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The Making of the Wizard of Oz: Movie Magic and Studio Power in the Prime of MGM--and the Miracle of Production#1060
Color Wizard of Oz photo 329pages approx 9x6
1 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
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April 25, 2024
"It was not uncommon to come in on a Monday to go to work and not get home all week. There was so much production that the studio had to stay open twenty-four hours a day . . . We felt a competition with the other studios. They made good pictures. [But] we worked for MGM. We made better ones." -- the memories of prop maker / assistance special effects man Hal Millar, page 258
Although lacking the polish and/or zippiness of some more recent behind-the-scenes tomes - such as Alright, Alright, Alright: The Oral History of Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused and Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli: The Epic Story of the Making of 'The Godfather' (which are both excellent, BTW) - Harmetz's The Making of the Wizard of Oz works because - owing to its original publishing date in 1977 - the author was able to interview so many of those involved with the making of the now-classic MGM film. (The notable exceptions are co-stars Judy Garland and Bert Lahr, as they had passed away in 1969 and 1976, respectively.) While the 1939 film initially made decent but not blockbuster box office dollars and won two Oscars, it was NOT until a re-release ten years later AND then annual once-a-year TV airings on CBS from the late 50's to the late 80's that it became a sort of national cherished memory. (Or, as the periodical Entertainment Weekly had pointed out several years ago, just drop the lines such as "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?", "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!", or "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore" into polite conversation and nearly everyone will instantly know exactly what you are talking about.). The film was also unique in that it was a Hollywood movie musical not based on any successful Broadway show, necessitating quality songs and music to be written in mere months. A certain nostalgia factor fuels my appreciation of this book - this was probably the first movie I ever watched on TV as a child, back in those pre-cable and -VCR days - but author Harmetz admirably documented all of the blood, sweat, and tears shed by interviewing countless performers and production staff members. Lastly, if you think my 'blood, sweat, and tears' reference is way too heavy-handed, just wait until you read about the experiences of actress Margaret Hamilton - a.k.a the Wicked Witch of the West, a villainess for the ages - during near-fatal special-effects mishaps. So link arms with Dorothy, the scarecrow, the tin man, and the cowardly lion and let's skip on down the Yellow Brick Road. 🌈
Although lacking the polish and/or zippiness of some more recent behind-the-scenes tomes - such as Alright, Alright, Alright: The Oral History of Richard Linklater's Dazed and Confused and Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli: The Epic Story of the Making of 'The Godfather' (which are both excellent, BTW) - Harmetz's The Making of the Wizard of Oz works because - owing to its original publishing date in 1977 - the author was able to interview so many of those involved with the making of the now-classic MGM film. (The notable exceptions are co-stars Judy Garland and Bert Lahr, as they had passed away in 1969 and 1976, respectively.) While the 1939 film initially made decent but not blockbuster box office dollars and won two Oscars, it was NOT until a re-release ten years later AND then annual once-a-year TV airings on CBS from the late 50's to the late 80's that it became a sort of national cherished memory. (Or, as the periodical Entertainment Weekly had pointed out several years ago, just drop the lines such as "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?", "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!", or "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore" into polite conversation and nearly everyone will instantly know exactly what you are talking about.). The film was also unique in that it was a Hollywood movie musical not based on any successful Broadway show, necessitating quality songs and music to be written in mere months. A certain nostalgia factor fuels my appreciation of this book - this was probably the first movie I ever watched on TV as a child, back in those pre-cable and -VCR days - but author Harmetz admirably documented all of the blood, sweat, and tears shed by interviewing countless performers and production staff members. Lastly, if you think my 'blood, sweat, and tears' reference is way too heavy-handed, just wait until you read about the experiences of actress Margaret Hamilton - a.k.a the Wicked Witch of the West, a villainess for the ages - during near-fatal special-effects mishaps. So link arms with Dorothy, the scarecrow, the tin man, and the cowardly lion and let's skip on down the Yellow Brick Road. 🌈
August 12, 2022
When this book was researched before its publication date in 1977, quite a few of the people associated with the movie were still alive. This allowed Harmetz to interview primary sources. Uniformly, they were surprised at the ultimate success of the film and their own popularity 40 years on. In 1938-39 when the movie was filmed it was “just another job.” Judy Garland was gone, but she’d become very bitter, addled and an unreliable source anyway by the time of her death. The older producers and studio heads were also gone, but many people had memories of working under them in “the studio system.”
The Making of the Wizard of Oz is a very comprehensive description of how all the jobs worked together, from purchasing the book written by L. Frank Baum in 1900, to the power of Louis B. Mayer, the jobs of producers and directors at the time, how the film writers were hired and their working conditions, the songwriters, the actors (stars to small parts) and technical and carpentry jobs. Beyond the jobs there are many interesting descriptions of the making of this beloved movie.
The final cost was $2,777,000, expensive for the time. It was never expected to make a lot of money as the “prestige” movie for MGM that year, and indeed it lost about $1,000,000. It was just a kids movie after all. It had 10 screenwriters (hired and fired in succession) and 4 different directors. The reviews of the time were very negative. Russell Maloney of the New Yorker called it a “stinkeroo.”
It wasn’t until it was released about 20 years later to CBS television for yearly showing that it began to develop its now widely accepted reputation as a classic.
The parts on music, sound and effects are particularly good. Of course there was no CG at the time but there was plenty of ingenuity. Some ideas can be pretty horrifying in retrospect. The green makeup for the Wicked Witch contained arsenic, the tin man’s face was slathered every day in aluminum and asbestos was used not only for fireproofing costumes but as snow in the poppy scene. Speaking of fire, two very serious accidents happened with fire where Margaret Hamilton (witch) and her stunt double were seriously burned. Neither sued MGM because that would have been the end of their careers.
I seriously doubt another book on this subject can ever come close to the amount of material and definitely will not have the original sources of this book. It’s invaluable for fans and those interested in 1930s Hollywood.
The Making of the Wizard of Oz is a very comprehensive description of how all the jobs worked together, from purchasing the book written by L. Frank Baum in 1900, to the power of Louis B. Mayer, the jobs of producers and directors at the time, how the film writers were hired and their working conditions, the songwriters, the actors (stars to small parts) and technical and carpentry jobs. Beyond the jobs there are many interesting descriptions of the making of this beloved movie.
The final cost was $2,777,000, expensive for the time. It was never expected to make a lot of money as the “prestige” movie for MGM that year, and indeed it lost about $1,000,000. It was just a kids movie after all. It had 10 screenwriters (hired and fired in succession) and 4 different directors. The reviews of the time were very negative. Russell Maloney of the New Yorker called it a “stinkeroo.”
It wasn’t until it was released about 20 years later to CBS television for yearly showing that it began to develop its now widely accepted reputation as a classic.
The parts on music, sound and effects are particularly good. Of course there was no CG at the time but there was plenty of ingenuity. Some ideas can be pretty horrifying in retrospect. The green makeup for the Wicked Witch contained arsenic, the tin man’s face was slathered every day in aluminum and asbestos was used not only for fireproofing costumes but as snow in the poppy scene. Speaking of fire, two very serious accidents happened with fire where Margaret Hamilton (witch) and her stunt double were seriously burned. Neither sued MGM because that would have been the end of their careers.
I seriously doubt another book on this subject can ever come close to the amount of material and definitely will not have the original sources of this book. It’s invaluable for fans and those interested in 1930s Hollywood.
September 27, 2024
100/10 this is the most comprehensive "making of" book I've read. Gives an excellently-researched idea of what it was like to work on all aspects of Oz (acting, casting, designing costumes/sets, producing, scoring, etc.). When a story cannot be established as fact, Harmetz gives both sides of the story with context.
March 5, 2017
After recently reading the Gregory Maguire novel "Wicked" and being thoroughly disappointed in its destruction of the Wizard of Oz "canon" material, I decided to give this book a read to get the REAL story behind the Wizard of Oz film. In this case, the old axiom "the truth is better than fiction" proved to be true in spades.
