Top 10 Things Only Adults Notice in The Wizard of Oz
#10: The Special Effects Are Super Impressive!
Top 10 Things Only Adults Notice in Clueless
Kids watching today, or even 30 years ago, wouldn’t even flinch as Dorothy leaves her sepia home and enters the technicolor Munchkinland. They might have even thought the initial lack of color was just a glitch! But imagine seeing it for the first time back in 1939 – that moment Dorothy steps out her front door would’ve blown your mind. The movie was one of the frontrunners in special effects innovation, using cutting-edge technology to bring L. Frank Baum’s fantastical world to life. Apparently, it was a long process that posed plenty of challenges. However, it played a crucial role in making “The Wizard of Oz” an iconic piece of cinema history.
#9: Where Are Dorothy’s Parents?
Top 10 Things Only Adults Notice in Kids' Movies
When we first meet Dorothy Gale, she’s pretty happy living on a farm with her Uncle Henry and Aunt Em. Still, we can’t help but wonder where her parents are. They’re never mentioned in the film, so for all we know, they could be anywhere from chasing their own rainbows to no longer around. If you’ve read the books, you might remember that at one point, it’s briefly mentioned that Dorothy’s mother passed away. Still, neither the book nor the movie truly delves into how Dorothy came to live with her aunt and uncle. Also, are they biologically related, or does she just call them aunty and uncle as a term of affection?
#8: The Wicked Witch of the West’s Hygiene Habits
Top 10 Things Only Adults Notice in The Little Mermaid
If it takes a mere bucket of water to melt this witch, how does she keep up with her personal cleanliness? If she’s not bathing or washing her hands, what is she doing? Has she conjured up some liquidless alternatives like the hand sanitizer gels we’ve all become dependent on these days? Or did she ask The Wizard to think up some solution? Perhaps the real reason the Munchkins fear her is because they can always smell her before they see her! Also, is she cranky because she’s always dehydrated? We admit we’ve fallen down the rabbit hole with this one, but once you think about it, it’s kind of hard to stop!
#7: Is Glinda Really All That Good?
Top 10 Things Only Adults Notice in Teen Movies
In “Wicked,” we learn that the Wizard bestowed the title of “Good” on Glinda. However, who gave her 1939 MGM counterpart that name? We’d like to have a word! Firstly, she seems to enjoy the Munchkins’ celebratory march more than anyone else. Also, let’s not forget who put the target on Dorothy’s back, or more correctly, those shoes on her feet. She probably made Dorothy’s trip to the Emerald City that much harder! Also, if she could help Dorothy get home, was that whole “She had to learn it for herself” thing really necessary? If anything, Dorothy’s reaction in “MadTV’s” alternate ending makes far more sense! Perhaps Glinda, mistress of chaos, is more appropriate.
#6: Frank Morgan Was Kept Very Busy on Set
We first see Frank Morgan as Professor Marvel, whom Dorothy meets when she runs away from home. Now, pop quiz: who is his Oz counterpart? A) The Wizard, B) Two different Emerald City guards. Or, C) The coachman of the horse of a different color? If you said D) All of the above, gold star for you! Some folks think there’s more to it than just the studio trying to save money or show off Morgan’s acting skills. In Baum’s books, the Emerald City residents seemingly wore green-lens glasses that created the illusion of this spectacular city. Likewise, Morgan’s Wizard may have embodied the various characters to keep up his charade.
#5: “Fly, Fly, My Pretties”
Top 10 Things Only Adults Notice in Pixar Movies
Remember that scene where the Wicked Witch sends her flying monkeys to capture Dorothy? Of course, you do; those flying monkeys have fueled kids’ nightmares for generations! Now, do you remember what she says as they fly by her window? Did you say, “Fly My Pretties?” Sorry to break it to you but you’ve been had by the Mandela Effect. Don’t believe us? Listen again. Why have so many of us misremembered it? Well, the Witch tends to call Dorothy “My Pretty,” so it seems we collectively just melded the two quotes together. It’s not the only misremembered line, either! Next time you watch, see if you can hear any others; here, we’ll get you started.
