History of The Wizard of Oz in Timeline
The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, adapted from L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Directed primarily by Victor Fleming, the film features a star-studded cast including Judy Garland as Dorothy, with Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke, and Margaret Hamilton in supporting roles. The screenplay was crafted by Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson, and Edgar Allan Woolf, with additional uncredited contributions. The film's memorable music was composed by Harold Arlen with lyrics by Edgar 'Yip' Harburg, and adapted by Herbert Stothart. The Wizard of Oz is celebrated for its innovative use of Technicolor, fantasy storytelling, and musical score, becoming a classic in American cinema.
1900: Publication of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"
L. Frank Baum's children's fantasy novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," the source material for the film, was published in 1900.
1902: Fred Stone's Scarecrow Performance
Ray Bolger, who played the Scarecrow in the film, was inspired by Fred Stone's 1902 stage performance in the same role.
1917: Introduction of Two-Color Technicolor
The year 1917 saw the introduction of two-color Technicolor in the film "The Gulf Between."
1925: Larry Semon's Silent Film Adaptation
Larry Semon's 1925 silent film adaptation of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" served as a point of reference, though the later MGM film would differ significantly.
1934: Debut of Three-Color Technicolor
In 1934, the three-color subtractive Technicolor Process 4 debuted in a sequence in "The Cat and the Fiddle."
1937: Success of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" Influences Production
The success of Walt Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 1937 demonstrated the potential of adapting children's stories into successful films, influencing the decision to produce The Wizard of Oz.
January 1938: MGM Acquires Rights to "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz"
MGM acquired the film rights to L. Frank Baum's novel in January 1938, setting the stage for the film's production.
October 8, 1938: Final Script Completion
The final script for The Wizard of Oz was completed on October 8, 1938, after numerous revisions and contributions from various writers.
October 10, 1938: Margaret Hamilton Replaces Gale Sondergaard
Margaret Hamilton replaced Gale Sondergaard as the Wicked Witch of the West on October 10, 1938.
October 1938: Start of Technicolor Filming
Filming of the Technicolor sequences for "The Wizard of Oz" began in October 1938, marking the start of a demanding six-month production process.
November 3, 1938: Cukor Leaves Production
On November 3, 1938, Victor Fleming replaced George Cukor as the director of "The Wizard of Oz" due to Cukor's commitment to "Gone with the Wind." Despite the change, Fleming continued with Cukor's creative vision.
March 1939: End of Technicolor Filming
The extensive and challenging six-month filming period for the Technicolor portions of "The Wizard of Oz" concluded in March 1939.
March 16, 1939: Completion of Principal Photography, Vidor Directs Kansas Scenes
On March 16, 1939, principal photography for "The Wizard of Oz" concluded with the filming of the Kansas sequences, directed by King Vidor, who filled in for Victor Fleming.
June 5, 1939: Test Screenings Begin
Test screenings for "The Wizard of Oz" began on June 5, 1939, leading to significant cuts to reduce the film's runtime.
August 10, 1939: Premiere in Green Bay
"The Wizard of Oz" premiered at the Orpheum Theatre in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on August 10, 1939.
August 11, 1939: Preview Screenings
Preview screenings of "The Wizard of Oz" were held in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Dennis, Massachusetts, on August 11, 1939.
August 1939: Official Release of "The Wizard of Oz"
Following test screenings and edits, "The Wizard of Oz" was officially released in August 1939.
August 16, 1939: Hollywood Premiere
The Hollywood premiere of "The Wizard of Oz" took place on August 16, 1939.
August 17, 1939: New York City Premiere and Live Performances
The New York City premiere of "The Wizard of Oz" on August 17, 1939, was accompanied by live performances featuring Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.
August 25, 1939: Nationwide Release
"The Wizard of Oz" opened nationwide in theaters on August 25, 1939.
1939: Mixed Reviews and Film Daily Ranking
Upon its initial release in 1939, "The Wizard of Oz" received mixed reviews, with some criticizing Judy Garland's age and the film's lack of humor and fantasy. Despite this, it was ranked seventh in Film Daily's year-end poll of the best films of 1939.
1939: The Wizard of Oz Film Release
The original "Wizard of Oz" film was released in 1939.
1939: The Wizard of Oz Film Release
The classic film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz was released in 1939.
1939: Margaret Hamilton in "Babes in Arms"
Margaret Hamilton, the Wicked Witch, also appeared in the film "Babes in Arms" in 1939.
