pgsgrad16

Trivia: Originally Victor Fleming and Mervyn Leroy (directors) wanted 11-year old Shirley Temple as Dorothy, but she could not perform the key solo 'Over the Rainbow' to their satisfaction in spite multiple rehearsals and takes. So the part was offered to Judy whom Fleming and George Cukor (director) knew could carry the song, in spite that she was too old at 16 to play the part. So she had to be heavily padded to hide her bosom and girlish waistline so that she would look undeveloped, despite that the final results did not completely camouflage her appearance.

eaglegrad16 ★

Trivia: Billie Burke, who played Glinda the Good Witch, initially auditioned for Aunt Pittypat Hamilton in Gone With the Wind over at 20th Century Fox Studios. But she was deemed too youthful-looking and pretty for that middle-aged role (despite being 54), which went to Laura Hope Crews, so Fox producers sent her over to MGM to audition for The Wizard of Oz.

pgsgrad16 ★

Trivia: Several actresses screened for the Wicked Witch of the West, but none had the right chemistry the directors wanted opposite of Judy and Billie (Burke). The role went to Lady Margaret Hamilton, at a perfect time, being a single, divorced mom raising a young son, and had just bought a house.

pgsgrad16 ★