#4: Does Miss Gulch Ever Come Back for Toto?
Top 10 Things Only Adults Notice in Back to the Outback
The movie opens with Dorothy and Toto catching the ire of the local shrew, Miss Gulch. However, Toto manages to escape; then there’s the Twister, and so on. Fast forward to the end, Dorothy wakes up, thinking she’s been away for days, only it seems not even one day has passed— that’s one powerful subconscious! Anyway, given how things were left with Miss. Gulch, wouldn’t she come back for Toto once she realized he’d escaped? Dorothy’s guardians had obeyed the Sheriff’s order the first time. Imagine if Dorothy woke up from her dream to find her beloved pet gone. Perhaps Miss Gulch did return, but this time, Aunt Em really let her have it.
#3: Dorothy’s Shoes Are Meant to Be Silver
Baum’s fans might spot nods to the books throughout the movie. For example, see the umbrella on Miss Gulch’s bicycle? In the books, the Witch (Gulch’s Ozian alter-ego) uses an umbrella, not a broomstick, which makes sense given her water aversion. The wooden saw-horse is also a nod to a book character, and readers will recognize the Golden Gap as the tool the witch uses to control her flying monkeys. However, one significant change stands out: Dorothy’s shoes. In the books, they’re silver, but this famous pair clearly aren’t. Well, if you’d invested in the latest technicolor movie tech, wouldn’t you want to make those shoes shine? There’s no denying that ruby really pops!
#2: Who’s Glinda’s Kansas Alter-Ego?
Top 10 Things Only Adults Notice in DreamWorks Movies
As we’ve seen, almost everyone Dorothy meets in Oz has a Kansas counterpart. Indeed, this is teased in one of the earliest scenes where two of the farmhands advise Dorothy about her brains and courage. There was reportedly also meant to be a line about “a machine with real heart,” but it got cut. Still, one mystery remains: Who’s Dorothy’s real world Glinda? We certainly don’t meet anyone who fits the bill except maybe Aunt Em? But then, wouldn’t she be played by the same actress like all the others? Perhaps she represents Dorothy’s mother? Glinda was apparently inspired by Baum’s mother-in-law, author and advocate, Matilda Joslyn Gage. So, there’s definitely some motherly connection there. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Dorothy’s Daughter Hearts the Tin Man’s Son Jack Haley’s Tin Man Found His Heart So His Son, Jack Haley Jr., Could Give It (for a Brief Time, at Least) to Liza Minnelli Dorothy’s Hair Length Changes Is This Part of the Magic of Oz? Self-Styling Hair Would Save Us a Few Trips to the Salon! A Disney Connection In “If I Only Had a Heart,” We Briefly Hear Snow White Voice Actress Adriana Caselotti; She’s Uncredited Due to Her Contract with Disney Dorothy’s Dress Has Pockets! If We Met the Wizard, We Might’ve Asked for Dresses with Pockets to Be More Common! Scarecrow Recites Pythagorean Theorem… or Does He? Hey, It’s Only His First Day with a Brain! We Spent Years in School; We’re Not Even Sure We Would Get It Right!
#1: Wouldn’t You Be Mad If You Were in the Wicked Witch’s Shoes?
Or weren’t in them to be more accurate. Think about it: She’s just found out that her sister had been flattened by a falling house. She thinks about those ruby shoes and how she’ll fondly remember her late sister every time she clicks her heels together. Only what happens? Some meddling witch who audaciously calls herself “good” decides to take them— and who does she give them to? That’s right, the very girl who’s responsible for your sister’s demise! Sure, it wasn’t deliberate, but that’s neither here nor there right now. We’re not denying that this witch truly is wicked, but come on, don’t tell us you wouldn’t be mad, too? Are there any tidbits from “The Wizard of Oz” that you only spotted only after you got older? There’s no place like the comments section to share them with us!
