We just re-watched the classic twister flick, The Wizard of Oz (1939), but! We saw it on the big screen for the first time, and it was a revelation.
We were struck by the Technicolor landscape of Oz, with its highlighter-yellow brick road and saturated green of Emerald City.
The Wizard of Oz has always felt upside-down to us, because things make more sense when Dorothy is in the surreal kingdom. The real world, although beautiful in rich sepia tones, feels arbitrary and illogical. Why is everyone so grumpy? Why doesn’t anyone answer Dorothy’s questions? And why does Miss Gulch have such unreasonable hatred for Toto?
However, in glorious Oz, Toto is safe and Dorothy isn’t a pest. Both have the potential to be a Hero in this strange land, because, as you know, they’ve embarked on the traditional Hero’s Journey.
They’re also making new friends. Dorothy gains three traveling companions who, like herself, are searching for Something. Dorothy seeks to go Home, while her companions seek (1) a brain; (2) a heart; and (3) courage – qualities, incidentally, Dorothy already possesses.
Through much dancing, singing, and Derring-Do, Dorothy and Toto defeat the villains and – spoiler alert! – safely return to Kansas.
When all is Resolved, Dorothy has a renewed sense of love for her home (there’s no place like it), and her family has a greater appreciation for her (and her little dog, too).
There’s only one lingering question: How on earth did filmmakers create the tornado effect?
The best socks in Classic Hollywood. Image: ARFCOM
They say The Wizard of Oz was the first Hollywood movie to realistically portray a tornado, and the effect is still impressive today.
Get this: Filmmakers made the tornado out of cloth. A 35-foot-long muslin sock, to be precise, similar to a windsock at an airport.
The original plan was to make the tornado out of a 35-foot-tall rubber cone, but it was too stiff. Then the special effects director developed the muslin sock idea.
According to Arcfield Weather, the top of the tapered sock was attached to a steel gantry, which is like a mount for a crane. The bottom was attached to a rod located in a slot in the floor. This allowed the filmmakers to maneuver the giant sock from side to side, simulating the movement of a tornado.
For the debris, the crew sprayed Fuller’s Earth onto the muslin “tornado”. As the sock shifted, so did the debris, and it sifted through the material, resulting in a wind-blown appearance.
“Four or five feet in front of the cameras were two panels of glass on which gray balls of cotton (great for mammatus clouds) had been pasted,” writes meteorologist Paul Dorian. “The two panels moved in opposite directions adding to the boiling sensation and, at the same time, they obscured the steel gantry and top portion of the tornado.”¹
Footage of this tornado was projected onto a translucent screen behind the actors, while wind machines blasted them, creating the atmosphere of an approaching tornado.
It was the most expensive special effect in the movie, and look how clever it is:
Image: Tenor
The Wizard of Oz was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Special Effects, but won only two Oscars for music. It did not win for special effects; that award went to The Rains Came (1939), a film about a flood in India.
Oz was a costly movie for MGM. Even though it performed relatively well at the box office, it didn’t turn a profit until its re-release in 1949. Wikipedia says the studio lost $1.45 million US during the initial 1939 release.²
It has garnered far more revenue in the years since, appearing on television (starting in the 1950s), special theatrical screenings, and VHS, DVD, and Blu-ray releases.
When was the first time you saw The Wizard of Oz? Do you think the tornado special effects still Hold Up today?
The Wizard of Oz starring Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger. Directed by Victor Fleming & King Vidor. Written by Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson & Edgar Allan Woolf. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1939, B&W & Technicolor, 102 mins.
It takes great inventive and cleverness to think about realizing a tornado out of a sock! Pretty smart I say, and no digital affect can keep up with this.
fascinating! I love reading about special effects, so much is done with so little sometimes. Since you mention it, have you ever seen The Rains Came? also incredible fx
Wow, thanks for such an illuminating post Ruth, I always wondered about how special effects were made back then. And this film must have felt amazing to watch on a big screen. Thanks for sharing this x
Such a treat to see it on the big screen. The visuals are so lovely, and because it’s been a while since I’ve seen it, I’d forgotten how many laugh-out-loud lines there are.
