The Ultimate Wizard of Oz Quiz

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9 Questions

What is the name of the book that The Wizard of Oz is based on?

Who directed The Wizard of Oz?

Which character was originally played by Buddy Ebsen before being replaced by Jack Haley?

What is the name of the song that won the Academy Award for Best Original Song?

What was used to create the tornado special effect?

What was initially shot in sepia in The Wizard of Oz?

What was the running time of The Wizard of Oz before it was cut down through test screenings?

What did MGM almost do with the song 'Over the Rainbow'?

What was used to create the oil used to grease the Tin Man's joints?

Summary

Summary Title: The Wizard of Oz: A Classic Film Adaptation

  • The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, based on L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's fantasy novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

  • The film was directed by Victor Fleming and stars Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke, and Margaret Hamilton.

  • The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning Best Original Song for "Over the Rainbow" and Best Original Score for Herbert Stothart.

  • The film was considered a critical success but failed to make a profit for MGM until its 1949 re-release.

  • The 1956 television broadcast premiere of the film on CBS reintroduced the film to the public, making it the most seen film in movie history according to the U.S. Library of Congress.

  • The film was selected by the Library of Congress as one of the first 25 films for preservation in the United States National Film Registry and is one of few films on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register.

  • The Wizard of Oz has become the source of many quotes referenced in contemporary popular culture and frequently ranks on critics' lists of the greatest films of all time.

  • The film's plot follows teenager Dorothy Gale, who is transported to the land of Oz after a tornado hits her Kansas farm.

  • Along the way, she meets the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, who are seeking a brain, heart, and courage respectively.

  • They all seek the help of the Wizard of Oz to achieve their goals and defeat the Wicked Witch of the West.

  • The film features the use of Technicolor, memorable characters, and a musical score composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Edgar "Yip" Harburg.

  • The film features an extensive cast of actors, including over a hundred little people who played Munchkins and Margaret Hamilton, who replaced Gale Sondergaard as the Wicked Witch of the West just days before filming started.The Making of The Wizard of Oz

  • The "gone-to-seed" coat worn by Frank Morgan as the Wizard was selected from a second-hand shop, but the story that it belonged to L. Frank Baum and was eventually returned to his widow is disputed.

  • Initial director Norman Taurog was replaced by Richard Thorpe, who shot about two weeks of footage before being replaced by George Cukor, who made creative changes to the film's style and casting.

  • Victor Fleming eventually took over as director, and production on the bulk of the Technicolor sequences ran for over six months, with most of the cast working six days a week for up to twelve hours a day.

  • Buddy Ebsen was initially cast as the Tin Man but was forced to leave the project after developing a toxic reaction to the aluminum powder makeup he wore, and was replaced by Jack Haley.

  • Makeup artist Jack Dawn used foam latex makeup to create the Cowardly Lion and Scarecrow masks, which took an hour each day to peel off, leaving permanent lines on Ray Bolger's face.

  • The Tin Man's costume was made of leather-covered buckram, and the oil used to grease his joints was made from chocolate syrup, while the Cowardly Lion's costume was made from real lion skin and fur.

  • The film's special effects director Arnold Gillespie used muslin cloth to create the tornado, and asbestos was used to achieve some of the special effects, including the witch's burning broomstick and the fake snow that covers Dorothy as she sleeps in the field of poppies.

  • The songs were composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Yip Harburg, and were recorded in the studio before filming began.

  • The song "Over the Rainbow" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, and the film's soundtrack won the Academy Award for Best Original Score.

  • Some musical pieces were filmed and deleted later, including the song "The Jitterbug", which was cut from the final theatrical version due to time constraints.

  • Judy Garland endured extensive abuse during and before filming, including being given Benzedrine tablets to keep her weight down and being groped by members of the cast and crew.

  • Reshoots and pickup shots were done through April and May and into June under the direction of producer Mervyn LeRoy, with Betty Danko serving as a stunt double for Margaret Hamilton after she refused to do pickups for a scene where she flies on a broomstick that billows smoke.

  • The film's post-production included Herbert Stothart's background score, A. Arnold Gillespie's special effects, and matte paintings created by MGM's art department."The Wizard of Oz" Film: Facts and Figures

  • The film was initially shot in sepia, and the iconic transition to Technicolor happens when Dorothy enters Oz.

  • The film's initial running time was almost two hours, but it was cut down through test screenings to a manageable 101-minute running time.

  • "Over the Rainbow" was almost deleted from the film, as MGM felt it was too long and too complex for children. However, the filmmakers fought to keep it in and it went on to become a classic and win an Academy Award.

  • The film premiered on August 10, 1939, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and was released nationwide on August 25, 1939.

  • The film was first shown on television on November 3, 1956, and became an annual tradition.

  • The film has been released on various home media formats, including VHS, LaserDisc, DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.

  • The 70th-anniversary edition of the film was restored at 8K resolution by Prime Focus World and released on Blu-ray in 2009.

  • The film was re-released multiple times in theaters, including a limited re-release in 2002 and an IMAX 3D theatrical re-release in 2013.

  • The film initially lost money for MGM, but eventually earned a profit through re-releases.

  • The film's legacy continues, with it being named one of the greatest films of all time and having a significant impact on popular culture."The Wizard of Oz": Accolades, Reinterpretations, and Cultural Impact

  • Salman Rushdie's fondness for "The Wizard of Oz" as his first literary influence

  • High ratings and critical acclaim for the film at Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic

  • Awards and honors received by "The Wizard of Oz," including Academy Awards and American Film Institute lists

  • Various sequels and reinterpretations of the story, including stage productions, comic books, and films

  • Cultural impact of the film, including the iconic ruby slippers and Dorothy's dress as valuable memorabilia, and theme park attractions at Disney Parks and Resorts

  • Warner Bros. Movie World is adding a new precinct based on the 1939 film The Wizard Of Oz, featuring 3 coasters

Description

How much do you know about the classic film adaptation, The Wizard of Oz? Test your knowledge with our quiz! From the iconic songs to the behind-the-scenes facts, this quiz covers everything you need to know about this beloved movie. Whether you're a casual fan or a die-hard enthusiast, this quiz is sure to challenge and entertain you. So put on your ruby slippers and get ready to follow the yellow brick road to Oz!

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