Put in the simplest terms, this is really the only "Making of Oz" book that ever needs to be produced. Why? Because it discusses EVERY SINGLE aspect of the film in detail that will likely never be matched. The key areas that this book focuses on include: Scripts, Music, Casting, Directors, Filming, Special Effects, and Critical Reception. In each one of those areas, author Aljean Harmetz does a truly remarkable job of understanding the "why" behind everything. Every decision made had a reason behind it, and Harmetz was extraordinarily successful at deciphering those reasons (whether person, political, or other).
In fact, about the only "knock" I have on this book is that, at times, it would go into too much detail for just the casual "Oz" fan. For example, not only do we learn about how the four directors who worked on the picture did things differently while on the set, we also learn about their backgrounds going right back to childhood. Hard-core movie buffs will revel in this information, while others (like myself) might gloss over it a bit and again become engaged when Harmetz takes us back to the "Oz" angle.
Also, the book (as the title indicates) not only gives a history of the film, but also a sort of de facto history about MGM Studios as a whole. Having never really studied filmmaking at that time, I found it to be quite interesting how, back in those days, actors were contracted to studios and only loaned out if it was financially suited to their "lender". In fact, most of the "Oz" cast was taken right from the MGM lot, so to speak! This is in stark contrast to today's filmmaking, where actors are "free agents" of sorts, signing with whoever will give them a star vehicle and the most money.
Thus, I would recommend this book to anyone with even a passing interest in how "The Wizard of Oz" was created, from mind to page to screen. History buffs will savor every fact about the directors/actors pasts, while the casual fan (because of the way that book is paragraphed) can skip over some of that to get to the "Oz parts". So, don't waste your time with "Wicked" and its tangled philosophical/political web...this is the true history of Oz.
Put in the simplest terms, this is really the only "Making of Oz" book that ever needs to be produced. Why? Because it discusses EVERY SINGLE aspect of the film in detail that will likely never be matched. The key areas that this book focuses on include: Scripts, Music, Casting, Directors, Filming, Special Effects, and Critical Reception. In each one of those areas, author Aljean Harmetz does a truly remarkable job of understanding the "why" behind everything. Every decision made had a reason behind it, and Harmetz was extraordinarily successful at deciphering those reasons (whether person, political, or other).
In fact, about the only "knock" I have on this book is that, at times, it would go into too much detail for just the casual "Oz" fan. For example, not only do we learn about how the four directors who worked on the picture did things differently while on the set, we also learn about their backgrounds going right back to childhood. Hard-core movie buffs will revel in this information, while others (like myself) might gloss over it a bit and again become engaged when Harmetz takes us back to the "Oz" angle.
Also, the book (as the title indicates) not only gives a history of the film, but also a sort of de facto history about MGM Studios as a whole. Having never really studied filmmaking at that time, I found it to be quite interesting how, back in those days, actors were contracted to studios and only loaned out if it was financially suited to their "lender". In fact, most of the "Oz" cast was taken right from the MGM lot, so to speak! This is in stark contrast to today's filmmaking, where actors are "free agents" of sorts, signing with whoever will give them a star vehicle and the most money.
Thus, I would recommend this book to anyone with even a passing interest in how "The Wizard of Oz" was created, from mind to page to screen. History buffs will savor every fact about the directors/actors pasts, while the casual fan (because of the way that book is paragraphed) can skip over some of that to get to the "Oz parts". So, don't waste your time with "Wicked" and its tangled philosophical/political web...this is the true history of Oz.
May 4, 2008
The best book I have ever read on the studio system, this takes you inside MGM to witness the creation of the now-beloved classic. Shows how movie studios of the day really were factories, turning out a movie a week like clockwork, 52 movies a year, sometimes mercilessly at the expense of the talented people who oiled the machine.
