Dark History

189: The Wicked Truth Behind Hollywood’s Favorite Movie - The Wizard of Oz

November 12, 2025

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  • The initial theatrical release of *The Wizard of Oz* in 1939 was not a financial success due to its high budget and the outbreak of World War II preventing European sales, only becoming profitable after its 1949 re-release and subsequent annual television broadcasts starting in 1959. 
  • The production of *The Wizard of Oz* was plagued by severe on-set dangers, including the original Tin Man actor, Buddy Ebson, nearly dying from inhaling aluminum dust makeup, and actress Margaret Hamilton suffering severe burns from a malfunctioning fire effect. 
  • The production utilized highly toxic materials, such as copper-based green grease paint and asbestos for fake snow (and the Scarecrow's costume), while the actors playing the Munchkins were reportedly underpaid and subjected to harsh conditions managed by a controlling agent. 
  • The host suggests that preparing for the end of the world is futile because death, whether from apocalypse or natural causes, represents the end of one's personal world, advocating instead for living life fully. 
  • The host expresses strong disapproval of Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) companies like LuLaRoe, viewing them as predatory, trap-like, and structurally similar to cults. 
  • The host encourages listeners to watch the documentary about LuLaRoe and promotes watching the video version of the Dark History episode on YouTube, alongside her Murder, Mystery, and Makeup content. 

