There are a variety of “Wizard of Oz” special effects. These include the snow scene, The Wicked Witch’s make-up, and the flying monkeys. You’ll also find out about the mercenary studio system, which underpaid actors and crews and required them to wear allergen-laced makeup.
MGM’s musical fantasy
MGM’s musical fantasy Wizard of Oz featured some of the most spectacular special effects of any film in history. The production was a labor of love for the creative team at MGM. Several directors had to be changed in order to make the movie happen, but the resulting film had some of the most magical special effects ever created. The story is based on the beloved children’s book by L. Frank Baum, who had written the story in his childhood. Baum’s book was popular with audiences during that time and several screen adaptations were made. The MGM version was no exception, as the production went through a number of changes and nearly shut down before it was finished.
Though the film was a modest box office success when it was first released, it won the hearts of millions of viewers when it hit the TV screen in 1956. This iconic movie has become a beloved tradition among many families and is one of the most memorable movies in history. One of the most impressive special effects is Judy Garland’s iconic sequined shoes, worn by Judy Garland’s Dorothy.
The Wicked Witch’s make-up
The make-up of the Wicked Witch in the Wizard of Oz is one of the most iconic images from the movie. Although the color doesn’t appear in Baum’s novel, the movie’s green skin was created by putting a copper-based pigment on Margaret Hamilton’s face. After filming, the pigment left a greenish tint in Hamilton’s face. Interestingly, Hamilton may have continued to dress as the Wicked Witch even after filming was over.
The Wicked Witch has several different appearances throughout the film and anime series. In the theatrical version, she wears a white dress with a blood-red streak. In the television special, she wears a black hooded gown. In addition to being purple in color, The Wicked Witch’s eyes also turn blood-red. She uses these powers to turn Winkie into stone. The film version shows her wearing three pigtails and an eyepatch, which are both visible.
The makeup in the movie was extremely detailed. It required a lot of prosthetics and costumes. It also required an assembly line of makeup artists. The film’s cast often arrived on the set early in the morning to ensure that their characters had the best make-up.
The flying monkeys
The flying monkeys in Wizard of Oz are a special effect in the movie that was difficult to achieve without the use of special effects. The film has over a dozen drafts and four different writers. The original idea called for the Cowardly Lion (the cursed form of the prince from the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale) to battle the Wicked Witch in midair, cutting her broom apart. The script also originally called for a female soda jerk to accompany Dorothy as she tries to escape Kansas. As it turned out, however, the writer of the film scrapped the idea and instead used rubber miniatures.
The Winged Monkeys in the Wizard of Oz were created by L. Frank Baum. They first appeared in the 1939 film and in the book, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and “The Search for the Wicked Witch.” They are rare animals that only live in the Land of Oz.
The snow in the movie
The snow in Wizard of Oz is a stunning effect, but its effects aren’t entirely natural. Film crews used practical tricks to make the snow look real, including asbestos and chrysotile asbestos. Both are toxic and can cause health problems if inhaled.
Creating snow on a 35-foot-tall rubber cone was difficult because the cone couldn’t bend or move. The special effects coordinator had to use a different method for this scene, such as woven muslin cloth, which bends and twists. It’s then surrounded by chicken wire to simulate wind.
While CGI is a popular option for movie snow, a real snowfall is still difficult to make. Some films have used feathers or even painted sand white to simulate a snowdrift. Frank Capra’s classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” even painted corn flakes white to create a snowy backdrop. Another notable case of snow on a movie set was when the cast of the Wizard of Oz were sprinkled with white asbestos flakes to create a realistic snowfall.