November 23, 2018
I loved this book not only for the stories about the making of one of my favorite movies, but it also gave many insights into how the studio system worked in 1939. The author interviewed several people who worked on the film from actors, stunt people, writers and my favorite - the special effects artists. I loved how they had to invent the effects written in the script that had never been done before. The introduction by Margaret Hamilton is especially fascinating. You may think you've heard all the behind the scenes stories before if you've seen documentaries on the DVD and Blu-ray releases, but believe me, there's lots more here.
December 11, 2021
Recently read the same author do the same thing for Casablanca. Lots of interesting background but seems to miss the soul of the picture (almost none of the book is concerned with what takes place in the studio once the camera starts rolling). It was fascinating to read about no-expense-barred MGM, especially in comparison to Warner Bros., who made Casablanca. If nothing else, reading this book will cause you to pay more attention to old movie credits. It allows you to visualize what those folks were actually doing, as well as to note differences between the studios.
Much like Casablanca, it took decades for the Wizard of Oz to become a hit. In this case, thank television, which started airing the film yearly in the 1960s. Part of the problem is that it was released in the greatest year of all time in Hollywood, 1939. And no, I am not exaggerating. Another issue was that the source material wasn't even all that popular when Metro optioned the novel.
I could go on and on, because there are a ton of interesting tidbits in this book. You won't look at films in the same way if you read a book or two like this. Recommended, even if not jaw-dropping.
Much like Casablanca, it took decades for the Wizard of Oz to become a hit. In this case, thank television, which started airing the film yearly in the 1960s. Part of the problem is that it was released in the greatest year of all time in Hollywood, 1939. And no, I am not exaggerating. Another issue was that the source material wasn't even all that popular when Metro optioned the novel.
I could go on and on, because there are a ton of interesting tidbits in this book. You won't look at films in the same way if you read a book or two like this. Recommended, even if not jaw-dropping.
February 13, 2023
As of now, the last living person who worked on The Wizard of Oz is Caren Marsh; she’s 103 years old. She was Judy Garland uncredited stand in. This book could not be written like this today. Harmetz is writing in the 1970s, and MGM, while not roaring, was at least purring a bit. Judy was over the rainbow, as was Frank Morgan and Bert Lahr. The author interviewed everyone she could get hands on - Mervyn Leroy, Ray Bolger, various munchkins, special effects artists, make up artists. Margaret Hamilton was the BEST of the bunch; I don’t think they make ‘em like her anymore. Of course, almost fifty years into the future, and everyone, except for Caren Marsh, is gone. Something sad about that. This book is fascinating, very old fashioned, definitely a book of its time, about a movie of its time.
August 18, 2025
A big look behind the curtain, of the years 1938-39 at MGM studios and particularly the making of The Wizard of OZ.
Lots of facts about the industry are tossed at you at first and unless you are a true diehard movie fan in general, the first 50-70 pages might put you to sleep. Hang in there because the book gets more and more interesting as you go. We move along from the people in charge of MGM to the writers, directors, the actors, sets, and crew. Who got paid the least (poor Toto) to the ones making the most.
All the little people stories (Munchkins) of which maybe some of their wild antics were true.
We get the info right from the people that were on set. Sad how so many of the people responsible for making the movie were already dead when this book came out in 1977. I think the last person involved passed away years ago. Their story lives on and Aljean did a fantasist job putting this book together.
I did notice a few of the images in the book were reversed (I’ve seen the movie maybe 20 times).
New deleted scenes still seem to pop up online and I saw an extended scene for the first time recently of Dorothy meeting the scarecrow. He flies!
(I’m eager to see the movie again at The Sphere in Los Vegas in a few weeks.)
Lots of facts about the industry are tossed at you at first and unless you are a true diehard movie fan in general, the first 50-70 pages might put you to sleep. Hang in there because the book gets more and more interesting as you go. We move along from the people in charge of MGM to the writers, directors, the actors, sets, and crew. Who got paid the least (poor Toto) to the ones making the most.
All the little people stories (Munchkins) of which maybe some of their wild antics were true.
We get the info right from the people that were on set. Sad how so many of the people responsible for making the movie were already dead when this book came out in 1977. I think the last person involved passed away years ago. Their story lives on and Aljean did a fantasist job putting this book together.
I did notice a few of the images in the book were reversed (I’ve seen the movie maybe 20 times).
New deleted scenes still seem to pop up online and I saw an extended scene for the first time recently of Dorothy meeting the scarecrow. He flies!
(I’m eager to see the movie again at The Sphere in Los Vegas in a few weeks.)
December 10, 2019
El lado B de la producción más cara de MGM hasta esa fecha, una fantasía musical cinematográfica que traspasó generaciones pese a que sus numerosos contratiempos de producción y sonado fracaso en taquilla la apuntaban a ser una película maldita. Aljean Harmetz expone con detallismo esa trastienda, que respalda con numerosos datos, entrevistas y citas sobre un fenómeno que -paradójicamente- fue ajeno a sus responsables.
January 12, 2022
Not my usual read, but I LOVED this book!!
Great to get a non-biased perspective. Interesting to get a history lesson on the film industry & see the details on how the movie was filmed.
Great to get a non-biased perspective. Interesting to get a history lesson on the film industry & see the details on how the movie was filmed.
August 28, 2017
Who am I, Erin Zona? Jk. I only read three chapters but they were great chapters: munchkins, special effects, and accidents. No mention of that munchkin suicide, must be a coverup.
August 21, 2023
The title is self-explanatory: this is a book for “Wizard of Oz” fans only. Being one myself, I enjoyed it quite a bit. The author discusses the network TV phenomenon of the film’s annual showing which began in the early 1960s. It was a much anticipated event for many of us baby-boomers.
Harmetz goes into great detail on all aspects of filming the 1939 movie: cast, directors, producer, MGM studio culture, sets, lighting, technology (Technicolor film was only a few years old), special effects, costumes, accidents (Margaret Hamilton, Wicked Witch of the West, caught on fire & was seriously burned) and critical reception. I skimmed some of the film technology but I found most of this information fascinating.
Harmetz goes into great detail on all aspects of filming the 1939 movie: cast, directors, producer, MGM studio culture, sets, lighting, technology (Technicolor film was only a few years old), special effects, costumes, accidents (Margaret Hamilton, Wicked Witch of the West, caught on fire & was seriously burned) and critical reception. I skimmed some of the film technology but I found most of this information fascinating.
October 19, 2019
It's a technical book that doesn't delve into personalities too much. The book was quite interesting in so far as illuminating the sheer work that went into making this film - this masterpiece. I have to say I enjoyed the photographs contained within the book the most. There were great shots I've never seen before, most notably the photograph of Judy Garland recording the soundtrack of the movie and photographs of Margaret Hamilton in costume as the Wicked Witch as well as a publicity shot of her.
January 18, 2022
Somewhat interesting, somewhat dry 1977 book (updated in 1989) about the making of the beloved MGM movie. Breaks down the making into sectors such as producers, directors, sets, costume designers, etc. Best fresh quotes and best stories involve Margaret Hamilton, who portrayed the wicked witch of the West. Appendices discuss a 1970 auction of MGM properties, including Dorothy’s Ruby slippers, which brought the most of any item ($15,000), and the Oz books’ author, L. Frank Baum, who was largest unsuccessful until publishing the Oz books.
October 20, 2012
I remember so well the nights the Wizard of Oz would be scheduled to come on TV. We planned our week around it. It was so magical and year after year it retained it's spell. I enjoyed reading about the process and challenges encountered while making the film. Glad I took the time to read this book.
October 5, 2017
The intro interview with the Wicked Witch of the West was AMAZING! But the book was so detailed I found myself skimming.
December 21, 2019
Very comprehensive and well written.
March 3, 2019
After reading "Finding Dorothy" by Elizabeth Letts, I found this book listed in her sources at the end. Since Letts' book was so interesting as historical fiction, I thought I'd read this one for the actual history. I certainly got what I was looking for. This is a very thoroughly researched book, much more than I would have expected. Especially of interest to me is the chapter on special effects - currently, everything is done with CGI, but I'm always intrigued by how they could make effects pre-computer. As an artist myself, I'm fascinated by matte paintings, how accurate their perspective has to be, and how they integrate them with the live action. There were several good photos of the set and the matte painting that went around it.
