Guide Note

The Wizard of Oz is a classic fantasy musical directed by Victor Fleming in 1939. The film was based on a children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz written in 1900 by L. Frank Baum.

Fast Facts

1. Released: August 25, 1939
2. Budget: $2,777,000
3. Academy Awards: 2
4. Based On: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
5. Starring: Judy Garland

Dorthy and Toto are caught in storm and swept away by a tornado along with their Kansas farmhouse. The house lands on top of the wicked witch of the east in the land of Oz. This angered her sister, the wicked witch of the west, who seeks revenge. Dorthy just wants to go home and her only hope is seeking out the powerful Wizard who grants wishes. Along her journey to the Emerald City she meets Scarecrow who needs a brain, the Tin Man who wants a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who needs courage. After being told by the wizard that he needs the broomstick of the wicked witch of the west in order to grant them their wishes, the group goes in search of fulfilling his wishes only to find out that the wizard is just a mere mortal unable to grant Dorthy her wish. Glenda the good witch tells her that she was able to go home all along just by by clicking her heels together and repeating, there's no place like home.

• Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale
• Frank Morgan as Professor Marvel, The Gatekeeper, The Carriage Driver, The Wizard of Oz
• Ray Bolger as Hunk and The Scarecrow
• Bert Lahr as Zeke and The Cowardly Lion
• Jack Haley as Hickory and The Tin Man
• Billie Burke as Glinda the good witch
• Margaret Hamilton as Elmira Gulch and The Wicked Witch of the West
• Charley Grapewin as Uncle Henry
• Pat Walshe as Nikko
• Clara Blandick as Auntie Em
• Terry as Toto