The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Film›The Wizard of Oz
Entertainment • Film

The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film directed by Victor Fleming and based on L.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film directed by Victor Fleming and based on L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. It follows Dorothy Gale, a Kansas farm girl who is swept to the magical Land of Oz and tries to find her way home. The film became one of the most enduring family films in American cinema and is known for its cast, songs, and visual style.

Plot

Dorothy Gale is transported by a tornado from Kansas to the Land of Oz, where she meets the Good Witch of the North, follows the Yellow Brick Road, and travels with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. Her goal is to reach the Wizard in the Emerald City and return home to Kansas.

Cast

The principal cast includes Judy Garland as Dorothy, Frank Morgan as Professor Marvel and the Wizard, Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion, Jack Haley as the Tin Man, Billie Burke as Glinda, and Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West.

Songs

The film’s best-known songs include “Over the Rainbow,” which was nearly cut before release, as well as other musical numbers associated with Dorothy and her companions. “Over the Rainbow” later became one of the most celebrated movie songs of all time.

Legacy

Although not an immediate financial or critical triumph, The Wizard of Oz became one of the most enduring films in American popular culture. It was selected for the U.S. National Film Registry in 1989 as a culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant film.

Key facts

  • The film is based on L. Frank Baum’s children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
  • Judy Garland played Dorothy Gale.
  • The story follows Dorothy’s journey from Kansas to Oz and her efforts to return home.
  • The film features songs including “Over the Rainbow,” which became especially famous.
  • The film has been preserved as a culturally significant work in the U.S. National Film Registry.
🍁
Canadian context

The Wizard of Oz has long been part of Canadian television, school, and family-film viewing through repeated broadcast and home entertainment availability, making it a familiar reference point in Canadian popular culture.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Wizard of Oz about?
It is about Dorothy Gale, a Kansas farm girl who is swept by a tornado to the magical Land of Oz and travels to the Emerald City in hopes of returning home.
Who played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz?
Judy Garland played Dorothy Gale.
How old was Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz?
Judy Garland was 16 during production and 17 when the film was released in 1939. This is a factual inference based on her birth year of 1922 and the film’s 1939 release.
What happened to the actors from The Wizard of Oz?
The main actors went on to varied later careers: Judy Garland remained a major performer, while Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke, and Margaret Hamilton continued acting in film, stage, radio, or television. This film source identifies the principal cast but does not provide full later-life biographies.
What was the cast of The Wizard of Oz?
The principal cast listed by Britannica includes Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke, and Margaret Hamilton.
What are The Wizard of Oz songs?
The film includes songs such as “Over the Rainbow,” which is the best-known song and was later voted the number one movie song by the American Film Institute. The film also contains other musical numbers associated with Dorothy and her companions.

References

  1. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Wizard-of-Oz
    Supports: Film overview, release year, cast, plot, and legacy; also notes 'Over the Rainbow' and National Film Registry status.
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Wonderful-Wizard-of-Oz
    Supports: Source novel by L. Frank Baum and broad context for the story.
  3. LitCharts — https://www.litcharts.com/lit/the-wizard-of-oz/summary
    Supports: Plot summary of Dorothy’s journey in Oz and return to Kansas.