Production #1060 page 11

Production #1060 page 11 by ric gustafson


Makeup for the principal actors in the Wizard of Oz was long and painful. It took one hour and forty five minutes for Jack Haley to put on his makeup. Bolger playing the Scarecrow had a rubber bag that was wrinkled to simulate burlap. The bag was put over Bolger's head except for his eyes, nose and mouth. It was extended down his neck and then tied with a piece of rope. It took two hours in the morning to glue the bag and then to blend the makeup to look like burlap.
For Jack Haley as the Tin Woodman, they had to put rubber skin over his head and glue it behind his ears. Then they took a salve and painted his face white. They painted his face silver and glued on a silver nose.
For Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion, he wore a fur wig and his chin was covered with a fur beard. He wore mittens and wore a padded suit. Once the fake lion's nose and mouth were glued to his face, he could not open his mouth far enough to chew.
For Margaret Hamilton playing the Wicked Witch of the West, her makeup wasn't easy either. Her rubber piece consisted of a false nose, a jutted chin and a large wart that had dark hair coming out of it. Her eyebrows were touched up and her face, arms and hands were covered with green paint.


research help: ' The Making of the Wizard of Oz' by Aljean Harmetz


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric