**JOY & LAUGHTER!!** The Wizard of Oz (1939) Reaction: FIRST TIME WATCHING

[@sarahjane8146]

PThank you so very, very much. I turn 62 this year, so I’m not as old as this film (my late mother was 9 in 1939). But in my family of origin, we used to watch it annually, when first CBS and later NBC would air it-really and truly, just once a year, in the springtime. My late father was such a fan of the original L. Frank Baum books that he gifted me a set when I was about 10. Here’s why my big thank you is offered: I’ve never known anyone who didn’t already know this film front-to-back. That’s why I watch reactors, to re-experience great media as though it’s new. But this film is VERY different from my typical reactor fare-The Sixth Sense, Se7en, The Others, Silence of the Lambs… It never occurred to me that I’d laugh again at the funny bits, or cry at the gorgeous vocal of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. I felt this one as if new, and so so deeply. Thank you again!

[@dianem8544]

I was so surprised that they didn't seem to recognize any of the oft-repeated lines but not in a bad way. It's refreshing to find actual Wizard of Oz virgins in the wild!

[@nickreacts6394]

Can't say how awesome it was to read this! Thank you so much!

[@serendavies7375]

@@nickreacts6394 where are you from, please?

[@UnderDriven17]

Yes, this movie was a cultural phenomenon--every child in our generation grew up with this film. We know it so well, and it is entertaining to see young people from another generation watch it for the first time (also a bit odd when certain lines of dialog do not resonate with you as they do with us). It also scared many young children--the wicked witch and the flying monkeys gave many kids nightmares...

[@rainbowpegacornstudios]

no one could sing that song (at that time) like Judy Garland.

[@laurab68707]

Yes, that is Judy Garland's voice. She was a beautiful singer.

[@raymonddevera2796]

Judy Garland is the mother Liza Minnelli another cabaret singer and movie star like her mother. Universal Studios in Hollywood the tour showed how the tornado was created, done mechanically no CGI. The special effects department was amazing.

[@kevind4850]

As said, it was Judy Garland's voice on "Over the Rainbow", however because of the sound recording tech available back then, songs were recorded after the film was shot, live with the orchestration and added to the film's sound track (not the same as a soundtrack album). This is still sometimes done today. So, the process is just the opposite of lip syncing. This became one of Garland's signature songs, and she often ended concerts with it. She did straight musicals as well - _Meet_ _Me_ _in_ _St_ _Louis_ (1944), and _A_ _Star_ _Is_ _Born_ (1954) are standouts. Gorgeous voice, great actress, tragic life.

[@treetopjones737]

@@kevind4850 Called ADR, often used for talking scenes where the environment is too noisy.

[@menotyou8369]

Unfortunately for her daughter, it wasn't an inheritable trait.

[@kp22kc]

@@menotyou8369 what are you talking about? Liza Minnelli is a wonderful singer and performer.

[@thane9]

Margret Hamilton, who played the wicked witch of the west, was such a sweet woman in real life. She was concerned that children were getting too scared from her portrayal in the movie and she went on Mr Rogers to show it was just her in a costume playing pretend. I'm pretty sure there's a video on youtube of that episode. It's worth a watch.

[@nightfall902]

She used to say, the only reason she got the part was because she required the least amount of make up.

[@richardpetty9159]

I believe that I read that she was a single parent at the time. She was a really ernest, hard worker and loving provider to her child. In the 1960s or early ‘70s, she did coffee commercials on TV. That’s how I was aware of her, although my parents did tell me that the coffee lady was the same woman who was the wicked witch of the west.

[@oliverbrownlow5615]

Margaret Hamilton actually appeared in two different episodes of *Mr. Rogers.* In 1972, she voiced Auntie Em in the animated *Journey Back to Oz,* starring Judy's daughter Liza Minelli as Dorothy. Hamilton had appeared in at least one previous technicolor film, *Tom Sawyer* (1938), and appeared in a second film with Judy Garland, *Babes in Arms,* in 1939.

[@PhilBagels]

Hamilton was also famous for appearing in a series of commercials for Maxwellhouse Coffee.

[@3dbadboy1]

Judy Garland was challenged to act with Margaret Hamilton because she was so friendly on the set and had to act so very differently in scene.

[@melenatorr]

Judy Garland had one of the most unmistakable voices in the movies and in concert. Rest assured. She is singing. That is HER voice.

[@Aertist.]

ShE Is a ✨IcOn✨ShE Is ThE ✨MoMeNt✨ SHE IS QUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@robertyeah2259]

@@Aertist.KZbin offers the option to translate your comment into English

[@Aertist.]

@@robertyeah2259 eh!

[@dianem8544]

Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion _stole_ this movie. He's so funny and so good at channeling that character, I adore him in this.

[@bidishah]

I was thinking this exact same thing. He was so good. 😂

[@thegingergyrl455]

I adored him as a kid and at 50 I STILL adore him❤

[@thomastimlin1724]

And Frank Morgan, with four parts, almost stole his portion f the movie as well.

[@diane39istockphoto]

Put em up, Put em up!!😆

[@nickreacts6394]

Easily our favorite character, what an incredible performance!

[@hobbievk5119]

When everyone celebrates because someone dropped a house on your head, it's time to reevaluate your life choices. 😅

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

Particularly if your nickname is the Wicked Witch of the West

[@ALivingFlame]

Unfortunately, at that point, it's too late... 🏚🩰

[@flarrfan]

A TV Guide writer once wrote the following summary of this movie to appear in the magazine: A young girl accidentally kills someone and then teams with three others to kill again.

[@RedwoodTheElf]

Actually, it was: "Transported to a strange land, a young girl accidentally kills the first person she meets, then teams up with three complete strangers to kill the woman's sister for personal gain."

[@stevetheduck1425]

Hm. The people of the Emerald City gain a new overlord in the Witch of the North, and peace reigns. So it's because the wizard and Dorothy and the others leave, that they gain this. Over all, a win for the 'normal' folks.

[@RedwoodTheElf]

@@stevetheduck1425 Well, if you don't count Mombi keeping Ozma transformed as Tip.

[@DJD11920]

@@RedwoodTheElfWell, were they wrong? 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@stevendubin3584]

its just three women fighting over a pair of shoes

[@aeraxxis]

Fun Fact: The woman singing "Wherefore art thou Romeo?" Was the actress who voiced Snow White in the 1937 version

[@hebneh]

And she was paid $100 for that one short line.

