The original Wizard of Oz, released in 1939, was an enormously expensive undertaking for MGM Studios. Produced under the oversight of studio head Louis B. Mayer, the budget for the movie was a reported $2,777,000, a huge sum for the time.
The cost of production included the hiring of some of the best art directors, costume designers, and makeup artists in the business, as well as payment for use of the music of the legendary E. Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen.
In addition to the cost of the cast and crew, the special effects that the movie is so renowned for—including the abolition of Technicolor and the Munchkins—was a tremendous added expense. By the time the movie was released, the total spent on the production was reported as nearly $3.
3 million – an astonishing amount for the time! Ultimately, however, the film proved to be a huge financial success, grossing over $23 million at the box office and turning into a beloved classic.
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Did The Wizard of Oz make a profit?
Yes, The Wizard of Oz made a profit. Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1939, The Wizard of Oz was an immediate box office success, taking in $3. 17 million by the end of its first year, making it then the most successful film of the year.
Its success continued to the point that, by the end of its second year, it had become the single highest earning film in history up to that time with an amazing total of $6. 9 million, according to estimates by Infinity Magazine.
This success was a major vindication for the MGM studio, which had envisioned The Wizard of Oz as a lavish production worthy of its extravagant budget, a daring gamble that ended up paying off handsomely.
By contrast, the budget for the film was approximately $2. 8 million, meaning that MGM made a very healthy profit from their $3. 17 million haul. The film has remained a beloved favorite and continues to resonate with audiences to this day, further adding to its impressive lifetime box office total and ensuring its status as a blockbuster hit.
Who owns The Wizard of Oz now?
The Wizard of Oz is now owned by Warner Bros, who obtained the ensemble of movie rights from MGM in 1985. Warner Bros is a subsidiary of the media giant Time Warner, currently known as WarnerMedia.
The Wizard of Oz, both the book and the movie have been an iconic influence in popular culture since its debut in 1900. The 1939 version of the movie remains one of the most beloved films of all time and has become a timeless classic.
It remains a huge commercial success and is still popularly shown in theatres and television. WarnerMedia continues to produce new editions of the movie and also monetize it through a host of products, including books, apparel, accessories, home decor and toys.
When was The Wizard of Oz first shown on television?
The Wizard of Oz was first shown on television on November 3, 1956, when it aired as part of CBS’s “Ford Star Jubilee” series. It was the first time a feature film had been broadcast in color on TV, and it was such an event that President Dwight D.
Eisenhower and the First Lady watched it alongside the studio audience. Prior to this, two previous versions of the film had aired on the small screen, one in 1949 and another in 1950, both of which were broadcast in black and white.
Who owns Dorothy’s dress?
The exact ownership of Dorothy’s iconic blue and white gingham dress from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz is unclear. Despite its iconic status, it has always been difficult to determine who legally owns the dress, as it was most likely made for the production of the film and therefore would have belonged to the studio at the time.
In the decades since the film’s release, the dress has moved around from place to place, with no one officially declared as its legitimate owner.
Since the original film’s release, the dress has been kept in the hands of Warner Bros. , the same studio responsible for filming The Wizard of Oz. In 2012, the dress was auctioned by an anonymous seller, who had reportedly bought the dress in the 1970s.
In the same year, the UK’s Victoria & Albert Museum acquired the dress for £1. 6 million. The dress still on display at the Museum for public viewing.
Though it is not confirmed by either the studio, nor the anonymous seller, some sources suggest that the anonymous seller had acquired the dress from a Hollywood costumer in the 70s, after they had obtained it from the MGM film studios that produced The Wizard of Oz.
Nevertheless, the ownership of Dorothy’s dress remains somewhat of a mystery.
Did Disney buy the rights to Wizard of Oz?
No, Disney did not buy the rights to Wizard of Oz. The rights to the 1939 film of The Wizard of Oz are owned by its producer, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM). After the release of the film, MGM bought the and held the copyright to the original book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Disney does, however, own the rights to the movies The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz and Oz The Great and Powerful as well as the musical Oz—An American Fairy Tale.
