Production #1060 page 7 by ric gustafson
In 1936, Mervyn Leroy directed Gale Sondergaard in ' Anthony Adverse'. She won the Academy Award that year for Best Supporting Actress. MGM gave her a one year contract and she was cast in ' Dramatic School'. One day, LeRoy asked her to try on a witch's wardrobe. She tried on a sequined black dress and a black sequined hat. Later, LeRoy said that they needed a wicked hateful witch and that she was too pretty for the role. She agreed with LeRoy.
In 1938, Margaret Hamilton was 36 years old, newly divorced and had a three year old son. She drifted from studio to studio accepting roles without being on a contract. LeRoy found out about her from her work with the Cleveland Ohio Playhouse. She was asked to do a screen test and she wore the most rumpled clothes she could find and cackled and screamed some lines.
She got the part of the Wicked Witch of the West and Miss Gulch.
She got a six week guarantee and worked on the production for four months.
research help: ' The Making of the Wizard of Oz' by Aljean Harmetz
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
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