On October 13, 1938, principal photography officially commenced on Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s landmark musical fantasy The Wizard of Oz at the studio’s lot in Culver City, California. Adapted from L. Frank Baum’s classic children’s novel, the production began under director Richard Thorpe, who was soon replaced; George Cukor briefly contributed, and Victor Fleming ultimately shaped most of the finished film as MGM struggled to settle its visual tone, makeup design, and performances.
The production posed enormous technical and creative challenges. Its three-strip Technicolor process demanded intense studio lighting that often pushed soundstage temperatures past 100 degrees. About ten days into shooting, Buddy Ebsen—the original Tin Man—became gravely ill after inhaling aluminum dust used in his makeup, forcing his replacement by Jack Haley. Despite those setbacks, the cameras rolling that autumn day began the creation of a cinematic landmark whose music, color design, and enduring story transformed American popular culture.