Who was the longest living cast member of The Wizard of Oz?
The longest living cast member of the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” was Margaret Hamilton. Born on December 9, 1902, Hamilton passed away on May 16, 1985 at the age of 82. Hamilton was an American stage actress, best known for her portrayal of the malevolent Wicked Witch of the West in the film adaptation.
Prior to her role in The Wizard of Oz, Hamilton appeared in over thirty films, beginning as far back as 1923. One interesting fact about her role as the Wicked Witch is that her costume and make-up were made from simple, natural materials.
Outside of acting, Hamilton was an avid tennis player and was even the secretary of the U. S. Lawn Tennis Association. Hamilton is fondly remembered for her iconic performance as one of the most memorable characters in the “Wizard of Oz” and her mark on Hollywood will remain forever immortalized.
What movie has made the most money ever in history?
The highest grossing movie of all time is Avengers: Endgame (2019), which made $2. 797 billion at the global box office. The Marvel superhero film surpassed the previous highest-grossing movie of all time, Avatar (2009) at $2.
789 billion, when adjusting for inflation. It also broke numerous records, becoming the first film to ever make more than $2 billion at the worldwide box office and the fastest film ever to make more than $1 billion, achieving the feat in just five days.
It also became the first film to make more than $1 billion in both the domestic and foreign markets. Additionally, the film received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for many awards, including the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
How does The Wizard of Oz relate to economics?
The Wizard of Oz is widely believed to contain numerous allegorical references to the economic climate at the time it was written, namely the political situation in America during the 1890s. The Yellow Brick Road can be seen as a metaphor for how classes of people were delineated based on the amount of money they had.
The characters’ struggles to reach the Emerald City and obtain their wishes have been suggested as an allegory for the rise of populism at the time. The wicked witch of the west can be seen as symbolizing the unfair dominance of large corporations over ordinary people, as she holds scare and her powerful minions prevent anyone from entering the emerald city.
The Wizard himself can also be seen as a metaphor for the political and industrial leaders of the time who were thought to control the lives of ordinary citizens. Ultimately, The Wizard of Oz serves as a cautionary tale about the need for citizens to stand up for their rights and not be controlled by those in power.
How did The Wizard of Oz impact the Great Depression?
The Wizard of Oz had a tremendous impact on the American psyche during the Great Depression. Released in 1939, it was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dire time. The Academy Award-winning classic followed Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas, on her journey to the magical Land of Oz in search of a way to get home after being carried away in a tornado.
Its powerful and timeless messages of hope, courage and home resonated with Depression-era viewers, who were searching for comfort and courage in a difficult period of American history.
The film also depicted an anti-authoritarian theme. Under the reign of a tyrannical wizard, the fictional Land of Oz was rife with poverty and suffering, subject to the whims of an oppressive leader.
This mirrored the plight of American citizens during the economic crisis, who suffered under the regulations of the government-imposed New Deal. Through Dorothy, viewers saw the power of a young person to stand up to a seemingly unbeatable system and eventually bring success.
In addition to its political implications, The Wizard of Oz featured some of the earliest instances of special effects in film. The transition to the Technicolor Land of Oz fascinated viewers with its bright, larger-than-life scenery.
This captivation with the magical world of Oz was a welcome escape from the serious and often dismal real world.
The Wizard of Oz provided much-needed comfort and levity to viewers in the midst of a global economic crisis. It showed that, even in the darkest of times, courage, hope and the power of imagination could shine through.
How much did the Munchkins get paid?
The exact amount the Munchkins were paid for their role in The Wizard of Oz is unclear. Reports range from $50 a day to $125 a week (equal to about $1090 in 2019). It is widely believed, however, that the members of the Munchkin cast were paid much less than the star talent, including Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Billie Burke, and Margaret Hamilton.