I really need to rewatch this, it was on telly every Christmas when I was wee so I got a bit bored with it. But like most things it will be much better now I’m older…
I love the wizard of oz, it’s such an inspiring story for #adulting. At the age of 41 I can tell I need to rewatch it. Transformation is greatly needed, haha
Wow! That’s amazing! I’ve known about the behind the scenes of Wizard of Oz for years, but I don’t think I ever thought about how they achieved the tornado. The special effect 100% still holds up today. I don’t remember the exact time I saw Wizard of Oz for the first time, but I know I have my mom to thank for it being my 4th favorite movie of all time!
I never knew how they did that but was always impressed with the results. Thanks for sharing!
It’s funny, I watched a clip last night of Ray Bolger and Judy Garland on the Judy Garland Show. They reminisced a bit and sang together. It was the most wholesome and lovely thing the internet has given me in a while.
I never knew that about the tornado effect! This is a film I need to rewatch. I watched it a decent number of times on VHS as a kid (my mom even dressed me up as Dorothy for Halloween when I was about 3 or 4), but probably have not seen it since 2015 when i watched it in a film studies class.
I love this movie! I remember watching it for the first time when I was a young kid. I loved learing about the way the tornado was recreated, thank you so much for sharing!
I’ve seen this movie so many times and I never knew that! And I completely agree—I would rather have stayed in Oz. The real world was very Kafka-esque!
In between frequent viewings as a kid and my school doing “The Wizard Of Oz” as part of a three show rotation for fourth and fifth graders, I grew very tired of this a long time ago. However, I’ve had enough time away from it that I’m starting to appreciate the movie a little more again (even if some stuff does feel a little too “kiddie” for me). But the special effects are still good! Honestly, I much prefer seeing how clever filmmakers could be back then in trying to come up with practical solutions for their special effects, as opposed to how everybody just seems to take the easy route with CGI anymore.
Agreed. CGI almost feels like cheating, doesn’t it? There’s not nearly as much cleverness when you don’t have to (A) build the prop/set and (B) film it to its best advantage.
The first time I saw the Wizard of Oz was, in fact in the theater – but not in 1939 (I’m not THAT old!). There was a revival house in Manhattan that showed it from time to time and my mother took me, my sister, and my best friend. Oddly, I don’t remember being scared, though I was terrified when the Wicked Witch of the West showed up on Sesame Street! Anyway, the tornado is definitely one piece that holds up to adult re-viewings, while the studio walls in “Oz” are far more obvious to me now.
Funny you should mention the studio walls. As enchanted as I was with this re-watch, I couldn’t help but notice them. Also, I didn’t know the Wicked Witch of the West made a guest appearance on Sesame Street. I would’ve been frightened too, if I’d seen that episode!
The tornado scene has always been believable and remains the most memorable sequence in the film. Perhaps, had the tornado scene lasted three times longer, it might have garnered an Oscar. It certainly is worthy.
Great review. “Wizard of Oz” is indeed a classic film that demands to be seen. The tornado scene is breathtaking, the songs are really memorable and everything works perfectly. One of the best movies of all-time. A groundbreaking film which forever changed Cinema.
Silver Screenings 
It takes great inventive and cleverness to think about realizing a tornado out of a sock! Pretty smart I say, and no digital affect can keep up with this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You said it! When I saw this film in a theatre, I thought, Is that actual tornado footage?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the Wizard of Oz, remember seeing it on tv at Christmas as a kid. It’s such o wonderful adventure with brilliant songs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s an uplifting movie, isn’t it? And so well done in every way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just read the Wikipedia article about the making of this film. What went on behind the scenes and in front of the camera is incredible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Making Of this film would make for a terrific movie, wouldn’t it? I wonder if it’s already been done…
LikeLiked by 1 person
fascinating! I love reading about special effects, so much is done with so little sometimes. Since you mention it, have you ever seen The Rains Came? also incredible fx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have not seen The Rains Came, but after reading about it, I’m going to see if it’s on YouTube.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, thanks for such an illuminating post Ruth, I always wondered about how special effects were made back then. And this film must have felt amazing to watch on a big screen. Thanks for sharing this x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a treat to see it on the big screen. The visuals are so lovely, and because it’s been a while since I’ve seen it, I’d forgotten how many laugh-out-loud lines there are.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really need to rewatch this, it was on telly every Christmas when I was wee so I got a bit bored with it. But like most things it will be much better now I’m older…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope you enjoy the re-watch!
LikeLiked by 1 person
No chunky jumpers, I’m afraid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the wizard of oz, it’s such an inspiring story for #adulting. At the age of 41 I can tell I need to rewatch it. Transformation is greatly needed, haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean about transformation being greatly needed. Boy, does it ever!
P.S. Sorry it took me so long to respond to this comment. It ended up in spam? Not sure why.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know, it happens sometimes
LikeLiked by 1 person
Got Burt Reynolds coming soon over at mine with at least if you going through withdrawal symptoms…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought you might like that… I really need to write that chunky jumper post. But I have more M. Alain Delon coming soon too…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! That’s amazing! I’ve known about the behind the scenes of Wizard of Oz for years, but I don’t think I ever thought about how they achieved the tornado. The special effect 100% still holds up today. I don’t remember the exact time I saw Wizard of Oz for the first time, but I know I have my mom to thank for it being my 4th favorite movie of all time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The tornado looks so realistic, doesn’t it? Even on the big screen it’s impressive. Also: You and your mother have excellent film taste.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never knew how they did that but was always impressed with the results. Thanks for sharing!
It’s funny, I watched a clip last night of Ray Bolger and Judy Garland on the Judy Garland Show. They reminisced a bit and sang together. It was the most wholesome and lovely thing the internet has given me in a while.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that sounds wonderful, re: Bolger and Garland reminiscing. I’ll look for it on YouTube. Thanks for the heads up! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!!! Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never knew that about the tornado effect! This is a film I need to rewatch. I watched it a decent number of times on VHS as a kid (my mom even dressed me up as Dorothy for Halloween when I was about 3 or 4), but probably have not seen it since 2015 when i watched it in a film studies class.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope the re-watch measures up to your memories. And how cute you must have looked as a tiny Dorothy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this movie! I remember watching it for the first time when I was a young kid. I loved learing about the way the tornado was recreated, thank you so much for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
When you saw it as a kid, did those flying monkeys scare you?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember feeling a swirl of emotions watching the movie. It was a very unique and gripping movie for me at the time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve seen this movie so many times and I never knew that! And I completely agree—I would rather have stayed in Oz. The real world was very Kafka-esque!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha! It was Kafka-esque, wasn’t it? Did you first see this film as a child?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, and it terrified me, the idea of her trying to take Toto away, and then her on that bicycle in the air, transforming into a broom!
LikeLiked by 1 person
In between frequent viewings as a kid and my school doing “The Wizard Of Oz” as part of a three show rotation for fourth and fifth graders, I grew very tired of this a long time ago. However, I’ve had enough time away from it that I’m starting to appreciate the movie a little more again (even if some stuff does feel a little too “kiddie” for me). But the special effects are still good! Honestly, I much prefer seeing how clever filmmakers could be back then in trying to come up with practical solutions for their special effects, as opposed to how everybody just seems to take the easy route with CGI anymore.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed. CGI almost feels like cheating, doesn’t it? There’s not nearly as much cleverness when you don’t have to (A) build the prop/set and (B) film it to its best advantage.
LikeLike
The first time I saw the Wizard of Oz was, in fact in the theater – but not in 1939 (I’m not THAT old!). There was a revival house in Manhattan that showed it from time to time and my mother took me, my sister, and my best friend. Oddly, I don’t remember being scared, though I was terrified when the Wicked Witch of the West showed up on Sesame Street! Anyway, the tornado is definitely one piece that holds up to adult re-viewings, while the studio walls in “Oz” are far more obvious to me now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny you should mention the studio walls. As enchanted as I was with this re-watch, I couldn’t help but notice them. Also, I didn’t know the Wicked Witch of the West made a guest appearance on Sesame Street. I would’ve been frightened too, if I’d seen that episode!
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤️❤️❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
The tornado scene has always been believable and remains the most memorable sequence in the film. Perhaps, had the tornado scene lasted three times longer, it might have garnered an Oscar. It certainly is worthy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good point. The tornado effects are definitely Oscar worthy.
LikeLike
The tornado effect is so impressive! You can almost feel the wind when you’re watching that scene.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true! It’s so realistic – and it just goes to show how clever people can be.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great review. “Wizard of Oz” is indeed a classic film that demands to be seen. The tornado scene is breathtaking, the songs are really memorable and everything works perfectly. One of the best movies of all-time. A groundbreaking film which forever changed Cinema.
Here’s my thoughts on the movie:
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for dropping by and sharing the link. I’ll be by soon to check it out.
LikeLiked by 1 person