[@YoitsmeitsmeitsCairoLeeAGAIN]

Not bad for 5 words worth of work. That’s over 2K in todays cash

[@stevenlock4012]

That tornado effect is still fantastic.

[@nicolab2075]

Funny thing is, I was a kid in the UK where we don't really have tornados. I watched this film in the 70s and I always thought the tornado effect was a bit old fashioned and unconvincing until KZbin , when I realised that's actually what they looked like 😄

[@moeball740]

I think for what they had available in 1939 technology, the special effects in this film such as the tornado and the flying witch and monkeys were sensational! And the transition to color when Dorothy opens the door is still one of the most amazing things I've ever seen!

[@scouseofhorror104]

You can feel the immense power of it, yet when you see how they created it it's mind blowing!

[@regould221]

@@moeball740 My farther told me that when he saw the movie in 1939 the transition to color when the door opened got a collective ooooooo aaaaaaahhhh from the audience.

[@ephraimwinslow]

Last word? It's wonderful as an adult (especially on a rewatch) noticing just to what extent all 3 of Dorothy's companions always had the trait they supposedly lack. Scarecrow: claims not to have a brain, proceeds to make an excellent case to Dorothy for why he'd make a good travelling companion, figures out how to get free food off the jerkass trees, and hatches every plan executed by the group. Tin Man: claims not to have a heart, has to be regularly reminded by Scarecrow not to get his waterworks going to avoid rusting himself, and demonstrates more concern for the rest of the group than anyone save Dorothy. Lion: claims not to have courage, but never once actually backs down from a challenge despite objectively being the most afraid. QED he's the bravest by far, even if he's not the most calm/collected.

[@BonniBarlow-fn6oj]

We're the last ones to see our true nature and worth.

[@RossM3838]

But he does get the Trig problem wrong after gaining the diploma

[@ephraimwinslow]

@@RossM3838 I mean flubbing the name of the triangle he's describing feels like exactly the kind of mistake that he usually makes for laughs. IE: His real world counterpart bonking his finger by accident right after giving Dorothy an admittedly sound solution to her Toto problem. I mean seriously, what reason was there for Dorothy not to just take a detour on the way home? She's a teenager in 1930s rural Kansas, it's not like the logistics are hard to figure on that one. lol

[@Logan_Baron]

And just a note that courage isn't the lack of fear but acting despite the fear.

[@oliverbrownlow5615]

@@ephraimwinslow In a rural area, where roads are few and farms are large, this might require going miles out of her way.

[@awezman]

Not only did Victor Fleming direct Gone With The Wind and The Wizard of Oz, but they were released in the same year.

[@Bfdidc]

Yes. 1939 was a big year for movies.

[@Maca494]

fucking hell, that man was ambitious and mad talented

[@DeenaSuzanne]

I know I have a very cool fact about the 2nd highest grossing film that year, behind Gone With The Wind, but I'm having a major brain fart. Could someone like or reply so I can return and share my wicked cool fun fact when my brain has kicked into gear? X

[@Catherinewelter-z6d]

Still can't believe that the studio wanted to cut the song " Some Where Over the Rainbow from the movie at first now its the song people think of with this movie.

[@nickreacts6394]

Studios are often their own worst enemy

[@James_Ford4815]

i might be mistaken but i'm pretty sure there's a prestigious all time song list (maybe it was rolling stone) that had over the rainbow as one of the top 10 songs of all time.

[@RedwoodTheElf]

@@nickreacts6394 There was a song they DID cut: The Jitterbug. It would have appeared just before the flying monkey attack. The witch references it when she says she "Sent a little insect along to take the fight out of them" to the leader of the monkeys.

[@jonnaking3054]

yeah they thought the Kansas scenes were running too long and it would be boring for kids

[@myroselle6987]

It’s probably already been mentioned but Frank Morgan who played the wizard had something like 5 different roles in the film. He was the fortune teller, the original gatekeeper of the Emerald City, the carriage driver with the horse of a different color, he was the gatekeeper who cried and he was the wizard. There’s so much trivia related to this movie it’s wonderful. For example, the witches soldiers were called “winkies” and at one point one of them stepped on Toto’s foot and hurt it. Judy Garland kept Toto (who was actually a female whose original name was Terry) at her home during her recovery. Judy fell in love and wanted to buy the dog but was refused. There are several interviews with Judy Garland telling stories about happenings during filming and she’s hilarious. Things like the 3 (Lion, Tin Man and Scarecrow) actors complaining about whose makeup and costume were the most difficult, how they would crowd her out during the little dance up the yellow brick road and lots of stories about the Munchkins etc. It’s great!!!

[@igna83]

Wizard of Oz is one of the greatest movies of all time! And Judy Garland (mother of the equally famous, Liza Minnelli) was a legend!!

[@shainewhite2781]

15:43, Margaret Hamilton, the Wicked Witch, got burned by a flamethrower after the trapdoor beneath her opened up too early, and she had to rushed to the hospital, in full costume. She was actually a nice person to work with onset.

[@biguy617]

She did appear in an episode of Sesame Street and in an episode of Mr Roger’s in she shows that her character is not to be afraid of.

[@DeenaSuzanne]

The original tinman almost died because of the paint too x

[@TheLesMiserablesCats24601]

She also had issues with the green paint.

[@charlieeckert4321]

Victor Fleming directed the majority of the movie. He went on to direct Gone With the Wind (and win the Oscar for doing that). The black and white parts were directed by King Vidor.

[@charlieeckert4321]

8:22 They MADE that twister! It was the most expensive effect in the movie. The made a 30 foot long musin sock and attached it to a gantry at the top. It spun, and they used dirt at the top and bottom to hide the mechanism.

[@1stgenkpopfan646]

“Victor Fleming, is he famous as a director?” Only directed a little movie called Gone With the Wind…

[@nickreacts6394]

Might have to react to that one...

[@LibLibxo]

Gone with the Wind is a classic must watch. Just very long

[@theshadowfax239]

That made me smile. 😋

[@davidaquarius9089]

Fleming was talked into moving from this film over to 'GWTW' in the middle of production but left specific instructions with his replacement on how to finish the film.

[@johannesvalterdivizzini1523]

Victor. He wasn't the inspiration for the movie "Victor Victoria"

[@martinl8574]

I was born in 1960, as a child we waited once a year for this movie, in October it was played once a year. We passed the word in school it was going to be on. It's a different world today. Back than there was No such thing as instant gratification. We appreciated it so much more.