But that's just my interest because I'm an artist - the story of the rest of the production is just as engaging. From the actors to the stunt people (Betty Danko's story is incredible) to the writing of the script, it was great to see how it all came together. I also had no idea how wonky color movie technology was then - the process is incredibly convoluted. In "Finding Dorothy," the author mentioned that they spent a week deciding on the yellow color of the brick road. But instead of just being picky, the color was so difficult to film that it took them a week to find one that didn't film as green.
If I had one wish, it would be that they would include a bajillion color pics to go with the text, because the book is awesome enough to deserve it.
But that's just my interest because I'm an artist - the story of the rest of the production is just as engaging. From the actors to the stunt people (Betty Danko's story is incredible) to the writing of the script, it was great to see how it all came together. I also had no idea how wonky color movie technology was then - the process is incredibly convoluted. In "Finding Dorothy," the author mentioned that they spent a week deciding on the yellow color of the brick road. But instead of just being picky, the color was so difficult to film that it took them a week to find one that didn't film as green.
If I had one wish, it would be that they would include a bajillion color pics to go with the text, because the book is awesome enough to deserve it.
November 19, 2019
I qualify my five stars with this speculation: because of its delayed entrée into the deepest recesses of the public’s imagination and pop culture firmament, MGM’s The Wizard of Oz will always hold those of us fascinated by its charms at arm’s length. Decades passed, from its 1939 theatrical release and its 1970s renaissance on television, before any of its principals were asked to even really recount their experiences in any detail; by then, history was at the mercy of fallible human memory as well as raconteurs more concerned with telling a good yarn than serving accuracy. Most of the physical evidence was handled like most people might handle so much toner or paper from the office supply closet. This book does capture as much as is probably available for capture, but for better or worse what exactly transformed The Wizard of Oz from just another film into the cultural touchstone it has become remains a mystery unsolved this side of the rainbow.
(The Making of the Wizard Of Oz deserves to be released as a searchable ebook with color photos or hyperlinks to video, even.)
(The Making of the Wizard Of Oz deserves to be released as a searchable ebook with color photos or hyperlinks to video, even.)
May 7, 2023
I have mixed feelings about this book. I started it, wasn't super interested, tried to skim it, but kept getting sucked back in, so went back and started reading from the beginning again.
This is a really well researched book and very very thorough. The author really goes into every single aspect of the film and how it was made. I found the first several chapters rather tedious, because I know very little about early films or early Hollywood. It's 2023 right now and most of this book was written in the 1970s, with revisions and add-ons done in 2013. I think I've seen maybe half a dozen films made in the 1930s; the author noted that MGM was making about 41 films at year at that time and there were many other studios making films as well. So the early chapters which focused on the studio, the producers, the directors, were all mentioning people and films that I had never heard of and so had trouble keeping track of or caring about.
Overall, if you are interested in the Wizard of Oz and how it was made, this is a great resource.
This is a really well researched book and very very thorough. The author really goes into every single aspect of the film and how it was made. I found the first several chapters rather tedious, because I know very little about early films or early Hollywood. It's 2023 right now and most of this book was written in the 1970s, with revisions and add-ons done in 2013. I think I've seen maybe half a dozen films made in the 1930s; the author noted that MGM was making about 41 films at year at that time and there were many other studios making films as well. So the early chapters which focused on the studio, the producers, the directors, were all mentioning people and films that I had never heard of and so had trouble keeping track of or caring about.
Overall, if you are interested in the Wizard of Oz and how it was made, this is a great resource.
April 16, 2024
My all time favorite movie is The Wizard Of Oz (note I say favorite, not the all time greatest, which goes to Citizen Kane in my opinion) which is covered here nicely in this book.
The writing covers how the studio got the rights to the film, the various writers on it, but dispels some myths and rumors that happened on and off the set. There is also an underlining history of how the movie business was back in the day. Each chapter is split into the categories, such as the set designs or how the little people were brought in as The Munchkins, so one could just go straight to the section without having to read all the way through if needed (although the reader will learn a lot in each section).
