The Cast Members

	Judy Garland Judy Garland, played the roll of Dorothy. She was sixteen when she made The Wizard of Oz. This was actually her seventh feature film. Her real name was Frances Gumm. Judy was one of 120 actors under a contract with MGM when filming began. Judy's unique voice and multiple talents made her very good. When she first signed her contract her seven- year arrangement paid her $100 per week. Her pay rate increased steadily over time. When Judy was 18 years old, a new contract was written-paying her $2,000 per week. In the Wizard of Oz Garland's talent shined brighter than ever. Judy's years as an entertainer were evident, even as a teen. Her wonderful acting instinct, professionalism and her enchanting voice made her the one and only Dorothy Gale.
Ray Bolger Ray Bolger was cast as the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz. Orginally Ray was cast as the tin man, and Buddy Ebsen was casted as the Scarecrow. Finally, Ray Bolger protested until he got to be the scarecrow.
	Jack Haley Jack Haley was cast as the tin man. At first the tin man was Buddy Ebsen, after he got swithched from being the scarecrow. Apparently Buddy had some kind of allergic reaction to the aluminum dust that they used for his make-up. After several weeks of rehearsals and days filming, Ebsen's allergic reaction got so bad that he was hospitalized for two weeks. To avoid production delays, MGM casted Jack Haley as a replacement for Buddy Ebsen.
Bert Lahr Bert Lahr was cast as the cowardly lion. Bert Lahr was the third and final counterpart to be cast in his role. Since Bert had extensive Vaudeville experience it greatly contributed to his portrayal of the character. The composers who wrote Lahr's songs felt that he fit the part.
	Margaret Hamilton Margaret Hamilton was cast as the Wicked Witch of the west and Miss Gultch. In 1936 Mervyn LeRoy directed Gale Sondergaard who was his first choice. Hamilton got the part because Gale Sondergaard wanted to be a glamorous witch and Mervyn said that the children needed that wicked hateful witch. Sondergaard said fine I don't want to be an ugly hateful witch and that was the end of it. Everyday of filming began with two hours in the make-up chair, where the sponge-rubber nose and chin were glued, copper-based green pigment was applied, and a wig fitted securely.
Billie Burke Billie Burke was cast as Glinda of the Good Witch of the North. In the book the Good Witch of the North was a little old woman with white hair. The other witch, Glinda, lived in the Quadling Country in South Oz and she was young and beutiful with ringlets of hair down to her shoulders. As an adult Billie became a broadway star and married Florenz Ziegfield, the creator of Ziegfield's Follies, in 1914. She did not entertain again for about 20 years.Her husband died in 1932, after that Billie went back to work mostly in small roles written as bewilderd matrons. When Burke was cast in Oz. She was 53 years old, but even critics' reviews described her as "almost eternally young." Burke was so delighted by her characters appearance in the film that 6 months after she finished, she arranged to be photographed in costume for the cover of her Christmas cards.