[@honeybeastie1]

I'm 67 and remember the once a year viewing. I also remember seeing it for the first time in color on my grandmother's tv....we only had black and white tvs.

[@susanalexander6721]

I was born in 59. Came on t.v. every Xmas Eve.

[@myroselle6987]

66 here and I remember that too. My parents had the first color tv in our neighborhood and we’d always invite everyone over to watch it. Wonderful memories…

[@vtjbproductions]

My biggest problem was waiting the 2 minutes for the VHS to rewind lol

[@enicole1203]

Born in 79. I remember watching it every year, too!🥰

[@George-kv6gm]

I'll be 74 this year. When I was a kid we watched this movie every year. The idea of good and evil, and good wins through effort, perserverance, and courage, stuck with us. Even in times like the present, I can believe in goodness in the hearts of most, and that goodness will win. That, and the fact that you can find friends in the strangest places. Thanks for letting us watch a timeless classic with you, and God bless you both!

[@michaelatteberry6462]

Congrats. 1950 was an awesome year

[@gabrielesolletico6542]

That's very sweet and kind, by you. My Mom is 70, she will turn 71 this year, and she share the same vision of life: there is a little of good inside everyone. I'm 41, and, considering my life experiences, I've got a more, more, more dark vision of life...

[@RedwoodTheElf]

The transition from black and white to color was done in camera, and was masterful. They had a double wearing a grey dress open the door and step back as the camera went through the door, then Judy stepped into the frame in the blue dress.

[@DanGamingFan2406]

Truly a Hollywood classic. Everything about this film is so charming. The music, the characters, the color filming technology, it's all just incredible.

[@thenorthstarronin]

Except behind the scenes

[@EastPeakSlim]

"And remember my sentimental friend, a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." Words to live by that get me every time.

[@kag7352]

My favorite line from the movie! ❤

[@johnvaccaro7022]

Kind of the moral of another movie classic that you've recently seen...It's A Wonderful Life

[@josephpaul4548]

Is that really true? Or is the opposite true?

[@adampare8088]

I like when we realize Scarecrow had a brain, Tin Man had a heart because he kept crying, and lion went into that castle to save her. Good lesson, sometimes you already have what you think you need

[@stevetheduck1425]

The three hands on the Gale farm showed all three virtues long before Dorothy got her knock on the head. One points out Dorothy shouldn't go by Ms. Gulch's house in the first place, one rescues Dorthy from the pig pen while terrified, showing what courage comes from: care for / love of others, and the third wants to be brave 'they'll put up a statue to me' with the double meaning of dead soldiers getting statues, and that he strikes the pose they find the Tin Woodsman rusted into.

[@HassoBenSoba]

@@stevetheduck1425 One of the numerous scenes that was CUT before the film's public release showed Hickory (the farmhand played by Jack Haley..who becomes the Tin Man) demonstrating his "contraption" he's built in the barn, a machine that supposedly controls the weather, especially tornadoes (there was some mention of machinery and oil, foreshadowing his OZ character). But with that scene cut, Aunt Em's lines about "tinkering with that contraption" and Haley's "someday they'll build a statue to me" make absolutely no sense.

[@HassoBenSoba]

Yes, but what's especially striking about the film is the way that these three innocent beings (Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion) were put through absolute HELL to pursue the qualities they desired, only to find out that they already had them, and had in fact used them to save Dorothy. A very emotional (and somewhat troubling) aspect to the story, and one of the reasons the film is so moving.

[@CafeDeDuy]

“She has a beautiful voice” Yes she does 😭 A beautiful soul with a beautiful voice, and was abused by Hollywood

[@beatleschick1000]

sadly, she certainly was abused. They got her hooked on pills. They give her pet pills so she didn’t gain weight and then sleeping pills so she could sleep. She was addicted the rest of her life. She still made some great movies and albums, and even had a TV show you can see lots of those on KZbin, but most of all I’d say look up some of her interviews with people like the Tonight Show. Besides all that other talent, and her sad childhood, she was hilarious a lot of times. She died very young. I believe she was 46 with an overdose of sleeping pills. She did leave us A wonderful legacy, though. I’m sure others have said her daughter is Liza Minnelli.

[@RaynorBear]

The insect that the wicked witch refers to as she is sending the flying monkeys out, is the "jitterbug". There was a dance scene filmed involving "jitterbugs" that made Dorothy and the others dance uncontrollably when they were bitten, but the scene was removed from the final cut before release.

[@mariewagner5283]

Yes. A.similar scene however is in the musical of the Wizard of Oz :)

[@hebneh]

Judy Garland recorded a version of "The Jitterbug" which was released commercially, because the number was cut from the film so late in the production process. So it's easy to hear the song on KZbin. The original soundtrack version of the song also survived and was included in one of the home video releases of this movie - but the film of the dance sequence no longer exists, unfortunately. There are only some behind-the-scenes amateur film shots of "The Jitterbug" and not the real thing.

[@bigdream_dreambig]

Another old film you absolutely must watch -- this one in black and white -- is It's a Wonderful Life (1946).

[@ALivingFlame]

Best film ever! And that's saying something coming from a very "apples and oranges" kind of person like myself!

[@ephraimwinslow]

Also, friendly reminder for those too innocent to catch it: Glinda makes it explicitly clear only bad witches are ugly. First thing she does when she meets Dorothy? "Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?" (Straight up calling Dorothy mid to her face. XD)

[@WanderingRoe]

Never thought of that 😲

[@ephraimwinslow]

@@WanderingRoe Glinda's got sass.

[@jwes869]

I don't think she necessarily meant ugly in a physical sense but more so as being ugly on the inside. Are you a bad person or a good person?

[@Lensmaster1]

She said only bad witches are ugly, but she did not say all bad witches are ugly.

[@nickreacts6394]

Throwing shade at a teenager hahaha

[@Dej24601]

The beginning sequences were done in that sepia colored tone to help create the atmosphere of the Depression, the Dust Bowl areas and the hard times, even poverty, as well as to make the tornado scenes look better.

