Women of Top Fantasy Movie: The Wizard of Oz
Who Could Forget Dorothy, Glinda and The Wicked Witch of the West?
The 'Wizard of Oz' was recently selected as the top fantasy film of all time in the American Film Institute List: AFI Names Top Ten Fantasy Films of All Time. This musical fantasy has become a movie classic that is beloved by generations. The movie won two Oscar's for the 1939 season, for Best Music and Best Original Song - "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" The female actresses that starred in the "Wizard of Oz' include Judy Garland as Dorothy, Billie Burke as Glinda the Good Witch, Margaret Hamilton as The Wicked Witch of the West and Clara Blandick as Auntie Em.
Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale
Dorothy Gale was a young girl on a farm in Kansas. When a nasty neighbor confiscates her beloved dog, Toto, Dorothy sings 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow,' with longing for escape from their troubles. I seems her wish is granted when the house is whisked away by a tornado and falls down on the Wicked Witch. Glinda the Good Witch instructs Dorothy to 'Follow the Yellow Brick Road' to go 'Off to See the Wizard." Dorothy and Toto head down the Yellow Brick Road to Emerald City and meet the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and the Tin Man.
Judy Garland began in show business at the age two, as Baby Gumm of the Gumm Sisters act, performing on stage in their father's theater in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In Hollywood, Garland was signed to MGM and played in a string of movies with Mickey Rooney. Judy Garland won a Juvenile Academy Award for her 1939 roles in Wizard of Oz and 'Babe in Arms' and became one of MGM's most bankable stars. Judy Garland starred in many movies, including 'Judgment at Nuremberg,' 'A Star is Born,' 'Easter Parade,' 'Harvey Girls,' 'A Star is Born' and 'Meet Me in St. Louis.' In spite of her stardom, Garland was plagued by insecurity. Judy Garland was born in 1922 and died of an accidental drug overdose in 1969.
Billie Burke as Glinda the Good Witch
Glinda the Good Witch was played by Billie Burke. The beautiful witch greeted Dorothy upon arrival to the Land of Oz and helped her get home by finally telling her how to use the Ruby Slippers. Glinda may be remembered for the lilt of her high, sing song voice. Billie Burke was 53 when she played the beautiful witch.
One of Burke's favorite quotes was "Age doesn't matter, unless you are cheese." Billie Burke was a stage actress who married Florenz Ziegfield in 1914. Flo Ziegfield was famous for producing The Ziegfield Follies and womanizing. Billie came out of semi retirement when the family fortune was wiped out in 1929. Ziefield died in 1932. Billie Burke is best remembered for her role as Glinda in "Wizard of Oz,' however she was in many other films and acted until 1960. Other films include the "Topper' series, 'Dinner at Eight,' 'Father of the Bride; and 'Merrily We Live.' Billie Burke was born in 1884 and died in 1970.
Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West
The Wicked Witch of the West struck terror in the heart of viewers, with her pointy green face and spine chilling laugh. The wicked witch was after revenge and the ruby slippers that Glinda had put on Dorothy's feet after the house fell on The Wicked Witch of the East. The witch's famous quote in 'The Wizard of Oz' is "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too."
Margaret Hamilton was a schoolteacher turned character actor. In real life, Hamilton loved children. The actress went on to a career in television and movie roles. Margaret Hamilton lived in New York most of her life, but later moved to Hollywood. Margaret Hamilton was born in 1902 and died in 1985 of a heart attack.
Clara Blandick as Auntie Em
Auntie Em was Dorothy's guardian on the Kansas farm where they lived. Clara Blandick was a stage actress and character actress. She was severely ill and in pain at the age of 81, when she committed suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills. Clara Blandick was born in 1880 and died in 1962.
Resources: IMDb and Wikipedia
