"The Magician of Oz: The Wicked Witch is Deceased" is a significant event in the beloved fantasy novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum. In this enchanting tale, the wicked witch's death plays a pivotal role in advancing the story's plot and defining the destiny of the protagonist, Dorothy, and her companions. The wicked witch, famously known as the Wicked Witch of the West, is depicted as the primary antagonist throughout the narrative. Her evil and cunning nature creates conflict and obstacles for Dorothy and her newfound friends, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion. The witch's presence sparks fear and uncertainty, with her magical powers and determination to gain control over the magical land of Oz.
In a scene where Dorothy, the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), and the Tin Man (Jack Haley) are skipping down the Yellow Brick Road, singing “we’re off to see the wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz,” some think the dark, moving figure hanging from a tree in the background is an actor who hanged himself on set. More likely, it’s one of the exotic birds that the filmmakers borrowed from the Los Angeles Zoo in order to create a wilderness setting, according to the fact-checking website Snopes.com. The rumor has been circulating since around 1989, the time of the 50th anniversary of the film’s release.
There were so many serious accidents on set that those Oscar-nominated special effects almost cost cast members their lives, from the two actors playing winged monkeys crashing to the ground when the wires that hoisted them up in the air broke, to the Wicked Witch of the West s stunt double Betty Danko injuring her left leg when the broomstick exploded. Wicked Witch of the West and East The Wicked Witch of the East represents eastern business and the Wicked Witch of the West represents the politician William McKinley who defeated Williams Jennings Bryant during the time of the free silver silver movement.
The witch's presence sparks fear and uncertainty, with her magical powers and determination to gain control over the magical land of Oz. However, a turning point occurs when Dorothy accidentally squashes the witch with her house. The wicked witch's enthralling reign of terror is abruptly brought to an end.
Was The Wizard of Oz Cursed? The Truth Behind the Dark Stories About the Judy Garland Classic
T hursday marks 80 years since the Aug. 15, 1939, Hollywood premiere of the film classic The Wizard of Oz, the story of a tornado that hits Kansas and transports a young girl named Dorothy, played by Judy Garland, to a magical place called Oz, where she embarks on a journey to track down the wizard who can help her go home.
The Hollywood studio MGM had pulled out all of the stops for the movie, spending $3 million (about $55 million today), desperate to match the commercial success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. And it worked: The film won two Academy Awards for its music — “Over the Rainbow” won best original song and made Judy Garland famous— in addition to earning nominations for best picture, best cinematography, art direction and special effects. Commercially speaking it made decent money when it was released, but made even more money after CBS aired it for the first time on Nov. 3, 1956.
By 1967, TIME could declare that it had become “the most popular single film property in the history of U.S. television.” The movie had made Garland a “national legend,” the magazine continued.
But despite its commercial success, The Wizard of Oz is seen by some as cursed. There were so many serious accidents on set that those Oscar-nominated special effects almost cost cast members their lives, from the two actors playing winged monkeys crashing to the ground when the wires that hoisted them up in the air broke, to the Wicked Witch of the West’s stunt double Betty Danko injuring her left leg when the broomstick exploded.
“Some of these special effects had never been done before,” says Aljean Harmetz, a former New York Times Hollywood correspondent who wrote The Making of The Wizard of Oz, which revealed the disastrous filmmaking process. “There were no unions, at that time. Stars and lesser players were indentured servants [for] studios.”
But not everything you may have heard about problems on the set is true. “I think it had a basis in truth and it was magnified,” says Anne Edwards, author of Judy Garland: A Biography.
Here’s what’s real and what’s myth in some of the most popular theories:
This unexpected event propels Dorothy and her companions into a state of both relief and anxiety. Despite the witch's demise, her death brings forth consequences that must be faced. The death of the wicked witch initiates a series of events that ultimately lead Dorothy and her companions towards the great and powerful wizard of Oz. With the witch no longer a threat, Dorothy hopes the wizard will be able to assist her in finding a way back home to Kansas. The quest to reach the Emerald City, where the wizard resides, becomes the central focus of their journey. Furthermore, the wicked witch's death reveals various underlying motifs and messages within the story. It reflects the idea that evil can be conquered and that there is always hope, even in the darkest of circumstances. The magic and symbolism associated with the wicked witch's demise highlights the transformative nature of Dorothy's journey, emphasizing personal growth, bravery, and the power of friendship. In conclusion, "The Magician of Oz: The Wicked Witch is Deceased" is a crucial event in "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." It serves as a catalyst for Dorothy and her companions to move forward in their quest to find the great and powerful wizard. Additionally, it conveys profound messages about conquering evil and the transformative power of personal experiences..
Reviews for "A Wicked Farewell: Oz Bids Goodbye to the Wicked Witch"
1. Emily - 1 star - I had high hopes for "The Magician of Oz: The Wicked Witch is Deceased", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The plot seemed promising at first, but it quickly became confusing and poorly executed. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to connect with them. The writing style was also hard to follow, with choppy dialogue and unrealistic events. Overall, I found this book to be a major disappointment and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 2 stars - "The Magician of Oz: The Wicked Witch is Deceased" seemed like an interesting twist on the classic story, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The pacing was all over the place, with slow sections that dragged on and rushed moments that left me wanting more. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and uninspiring, lacking the wit and charm of the original Oz series. While there were a few intriguing moments, they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster execution of the story. Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars - As a fan of "The Wizard of Oz" series, I was excited to read "The Magician of Oz: The Wicked Witch is Deceased". However, it fell short of capturing the magic and wonder of the original books. The plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence, making it hard to follow and engage with the story. The characters also felt underdeveloped, leaving me disconnected from their journey. While the concept had potential, the execution left much to be desired. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and would recommend sticking to the original Oz series instead.