[@SFSpiegelbergSteinwayPianoForS]

BEST REACTION EVAH!!! I'm 65 and have seen this at least yearly since I was born, literally, but I have something to add beyond that. When I was 9, my grade school teacher brought a friend of hers to my classroom for "show and tell", an archaic element of American elementary school education. Her friend was Pat Walshe, King of the Flying Monkeys of the Wicked Witch of the West. I knew EXACTLY who he was because he scared the hell out of me more than the witch. He was about as old then as I am now, which is weird. He did the character, answered all our questions, told hilarious jokes and stories, played with us! Hung around all day! SUPER CHILL HUMAN, very proud of his role. So you have a subscriber who talked to and touched one of the characters in this movie.

[@ink-cow]

It wasn't a dream, according to the original books. The slippers were lost on the way home, but Dorothy was eventually drawn back to Oz. The Scarecrow ruled the Emerald City until Ozma, the true princess, was found. The Lion returned to the forest and became king, and Tin Man journeyed back west and became emperor of the Winkies.

[@fynnthefox9078]

The production behind this joyous and fun movie was a LIVING NIGHTMARE! The Asbestos snow, the Aluminum dust makeup, there's all kinds of stories about what it was like on-set.

[@catrin3944]

It wasn’t Asbestos as believed for years, it was gypsum

[@YoitsmeitsmeitsCairoLeeAGAIN]

The abuse to Judy, The Lion Sweatsuit, The burns to The witch, The multiple writers and directors as well as the ungodly amount of power needed to light the sets….. yeah it was a nightmare

[@thane9]

"I think I'll miss you most of all..." gets me every time. 50 years of watching this movie and that line has hit for as long as I can remember.

[@stevetheduck1425]

He WAS her first real friend.

[@jonnaking3054]

I used to think that must have been hurtful to the Lion and Tinman lol

[@spacedinosaur8733]

And they use that line & Scarcrow in the movie Top Secret!

[@enicole1203]

Meanwhile, Tinman & Lion: 👁👄👁

[@allengumm1157]

@@jonnaking3054 I felt that she said it for only him to hear.

[@majkus]

"An insect??" A reference to a deleted musical number, 'The Jitterbug', where the titular insect causes the heroes to dance uncontrollably. The footage is lost, but the sound track was preserved, and the number has been restored in many a high school and community stage production.

[@robburns4176]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3Occ5euhal2rbM

[@stevetheduck1425]

The base footage exists in a low-quality form, but the animated yellow and blue bugs were never created, due to budget and design problems, apparently, so the sequence was dropped. Apparently, it fits just before the flying monkeys attack, explaining why the Scarecrow has lost his gun, among other details.

[@hebneh]

@teddyray9336 The only surviving film of "The Jitterbug" is amateur footage shot behind the scenes and not the real thing. Because the number was cut from the film so late in the production, Judy Garland had already recorded a version that was released to the public on record.

[@Tconl]

Not enough people react (or even just have seen em) to the TRUE classics. This one, Spartacus, Ben Hur, Gone With the Wind etc.

[@James_Loveless]

Jimmy the Raven Jimmy the Raven was a talented animal actor who appeared in over 1,000 feature films from the 1930s to the 1950s. He was a male Common Raven (Corvus corax) and was known for his exceptional intelligence and trainability. Jimmy was found as a baby in a deserted nest in the Mojave Desert in 1934 by Hollywood animal trainer Curly Twiford, who raised him and trained him to perform various tricks, including typing and riding a small motorcycle. Jimmy's film career spanned over two decades, during which he worked with many famous directors and actors, including Frank Capra, who cast him in every film he made after 1938. Some of Jimmy's most notable roles include Uncle Billy’s pet in the classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) and the crow that lands on the Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz” (1939). Jimmy's training was impressive, and he was known to perform complex tasks, such as opening letters and riding a motorcycle. He was a beloved animal actor and a favorite among Hollywood’s Golden Age stars. Despite his impressive career, Jimmy's subsequent whereabouts and death are unknown, although it is believed that he passed away sometime after 1954, when he appeared in his last film, “Three Ring Circus”.

[@hogofthefuture]

Jimmy went a bit wild filming with Judy and Ray. The handlers had to get him down while the actors laughed. Ray later got Judy a copy of Poe's The Raven to remember the incident.

[@marieclaudeb.2366]

You can’t really call yourself a movie critic without having seen this amazing first fantasy classic ❤ great pick

[@PhilBagels]

This movie is essential viewing just for cultural literacy, movie critic or not.

[@shainewhite2781]

20:36, Buddy Ebson was cast as the Tin Man, but developed an allergic to the makeup and had to drop out.

[@Kylopod]

Ironically, he ended up outliving the entire main cast and was the only one to live into the 21st century.

[@The_Captain2000]

It wasn't an allergy. The make-up folks used aluminum dust. Buddy breathed it into his lungs and couldn't breathe. He was taken to the hospital where he remained for several weeks and almost died. Though the make-up was changed thereafter, schedules were such that they couldn't wait for Buddy to heal (and, early on, weren't sure that he was going to make it), and Jack Haley was cast to take Buddy's place. The green make-up on the witch was so toxic that Maggie had to drink her "meals" through a straw so as not to imbibe any of the make-up accidentally.

[@michaelcarey8388]

"Those slippers will never come off....As long as youre alive" "So I can never change these socks?"

[@gregarian4]

😂

[@swordforjustice]

This film came out in 1939. My mother was born in 1931. She said when this came out, it was the first movie she ever saw in a movie theater when she was 7.

[@joshualopez3260]

Incredible! Imagine seeing this in 1939 .

[@swordforjustice]

@@joshualopez3260 my mom did. She used to say “can you imagine this movie being both your first movie ever, and first movie in a theater?” She said as a 7 yo, the flying monkeys were very scary.

[@carag2567]

She was so lucky! ❤

[@swordforjustice]

@@carag2567 she really was. 😁 she also remembered that her parents (my grandparents) each had a copy of the Gone With The Wind book in 1939 (GWTW film also came out in 1939-It was a big year for top movies), and they would sit and read it out loud to each other. TV hadn’t checked me out commercially yet, so it was either read, or listen to the radio back then. People don’t do that anymore. She also lived through the Hurricane of ‘38 here in Fairfield, CT. She remembered a family friend and neighbor was driving her home as it was coming inland, and trees falling behind them.

[@carag2567]

@swordforjustice Gone With the Wind won Best Picture that year and beat The Wizard of Oz! What fantastic memories. Thank you so much for sharing with me ❤️

[@tonidarcy5515]

Did you notice all the characters are the people at the beginning of the movie! Her 3 uncles and the witch is the old lady on the bike! And the wizard was the guy in the wagon with the crystal ball!!

