Priscilla Montgomery, one of the currently living actors from The Wizard of Oz, recounted the infamous on-set fire that injured Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West. The 1939 fantasy musical follows Dorothy’s journey through the land of Oz as she finds her way back to Kansas with the help of a scarecrow, a tin man, and a cowardly lion. The film's production faced numerous challenges, including hazardous working conditions and technical malfunctions. In Hamilton's case, the fire occurred during her dramatic entrance, where she sustained severe burns.
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In an interview with People Magazine, Montgomery recalled the events leading up to the accident, describing Hamilton’s thoughtful gesture of comforting the young performers before filming the scene. The actor then recounted the sirens when she heard the fire incident. Check out what she stated regarding Hamilton's incident:
“One vivid memory that will always stay with me was the day Margaret Hamilton was injured during her scene. On that day, I still remember that Miss Hamilton was ready to do her scene in her black gown and green makeup. She noticed that a group of us children were placed near the area where she would make her terrifying entrance with the flames and smoke. She took the time to come over to us specifically and said to us, ‘Now what you’re about to see is not real, it’s only pretend, so I don’t want you to be scared. It’s all play-acting for the camera.’ It was so sweet.
All of a sudden, a loud siren went off in the sound stage and there were a lot of men rushing to that area in a panic. I’ll always remember that. We found out that her face and hands were burned, and she left filming and returned, like a trouper, a few weeks later.”
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What This Means For Understanding Film Safety In Hollywood History
Early Hollywood Didn't Have The Safety Protocol Like Today
The fire incident involving Hamilton shows the risks associated with the commonly utilized practical effects in early Hollywood film productions. Unfortunately, the incident left The Wizard of Oz cast member with severe burns on her hands and face, forcing her to step away from filming for weeks. Even her stunt double sustained comparable injuries. Similar accidents occurred throughout the production of The Wizard of Oz, including toxic makeup that caused severe reactions to Buddy Ebsen, the original Tin Man actor, and injuries sustained by two stunt doubles playing the flying monkeys when the wires holding them up broke.
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Related
Wizard of Oz: All On Set Injuries Explained
Wizard of Oz may be one of the most beloved films of all time, but behind the scenes, the making of the movie was often a nightmare.
These incidents reveal the challenges faced by actors and crew members working with experimental effects and unregulated safety practices in the past. During the 1930s, there were fewer safety protocols to protect talent, which led to injuries that significantly impacted those involved in major productions like The Wizard of Oz.
Revisiting incidents like Hamilton’s injury proves the significant strides made to ensure safer working environments for the cast and crew.
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Additionally, Montgomery's recollection of these events emphasizes how safety practices on movie sets have evolved since the 1930s. Modern productions now rely on detailed safety guidelines, protective equipment, and CGI to achieve complex effects without putting their performers and production teams at risk. Revisiting incidents like Hamilton’s injury proves the significant strides made to ensure safer working environments for the cast and crew.
Our Take on The Wizard of Oz’s On-Set Fire
The Incident Exemplifies The Harsh Conditions & The Progress Since
The behind-the-scenes challenges that The Wizard of Oz faced reveal the dangerous risks faced by its cast and crew. Hamilton’s injury and her return to production call attention to the physical toll she endured during the making of the film. While the film's legacy is remembered by its visual and storytelling achievements, stories like this serve as a sobering reminder of the unsafe conditions actors were subjected to back then. This is a stark illustration of why safer practices were desperately needed on movie sets, making a point about the progress that has since been made to protect the people working on sets.
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Source: People Magazine
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10/10
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The Wizard of Oz
PG
Musical
Fantasy
Family
Adventure
Based on Frank L. Baum's book of the same name, The Wizard of Oz follows young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) as she's swept away to the magical land of Oz. Upon arriving, she falls afoul of a witch, then enlists the help of a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion in order to find the Wizard and get home to her family.
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*Availability in US
- Director
- Victor Fleming
- Release Date
- August 25, 1939
- Studio(s)
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Warner Bros. Pictures
- Writers
- Florence Ryerson , Noel Langley , Edgar Allan Woolf
- Cast
- Margaret Hamilton , Jack Haley , Judy Garland , Bert Lahr , Ray Bolger
- Runtime
- 102 minutes
- Budget
- $2.8 million