Segments

Initial Movie Performance & Budget
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(00:01:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The Wizard of Oz initially underperformed financially due to its high $2.8 million budget and the start of World War II.
  • Summary: The film’s $2.8 million budget in 1939, equivalent to over $60 million today, was not recouped quickly because children’s tickets were cheap. The premiere coincided with Germany invading Poland, halting international sales. The movie only turned a real profit after its 1949 re-release.
Technicolor Revolution
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(00:08:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Technicolor was Hollywood’s first major color film process, using three film strips (RGB) to create a hyper-saturated, surreal visual look.
  • Summary: Technicolor utilized three separate film strips—red, green, and blue—combined to produce a full-color image. This process gave the film a vivid, dreamy, and highly saturated appearance, unlike previous black-and-white movies. Iconic elements like the Ruby Slippers benefited from this vibrant, surreal aesthetic.
Tin Man Makeup Toxicity
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(00:12:15)
  • Key Takeaway: The original Tin Man makeup, which used aluminum dust over clown white paint, caused Buddy Ebson to develop chemical pneumonitis and require an iron lung.
  • Summary: The initial makeup for the Tin Man involved dusting aluminum particles onto face paint, which the actor inhaled over ten days. This led to his lungs coating like glue, causing inflammation and chemical pneumonitis, forcing him into an iron lung. The role was recast with Jack Haley, who used an aluminum paste that still caused him a serious eye infection.
Wicked Witch Fire Incident
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(00:16:35)
  • Key Takeaway: Margaret Hamilton suffered severe second and third-degree burns when the copper-based green grease paint she wore trapped heat after a trapdoor malfunctioned during a fire effect.
  • Summary: Margaret Hamilton’s green skin makeup was copper-based, which retained heat even after the visible flames were extinguished, causing continuous burning. During a scene where she was supposed to disappear in smoke and flames, the trapdoor dropped too late, igniting her broom, hat, and face. She returned to set six weeks later with bandaged hands and refused to perform the subsequent broom-flying scene near fire effects.
Stunt Double Accident
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(00:27:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Stunt double Betty Danko was severely burned and injured when the smoke pipe beneath her saddle exploded during the ‘Surrender Dorothy’ scene.
  • Summary: After Margaret Hamilton refused to perform the broom-flying scene again, stunt double Betty Danko took over, despite Hamilton’s warnings. The production team remounted the smoke pipe beneath Betty’s body and covered the contraption with asbestos for insulation. The pipe subsequently exploded, throwing Betty off the broom and causing severe burns and injuries.
Asbestos Snow Danger
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(00:28:25)
  • Key Takeaway: The beautiful, cinematic snow used in the poppy field scene was made of chrysotile asbestos, which was also used in the Scarecrow’s suit.
  • Summary: Hollywood switched from flammable cotton to chrysotile asbestos for fake snow because it was quiet and non-flammable, and audiences even bought it for home Christmas decorations. In the poppy scene, actors inhaled this material, which is now known to cause mesothelioma as the shards shred the lungs. The Scarecrow’s suit was also made from asbestos material for the scene where he catches fire.
Munchkin Actor Exploitation
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(00:32:19)
  • Key Takeaway: The 124 little people hired as Munchkins, many of whom did not speak English, were controlled by manager Leo Singer, who kept a large portion of their promised wages.
  • Summary: Most Munchkin actors were German and Austrian performers managed by Leo Singer, who controlled their earnings, leaving them with only $35 to $50 weekly. They were packed into shared hotel rooms, and one actor was stuck in a toilet for 45 minutes before being found, leading to the studio hiring attendants. Rumors of their rowdiness stemmed from them finally experiencing freedom and meeting other little people for the first time.
Munchkin Suicide Myth Debunked
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(00:38:46)
  • Key Takeaway: The persistent urban legend of a Munchkin hanging from a tree in the background of the ‘We’re Off to See the Wizard’ scene is false, as the figure was a crane from the Los Angeles Zoo, and the prop trees could not support weight.
  • Summary: The rumor claims a cast member committed suicide on set, but the figure seen in the background is officially identified as a crane flapping its wings. Furthermore, the trees used on the set were props made of foam, wire, and paint, which would have collapsed if someone had attempted to hang from them. Any footage showing a larger figure is confirmed to be a modern, doctored fan edit.
Judy Garland’s Abuse and Pay
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(00:47:10)
  • Key Takeaway: Judy Garland was subjected to extreme body shaming, forced starvation diets, and physical assault by the director, all while being paid significantly less than her male co-stars.
  • Summary: Garland was forced into a diet of black coffee, chicken broth, lettuce, and cigarettes, and studio executives called her a ‘fat little pig with pigtails.’ She was made to wear dental caps and nose discs to look younger, and director Victor Fleming slapped her across the face to stop her giggling during a scene. Despite being the star, Garland was paid only $9,600, while the Scarecrow and Tin Man actors each earned eight times that amount.
Prepping and End of World
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(01:06:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Personal death is the ultimate ’end of the world,’ rendering extensive doomsday prepping unnecessary.
  • Summary: The host questions the necessity of being a doomsday prepper, stating that the end of the world is inevitable, either through a large-scale apocalypse or personal death. Since dying constitutes the end of one’s world regardless of preparation, one might as well live life fully. The host humorously suggests stocking up on long-lasting snacks like Twinkies.
MLM Episode Suggestion
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(01:07:18)
  • Key Takeaway: Multi-level marketing companies share structural similarities with cults due to their predatory nature.
  • Summary: A listener suggested an episode on multi-level marketing (MLM) companies, ranging from Avon to LuLaRoe. The host agrees, noting that MLMs are predatory and trap people, comparing their mentality and structure to cults. The host specifically recommends watching the documentary about LuLaRoe.
Podcast Outro and Promotion
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(01:08:35)
  • Key Takeaway: The Dark History episode is available on YouTube after airing, featuring Murder, Mystery, and Makeup content.
  • Summary: The host thanks the audience for engagement and encourages commenting for potential future features. Listeners can watch the episodes on YouTube starting Thursday after the podcast airs, where they can also find the host’s Murder, Mystery, and Makeup series. The podcast is identified as an Audioboom original hosted by Bailey Sarian.
Louisiana Hot Sauce Ad
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(01:09:29)
  • Key Takeaway: Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce is promoted as providing the bold flavor balance of peppery heat, vinegary twang, and salt.
  • Summary: An advertisement promotes the original Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce, emphasizing its flavor profile created by Flavor Masters. The ad suggests that consumers deserve this bold flavor balance of heat, tang, and salt for their food. The call to action is to choose Louisiana Hot sauce.
MediWeight Loss Advertisement
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(01:09:59)
  • Key Takeaway: MediWeight Loss offers medically supported weight loss, including GLP-1 medications, with personalized plans and physician oversight.
  • Summary: MediWeight Loss has opened a new location in Heartsdale, offering walk-in consultations for weight loss journeys. A testimonial highlights that the clinic provides the same GLP-1 medications found online but with crucial professional guidance, weekly check-ins, and physician oversight. The cost is comparable to risky online options, but includes real care and accountability.
Capital One Grant Funding
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(01:11:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Capital One funded over $14 million in grants for New York in 2024, supporting organizations like Robinhood to aid youth careers.
  • Summary: Capital One has committed significant funding, exceeding $14 million in grants for New York in 2024. These funds support partners such as Robinhood, which is described as New York City’s largest poverty-fighting organization. The goal of this funding is to help children complete their education and establish careers.