How Oz Brought Color to the World of Film
The Wizard of Oz achieved something that would change cinema forever: it was one of the first major films to make full use of Technicolor. Color films had existed since the 1920s, but early attempts were often limited, expensive, or visually unnatural. By the 1930s, partly thanks to the popularity of colorful comics and animations, filmmakers began to seriously reconsider the potential of color. The Wizard of Oz made spectacular use of this technology.
The transition from the gray, black-and-white Kansas to the explosively colorful Oz was breathtaking. Audiences in 1939 were left speechless in their seats; it was as if they had been transported from the drab prairie into a dream world. This moment became a milestone in film history and set a standard for how color could be used to enhance emotion, magic, and storytelling.
The Yellow Brick Road
Dorothy Gale, played by Judy Garland, dreams of “somewhere over the rainbow”, a place where everything seems better. When a tornado sweeps her away to the magical land of Oz, her journey begins, a journey that is both thrilling and magical. Along the way, she meets three remarkable companions: the Scarecrow, who longs for brains; the Tin Man, who seeks a heart; and the Cowardly Lion, who searches for courage. Each represents a deep desire that drives them forward on their adventure.
Together, they follow the Yellow Brick Road, a bright golden path that winds through wondrous landscapes and ultimately leads them to the mysterious Wizard of Oz. The road symbolizes their journey, filled with challenges, unexpected encounters, and discoveries.
Judy Garland and the Shadow Side of a Classic
For Judy Garland, The Wizard of Oz was a breakthrough, but it also marked the beginning of a life under immense pressure and personal struggle. She was only sixteen during filming. The studio demanded nearly inhuman levels of performance, with long shooting days and minimal rest. To keep up the pace, she was also made dependent on stimulants. Her life story was later portrayed in the film Judy (2019), with Renée Zellweger earning an Oscar for her performance.
The production itself also carried risks. The famous “snow” in the poppy fields was made of asbestos, and the costumes were heavy and uncomfortable, especially in the hot studio conditions. This hidden drama shows how film productions once demanded enormous sacrifices from actors and crew. It also highlights how important it is that the industry has since become much safer and more conscientious.