1939: Shifting Perceptions of Audience and Modernization
In 1939, producers adapted the story to appeal to modern audiences.
1939: The Wizard of Oz Film Release
The Wizard of Oz, a musical fantasy film adaptation of L. Frank Baum's novel, was released in 1939 by MGM.
1940: Gale Sondergaard in "The Blue Bird"
Gale Sondergaard, originally cast as the Wicked Witch, starred in "The Blue Bird" in 1940.
1943: Tornado Footage Reused
Footage of the tornado from "The Wizard of Oz" was reused in the 1943 musical film "Cabin in the Sky."
1949: The Wizard of Oz Re-release and Profitability
In 1949, The Wizard of Oz was re-released and finally turned a profit for MGM.
1949: The Wizard of Oz Re-Release
In 1949, The Wizard of Oz was re-released, earning an additional $1.5 million and finally turning a profit for MGM. This success led to a new contract and a significant salary increase for Judy Garland.
1949: Sepia Tone Re-release
The 1949 re-release of "The Wizard of Oz" used sepia tone.
1955: Black and White Kansas Sequences
The 1955 re-release of "The Wizard of Oz" presented the Kansas sequences in black and white, a practice that continued in television broadcasts and home video releases until 1989.
1955: The Wizard of Oz Re-Release
The Wizard of Oz was re-released again in 1955.
November 3, 1956: Television Debut
"The Wizard of Oz" made its television debut on November 3, 1956, as part of the Ford Star Jubilee.
1956: Television Premiere and Cultural Impact
The television premiere of The Wizard of Oz on CBS in 1956 reintroduced the film to a wider audience, contributing to its status as one of the most viewed films ever.
December 13, 1959: Second Television Broadcast
On December 13, 1959, the second television broadcast of "The Wizard of Oz" drew an even larger audience than its debut.
1970: Children's Matinees Re-release and G Rating
"The Wizard of Oz" was re-released as part of the MGM "Children's Matinees" series in 1970 and received a G rating from the MPAA.
1971: Second Children's Matinees Re-release
"The Wizard of Oz" was re-released again as part of the MGM "Children's Matinees" series in 1971.
1972: Journey Back to Oz
In 1972, an animated sequel, Journey Back to Oz, was released, featuring Liza Minnelli as the voice of Dorothy.
1973: Dorothy's Dress Gifted
The dress found in 2021 was believed to have been gifted to Rev. Gilbert Hartke by Mercedes McCambridge in 1973.
1974: The Wiz Premiere
The Wiz, a musical based on The Wizard of Oz, premiered in Baltimore in 1974.
December 25, 1975: UK Television Premiere
The UK television premiere of "The Wizard of Oz" occurred on December 25, 1975, on BBC-1.
1975: Comic Book Adaptation
A comic book adaptation of The Wizard of Oz, MGM's Marvelous Wizard of Oz, was released in 1975. This was the first co-production between DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Marvel began a sequel series but only the first issue was released.
1975: The Wiz on Broadway
In 1975, The Wiz opened on Broadway with a new cast and went on to win seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
1977: The Making of The Wizard of Oz
Aljean Harmetz published "The Making of The Wizard of Oz" in 1977, offering a detailed account of the film's creation.
October 25, 1980: Home Video Release
On October 25, 1980, "The Wizard of Oz" was released on VHS and Betamax videocassettes.
1982: CED Release
"The Wizard of Oz" was released on the CED format in 1982.
1983: First LaserDisc Release
"The Wizard of Oz" was first released on LaserDisc in 1983.
1985: Return to Oz
Walt Disney Productions released Return to Oz, a live-action film based on Baum's Oz books, in 1985.
1989: The Making of The Wizard of Oz Updated
In 1989, Aljean Harmetz's book "The Making of The Wizard of Oz" was updated.
1989: Preservation in National Film Registry
In 1989, the film was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry due to its cultural and historical significance.
1989: 50th Anniversary VHS Release
The 50th anniversary VHS release of "The Wizard of Oz" in 1989 marked the return of the original color sequences in Kansas.
1989: 50th Anniversary LaserDisc Releases
Two separate LaserDisc editions of "The Wizard of Oz" were released in 1989 to commemorate the film's 50th anniversary.
1990: Documentary about the Making of The Wizard of Oz
The documentary "The Making of The Wizard of Oz" released in 1990 revealed details about the production, including costume design for the Munchkins.
1991: LaserDisc Release
A LaserDisc version of "The Wizard of Oz" was released in 1991.
1992: Salman Rushdie's Influence
In 1992, author Salman Rushdie acknowledged The Wizard of Oz as his earliest literary influence, stating it inspired him to become a writer.
1993: LaserDisc Release
Another LaserDisc release of "The Wizard of Oz" came out in 1993.
1993: Release of "Over the Rainbow" Reprise
Starting in 1993, home media releases of "The Wizard of Oz" included the previously cut reprise of "Over the Rainbow," recorded live on set during filming.
1995: Vatican Film List
The Vatican included The Wizard of Oz in its 1995 list of important films, under the "Art" category.
September 11, 1996: Final LaserDisc Release
The final LaserDisc edition of "The Wizard of Oz" was released on September 11, 1996.
March 26, 1997: First DVD Release
The first DVD edition of "The Wizard of Oz" was released on March 26, 1997, by MGM/Turner. This edition didn't include any special features or bonus content.
November 6, 1998: 60th Anniversary "Special Edition" Release
A digitally restored "Special Edition" of "The Wizard of Oz" with remastered audio was released by Warner Bros. on November 6, 1998, in honor of the film's 60th anniversary.
October 19, 1999: 60th Anniversary DVD Re-release
On October 19, 1999, Warner Bros. re-released "The Wizard of Oz" on DVD to commemorate the film's 60th anniversary. This edition featured a remastered 5.1 surround sound mix and included bonus features like a making-of documentary, outtakes, and deleted scenes.
2002: Limited Theatrical Re-release
In 2002, "The Wizard of Oz" saw a limited re-release in U.S. theaters.
2003: Wicked Premiere
The Broadway musical Wicked, based on The Wizard of Oz, premiered in 2003.
2005: Two DVD Editions Released
In 2005, two new DVD editions of "The Wizard of Oz" were released: a Two-Disc Special Edition and a Three-Disc Collector's Edition. Both featured a newly restored version of the film, audio commentary, and isolated music and effects track. The Collector's Edition included additional bonus features like the 1925 silent film version and a 1933 animated short.
2005: Ruby Slippers Stolen
One pair of the ruby slippers was stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in 2005.
2005: Inclusion in BFI's List for Children
In 2005, the film was included in the BFI's list of "50 films to be seen by the age of 14".
2005: DVD Release of The Wizard of Oz with Ebsen Interview
In 2005, a DVD release of The Wizard of Oz included an interview with Buddy Ebsen, who was originally cast as the Tin Man.
September 23, 2009: One-Night-Only 70th Anniversary Theatrical Event
On September 23, 2009, "The Wizard of Oz" returned to select theaters for a one-night event to celebrate its 70th anniversary and promote upcoming disc releases.
September 29, 2009: 70th Anniversary Blu-ray Release
"The Wizard of Oz" was released on Blu-ray on September 29, 2009, in a four-disc "Ultimate Collector's Edition" for its 70th anniversary. This edition included all the features from the 2005 Collector's Edition DVD, plus new bonus content and a new 8K resolution transfer from the original negatives.
November 17, 2009: Encore 70th Anniversary Theatrical Event
An encore screening of the 70th anniversary event was held in theaters on November 17, 2009.
December 1, 2009: Emerald Edition Blu-ray and DVD Release
On December 1, 2009, Warner Bros. released a more affordable "Emerald Edition" of "The Wizard of Oz" on Blu-ray and DVD, containing selections of bonus features from the Ultimate Collector's Edition.
2009: Retrospective Article
A retrospective article about The Wizard of Oz was published by San Francisco Chronicle film critic Mick LaSalle in 2009.
2009: Original "If I Only Had a Brain" Recording Found
In 2009, the original, more subdued recording of "If I Only Had a Brain" was rediscovered.
March 16, 2010: Single-Disc Blu-ray Release
A single-disc Blu-ray edition of "The Wizard of Oz", including the restored movie and special features from the 2005 Two-Disc Special Edition, was released on March 16, 2010.
2010: US Library of Congress Exhibition
The US Library of Congress held an exhibition titled "The Wizard of Oz: an American Fairy Tale" in 2010.
June 2011: Ruby Slippers Auctioned
A pair of ruby slippers, not used in the film but styled similarly to those worn by Judy Garland, were sold at auction for $510,000 (excluding buyer's premium) in June 2011.
2011: Andrew Lloyd Webber's Wizard of Oz
A stage musical version of The Wizard of Oz, produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, opened at the London Palladium in 2011.
2011: Tom and Jerry and the Wizard of Oz
An animated film, Tom and Jerry and the Wizard of Oz, was released in 2011.
