The Original Wicked Witch of the West is a character from the popular book series "The Wizard of Oz" written by L. Frank Baum. She first appears in the novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" published in 1900. The Wicked Witch of the West is known for her iconic green skin, black hat, and long black dress. She is one of the main antagonists in the story. The Wicked Witch of the West is the ruler of the Winkies, one of the four countries in the Land of Oz.
The Witch however, could have been very different. Initially, a more vampish look was favoured – no doubt inspired by Disney’s Wicked Witch (Snow White, 1937) – and Gale Sondergaard was engaged for the role. The film’s producer Mervyn LeRoy was concerned that the first screen tests were too beautiful, so a few blemishes were added. It’s unclear whether Sondergaard refused to embrace ‘ugly’ or if MGM decided she couldn’t, but she was dropped from the role three days before filming began and was replaced by Margaret Hamilton. If that sounds chaotic, that’s because it was: the script underwent multiple rewrites, the original director (Roger Thorpe) was replaced with George Cukor who in turn was supplanted by Victor Fleming and finally, King Vidor, and Buddy Ebsen (the original Tin Man) suffered an allergic reaction to his aluminium-based make-up. Although Cukor didn’t actually shoot any scenes he made a few key changes, including Dorothy’s hair and make-up. Costume designer Adrian was also brought on board and tasked with upping the scare factor, although it’s unclear if that was a directive from Cukor or an implementation from the top.
So perfectly cast was Hamilton that, when the film was sent for screen tests, audiences claimed her role was too scary, and many of her scenes were cut. The picture made a terrible impression of some kind on them, sometimes a ghastly impression, but most of them got over it, I guess Because when I talk like the Witch and when I laugh, there is a hesitation, and then they clap.
The Wicked Witch of the West is the ruler of the Winkies, one of the four countries in the Land of Oz. She is described as being wicked and evil, constantly trying to harm Dorothy and her friends as they journey to meet the Wizard of Oz. She uses her magical powers and creatures like winged monkeys to try and stop them.
Wicked Witch of the West™
WICKED WITCH COLLECTOR DOLL - BEST EVER PRODUCED! We are pleased to present the "Wicked Witch of the West™" - the newest addition to our exciting series based on the classic 1939 motion picture masterpiece The Wizard of Oz™. Faithfully designed on the character immortalized by Margaret Hamilton in the 1939 film, Oz's fearsome villain has been brought to life by R. JOHN WRIGHT DOLLS for the first time in the medium of molded felt. Standing 17" tall, the Wicked Witch is fully jointed at shoulders, hips and neck with the R. John Wright ball & socket jointing system. She has a realistic molded felt torso and limbs and her amazing felt hands have individually sewn fingers with applied fingernails! The molded felt character face has been finely modeled in a true likeness with hand painted features and shaded green complexion. The Wicked Witch's wig is made of the finest custom-dyed mohair and styled exactly as it was in the film. Extensively researched for the utmost in authenticity, the Wicked Witch of the West is outfitted in a tailored Victorian-style dress of black cotton fabric with a matching laced waistcoat and purse. A dramatic flowing black cape fastens at her throat. Period undergarments, dark stockings, hand-cobbled black pumps and a replica hat with attached silk veil complete her trademark ensemble. This is the most accurate representation of this iconic film character ever created. In one hand, the Wicked Witch carries a detailed custom-made miniature of the broom as seen in the film. The Wicked Witch of the West will be produced in an extremely small edition of just 250 pieces worldwide. Each will come enclosed in a deluxe presentation box with the accompanying signed and numbered certificate of authenticity and the forms for owner registration. Subject to availability, matching edition numbers will be provided to other characters in the R. John Wright Wizard of Oz™ collection. The Wicked Witch of the West will be available through all RJW AUTHORIZED RETAILERS and directly from the RJW COMPANY STORE. The online purchase price includes shipping and insurance in the domestic United States. For overseas shipping rates, please contact the RJW office. You may also place your order request via phone at 1-802-447-7072. All orders are subject to availability. There are more production photos of the Wicked Witch of the West™! THE WIZARD OF OZ: TM & © Turner Entertainment Co
This post is my contribution to the Great Villain Blogathon, hosted by three wonderful (and non-villainous) bloggers: Silver Screenings, Shadows & Satin and Speakeasy. Check out all the posts, where there’s evil, dastardly wrongdoings and malice aplenty!
The witch's primary goal is to obtain the magical silver shoes worn by Dorothy. These shoes have the power to transport her back to her home in Kansas. The Wicked Witch of the West believes that by possessing the shoes, she can increase her power and control over the land of Oz. Throughout the story, the witch tries various schemes to get the shoes from Dorothy, including threatening her and her friends and attempting to set them on fire. However, she is ultimately defeated when Dorothy accidentally throws a bucket of water on her, causing her to melt away. Despite her role as the villain, the Wicked Witch of the West has become an iconic character in popular culture. She has been portrayed in various adaptations of "The Wizard of Oz," including the famous 1939 film starring Margaret Hamilton. Her image is often associated with Halloween and is a popular costume choice for both children and adults. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the character, with adaptations like the hit Broadway musical "Wicked," which presents a different perspective on the witch's backstory and motivations. This exploration of her character has added depth and complexity to the original wicked witch of the West, making her more than just a simple villain..
Reviews for "The Original Wicked Witch of the West: A Symbol of Femininity and Power"
1. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Original Wickee Witch of the West". The storyline felt generic and predictable. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect or care about them. The writing style was also a bit dry and lacked creativity. Overall, I found it to be a forgettable read that didn't live up to the hype.
2. Mark - 1 out of 5 stars - I can't believe how boring "Original Wickee Witch of the West" was. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot seemed to drag on without any real purpose. The characters were one-dimensional and had no depth or complexity to them. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural. I found myself struggling to finish this book and was relieved when it was finally over.
3. Emma - 2 out of 5 stars - "Original Wickee Witch of the West" fell short of my expectations. The writing style was overly descriptive, bordering on tedious. The world-building was lackluster, and I didn't feel immersed in the story at all. The main character was not relatable, and I couldn't connect with her struggles. The story lacked excitement and failed to engage me from start to finish. I wouldn't recommend it to fellow fantasy fans.
4. Ryan - 1 out of 5 stars - I found "Original Wickee Witch of the West" to be a complete disappointment. The plot was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to follow along. The dialogue felt stilted and unnatural, lacking authenticity. The characters were unremarkable, leaving me uninterested in their fates. The overall pacing was slow, and the story dragged on without any real purpose. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this book.