was billy curtis in the wizard of oz

The book 'Amazing Wizard of Oz' was published in July 1900, and the film was released in 1939. "We're proud of our history," Feiner says, "which includes a large amount of the optical restoration work on the Star Wars trilogy. WebPlayed one of the Munchkins in the film "The Wizard of Oz" CREDITS Broadway; Every Man for Himself (Dec 09, 1940 - Dec 11, Curtis [Little Boy] PlayOriginal. The huge camera moved smoothly and quietly over the well-lubricated tracks. The explosion blew me off the broomstick." By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. I believe we bring a unique film aesthetic to the use of digital tools for restoration.". Ebsen claimed to have breathing problems for the rest of his life because of "that damned movie. Although he won Oscars in 1944 (Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo) and 1947 (Green Dolphin Street), his most celebrated achievement is the tornado in Wizard. However, Toto jumps out of the gondola to chase a cat and Dorothy chases after him as the balloon is carried away. WebCurtis' big movie season was 1938-39: he was cast in The Wizard of Oz (1939) (albeit with voice dubbed by Pinto Colvig) and as the cowboy hero of the all-dwarf western The Movie studios used asbestos because it was fireproof, unlike cotton, which they previously used. Search, watch, and cook every single Tasty recipe and video ever - all in one place! The tale begins in Kansas, where Dorothy lives with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry and enjoys the friendship of three farmhands: Hunk, Zeke and Hickory. Throughout the next few years, MGM started prescribing Garland even more pills to "control both her weight and her energy levels. Completely untrue. The actors and people on set had to endure several hardships while shooting for the film. Casting of the Wizard was more complicated. Hamilton suffered burns during the shoot. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. In one memorable scene, Hamilton's face appears in a large crystal ball. "We test scanned the original fine-grain and the dupe to see if there were discernible differences in resolution, sharpness and overall image quality," he says. Gillespie was also called in to photograph scenes in the poison poppy field, for which it was necessary to have the camera move along the ground surrounded by flowers. '", The studio rightfully ruled that it would be unacceptable to use real paint on the horses during the Emerald City scene. In his palace, Toto pulls aside a curtain, revealing a man operating levers that create the illusion of the Wizard. Jack Young, one of the movie's makeup artists, revealed that the green paint that was used to cover Hamilton's body was actually toxic because it had copper in it: "Every night when I was taking off the Witch's makeup, I would make sure that her face was thoroughly clean. That was then considered to be the archival master. 1966. Billy Curtis' career thrived into the 1970s, notably with solid parts in the Clint Eastwood western High Plains Drifter (1973) and the crime-caper melodrama Little Cigars (1973), in which he had second billing as a diminutive criminal mastermind. Filming & Production A preponderance of shiny surfaces, such as the Tin Man's metallic suit, the big prop emeralds, and even the sequined red slippers, caused problems by creating distracting reflections. FAQ. Sat, Jun 10 1922 Billy The physical and verbal abuse that Garland went through on and off set was absolutely wild. Margaret Hamilton was a character actress who played a lot of housemaids. LeRoy wanted Gale Sondergaard to play the Wicked Witch as a glamorous villainess, but the studio chiefs overruled him, demanding a traditional witch. But, the things that happened behind the curtains to make all the wonderful effects come to life are surrounded by myths and speculations, some true and some false. The Wizard of Oz | Judy Garland, 16, was initially considered too old and too tall for Dorothy. Ebsen claimed to have breathing problems for the rest of his life because of "that damned movie.". Oscars honor classic on Sunday; take a trip back in time with historic vintage pics, Credit: Digitized by the Margaret Herrick Library Digital Studio. The film opened in New York on Aug. 17, 1939. The trio (plus Toto, whose real name was Terry) approaches the Cowardly Lion's hunting grounds. They had to work fast between each take, though, because "the horses invariably managed to lick off most of the Jell-O between shots.". ), The original black-and-white negative photographed by Hal Rosson was lost in a 1970s fire at The George Eastman House in Rochester, New York. Fuller's earth was fed into the muslin funnel from above, and enough of it escaped through the porous muslin to blur the edges of the sock realistically. An ambitious restoration project by Warner Bros. has returned the film to its original splendor, with the possible addition of a special effects dance sequence involving the Scarecrow. The first test was a failure because the rubber funnel refused to twist like a tornado. So, how much is Billy Curtis worth at the age of 79 years old? Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Jerry Maren, the last surviving adult Munchkin from 'The Wizard of Oz' who also appeared in Marx Brothers movies and on 'Seinfeld,' has died. WebThe Beverly Hillbillies. WebCurtis "The Pimp" Bennett (Prisoner #01B624) is an African American inmate featured in Oz. One of our people [Vince Roth] had worked in the MGM Labs optical department for 27 years, and he remembered an optical camera operator who had worked on those conversions. It was as though someone had taken the top of her hand and peeled it like an orange. ", In the memoir Judy and I: My Life with Judy Garland, Judy's ex-husband revealed that a lot of the older male Munchkin actors were "naughty." Ray Bolger was initially approached to play the Tin Man, but he lobbied hard to play the rubber-legged Scarecrow. The supporters of this myth believe that in one of the scenes where Dorothy and the Tin Man are walking down the Yellow Brick Road, a dark shadow moving in the background is of an actor who hanged himself on the set. WebCurtis' big movie season was 1938-39: he was cast in The Wizard of Oz (1939) (albeit with voice dubbed by Pinto Colvig) and as the cowboy hero of the all-dwarf western The But did we not see the color correctly? Casting Garland was a risk, but no one ever doubted her voice. The fine-grain intermediate provided by The Library of Congress showed no visible signs of vinegar syndrome or shrinkage, and it had a stable base. In 1973, Maren played as a child ape in the sequel Battle for the Planet of the Apes and starred in the comedy film Little Cigars opposite another former Munchkin, Billy Curtis. Most producers were reluctant to go forward with color films even after the much-improved three-color process was introduced in 1934. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. "The supervisor, Mark Freund, has been a great optical camera operator for us for years.". Mervyn LeRoy, a long-time Warner Bros. director, was lured away to MGM with a lucrative contract offer. Did Dorothy wear a pink shirt or a white one? He stumbled upon the marking of his filing cabinet, and the last drawer was marked 'O to Z,' hence the name Oz came into being. A tornado whisks young Kansas native Dorothy and her dog Toto away to the magical land of Oz, where they befriend a Scarecrow, a Tin Man and a Cowardly Lion on their journey to visit the wonderful Wizard of Oz in this beloved classic. There's a moment in the movie where smoke comes out of the Wicked Witches' broomstick. Curiously, her signature song, ''Somewhere Over the Rainbow,'' was nearly cut from the. Did one of the Munchkins hang himself on the film's set? The actor, who stayed active in show business long after Dorothy had returned to her home in Kansas, died May 24 at an assisted-care facility in the San Diego area, his nephew Lloyd Decker confirmed toThe Hollywood Reporter. Release Date: Tuesday, August 15 1939 83 years ago . She was small, however, and careful costuming and a bust-flattening undergarment made her appear much younger. By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. Curiously, her signature song, ''Somewhere Over the Rainbow,'' was nearly cut from the film. One of the great children's films that made Judy Garland a star. ", Sidney Luft also wrote in his memoir that the older male Munchkin actors apparently "thought they could get away with anything because they were so small." If he ever found out that she ventured from what he wanted (like when he'd catch her sneaking in a milkshake), he'd give her "diet pills to speed her up and reduce her appetite. Shirley Temple had signed a contract with 20th Century Fox. document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) American Society of Cinematographers. In such scenes, the live action was photographed on a section of the road and the masked scene was doubled into a matching blacked-out area of the painting. That equals $2,246 per week in the year 2021or a yearly salary of $116,792. The cigars just for show.. Did you know that it took more than a year for deep grooves to leave Ray Bolger's face from the prosthetics? --Billy Curtis, Lord High Mayor of Munchkinland Judy Garland starred in The Wizard of Oz when she was 16. We have estimated If one scans a full-aperture anamorphic frame in full color, the file size would run about 45 megabytes. "We assembled and trained a staff with the appropriate skills and film sensibilities, plus the dedication needed to do the job properly," Feiner says. They began including two-color Technicolor sequences in silent features as early as 1924, with The Uninvited Guest. ", Jack Young, one of the film's makeup artists, revealed that the green makeup contained copper oxide, which made it toxic. The men who were hired to play the winged monkeys were attached to ''bat wings'' and a small motor suited to power windshield-wipers. But the costumes were so unhandy. Additionally, The production company was Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). MGM wanted 10-year-old Shirley Temple instead. Our thanks to Fred Detmers, Buddy Ebsen, Lois January, and the late George Cukor, Billy Curtis, Marcel Delgado, Harold Rosson, ASC and Harry Wolf, ASC. However, scanning from a black-and-white element at full film resolution yields about 13 megabytes per frame a rate that allows for more efficient data management at faster speeds. A look at, say, The Adventures of Robin Hood was sufficient to convert many naysayers. 12 of 19 12 Credit: Digitized by the Margaret This was a realllllly common practice on movie sets back in the day. The Wizard of Oz | Producer Mervyn LeRoy helped persuade MGM's Louis B. Mayer to acquire the rights to L. Frank Baum's book and played a crucial role in the, The Wizard of Oz | The film opened in New York on Aug. 17, 1939. Meaning, if seen from the perspective of the present year, 2021, Toto made $116,792 yearly. You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. Upon alighting, it dissolves to reveal Glinda. Before Dorothy can break in her new heels, however, the Wicked Witch of the West swears vengeance. Producer Mervyn LeRoy helped persuade MGM's Louis B. Mayer to acquire the rights to L. Frank Baum's book and played a crucial role in the casting of the characters. WebThe Wizard of Oz (1939) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Directed by Writing Credits Cast (in credits order) verified as complete Produced by The walls of the spout consisted of a circle of painted muslin, 35' in diameter. Jimmy the Crow (uncredited) Jimmy the Crow was: 5. WebLearn more about the full cast of The Wizard of Oz with news, photos, videos and more at TV Guide. Being L. Frank Baum's best-seller, the book is today one of the popular choices in children's literature and has been translated to languages from around the world. Y. Harburg songs, especially "Over the Rainbow," were well-received. Scroll to Crew. Just livin the good life, he told the Los Angeles Times. Don't Lie. The Technicolor photography for Oz was difficult because of the vastness of the sets. The digital restoration work was executed on Silicon Graphics 02 platforms and several dual-processor Octanes running Matador Paint and Cineon applications software. This was quite common during those times because asbestos was fireproof, and the use of cotton ceased because it was not fireproof. The Wizard of Oz | Margaret Hamilton, on the roof, awaits her cue while Jack Haley's Tin Man has a heart-to-heart with Dorothy and the Scarecrow. Feiner speculates that MGM decided to rid its lot of nitrate-based film sometime in the late Sixties or early Seventies. Danko made only $35 for completing the broomstick stunt and $790 for everything else she did in the movie. Gillespie, a long-time pilot, decided that a tornado funnel was shaped something like the wind socks seen at airports. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. With a final cost of $2,777,000, it was one of the most expensive pictures ever made. The final method that worked was Jell-O powders. The Wizard of Oz | The film opened in New York on Aug. 17, 1939. With Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney hosting screenings at Loew's Capitol Theater, it set house The film opened in New York on Aug. 17, 1939. With Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney hosting screenings at Loew's Capitol Theater, it set house records. All Rights Reserved. The actor, who stayed active in show business long after Dorothy had returned to her home in Kansas, died May 24 at an assisted-care facility in the San To make this happen, a pipe was attached to the bicycle seat saddle on the broomstick, but during one of the practice runs the pipe exploded: "I felt as though my scalp was coming off. The final cost was $2,777,000. ", There was a trap door on set that didn't open fast enough, so Hamilton got caught in the flames. The highest paying actor from the cast seems to be Ray Bolger, the Scarecrow, and Jack Haley, the Tin Man, earning $3,000 per week. | Tornado shots were used alone and as process plates to be projected behind Dorothy during her attempt to elude the funnel. The Wizard of Oz | Blanche Sewell edited The Wizard of Oz , an enormous responsibility considering all the scenes that were ultimately discarded. Paul Adams: stand-in for Frank Morgan Stafford Campbell: stand-in for Ray Bolger Betty Danko: stand-in and stunt double for Margaret Hamilton Jimmy Fawcett: stand-in for Bert Lahr Something for everyone interested in hair, makeup, style, and body positivity. US residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data. Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf were the credited authors of the final screenplay, which was begun in late February 1938 and completed in August. ", The digital files for both the Technicolor and black-and-white sequences were converted to intermediate film with a Kodak laser film recorder. She made, The "snowstorm" that took place in the poppy field scene was actually, Betty Danko, the Wicked Witch's stunt double, spent, Hal Roach Studios / Wikipedia/ Public Domain /, Shirley Temple was originally promised the role of Dorothy, but the deal ultimately, According to Judy Garland's biographer, her, The studio executives at MGM treated Judy Garland so terribly that they often, And the head of the studio forced Judy on a, 23 Shocking And Unexpected Movie Facts You Didn't Know Until Now, 23 Shocking And Unexpected Christmas Movie Facts You Didn't Know Until Now. Blanche Sewell edited The Wizard of Oz, an enormous responsibility considering all the scenes that were ultimately discarded. The MGM Optical Department photographed the film's titles. The Wizard of Oz 1939 movie based on the book by L. Frank Baum Billy Curtis; Heritage designation: Memory of the World (2007) Publication date: 25 August 1939; Part of the series: Family Classics; Duration: 98 min; Cost: 2,777,000 United States dollar (estimation) Different from: The Wizard of Oz; And if you're curious, one of the costumes for the Cowardly Lion sold for over $3 million at a New York auction a few years ago. The last of these books is Glinda of Oz, published in 1920. The slap scene between Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion has a story behind it. Edna Mae Oliver and Margaret Hamilton were interviewed, and the role went to Hamilton. WebActor Age Check - How old was Billy Curtis in The Wizard of Oz? 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Bolger mugs with Mickey Rooney, the MGM star of the Andy Hardy movies who was Garland's frequent costar. and the Hollywood premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theater was lavish. This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. Billy Curtis (born Luigi Curto; June 27, 1909 November 9, 1988) was an American film and television actor with dwarfism, who had a 50-year career in the entertainment industry. The bulk of his work was in the western and science fiction genres, portraying a little person. WebCurtis' big movie season was 1938-39: he was cast in The Wizard of Oz (1939) (albeit with voice dubbed by Pinto Colvig) and as the cowboy hero of the all-dwarf western The Terror of Tiny Town (1938). Stormy skies were created with dense smoke fed from the catwalks, while patches of spray-painted cotton attached to 8' x 4' foreground glass plates were placed in front of the camera to mask the top of the tornado and the gantry. Still, it took me about a day to discover what had happened. Reporting on what you care about. But by the end of 1938, with 25 Technicolor features in release, color had become a selling point instead of a liability. He was perfect for the Cowardly Lion. ", After scanning, the image quality was cleaned up by the digital artists, who removed dust and dirt spots and painted out the wires used to help actor Ray Bolger to fly in the Scarecrow dance number. Though the film opened strong, it wouldn't earn its money back until 1948. were photographed separately and double-printed onto the spinning background. The heat was enormous and was especially torturous for the actors in their heavy costumes. Warren Newcombe headed the matte painting section, where he and his assistants produced what the studio called "Newcombe Shots.". Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. As she arrives, a tornado hits the house. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. Discover Billy Curtis's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. 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He replaced Buddy Ebsen two weeks into filming after the original Tin Man fell ill from the character's aluminum dust makeup. This does not influence our choices. Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter. Toto was paid much more than the three munchkins. Based on the book by L. Frank Baum, it tells of Dorothy and her fantasy trip to the land of Oz where witches, scarecrows, lions and talking trees all exist. Next, the Tin Man's suit, Buddy Esben wore a metal suit, making it hard for him even to sit. Gillespie, a husky Texan from El Paso, began his career as a set designer at Paramount in 1922, then joined MGM as an art director when the studio opened in 1925 and stayed for 41 years. Behind the Curtain: The Wizard of Oz - The American Society of Cinematographers (en-US) Historical April 25, 2023 Behind the Curtain: The Wizard of Oz A cadre of creative minds infused MGMs classic fantasy with a timeless supply of movie magic. An oft-told legend maintains that the tornado was created by manipulating a windblown silk stocking through a tabletop set. We all know that the film Wizard of Oz is an adaptation of L. Frank Baum's book titled 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published in 1900, its illustrator was W.W "That eliminates the major source of cell abrasions and emulsion digs, which can occur during the duping or printing process. Instead, the camera moved to make the ball appear to describe the path it was to follow. ", The studio rightfully ruled that it would be unacceptable to use real paint on the horses. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. 1961. Jungle Moon Men. Because it was initially given the title of 'The Emerald City.'. The movie rights were fought over between several studios, but MGM ultimately got the rights. A.I. Hal Rosson, ASC was director of photography, with Allen B. Davey, ASC serving as Technicolor cinematographer. After several takes, the pyrotechnics ignited too soon and she was seriously burned on the face and hand. Stories of randy Munchkinland behavior, like the anecdotes Judy Garland told frequently in her later years, were more publicity than reality. They tried using food coloring, "but the colors were not subtle enough." Portrayed by rapper Master P. After Vern Schillinger's daughter-in-law Carrie gave Jack Haley was the last one to join the cast. The picture's fine-grain master was stored at the Library of Congress. Harry Earles, Jerry Maren, and Jackie Gerlich, who became the Lollipop Guild kids in Munchkinland. However, another tall dancer, Ray Bolger, wanted the part so badly that he replaced Ebsen, who was then assigned to play the Tin Woodsman. Then again, his first Oater wasdifferent. Among other injuries, there was a "two-inch-deep wound that nearly circled Danko's leg, which was full of bits of her costume.". During the process, one of the trap doors was stuck; consequently, Hamilton received second-degree burns on her face and third-degree burns on her hands. The Beverly Hillbillies was initially cast as the Scarecrow, but he swapped roles with Ray Bolger. You might have misheard her because she yells out, "Fly, Fly, fly.". It's easy to imagine any of these actors performing the role beautifully, but the final choice, Frank Morgan, proved to be the perfect Wizard. | Victor Fleming consults with his actors. The Adventures of Superman. "Most people wouldn't have noticed that, but I've worked on a lot of trailers for TV in CRI format. While cleaning the warehouses of MGM, they asked Warner to give them a hand and offered him whatever costume piece he wanted for free. Georgina Onuorah has been announced as the lead role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz this summer, produced by Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group.. The giant floating head of the Wizard was front-projected onto heavy clouds of white steam piped in from outside the stage. Dorothy and her friends take the broomstick and return to face the Mighty Oz. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Some strange and weird props were used for the movie, including chocolate syrup for tears, a brown paper bag as a prosthetic, a cumbersome cowardly lion costume, bizarre stuff in Tin Man's oil, and several others. A musical adaptation also originated in 1902, which, a year later, was transformed to Broadway. Is Pink Floyd's album a coincidence or not? We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. The Kidadl Team is made up of people from different walks of life, from different families and backgrounds, each with unique experiences and nuggets of wisdom to share with you. ", The restoration team at Pacific Title/Mirage tackled the task of restoring Oz with missionary zeal, which Feiner attributes to the company's deep roots in the industry. After reciting this magical mantra, Dorothy awakens in her bed, surrounded by her aunt and uncle, the three farmhands who bear an uncanny resemblance to the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion and Professor Marvel, whom we realize is the Wizard. When Jack Haley replaced him, the studio started using a safer aluminum paste as makeup. The set and actors were photographed separately, and the two films were then printed together as a simple double exposure without protection mattes, which lent the ball an ethereal quality. The three join up and travel to the Emerald City, where a terrifying apparition appears and finally agrees to help them all if they will bring him the Wicked Witch's magic broomstick.

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