September 15, 2013: IMAX 3D Premiere
The IMAX 3D version of "The Wizard of Oz" premiered on September 15, 2013, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. This event also served as the grand opening of Hollywood's first 3D IMAX screen.
September 20, 2013: IMAX 3D Theatrical Re-release
On September 20, 2013, "The Wizard of Oz" was re-released in IMAX 3D at 300 North American theaters as part of its 75th anniversary celebration.
2013: Oz the Great and Powerful
Disney released Oz the Great and Powerful, a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, in 2013.
2013: MPAA Re-classification for 3D Version
The 3D conversion of "The Wizard of Oz" in 2013 prompted a re-classification by the MPAA, resulting in a PG rating for "Some scary moments." The original 2D version retained its G rating.
2013: Special Edition Releases for 75th Anniversary
Several retailer-exclusive special editions of "The Wizard of Oz" were released in 2013 for the film's 75th anniversary, including a SteelBook edition from Best Buy and a special edition with a keepsake lunch bag from Target.
2013: 90th Anniversary of Warner Bros. & 75th Anniversary of Film Release
In 2013, "The Wizard of Oz" was re-released on DVD, Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, and UltraViolet to celebrate both Warner Bros.' 90th anniversary and the film's 75th anniversary.
2014: Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return
Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return, an animated musical film, was released in 2014.
2015: TCM Presents Screening
"The Wizard of Oz" was screened as part of the "TCM Presents" series on January 11 and 14, 2015.
2015: Dorothy Dress Auctioned
Another of Dorothy's dresses was sold at auction for nearly $1.6 million in 2015.
June 21, 2016: Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz
A sequel to the Tom and Jerry Wizard of Oz film, titled Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz, was released on DVD on June 21, 2016.
2017: Great Movie Ride Shutdown
The Great Movie Ride at Disney Hollywood Studios, which featured a scene from "The Wizard of Oz," was shut down in 2017.
2018: Most Influential Film
A 2018 study by the University of Turin named The Wizard of Oz the "most influential film of all time", based on data from various sources.
2018: Ruby Slippers Recovered
The stolen ruby slippers were recovered in an FBI sting operation in 2018.
October 25, 2019: 80th Anniversary Theatrical Engagement in Dolby Cinema
"The Wizard of Oz" returned to theaters for a one-week engagement in Dolby Cinema on October 25, 2019, to commemorate its 80th anniversary.
October 29, 2019: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Release
"The Wizard of Oz" was released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on October 29, 2019, featuring Dolby Vision and HDR10+ grading from an 8K transfer.
May 2020: Inclusion in BFI's List for Teenagers
In May 2020, The Wizard of Oz was included in the British Film Institute's list of "50 films to be seen by the age of 15".
February 2021: New Film Adaptation Announced
In February 2021, a new film version of The Wizard of Oz was announced, with Nicole Kassell set to direct.
July 2021: Dorothy's Dress Found
A dress believed to have been worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy was found at Catholic University of America in July 2021.
July 20, 2022: New Wizard of Oz Precinct Announced
Warner Bros. Movie World announced a new precinct based on "The Wizard of Oz" on July 20, 2022, set to open in 2024.
August 2022: Modern Remake Announced
In August 2022, a modern remake of The Wizard of Oz, written and directed by Kenya Barris, was announced.
2022: Theatrical Re-release for Judy Garland's 100th Birthday
"The Wizard of Oz" was re-released in theaters on June 5 and 6, 2022, in honor of Judy Garland's 100th birthday.
2022: Ranking in Variety's Greatest Movies List
The Wizard of Oz ranked second in Variety's 2022 list of the 100 Greatest Movies of All Time.
2023: Slipper Thief Indicted
In 2023, the thief who stole the ruby slippers in 2005 was indicted.
January 2024: Modern Remake Script Complete
In January 2024, Kenya Barris confirmed completing the script for his modern remake of The Wizard of Oz, setting it in present-day Inglewood, California.
2024: 85th Anniversary Fathom Big Screen Classics Release
"The Wizard of Oz" returned to theaters again on January 28, 29, and 31, 2024, for its 85th anniversary as part of "Fathom Big Screen Classics."
2024: American Idol Marketing Campaign
In 2024, American Idol launched a marketing campaign themed around The Wizard of Oz for its 22nd season.
2024: Wizard of Oz Precinct to Open
The new Wizard of Oz precinct at Warner Bros. Movie World is scheduled to open in 2024.