75th Anniversary of The Wizard of OZ
Today is the 75th anniversary of the release of the most famous version of The Wizard of Oz — the one starring Judy Garland. Two months from now will see the release of my middle-grade biography on the iconic actress and singer. Here’s the cover image. It might get tweaked a bit before release, but here’s an early peek:
Judy Garland: Little Woman, Big Talent
A few facts about the 1939 version of The Wizard of Oz:
- It’s the most watched movie of all time.
- Over the Rainbow is ranked as the number one movie song of all time.
- MGM wanted Over the Rainbow cut from the film.
- Judy Garland wasn’t the first choice to play Dorothy. She wasn’t even second. She was third.
- It only took one writer to complete the book, but fourteen to finish the screenplay.
- The movie was a financial failure until it began airing on TV in 1956.
- Tin Man’s make-up was toxic. So was the Wicked Witch’s.
- There are three Munchkin actors still alive.
- Dorothy was supposed to have a love interest in Hunk/Scarecrow.
- Producers wanted Dorothy to look like Shirley Temple, but Judy Garland looked terrible in a blonde wig.
Learn about Judy’s rise to fame in my upcoming book Judy Garland: Little Woman, Big Talent (release date: November 3rd — the 58th anniversary of the first time The Wizard of Oz was shown on television).
In the meantime, be sure to pick up a copy of Mary Dyer, Friend of Freedom to help your young reader learn about colonial history, women’s history, and our First Amendment rights!
John Briggs Books 