we're off to see the Wizard page 3

we're off to see the Wizard page 3 by ric Gustafson


On January 26 1934, Sam Goldwyn bought the film rights to Oz for 40,000 from Baum's son Frank. Goldwyn wanted to shoot the picture in three strip Technicolor. Louis B Mayer picked one man to get Oz off the ground. This was Executive Irving Thalberg. He had joined the studio in 1924 and brought intense focus and a steady work ethic. Thalberg was slight, good looking and well dressed. The educated young man married MGM star Norma Shearer and joined Hollywood royalty. Tragically, he was sickly and died in 1936. He was only thirty seven years old.
Mayer picked Mervyn LeRoy to produce the Wizard of Oz. A budget of $ 3.7 million was decided upon for Production 1060. Normal MGM big pictures were shot in eight weeks. Production 1060 ended up to be a 22 week shoot.
44 year old Arthur Freed was picked to be Associate Producer for Production 1060. He read the Oz books since he was a boy and loved the story.
LeRoy and Freed knew that casting was the first hurdle to tackle.


research help: ' The Wizard of Oz FAQ' by David Hogan


Peace and God's blessings. Happy Holidays. Love Ric