On this day in 1939, Victor Young and His Orchestra recorded “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” one of the most iconic and memorable songs from the Academy Award-winning 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Have a listen!
For our version of the Wizard, we stayed true to its original depiction as a massive head on the back of a throne. As L. Frank Baum wrote:
In the center of the chair was an enormous Head, without a body to support it or any arms or legs whatever. There was no hair upon this head, but it had eyes and a nose and mouth, and was much bigger than the head of the biggest giant.
We fashioned our own throne from various pieces of molded wood purchased from a craft store: candlesticks, a plaque, pieces of molding and trim, etc. Then we spray-painted the throne a shiny gold.
Next, we took a styrofoam head (made for keeping wigs on) and felted over top of the styrofoam to change the features from feminine to masculine, and to change the mannequin’s half-smile into a definite menacing frown.
Then we created a very simple backdrop by scoring and folding green glitter paper to create some columns.
Finally, we set up the shot, with Dorothy and friends in the foreground, and the giant head in the background, and voilà! We’re off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz!