LOS ANGELES, September 29 — On the ground, residents of Hollywood still speak of The Wizard of Oz as if it premiered yesterday, though its 87th anniversary approaches. The film, released on August 25, 1939, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, was directed primarily by Victor Fleming, with contributions from George Cukor and King Vidor, and produced by Mervyn LeRoy. It had a production budget of approximately $2.8 million, a substantial sum at the time, and grossed over $3 million worldwide during its initial release.
Adapted from L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the screenplay was credited to Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson, and Edgar Allan Woolf, with uncredited contributions from others.
The film starred Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, then 16 years old, alongside Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Jack Haley as the Tin Man, and Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion. Notable for its pioneering use of Technicolor, the film employed the three-strip Technicolor process, which required intense lighting and specialized cameras, contributing to the challenging production conditions on set. The shift from sepia-toned Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz occurs upon Dorothy’s arrival in Munchkinland, a visual contrast that became iconic in cinema history.
The film’s musical score was composed by Herbert Stothart, with songs by E.Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen, including ‘Over the Rainbow,’ which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 12th Academy Awards in 1940.
The film received six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and won two competitive awards: Best Original Song and Best Original Score. Despite its critical acclaim, the film did not turn a profit for MGM until re-releases in the 1940s and 1950s began to recoup its costs. Its first television broadcast occurred on November 3, 1956, on CBS, drawing an estimated audience of 45 million viewers and establishing an annual tradition that lasted for decades.
The Library of Congress selected The Wizard of Oz for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 1989, citing its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. The American Film Institute ranked it sixth on its 2007 list of the greatest American films of all time. Over the decades, it has influenced filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Salman Rushdie, who have cited its narrative structure, use of fantasy, and emotional resonance as formative.
The film has been re-released multiple times, including a 1989 50th-anniversary theatrical reissue and a 2013 3D conversion for IMAX theaters, which generated over $90 million in global box office revenue. Merchandise, stage adaptations, and literary sequels have extended its reach, with the Royal Shakespeare Company’s stage version premiering in 2011.
The film remains a reference point in discussions of gender, identity, and courage, with Dorothy’s journey often interpreted as a coming-of-age narrative. No official sequel was produced by MGM, though numerous unofficial and licensed adaptations have followed. The film’s legacy is maintained through archival efforts by the George Eastman Museum and the Academy Film Archive, which preserve original negatives and production materials.
As of today, its themes continue to echo in American culture, reflecting enduring ideals of home, courage, and self-discovery. Looking ahead, preservationists urge continued support for film archives to ensure classics like this remain accessible for future generations.