[@brianplyter2225]

Frank Morgan played 5 characters.. Professor Marvel, the door man( who rang that bell). The cab driver( horse of a different color),The crying guard and the wizard

[@RedwoodTheElf]

@@brianplyter2225 arguably, the crying guard was the wizard in disguise. that's why he was able to get them in to see the wizard so easily.

[@stevetheduck1425]

@@brianplyter2225 There was a cut couple of shots where the guard disappears to 'change the guard', and turns his moustache upside down, and frowns a bit more when he returns. Watch closely and you can see the change, even though the moment was dropped.

[@gugurupurasudaikirai7620]

My parents actually mistakenly told me that the color was added later. They had black and white TVs so when they first saw it they saw it in black and white. A little known fact is color actually predates sound in movies, it was just so expensive to do back then it was rarely used. This also might be the most quoted movie ever

[@hermanrobak1285]

Technically _viable_ colour film predated synchronous sound, for sure. There were some pretty early synch sound attempts, but the sound quality and loudness were poor. Examples of "mechanical" (phonograph, non-electric) sound film from 1913 can be found on KZbin. The picture is neatly touched up and stabilised digitally, and looks almost new. The sound, on the other hand is _really_ tinny and scratchy. The actors spoke _loudly_ and the camera did not move. Early Technicolor (1920s to mid 1930s) had just two primary colours, so the colour fidelity was not great. Still, a few digitally restored two-strip Technicolor movies look pretty good. Synchronous sound made a much bigger difference than colour, though. Spoken dialogue instead of intertitles was a huge deal, and the industry switched from all silent to all talkie in the course of 2-3 years.

[@gugurupurasudaikirai7620]

@@hermanrobak1285 There were multiple color processes in the early days. And some of them involved adding color to the film after shooting (some of those look amazing) which is why it was so expensive. Kinemacolor was invented in 1906 and with British movies wasn't uncommon from 1909 to 1915. Technicolor even goes back to 1916. Edward Raymond Turner had a process in 1902 that was the absolute earliest color film footage known but he unfortunately died in 1903.

[@hermanrobak1285]

@@gugurupurasudaikirai7620 I know. I have read about all the early colour processes you mentioned. Though, early processes were fraught with flicker and fringing, and required special projectors. Processes that recorded the colours simultaneously, and produced a combined print that could be presented with regular projectors were much more viable. Digitally restored prints of really early processes may look brilliant, and probably look better than the presentations did back then.

[@Kylopod]

This wasn't even the first Wizard of Oz adaptation to mix B&W with color. There was an animated short in the early 1930s that did (though it was a very loose, largely plotless version of the story--I saw it once as an extra on a DVD for the 1939 film).

[@gugurupurasudaikirai7620]

@@Kylopod I haven't seen that one. I have seen the 1925 version that has a very young Oliver Hardy in it though

[@ShuffleUpandDeal32]

To this day, still one of the most realistic tornado scenes according to experts.

[@videohistory722]

10:18 this was all done with practical effects. The houses interior is painted entirely in the brown colors, and that's Judy's stunt double, also all in brown, down to the face paint. Then when she opens the door, she steps out of view, then Judy steps in.

[@gmunden1]

"My Man Godfrey " is a classic. Funny and thoughtful.

[@shainewhite2781]

28:24, this horse was painted with gelatin mix, and not acrylic paint, which would have been toxic for the Animal, as the horse wouldn't stop licking it off.

[@r2d2rxr]

One of the most visually beautiful films ever made. The colors of this film are gorgeous.

[@bamjo8750]

"Black and white Karen" might be the best thing I've ever heard!

[@reallyoldtom9352]

I really want people to stop using the term 'Karen ' . It's just rude and hurtful to some named Karen. So unnecessary!

[@cliffchristie5865]

Although they left the line in the movie, the "little insect" the witch refers to was a jitterbug, not a real insect but a real dance. This was to lead to a musical sequence, in the forest, called "The Jitterbug". It was felt that it unnecessarily slowed the story and would eventually date the film so it was removed from the picture. The pre-recorded song and clips of a dance rehearsal can be found online.

[@abbynormal4740]

Some special edition VHS and DVD versions of Wizard of Oz also include the song recording and dance rehearsal clips. 🙂

[@emaloney2211]

Still a classic after 85 years. It took me ages to realise that the Scarecrow, Tin-man and Lion also played the farm hands but it’s obvious that if it had been a ‘dream’ Dorothy would pick the people she lives with and loves to be her support while she fights her demons aka Miss Gulch as the Witch. Frank Morgan played six roles in total - The Wizard, Professor Marvel, the Doorman, the coachman, the Head guard and the Wizards face projection. The tornado scene and the flying monkeys used to scare me as a kid and I always cry when Dorothy says goodbye to her friends😢

[@SarahTheBloody]

In Sweden it's tradition to watch this on New Years Eve, and then Ivanhoe on New Years Day. We have odd traditions lol

[@marcusfridh8489]

Dont forget Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul (from all of us to all of you) on Christmas Eve 3 pm

[@carag2567]

So I'm just pausing to point out that when you guys mentioned that "she hasn't seen Snow White?" as they entered the apple trees, later in that scene when the Tin Man is singing his song and the line "where for art thou, Romeo" is spoken, the voice actress is Adriana Caselotti, the same actress who provided the voice of Snow White in the Disney animated movie.

[@Akins560]

Oh srsly awesome 😎👍🏽

[@Dej24601]

Judy was about 17 years old when this as made and was already famous as a child singer. Somewhere Over the Rainbow became her signature song and she performed it throughout her life all over the world.

[@gunkulator1]

Dorothy is supposed to be around 10-11 and there was a concern that Judy Garland was just too old to pull that off. She acts very very innocently to compensate and IMHO it works.

[@haintedhouse2990]

@@gunkulator1 they originally were about to hire Shirley Temple for the role of Dorothy - i'm soo glad they changed their mind and went with Judy Garland

[@gkiferonhs]

The footage of the tornado was one of the best special effects created for decades. It was used in several other films.

[@abbynormal4740]

Cabin in the Sky (1943, IIRC) is one of the movies that uses the tornado footage.

