The Wizard of Oz: Behind the Camera's Eye
The Wizard of Oz:
Behind the Camera’s Eye, Through the Camera’s Eye, and Through the Audience’s Eye
Thesis written by Kimberly Adams
Instructor: Patricia Krapesh
Saint Mary’s of the Woods College
ID302 Film Culture
My thesis on the Wizard of Oz will look at this classic and beloved 1939 film from the behind the camera’s eye, through the camera’s eye, and through the audience’s eye. I will examine the difference between the book, written by L. Frank Baum in 1900 and the screenplay for the film. I will explore the actors, both on screen and off screen as well as their character’s role and meaning to the film. L. Frank Baum, the genius behind the novel, published The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900 and in addition to the grand success of this book, he penned thirteen novel sequences. A musical version of his novel opened on Broadway in 1903 and ran for ten years. Silent films and plays evolved from 1908 through 1925. In Baum’s book, Dorothy’s ruby slippers were silver. They were changed in color to fit better into the colorized portion of the film. The Wizard of Oz was nominated for six Academy Awards, competitive prizes for the best song, Over the Rainbow and a special juvenile prize for Judy Garland. As in all films, production companies use test markets. MGM used three and Oconomowoc, Wisconsin lays claim to the first viewing of the classic on August 12, 1939. The original cast choices, for one reason or another, did not make it to the filming or to the final cut. The original choice for the Wizard was W.C. Fields. He was replaced by Frank Morgan due to constant disagreements over his fee to play the character. Buddy Epson was the second choice for the role of the Tin Woodman, however had to be replaced by Jack Haley after being hospitalized for an allergic reaction to the aluminum dust in the make-up. Ray Bolger was the original Tin Woodman character, but took the role of the Scarecrow. Rumor has it that Shirley Temple was also up for
Behind the Camera’s Eye, Through the Camera’s Eye, and Through the Audience’s Eye
Thesis written by Kimberly Adams
Instructor: Patricia Krapesh
Saint Mary’s of the Woods College
ID302 Film Culture
My thesis on the Wizard of Oz will look at this classic and beloved 1939 film from the behind the camera’s eye, through the camera’s eye, and through the audience’s eye. I will examine the difference between the book, written by L. Frank Baum in 1900 and the screenplay for the film. I will explore the actors, both on screen and off screen as well as their character’s role and meaning to the film. L. Frank Baum, the genius behind the novel, published The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900 and in addition to the grand success of this book, he penned thirteen novel sequences. A musical version of his novel opened on Broadway in 1903 and ran for ten years. Silent films and plays evolved from 1908 through 1925. In Baum’s book, Dorothy’s ruby slippers were silver. They were changed in color to fit better into the colorized portion of the film. The Wizard of Oz was nominated for six Academy Awards, competitive prizes for the best song, Over the Rainbow and a special juvenile prize for Judy Garland. As in all films, production companies use test markets. MGM used three and Oconomowoc, Wisconsin lays claim to the first viewing of the classic on August 12, 1939. The original cast choices, for one reason or another, did not make it to the filming or to the final cut. The original choice for the Wizard was W.C. Fields. He was replaced by Frank Morgan due to constant disagreements over his fee to play the character. Buddy Epson was the second choice for the role of the Tin Woodman, however had to be replaced by Jack Haley after being hospitalized for an allergic reaction to the aluminum dust in the make-up. Ray Bolger was the original Tin Woodman character, but took the role of the Scarecrow. Rumor has it that Shirley Temple was also up for
Cited: Washington Times. Haydon, John. Online News article. March, 4, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2013 Geek Twins. Mitchell, Maurice and Mitchell, Nigel. Online Blog. August 13, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2013 Author: Littlefield, Henry. April 18, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2013. http://www.moviemeanings.com/The-Wizard-of-Oz