The Numbers of Production 1060

One film, millions of dollars, 120 Munchkins, two tin men ... here are a few fun facts and behind-the-scenes figures connected to the world’s most popular movie: MGM's Production Number 1060, The Wizard of Oz.

$2.7 million: The budget for The Wizard of Oz, an enormous sum in the late 1930s. After the studio added expenses for distribution, advertising, and promotion, the total cost was nearly $4 million. Even though Oz was one of the year’s highest-grossing movies, MGM still lost $750,000 on the film.

$75,000: The amount MGM paid for the film rights to The Wizard of Oz.

40,000: The number of artificial flowers used in the poppy field.

1956: The year The Wizard of Oz was first shown on television.

$500: What Judy Garland was paid per week for the role of Dorothy. The only Oz actor in a major role to earn less than Judy Garland? Terry, the terrier who played Toto, who received $125 a week.

365: The number of movies released in 1939, for an average of one a day.

300: The number of birds that MGM rented from the Zoo Park in Los Angeles so the director could select a few for background atmosphere.

120: The number of little people who descended on Culver City, Calif., in November 1938 to play The Munchkins.

$100: The amount paid to Adriana Caselotti to sing one line: “Wherefore art thou, Romeo?” in the song, “If I Only Had a Heart.” Caselotti is better known as the voice of Snow White in the Disney film.

50 pounds: The weight of Bert Lahr’s Cowardly Lion costume. It was made from genuine lion skins lined with heavy padding.

48 inches: The height of Munchkin Coroner, Meinhardt Raabe. He was 23 years old when he appeared in The Wizard of Oz.

40: The number of rubber masks, designed to give his face a burlap-textured appearance, that Scarecrow Ray Bolger went through during the filming.

25 cents: The average cost of an adult-priced movie ticket in 1939. Children paid an average of 10 cents.

Ten: The number of days that production had been underway before the original Tin Man, Buddy Ebsen, suffered a severe allergic reaction to the aluminum powder in his makeup. He was replaced by Jack Haley a few weeks later.

Eight: The number of Technicolor features released in 1939, including The Wizard of Oz.

Seven: Days the MGM art department spent searching for the right shade of yellow for the Yellow Brick Road.

Six: The number of MGM executives who wanted to cut “Over the Rainbow” from the final film because “it slowed down the picture.” Common sense prevailed, and the song was left in.

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