[@Dej24601]

Another classic that is heartwarming and has something for adult audiences as well as young people and is one of the earliest Technicolor masterpieces is the 1938 “The Adventures of Robin Hood.” It stars the one and only Errol Flynn as Robin. When it was released, there was not yet an Oscar category for Best Costumes, but I think it would have won, if there had been. Flynn and his co-star Olivia de Haviland were known for their chemistry and made 8 films together. These older classics usually included something for everyone - some action scenes, romance, humor, a bit of mystery and suspense, pageantry, patriotic fervor and the chance to showcase whatever skills the particular actors had.

[@wendywoodruff2871]

And one of films best swordsmen Basil Rathbone as the Sheriff of Nottingham. ⚔️🗡

[@pocketsizeforyourtravelcon3325]

An interesting fact about the munchkins - they are all played by little people (dwarves) from all over the world. There are a few kids who are in the background, but all of the “main” munchkins are little people. I once saw an interview where some of the munchkins from Europe (who didn’t speak English very well) would change the lyrics from “ding dong the witch is dead” to “ding dong the bitch is dead” which is honestly a lot funnier.

[@Sher-yz1yy]

Yes dwarves played the main munchkins, such as the Mayor, Coroner, etc. but also during this time some people had low growth hormones, which meant they were short statured but well-proportioned little people. And like you said they did use a few children. A little tid bit of info... When my children were small, we often went to the Wizard of Oz festival close to our home and met the Coroner, Meinhardt Raabe who gave us an autograph photo, he spotted my son who has dwarfism and called us over. He was very kind and remembered us every year after that.

[@janedoe5229]

Not only is it her REAL voice, but this movie propelled her to stardom, and he was the greatest female movie singer of her day unti she died her her '40's. You should she her as a grown woman singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic. But her whole life, her handlers (and husbands) kept her on uppers and downers, starting with this movie, so they could keep her cranking out songs with her amazing voice. She died of an overdose.

[@johnnehrich9601]

Bases on a 1900 book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum. In the book, Dorothy really does go to Oz but MGM thought the audiences of the time would not accept that, so they made it dream. Book is much more frightening, even though children wrote to Baum all the time telling him how much they loved it. He went on to write 13 more Oz books. In 1985, Disney made Return to Oz. They had bought the rights to the other books, but MGM had the rights to the first story. Many people hate Return, as with no musical numbers and much closer to the whole Oz series, it is considered very dark. There are some like me who consider it a much closer adaptation of the books (although nothing wrong with the MGM movie). It is based on the second and third book, Land of Oz and Ozma of Oz. (The very first book I ever read was Ozma of Oz which had the original illustrations, and the Disney movie was like the characters stepped off the pages.)

[@Kylopod]

Land of Oz has always been my favorite of the Oz books.

[@johnnehrich9601]

@@Kylopod I love the Gump, the highly magnified Wooglebug, the sawhorse, and of course Jack Pumpkinhead. Ozma has the chicken, floating chicken coop, lunch-pail tree, the wheelers, Tik-tok, and the princess with the interchangeable heads. Baum had a "different" imagination for sure.

[@moeball740]

Actually some of the characters in Wicked like the mechanical ones seem to be much more in line with the original novels than the films.

[@biguy617]

Judy Garland RIP you were a treasure. She did a version of Star is Born. You should watch that movie.

[@moeball740]

I have seen the 3 most famous versions of A Star Is Born and each has an excellent cast as well as being a good snapshot of our culture at the time. There are differences, of course, between the 3 movies, but they all tell the tale of doomed relationships. 1954 - James Mason & Judy Garland 1976 - Kris Kristofferson & Barbra Streisand 2018 - Bradley Cooper & Lady Gaga I recommend seeing all of these films, they're really good even if the story is bittersweet.

[@albertjimeno5315]

@moeball740 The ‘37 version is great too.

[@ResiGirlCourie]

So there's a “sequel” to The Wizard of Oz called Return to Oz from 1985. The Jim Henson Company was involved in making the film. I watched it ad nauseum as a little kid. I highly recommend it. Leans more into the book series than the 1939 film. Also! As far as classic film suggestions, I would love to see you both react to The Marx Brothers movies, Harvey starring Jimmy Stewart, and Alfred Hitchcock films! I grew up watching those too with my grandparents so they're special to me.

[@3DJapan]

8:19 This was all filmed on a sound stage. The tornado was made from a stocking. lol

[@ronweber1402]

And that tornado still stands up as a special effect to this day.

[@johnfraley8544]

It was a 35 foot stocking.

[@nickperkins8477]

The Scarecrow is played by an actor named Ray Bolger. He was exceptionally gifted with movement. He lived until 1987.

[@gigi-ij1hk]

Most of the leads in this film came to the movies from vaudeville, a form of live show that dominated the late 19th and early 20th centuries. That's where they honed their dancing, singing and comedy skills. Judy Garland (Dorothy) was literally born into it and spent her childhood performing with her sisters under her real name, Frances Gumm. Vaudeville basically died out when movies became popular.

[@oliverbrownlow5615]

Indeed, one of the strengths of *The Wizard of Oz* is the frequent use of vaudeville shtick by Dorothy's three companions.

[@wendywoodruff2871]

She was known as The Little Girl With The Big Voice

[@ellenmacpherson942]

Singing in the rain, Mary Poppins and The sound of music would all be great older movies to react to!

[@weighilln]

This is shown on TV on many channels, especially during holidays, Christmas and others. Hard to imagine there are adults who have not seen this before, when they were kids or later.

[@moeball740]

True story - back in the 1990s when Blockbuster Video was still a thing, my wife and I were in there one time to rent a movie and the monitors overhead were playing clips of TWOO as it was just coming out on video at that time. Some elderly woman in there commented that she had never seen the film before and all conversations stopped immediately as everyone in the store turned to look at her! How was it possible that someone could be 70 years old in the US and never have seen this movie?

[@TheDaringPastry1313]

This movie during production had a lot of really messed up things going on and I definitely suggest reading about them. The Lions' costume was actual lion fur and weight around 80/90 lbs. Asbestos was used as the falling snow in the field, the green paint on the witch was toxic... etc For another older movie, I really recommend 1957's 12 Angry Men. To me and many others, it is the perfect written script.

[@sawanna508]

That would be cool.

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

Yes, I also would love it if you would watch _12 Angry Men_ (1957). Nominated for best picture, director, and screenplay, and voted 2nd best courtroom drama by AFI

[@garycallan7384]

George Lucas was the one that changed the beginning to ending credits with a little cult film known as Star Wars

[@lindabell6638]

Enjoying your Oz reaction! One of my favorites in the black and white era was "Some Like It Hot" (1959). It starred Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and Marilyn Monroe. Such a comedy classic!! 😂😂😂 BTW, love your dog!!