The fact that Margaret Hamilton , who played The Wicked Witch not only helped with the forward, but also was interviewed throughout , brings credibility to the text.
I was very happy with this book, especially since I chose it after getting a Birthday gift card from someone special , and I wanted to chose something that would be memorable. This didn't disappoint.
The writing covers how the studio got the rights to the film, the various writers on it, but dispels some myths and rumors that happened on and off the set. There is also an underlining history of how the movie business was back in the day. Each chapter is split into the categories, such as the set designs or how the little people were brought in as The Munchkins, so one could just go straight to the section without having to read all the way through if needed (although the reader will learn a lot in each section).
The fact that Margaret Hamilton , who played The Wicked Witch not only helped with the forward, but also was interviewed throughout , brings credibility to the text.
I was very happy with this book, especially since I chose it after getting a Birthday gift card from someone special , and I wanted to chose something that would be memorable. This didn't disappoint.
January 30, 2025
The Wizard Of Oz was the first movie I ever sat through as a child. To this day it is one of my favorite movies of all time. It has a strong grasp on American pop culture that only a few films have (I feel). When I revisit the film now, older than I was when I first watched it, I have mixed emotions. It takes me back to my childhood, completely enamored by the young Kansas girl who traveled to a technicolor world. Also, being the Oz fan that I am I have watched and exposed myself to a lot of the dark topics from the making of this picture. I get very emotional when I watch it because much like when Dorothy fines out the Wizard is nobody but a man with "special effects," some of the magic gets interrupted for me. What I applaud this book for doing was generating a "one stop shop" of a book. I felt there was a ton of information that was beautifully laid out. Some of which wasn't super interesting to me (the director and studio sections). Overall, if you're a fan of The Wizard of Oz or film history this is a great book to spend your time with.
July 19, 2019
After reading Finding Dorothy, I read this well-researched book about the people who made the movie. Unless you are a die-hard fan of the movie and the era of movie-making in the 1930s and '40s,
you may not enjoy this book. Since I grew up watching the film on television every year, I was not aware of the Oz stories that inspired the movie and that the movie only became a staple of American lore after it was televised. I learned a great deal about how movies were made (sets, costumes, lighting, special effects, etc.) as well as how producers, directors, and actors were chosen, paid, and treated. The interviews with Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, and Jack Haley were interesting. The author related stories about Judy Garland and Bert Lahr and so many others tied to the film and MGM. I found the information in the appendix most interesting, especially the story of L. Frank Baum's life and the auctioning of memorabilia from The Wizard of Oz and other movies.
you may not enjoy this book. Since I grew up watching the film on television every year, I was not aware of the Oz stories that inspired the movie and that the movie only became a staple of American lore after it was televised. I learned a great deal about how movies were made (sets, costumes, lighting, special effects, etc.) as well as how producers, directors, and actors were chosen, paid, and treated. The interviews with Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, and Jack Haley were interesting. The author related stories about Judy Garland and Bert Lahr and so many others tied to the film and MGM. I found the information in the appendix most interesting, especially the story of L. Frank Baum's life and the auctioning of memorabilia from The Wizard of Oz and other movies.
January 29, 2022
I'm a big fan of the movie but not "hardcore", so I glossed over a couple of chapters about directors and such. It's truly intriguing to discover some of the facts Harmetz uncovered in 1977...and she actually got to spend time with Margaret Hamilton! (As an aside, I really appreciated the "Mister Rogers" episode with Hamilton years ago...what a nice person she was, very unassuming, not unlike Fred himself). I myself have always been fascinated by Frank Morgan's various character appearances in the movie...thought I was the only one who noticed.
I was lucky enough to see "The Wizard of Oz" on the big screen when I was a grad student at the University of Pittsburgh with a couple of friends who were also big fans. Needless to say, we were overcome. See it in a theatre if you ever get the opportunity...the sets and color are just exquisite, and that was 1983. It's probably be remastered or whatever by now.
