Judy Garland and the Behind-the-Scenes Story of The Wizard of Oz Judy Garland, the stage name of Frances Ethel Gumm (Grand Rapids, Minnesota, June 10, 1922 — London, England, June 22, 1969), was an American actress, singer, dancer, and vaudeville performer. She became one of the biggest stars of Hollywood's Golden Age, particularly renowned for her voice and her performances in musical films. In 1938, at the age of 16, she was given the role that would transform her career: Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz (1939), a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) production based on the children's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published by L. Frank Baum in 1900. Lyman Frank Baum (1856–1919), better known as L. Frank Baum, was an American writer, journalist, actor, and businessman. He published The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900, introducing characters such as Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion. The book's success led Baum to write numerous sequels set in the Land of Oz. In the film, Garland sang “Over the Rainbow,” composed by Harold Arlen, with lyrics by Yip Harburg. Harold Arlen (1905–1986) was an American composer best known for his work in film, musical theater, and television. He composed the music for “Over the Rainbow,” which became one of his best-known works. E. Y. “Yip” Harburg (1896–1981) was an American lyricist. He became known for writing lyrics for musicals and popular songs, including “Over the Rainbow.” He also contributed to important musical and film productions during the 1930s and 1940s. The song became inseparable from Garland's public image and one of her defining artistic signatures. In later television appearances, she frequently performed it and came to regard it as her favorite among the songs she had recorded. Judy Garland's Casting as Dorothy Garland was not MGM's first choice for the role. Producers Arthur Freed and Mervyn LeRoy wanted the young actress, but studio chief Louis B. Mayer initially tried to secure Shirley Temple (1928–2014), then one of Hollywood's biggest child stars, through a loan arrangement with 20th Century Fox. The deal involving Temple did not materialize. Deanna Durbin (1921–2013) was also considered for the role, but she was unavailable. An American actress and singer of Canadian birth, she became one of Universal Pictures' leading stars during the 1930s, particularly noted for her soprano voice and musical films. Garland ultimately got the part. Garland's Transformation into Dorothy During the preparation of the film, MGM worked extensively to make Garland appear younger. She was initially supposed to wear a blonde wig, but the idea was abandoned. Dorothy's costume was also carefully designed to give the character a childlike appearance. Garland faced extremely demanding working conditions. The production employed methods that are considered abusive by modern standards to control her weight and appearance. Biographical sources report that Garland was subjected to strict dietary control and was given stimulants and, later, sedatives to cope with the demands of the studio. A frequently repeated story claims that Garland survived during filming largely on cigarettes, soup, and coffee. However, researchers Jay Scarfone and William Stillman, authors of important studies on The Wizard of Oz, have challenged this specific version of events. The Incident Involving Victor Fleming Another well-known episode occurred while filming a scene involving the Cowardly Lion, played by Bert Lahr (1895–1967), an American actor and comedian best known for his career in theater and film. Garland reportedly broke into a fit of laughter. According to accounts of the production, director Victor Fleming took the actress aside on the set, slapped her across the face, and ordered her to return to work. The incident has been mentioned in historical and biographical accounts, although some details have been described differently over the years. Victor Fleming (1889–1949) was one of Hollywood's most important directors of the 1930s. He directed The Wizard of Oz and also Gone with the Wind (1939), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Director. It is important to note that The Wizard of Oz had more than one director. Fleming directed most of the production, while Richard Thorpe initially worked on the project and King Vidor later directed several sequences. Richard Thorpe (1896–1991) was an American director who worked primarily in Hollywood. He initially directed The Wizard of Oz but left the production after a few weeks. King Vidor (1894–1982) was an important American filmmaker whose career spanned the silent era and the sound era. On The Wizard of Oz, he directed several of the sequences set in Kansas. Filming and Budget Filming on The Wizard of Oz began on October 13, 1938, and ended on March 16, 1939. The production cost approximately US$2.777 million. In addition to The Wizard of Oz, Garland appeared in Babes in Arms, an MGM musical released in 1939, alongside Mickey Rooney (1920–2014), an American actor, singer, and vaudeville performer. He began working as a child and became one of Hollywood's biggest young stars. The Success of The Wizard of Oz Although The Wizard of Oz was a major critical success, its enormous budget and high promotional costs initially made it difficult for the film to turn a profit. It ultimately became one of the greatest classics in the history of cinema and one of the most recognizable works of popular culture. A Legacy Greater Than the Film The Wizard of Oz transformed Judy Garland into an international star and made Dorothy one of the most recognizable characters in film history. Behind the cheerful image of the young girl singing “Over the Rainbow,” however, was a teenager subjected to the enormous pressures of Hollywood's studio system. Garland's career would continue for three decades, encompassing periods of tremendous success as well as serious personal difficulties. Nevertheless, her portrayal of Dorothy and her recording of “Over the Rainbow” would remain among the greatest symbols of Hollywood history. Judy Garland's Juvenile Oscar The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented Judy Garland with a Special Award. The honor became known as the Juvenile Oscar, or Academy Juvenile Award. Garland was recognized for her work in The Wizard of Oz and Babes in Arms. Garland was the fourth person to receive the distinction. Before her, Shirley Temple was honored in 1935, while Deanna Durbin and Mickey Rooney received the award in 1939. The Juvenile Oscar was a small honorary statuette created to recognize young performers. The award was presented intermittently between 1934 and 1960 and was given to only 12 recipients. The last recipient was British actress Hayley Mills (born 1946), who received the honor for Pollyanna. The Juvenile Oscar was the only Academy Award Judy Garland ever received. She was later nominated for Best Actress for A Star Is Born (1954) and for Best Supporting Actress for Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), but she did not win either award. Alex