[@WIGeek72]

For fun older movies, maybe try Some Like It Hot, starring Marilyn Monroe.

[@drycanyon]

Great suggestion! Some Like It Hot is so funny!

[@tommiller4895]

Actor Frank Morgan played 5 roles in this movie, Professor Marvel, Emerald City Doorman, Carriage Driver (horse of a different color), the Wizard's Doorman and the Wizard of Oz. The original cast was supposed to be Shirley Temple as Dorothy and W.C. Fields as the Wizard but they were both under Contract to another studio and they could make a deal to use them.

[@ChaniElkin]

Yes, that's Dorothy singing. The production was a nightmare, but the movie is so good. Also, it might seem strange/cruel with the dog. However, even through the 1950's that was a thing. If you are the owner, your dog bites, & they file a formal complaint? Your dog can bite someone 2-3 times with a formal complaint & then the law has the authority & right to put the dog down. It's cruel, but also a very accepted normal thing at the time. Love you reacted to this! More people need to react to classic movies (Old Hollywood classics). I highly recommend Robin Hood (1938), Captain Blood (1935), Tale of Two Cities (1935), Random Harvest (1938), Arsenic & Old Lace (1944), Time of Your Life (1948, James Cagney) and Laurence Olivier's Pride & Prejudice. For classic films. For slighly more modern - "To Sir, With Love" (Sydney Poiter), "Trouble With Angels" (Rosalind Russell), "Adventures in Babysitting" (1985), & "Troop Beverly Hills" (1989).For a modern underrated gem of a classic, I highly recommend "Joyeux Noel" (2005) which has Daniel Bruhl & is about the 1914 Christmas Peace of WWI. I actually made a version with burnt in subs that are accurate, in-sync, & can be seen in both night/day scenes (you need the subs on). Link to "Joyeux Noel" (2005) with accurate subtitles: drive.google.com/file/d/1gJ2ZJyrdIRwi6t_VEAF7rfvI4o5kg4jt/view?usp=sharing (watch both the opening credits with photos & end credits with sketches - draws you in & then lets impact properly settle with you).

[@maryrichardson1318]

I think the "feeling" that was captured that you could not quite put your finger on would be called "childlike wonder". Looking at this movie as an adult, you can see the silliness of it, but watch it through the eyes of a child and it is magical. Those of us who grew up watching this on tv every year still see the magic. And of course Judy Garland had one of the world's most beautiful voices. I just wish her real life had been as magical as this movie.

[@browniewin4121]

Hard to believe you have never seen this, it is such an iconic classic, plays on tv every year and has been restored and back in theaters too.

[@brandonflorida1092]

"Topper" is a fabulous comedy from 1937 about a couple who die in a car and haunt the very proper banker who buys it. It's really funny.

[@UncleAL86]

If you want to do another old musical - PLEASE do 'Meet Me In St Louis' - its a delightful family story set in the lead up to the 1904 World's Fair - it stars Judy Garland and was made in 1944. The Christmas Carol 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' was written for that movie and was performed by Judy Garland.

[@davidbecker2536]

It great to see young people enjoying this classic movie I grew up on. We would watch it every year when we little kids. Such a great time to be a kid.

[@Kathe255]

I remember the excitement when you found out that it was going to be on. Then that night we would make popcorn, cut up some apples and mom would make caramel to dip the apples in. Mom and Dad would unfold our couch into the bed and we would all pile on it and watch! What great fun!! Inevitably one or more of us would fall asleep and dad would carry us to bed.

[@51tetra69]

Captains Courageous (1937) Nick, I recommend that you two watch the classic movie “Captains Courageous” starring Spencer Tracy, Lionel Barrymore, and the child-actor Freddie Bartholomew. It’s an action-packed coming-of-age movie with an amazing arc of character development taking place during this touching, heartwarming movie…

[@carriehv740]

totally agree..fantastic movie....

[@JohnBham]

The Oz rabbit hole is very, very deep and full of lore you'd never expect from such a film. Beware- BEWARE! LOL

[@moeball740]

As long as we're going down that rabbit hole, I love the story about how the props crew was sent out to get particular styles of clothes for the actors and one of the coats they got for Frank Morgan (who played the Wizard) turned out to be the former property of none other than L. Frank Baum himself, author of the book on which this story is based! Speaking of the author, his initials LFB were the inspiration for the name of Elphaba in the novel Wicked by Gregory Maguire, which was then turned into the world famous musical of the same name.

[@videohistory722]

They had to recast the Tin Man because he had a bad reaction to the aluminum paint.

[@deanbrunner261]

Buddy Epson the old dad on the Beverly Hillbillies

[@TechnicallyTexan]

YES! I would love to see some more classics. You could watch another of the the Best Film nominees from the 1939 Oscars, Gone With the Wind, which came out the same year and won Best Picture.

[@cliveklg7739]

I love the MadTV spoof of this, with Dorothy getting mad that the Good witch didn't tell her how to go home in the first place rather than having to go on the crazy adventure.

[@JKM395]

I’m so glad I get to watch this with you guys. I’m having a bad time and this is good medicine. Have a wonderful day y’all.

[@SG-js2qn]

"Proof Tony Stark has a heart" ... that was a reference in "Iron Man" to the Tin Man. A lot of movies and TV shows were like stage plays right through the 60s. Even the "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (1971) movie was bit a like a stage play.

[@PhilBagels]

As was Nick Fury's line about "flying monkeys".

[@SG-js2qn]

@@PhilBagels I got that reference!