It is reported that Munchkin Coroner Meinhardt Raabe, who famously declared in the film, “As Coroner, I must aver, I thoroughly examined her, and she’s not only merely dead, she’s really most sincerely dead,” was the highest paid Munchkin, earning $500 a week for the role.
While this was just a fraction compared to what the stars made per week, it was still five times more than the larger group of Munchkins was said to have made weekly.
What is the controversy with the Wizard of Oz?
The Wizard of Oz is a beloved classic for both children and adults alike, but there is also considerable controversy surrounding the beloved film. From its inaccurate historical information, to its depiction of non-white characters, its adaptation of the original novel, to its usage of language.
First, there are some historical inaccuracies in the film. For example, the Witch of the West’s title of “Miss Gulch” is a reference to President Theodore Roosevelt’s immigration policy to return Mexicans to their native countries; however, during this time period, immigration policy was actually directed toward Chinese immigrants.
Similarly, the Wicked Witch of the West is portrayed as having long, pointed fingernails as a reference to early 20th Century stereotypes associated with Chinese immigrants.
Second, there is also significant controversy surrounding the depiction of the various non-white characters. All of Dorothy’s companions in her journey – the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion are all portrayed as Caucasian men in the film.
As such, the movie has been criticized for its lack of racial diversity.
Third, when adapting the original novel, there is a significant discrepancy between the 1939 film and Baum’s 1898 novel. For example, in the novel, the Wicked Witch of the West’s diminutive slaves, the Winkies, are a yellow color, hinting that Baum is referencing the Skinwalkers, a race of Native American legend.
However, in the film, the Winkies are instead depicted as lifeless, robotic characters, conveying a more mechanical interpretation of slavery and racism.
Finally, there is much criticism directed toward the language used in the film. In the original novel, Baum never uses the word “Oz”; instead he refers to it as the “Glorious Land” or “Fairyland”. This is believed to have been purposely done in order to avoid racial slurs associated with the name.
However, the film adaptation strips these subtleties in favor of the more recognized “Oz”.
As such, the beloved classic is undoubtedly wrapped up in a complex web of controversy. Understanding these nuances and complexities can help us better appreciate the impact the film has had on popular culture, and the issues of racism and inequality that are still very much alive and well.
What is the Yellow Brick Road a metaphor for?
The Yellow Brick Road is a metaphor primarily associated with the classic American novel The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. It is seen as a symbol of the journey one must take to reach their goals and dreams.
The yellow brick road represents determination and perseverance in the pursuit of a purpose. It also speaks to the idea of the unknown – the path that lies ahead is never certain, but it is filled with challenges that must be overcome in order to reach one’s destination.
The yellow brick road also embodies the concept of optimism – the belief that with enough courage, dedication and hard work, anything is possible. On a more spiritual level, some interpret the Yellow Brick Road as representing guidance, as it shows the characters in The Wizard of Oz the way forward on their quest, leading them from the safety of their home and toward their ultimate destination.
How old was Judy Garland when she made Wizard of Oz?
Judy Garland was sixteen years old when she made Wizard of Oz in 1939. She was already a successful actress having appeared in a number of films prior to Wizard of Oz, and was signed to MGM at the age of 13.
Despite her young age, her performance in the Wizard of Oz was a standout, and she was nominated for an Academy Award for her portrayal of Dorothy Gale in the film. Even today, her performance and her role as Dorothy is often cited as one of the best performances in cinematic history.
Was The Wizard of Oz made during ww2?
No, The Wizard of Oz was not made during World War II. The 1939 movie was released one year before the start of World War II in 1940. The Wizard of Oz was actually the first feature film produced entirely in Technicolor and it quickly became a classic of the cinema.
The film was directed by Victor Fleming, who had previously directed the acclaimed Gone With The Wind in 1939. It starred Judy Garland as Dorothy, Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Jack Haley as the Tin Man, Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion and Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West.
The film was an instant hit and it remains one of the most beloved movies of all time.