I was lucky enough to see "The Wizard of Oz" on the big screen when I was a grad student at the University of Pittsburgh with a couple of friends who were also big fans. Needless to say, we were overcome. See it in a theatre if you ever get the opportunity...the sets and color are just exquisite, and that was 1983. It's probably be remastered or whatever by now.
June 13, 2024
"The Making of the Wizard of Oz: Movie Magic and Studio Power in the Prime of MGM and the Miracle of Production #1060" brilliantly captures the enchantment and innovation behind one of cinema's most beloved classics. The detailed account of the film's production showcases the extraordinary creativity and dedication of the cast and crew. However, it also uncovers the harsh reality of how the studio mistreated and spoke to the teenage Judy Garland. MGM cruelly forced her to take amphetamines to lose weight and stay energized even though she was barely overweight and was still only a teenager. This was the start of her lifelong drug addiction that ultimately took her life at the age of 47 in 1969 from an accidental barbiturate overdose. This juxtaposition makes the book a compelling read, celebrating cinematic magic while criticizing the exploitation and beginning of the downfall of a young and impressionable star.
September 10, 2017
I saw the book, I bought it and I read it! It took an hour. I was charmed by this book!
I love the Wizard of Oz; as a story, as a concept and as the movie. I also love the 30's Hollywood and stories, movies, music and actors from that time. Listening to (or well, reading) the interviews in this book were amazing! There were interesting note after interesting note and comments by the actors and working crew that made me both awe, laugh and slightly gasp.
None of it felt overly dramatic just for the sake of making it dramatic, like many documentaries like to do. Out of all the stories I've read about the making of this movie, this is one of those that feels the most authentic. It was clear and it was easy to understand, and it was wonderful to read!
I love the Wizard of Oz; as a story, as a concept and as the movie. I also love the 30's Hollywood and stories, movies, music and actors from that time. Listening to (or well, reading) the interviews in this book were amazing! There were interesting note after interesting note and comments by the actors and working crew that made me both awe, laugh and slightly gasp.
None of it felt overly dramatic just for the sake of making it dramatic, like many documentaries like to do. Out of all the stories I've read about the making of this movie, this is one of those that feels the most authentic. It was clear and it was easy to understand, and it was wonderful to read!
June 4, 2019
This is a seemingly concise look at the work that went behind a beloved, classic film. Yet, I felt like it was more about the backgrounds of the cast and crew behind The Wizard of Oz, more than the actual making of the film. A majority of the stories contained in the book are about the people and even more so MGM studios. Most of the book, especially at the beginning, is all about how the studio was run back then, and also as compared to other studios. A lot of detail is given about how the movie studio was run and the history behind it. When it came to details about the actual making of the story, it felt like the author was a little lighter on details there. The book was enjoyable, but felt rather lite when it came to actual stories about the making of the movie.
April 16, 2020
3.75 stars. Not quite what I expected. Plenty of interesting info about the movie including technical things like how they write the Surrender Dorothy writing in the sky. But it seemed to be missing something that I can’t put my finger on. I was a little annoyed I couldn’t find a book about the making of The Wizard of Oz that was more recent but as I read it, was happy it was originally written in the 1970’s because the author got a lot of interviews with people who died in the 70’s and 80’s. And it was updated around 2013 so wasn’t completely dated. I also feel bad I was scared of the Wicked Witch because the actress who played her sounds like a very nice person (sorry Margaret Hamilton!)
January 25, 2022
I have had this book on my TBR list since I read Finding Dorothy last year. I found it through my library e-book and decided to go ahead and read it. Interested behind the scenes look at Wizard of Oz. It was interesting to see how MGM just played with the directors/producers/even actors on their movies. They didn't necessarily want the best, they just used who was available at the time and if it didn't work out, they were just replaced. It is the saddest to me that all of the movie sets, props, costumes, scripts, etc. were just trashed when the studio closed and that only a few items survived. If you are a fan of movies I recommend this. Now I want to read a biography of Judy Garland...
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