[@DavidHayes56]

There are so many cultural references from this movie so it is good that you finally saw it. When people encounter something strange, the phrase "I don't think I'm in Kansas anymore" is often used. They also made puns out of existing phrases like "horse of another color" and, when the Scarecrow is torn up by the flying monkeys and is complaining about it, the Tin Man says, "That's you all over the place" which normally refers to something being very typical of a person. Until watching a few of these reaction videos, I realize that I have lived 67 years and watched this movie so many times without realizing that the Scarecrow is carrying a handgun on his way to get the Wicked Witch's broom. I tell people this now and they don't believe it, but it is clearly visible when they read the sign about turning around "if I were you." The music in the remake "The Wiz" is wonderful so maybe you can experience that now too. The final song by Diana Ross called "Home" is so beautiful that I will watch it over and over. And more recently, the story is retold in "Wicked" which I haven't seen, but I love the song "Defying Gravity." I saw a girl named Beau Dermott sing that song for Britain's Got Talent and rewatch that all the time (only problem is that she pronounces "Defying Gravity" more like "Defining Gravity" but an incredible performance none the less). It's a "Must Watch" on my list: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qZ6vgIxtYtGimdE

[@williamjones6031]

1. If you start playing side one of the album "Dark Side of the Moon" by Pink Floyd when the MGM lion roars the third time it syncs up with what's happening in the movie until shortly after the color kicks in. 2. Buddy Ebsen was supposed to play the tin man, but he was allergic to the dust they used on his face, so since he was under a lifetime contract with MGM they offered him "The Beverly Hillbillies" and the rest is history. 3. Sadly, Judy Garland died in 1969 from barbiturate overdose. 4. GOOF: The Nebraska State Fair has always been in Lincoln, not Omaha. (Nebraskan here) 5. In 1979 they made "The Wiz" featuring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson among others. 6. If you want to know about the hanging body the story is in IMDB trivia. It's reliable. 7. Speaking of Pink Floyd and this movie before the times, but how much acid was used to come up with this?

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

There are a couple of versions of the Pink Floyd sync-up here on KZbin. It has alternately been called The Dark Side of Oz among other things.

[@johnwest5837]

Toto the dog made 500 dollars a week, the midgets made way less, yes I said midgets.Old school.Judy Garland was 17 when she made this movie,died 30yrs later .The movie companies filled her with drugs early on to work,then drugs to help her sleep.Tragic.

[@guyami8892]

25:55 If you look into it, you couldn't be any more wrong.

[@thehorrorfanx]

The theme for the Wicked Witch is just as recognizable as the theme for Jaws. Both terrifying lol. Miss Gulch/Wicked Witch scared the crap out of me when I was young.

[@oliverbrownlow5615]

I watched the film for decades before learning that the witch's theme is a mocking variant of "We're Off to See the Wizard."

[@ChrisReise]

42:57 And finally, The Wizard is ALSO the same guy who played the doorman, and the Oz guard...AND the fortune teller in Kansas.

[@christina9841]

I'm just starting this... but to your question "are there any other old movies we should react to".. I highly recommend "It's a Wonderful Life" with Jimmy Stewart if you haven't already seen it. One of my favorites. :) A more recent film (early 2000's I think?) you might like is called "About A Boy".. About a Boy has lots of music in it though so not sure if there would be copywrite issues or not.

[@ajayblake8740]

The Day The Earth Stood Still. Young Frankenstein. Any of the old universal monster movies, ie. Dracula, The Mummy, Creature from the Black Lagoon etc.

[@jannaromine5908]

I first saw this movie at age 6 in 1958. We had just gotten our first color tv😊

[@carriehv740]

If you really want to say " How did they do that back then? " watch " A Midsummers Nights Dream " from 1935...its a Shakespearean fantasy with some increadable cinematography.... and a basketfull of fabulous performers...James Cagny, Micky Rooney, Joe E Brown and honestly way too many too be named...great comedic moments too

[@OmegaS-117]

Apparently at 15:43 when the wicked witch was leaving she got burned and when filming resumed she didn’t want to reshoot that scene so they left the take in where she got burned

[@jayeginn5963]

The twister was actually a black, nylon, stocking. Movie special effect of 1939!!!!

[@Jedicake]

34 years old, I grew up watching this movie every November on TV with my Mom. It's absolutely timeless and is in my top 5 fave movies easily.

[@GaryCain-qf5vi]

My mother graduated high school in 1938 a year before the Wizard of oz, I was born 1954 two years before it first aired on TV from 1956 on they aired it every year, in 1969 we got our first color TV so we could watch the moon landing in color, ln 1970 for the first time l saw the Wizard Of Oz in color and was amazed we always saw it in black and white. I'm glad you liked it it's one of my favorite movies. Judy Garland has alot of great movies check out "Meet me in St. Louis".😊 Gary

[@newrealitygaming3933]

Now. Watch "Return to Oz"!!!

[@hannahlynn8028]

I'd love you to react to Easter Parade (1948) It's my favorite Judy Garland movie & features Fred Astaire, their only movie together

[@bigdream_dreambig]

27:30 "How'd they do that back in the day?" I believe that's a miniature -- like dressing up a Barbie doll, attaching her to a broomstick, and moving her around on thin wires.

[@stevetheduck1425]

Apparently the trick was to film at a high frame-rate 48 or more frames per second, and puppet a weighted model on wires: the movement looks very natural when projected at 24 frames a second. Varying the framerate is something that happens today, using digital cameras, so scenes like King Theoden being armoured up in LOTR were shot fast, and slowed down, giving an impression of serious gravitas, and that the sound was Theoden's interior thoughts.

[@toddshamburg8064]

You were fantastic! You genuinely enjoyed this movie and I genuinely enjoyed watching your reactions! I grew up watching this movie every year on tv. They would show it once a year before the days of streaming...before home video...before cable tv (i.e., the "olden days)

[@Dej24601]

The munchkins were played by ‘The Singer Midgets,’ a troupe of actors, acrobats, musicians, etc who were mostly from Europe. There were about 124 used in the film, and also about 10 children to portray the munchkins. Some of their voices were electronically altered to create different and unique characters. In the original book, they were about the height of Dorothy (who was supposed to be more of a child between 8 and 12) and always wore blue. But to have Judy Garland as the star was a major factor, and she was older, so it made more sense to have a contrast between her and the munchkins. Plus, with the gorgeous opportunities of 3-strip Technicolor film, which is famous for its intense shades of red, green and yellow, it was decided to forgo all-blue costuming.

[@videohistory722]

Last.i checked, they've all passed away.

[@marcusfridh8489]

Some of them actually were hard drinkers and hit of Judy

[@KajunMoo70]

I was skeptical at first to watch your reaction because the ones I have watched have made fun of the film. Thank you both for seeing the joy in this beloved classic movie! I’m 71 now but I have such fond memories of watching this precious film as a child with my Mom. We watched it for many years and it will always hold a special place in my heart☺️. I still watch it to this day. Again, thank you both for enjoying the wonderment of The Wizard of Oz❤️