb title|852}}
* {{Mojo title|wizardofoz}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|the_wizard_of_oz_1939}}
* [https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-film-preservation-board/documents/wizard_oz.pdf ''The Wizard of Oz'' essay] by Peter Keough at [[National Film Registry]]
* ''The Wizard of Oz'' essay by Daniel Eagan in ''America's Film Legacy: The Authoritative Guide to the Landmark Movies in the National Film Registry'', A&C Black, 2010 {{ISBN|0826429777}}, pp.&nbsp;292–293 [https://books.google.com/books/about/America_s_Film_Legacy.html?id=deq3xI8OmCkC America's Film Legacy: The Authoritative Guide to the Landmark Movies in the National Film Registry]
* {{cite archival metadata|author=Finding aid author: John N. Gillespie|title=The Wizard of Oz recordings and recording logs|url=http://archives.lib.byu.edu/repositories/14/resources/11046|repository=L. Tom Perry Special Collections|location=Provo, UT|date=2013|access-date=May 16, 2016}}
* [https://archive.org/details/Lux15/Lux_50-12-25_Wizard_of_Oz.mp3 ''The Wizard of Oz''] on [[Lux Radio Theater]]: December 25, 1950
* [http://catalog.oscars.org/vwebv/holdingsInfo?bibId=70438 Character drawings for ''The Wizard of Oz''], Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

{{The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)}}
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[[Category:The Wizard of Oz| ]]
[[Category:1930s American films]]
[[Category:1930s color films]]
[[Category:1930s English-language films]]
[[Category:1930s fantasy adventure films]]
[[Category:1930s musical fantasy films]]
[[Category:1939 adventure films]]
[[Category:1939 children's films]]
[[Category:1939 fantasy films]]
[[Category:1939 films]]
[[Category:1939 musical films]]
[[Category:1930s children's adventure films]]
[[Category:1930s children's fantasy films]]
[[Category:3D re-releases]]
[[Category:American black-and-white films]]
[[Category:American children's adventure films]]
[[Category:American children's fantasy films]]
[[Category:American children's musical films]]
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[[Category:American fantasy adventure films]]
[[Category:American musical fantasy films]]
[[Category:Children's comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:English-language fantasy adventure films]]
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[[Category:Films about dreams]]
[[Category:Films about friendship]]
[[Category:Films about lions]]
[[Category:Films about magic and magicians]]
[[Category:Films about talking trees]]
[[Category:Films about tornadoes]]
[[Category:Films about witchcraft]]
[[Category:Films adapted into plays]]
[[Category:Films adapted into television shows]]
[[Category:Films based on American novels]]
[[Category:Films based on children's books]]
[[Category:Films based on fantasy novels]]
[[Category:Films based on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]]
[[Category:Films directed by Victor Fleming]]
[[Category:Films partially in color]]
[[Category:Films scored by Herbert Stothart]]
[[Category:Films set in Kansas]]
[[Category:Films set on farms]]
[[Category:Films that won the Best Original Score Academy Award]]
[[Category:Films that won the Best Original Song Academy Award]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Edgar Allan Woolf]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Florence Ryerson]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Herman J. Mankiewicz]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Noel Langley]]
[[Category:Films with songs by Yip Harburg]]
[[Category:IMAX films]]
[[Category:Memory of the World Register]]
[[Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films]]
[[Category:United States National Film Registry films]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. films]]