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25 Magical Wizard of Oz Trivia Questions and Answers

By Darwin·Updated Apr 2025·3 min read

Welcome to our Wizard of Oz trivia collection! Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newcomer who’s just taken the journey, there’s something here for everyone.

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  1. 1What year was The Wizard of Oz movie released?

  2. 2Who was originally cast to play the Tin Man?

  3. 3What color was Dorothy’s iconic dress actually in the movie?

  4. 4What was used to create the snow in the poppy field scene?

  5. 5What special effect was used for the tornado in the movie?

  6. 6Which actress played Dorothy Gale?

  7. 7What role did Margaret Hamilton play in the film?

  8. 8How old was Judy Garland when she played Dorothy?

  9. 9What costume malfunction did the Cowardly Lion suffer from?

  10. 10Which actor was almost seriously burned during filming?

  11. 11What song won an Academy Award for Best Original Song?

  12. 12Who composed the music for The Wizard of Oz?

  13. 13What song was almost cut from the movie for being too slow?

  14. 14How much did Judy Garland get paid for her role compared to the dog that played Toto?

  15. 15What hidden message appears in the Wicked Witch’s skywriting?

  16. 16What color were Dorothy’s slippers in the original Wizard of Oz book?

  17. 17Which studio produced The Wizard of Oz?

  18. 18Which phrase became a famous cultural reference from the movie?

  19. 19What makes The Wizard of Oz significant in terms of color film history?

  20. 20What is the significance of The Wizard of Oz in the National Film Registry?

  21. 21What was the budget for The Wizard of Oz?

  22. 22What scene was edited due to concerns over it being too frightening for children?

  23. 23How long did it take to apply the Scarecrow’s makeup?

  24. 24Which character’s costume weighed the most?

  25. 25What was the original running time of the movie?

Answer Key

  1. 1. 1939The Wizard of Oz premiered on August 25, 1939.
  2. 2. Buddy EbsenBuddy Ebsen was initially cast but had to be replaced after suffering a severe reaction to the aluminum makeup.
  3. 3. Blue and whiteDorothy's dress appeared blue and white in the film but was actually blue and pale pink to look better in Technicolor.
  4. 4. AsbestosThe snow used in the poppy field scene was made from asbestos, which was commonly used in films at the time.
  5. 5. A cloth wind sockThe tornado was created using a 35-foot-long muslin cloth wind sock, manipulated by technicians.
  6. 6. Judy GarlandJudy Garland was cast as Dorothy and became iconic for the role.
  7. 7. The Wicked Witch of the WestMargaret Hamilton played the menacing Wicked Witch of the West.
  8. 8. 16 years oldDespite playing a young girl, Garland was 16 during filming.
  9. 9. His costume was made from real lion pelts, making it unbearably hot for actor Bert Lahr to wear.
  10. 10. Margaret HamiltonShe suffered severe burns during a mishap involving the special effects for the Wicked Witch’s exit from Munchkinland.
  11. 11. "Over the Rainbow""Over the Rainbow," sung by Judy Garland, won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 1940.
  12. 12. Harold ArlenHarold Arlen composed the music, with lyrics by Yip Harburg.
  13. 13. "Over the Rainbow"Studio executives considered cutting "Over the Rainbow" because they felt it slowed the film’s pace.
  14. 14. Judy Garland was paid $500 per week, while Toto (Terry) was paid $125 per week.
  15. 15. "Surrender Dorothy"The Witch writes "Surrender Dorothy" in the sky to scare Dorothy and her companions.
  16. 16. SilverIn L. Frank Baum's novel, Dorothy's slippers were silver, but they were changed to ruby in the movie for the Technicolor effect.
  17. 17. MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)MGM produced the film, which became one of their most iconic releases.
  18. 18. "There’s no place like home."Dorothy’s iconic line became one of the most quoted phrases in cinema.
  19. 19. It used Technicolor for the magical world of Oz, creating a stark contrast with the sepia-toned Kansas scenes.
  20. 20. It was one of the first 25 films selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 1989.
  21. 21. $2.8 millionThe budget was relatively high for the time, and the film became one of MGM’s most expensive productions.
  22. 22. The Wicked Witch’s hourglass sceneThe scene was shortened because the filmmakers feared it would scare younger viewers.
  23. 23. Two hoursActor Ray Bolger’s scarecrow makeup took two hours to apply each day.
  24. 24. The Cowardly Lion’s costumeBert Lahr’s lion costume, made from real lion pelts, weighed nearly 90 pounds.
  25. 25. 112 minutesThe original cut was 112 minutes before it was edited down to its final length of 101 minutes.

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