About This Quiz
When "The Wizard of Oz" arrived in theaters in 1939, it was met with a lukewarm response. Sure, it garnered $3 million, which wasn't nothing at the time but was considered underperforming box office numbers. And by today's standards, it would've been a major box-office bomb. If you're a true-blue Ozophile (that's someone particularly fond of "The Wizard of Oz"), though, you know that the small screen is to thanks for the popularity of what has become a beloved classic.Â
In 1956, it was broadcast on television for the first time, starting what would become an annual tradition for many: The yearly TV screening of "The Wizard of Oz." In fact, for a couple of decades, the annual broadcast was the only place that fans of Dorothy Gale and the Emerald City could, well, travel the Yellow Brick Road and see their faves in action. Of course, now we have DVDs and Blu-Rays and on-demand, giving us virtually unfettered access to Munchkinland at any time.
So, let's put your "Oz" skills to the test. We're guessing you've seen it a few times (we may or may not have seen in a couple hundred ourselves). What? Don't judge us. Come with us as we transport you "Over the Rainbow" to answer these questions about "The Wizard of Oz." Flying monkeys not included!
Dorothy has left Munchkinland and Glinda on her quest to find the Wizard when she encounters the first person to join her on her journey — the Scarecrow. The Scarecrow has needs of his own, so he opts to tag along.
Dorothy has just woken up at her aunt and uncle's farmhouse in Kansas to discover that she's back home after her journey over the rainbow. The final line, "There's no place like home," is one of the movie's most recognizable quotes.
It's Dorothy Gale — get it? A "gale" is defined by many sources as a "strong wind," which is certainly an appropriate choice given the storm that blows through and sends Dorothy on a wild journey.
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You're singing along, aren't you? "Ding dong, the witch is dead" is a line from a song of the same name. The song is sung by the Munchkins when they discover that their nemesis has been killed.
Wicked witches were holding down the east and west, until each met her demise at the hands of Dorothy and her pals. Glinda is a good witch, however, overseeing the land of the north.
Dorothy's home is in Kansas with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, a place she spends the entire movie trying to get back to. She's not the only character in the movie who professes to be from Kansas, though? Can you guess the other?
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After all of that, a substance as simple as water is the undoing of the Wicked Witch of the West. She gets a face full of it when Dorothy attempts to put out a fire the Witch started on the Scarecrow.
As Dorothy is delivering her goodbyes before presumably leaving town with the Wizard, she speaks to each of her new friends — the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Lion, telling the Scarecrow that she will miss him most of all.
The Witch rides to the Emerald City, where she scrawls (with the help of her broom), "Surrender Dorothy." It causes confusion among the Emerald City's residents, who flock to the Wizard's chambers to get him to decipher it.
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The gift the Tin Man wanted throughout "The Wizard of Oz" was the heart that his creator had failed to give him when he was put together. The Wizard gave him a heart clock, which the Tin Man immediately put up to his ear to hear its ticking.
We don't think they'll be making an essential oil out of these anytime soon, but it's the bright red poppy that the Witch casts a spell on to put Dorothy to sleep as she nears the Emerald City. A fresh snow awakens them.
Miss Gulch arrives at the home where Dorothy is living with an order from the sheriff to take Toto away. Why? Because she claims that he bit her, which Dorothy tries (and fails) to argue against.
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Did you guess silver? In the book on which the movie is based, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," Dorothy wears silver shoes. Producers of the film opted to make the shoes red instead, to take advantage of new Technicolor technology.
Professor Marvel is the one who encounters the young runaway when she flees from her aunt and uncle's home in an effort to save Miss Gulch from returning to get the escaped Toto. The actor who played the Professor also plays the Wizard later in the movie.
Dorothy is advised to "follow the yellow brick road" in "The Wizard of Oz," but have you ever wondered where the red brick road went? We'll admit it — we have. The yellow brick road helps Dorothy find her way home.
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Dorothy has just left her black-and-white world behind and is exploring the colorful Munchkinland when she utters one of the movie's most popular phrases: "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."
The dog that played "Toto," known in real life as Terry, was a Cairn Terrier. Once the filming of "The Wizard of Oz" was over, the dog's owner officially changed her (not his) name to Toto.
Dorothy was walking the edges of the pig pen as a balance beam when she fell in and was recovered quickly by one of the farmhands. She was subsequently chastised by her Aunt Em, which led to the singing of one of Hollywood's most famous tunes.
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It was L. Frank Baum who gave us "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," drawing inspiration for the magical kingdom from his filing cabinet, which displayed "O-Z." Baum originally published the book in the year 1900. Wow!
The Tin Man is presumably made completely out of tin, including the funnel that sits atop his head as a type of hat. The oil can plays a role, too, though, helping Dorothy and the Scarecrow keep the Tin Man flexible.
Did you catch it? Miss Gulch's name is mentioned only once in the entire film, when Aunt Em is berating her for taking away Dorothy's dog. At that point, she addresses her by her full name: Almira Gulch.
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Once the "Doctor of Thinkology" has been awarded to the Scarecrow, the next thing he does is quote the Pythagorean Theorem. But, according to experts in those types of matters, the Scarecrow actually got the theorem wrong. (Don't believe us? Google it!)
The Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion get a bright idea to overtake three guards and swap out their current clothing for guard uniforms. This helps the trio get into the Witch's castle and rescue Dorothy.
What with his new "brains" and all, the Scarecrow is now fit for government work. (There's a joke in there somewhere.) The Wizard bestows authority of the Emerald City on him while he is gone.
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Dorothy is distraught in the Witch's castle when she cries out to her Aunt Em to say she is frightened. The Witch messes with Dorothy's mind, causing an image of her Aunt Em to appear in the giant crystal ball.
Glinda is insistent on questioning Dorothy about where her broom is, but Glinda herself doesn't even have one! Rather, she appears in Munchkinland with a glittering wand whose top is in the shape of a star.
You could call Toto the hero of the entire movie since it's the pup who pulls back the curtain on the Wizard to reveal that he's just a regular man. The Wizard tries to further conceal himself, but it's too late.
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She sure was full of threats? In the movie after the Tin Man is introduced, the Wicked Witch tries to scare Dorothy's new friends into abandoning her. To the Tin Man she threatens, "I'll use you for a beehive!"
The Lion is singing about being the "King of the Forest" at the Emerald City, and every king needs a crown, right? The Scarecrow and the Tin Man break a nearby flower pot into the shape of a crown and place it atop his head.
The hot air balloon the Wizard plans to use to take Dorothy home says, "Omaha," on the side. And, it got us thinking ... Aren't Dorothy and the Wizard from Kansas? Omaha is most decidedly in Nebraska. Hmph.
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The Lollipop Guild is the first "official" welcome that Dorothy gets to Munchkinland, where they welcome her in song and offer her a giant lollipop. That performance is followed by one from the the Lullaby League.
Professor Marvel refers to the horse as Sylvester when he starts trying to rein him in due to the impending storm. The moment is so quick that you might have missed it, but check it out next time you watch it!
Oh, Wizard! You gave us a great one with this quote, "A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." "The Wizard of Oz" is full of good life lessons, don't you agree?
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After discovering the Tin Man who had rusted in place after a storm, Dorothy and the Scarecrow set out to get him oiled so he can function again. The first stop? His mouth. This enables him to tell them what to do next!
We know! We were as shocked as you. "Over the Rainbow" was nearly axed from the movie entirely, but producers persisted in arguing for the song to be kept. Some thought the number was too long. The producers got the last laugh; "Over the Rainbow" earned an Academy Award for Best Song.