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Halloween Costumes from the Land of Oz

Updated on September 23, 2014

We're Off to See the Wizard This Halloween!

This Halloween, why not follow the Yellow Brick Road to candy! Dress up as Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion and go as a group! Or choose a side and pick Glinda the Good Witch or The Wicked Witch of the West! There's a costume for everyone in the Land of Oz!

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - From book to silver screen

L. Frank Baum's book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was published in 1900. The story, and its subsequent sequels, follows the story of Dorothy Gale, a young orphan being raised by her aunt and uncle, on the plains of Kansas. During a cyclone, she and her dog Toto are caught in the house which is soon deposited in a field in Munchkin County in the land of Oz.

From there Dorothy is befriended by the Good Witch of the North, who sends her on a journey to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard of Oz for help in returning to Kansas. Along the way, as she walks the Yellow Brick Road, Dorothy meets the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. Her new friends help her reach the Emerald City, even though Dorothy is being pursued by the Wicked Witch of the West, who desires the ruby slippers Dorothy now wears.

In 1939, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio produced a musical fantasy adaptation, called The Wizard of Oz. Staring Judy Garland as Dorothy, the film was noted for its use of special effects and Technicolor. The film began to air on network television in 1956, introducing a whole new generation to the movie.

In 1978, the film adaption of the Broadway musical The Wiz appeared in theaters, staring Diana Ross as Dorothy and Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow. An unofficial sequel to the 1939 film, Return to Oz, was produced by Walt Disney pictures in 1985. Fairuza Balk starred as Dorothy, with the story based on the Ozma of Oz and The Marvelous Land of Oz books.

The cultural impact and legacy of The Wizard of Oz lives on in animated films and cartoons, books series (notably Gregory Maguire's Wicked) and other feature films. The most recent incarnation is Oz: The Great and Powerful, staring James Franco, Mila Kunis, and Michelle Williams.

Trailer for the Wizard of Oz (1939)

Dorothy Gale

Played by Judy Garland

Dorothy Gale lives on a Kansas farm, with her aunt Em and uncle Henry, and her little black dog named Toto. An orphan, Dorothy first ventures to Oz after a cyclone carries the house to Munchkin Land.

After the house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East, Dorothy inherits the Ruby Slippers and guidance from Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, steers her towards the Emerald City. Intent on getting home to Kansas, Dorothy flees from the snares of the Wicked Witch of the West as she travels along the Yellow Brick Road.

Befriended by the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, the friends eventually reach the Emerald City. Although Dorothy does find a way back to Kansas, she returns to Oz in several more adventures.

Scarecrow

Played by Ray Bolger

Created to scare crows, the Scarecrow is met by Dorothy as she travels to the Emerald City. He reveals to her that his one desire is to have a brain, as he lacks one. Dorothy scares away the crows, who are no longer scared of the Scarecrow, and the two team up to travel the Yellow Brick Road.

While in the Emerald City, the Wizard of Oz grants the Scarecrow his wish for a brain. In subsequent adventures, it is revealed that the Scarecrow rules the Emerald City as king, until he is ousted in a coup by General Jinjir.

The Tin Man

Played by Jack Haley

Originally a very ordinary man named Nick Chopper, who made a living as a woodsman, the Wicked Witch of the East enchanted his axe to prevent him from marrying the woman he loved. The axe hacked off his limbs, forcing Chopper to replace them with tin counterparts, until there was nothing of him left but tin parts.

On their way to the Emerald City, Dorothy and the Scarecrow find the Tin Man stuck in the rain, having rusted. Giving him a spot of help with an oil can, he joins them on their quest. He asks the Wizard of Oz for a heart, not having one, and his wish is granted.

The Cowardly Lion

Played by Bert Lahr

This "King of the Beasts" is actually afraid he hasn't the courage, which leads him to believe he an inadequate beast. Met by Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man, the Lion tries to bite Toto and is admonished by Dorothy for being a coward.

Joining the trio on their journey, the Cowardly Lion asks the Wizard of Oz for courage. In the books he receives a liquid dose of courage, while in the 1939 film he receives a large medal of Courage.

Glinda, the Good Witch of the North

Played by Billie Burke

The Good Witch of the North, Glinda is young and beautiful. Wearing a pink gown with a matching crown, she carries a long magic wand with a star on its tip. She befriends Dorothy upon her arrival in Munchkin Land, giving her the Ruby Slippers previously owned by the Wicked Witch of the East.

Glinda supervises Dorothy as she travels to the Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz, teaching her that she always had the way back to Kansas in her power all along.

The Wicked Witch of the West

Played by Margaret Hamilton

Green-skinned and possessing a terrible temper, the Wicked Witch of the West pursues Dorothy in an attempt to steal back the Ruby slippers. Worse than the Wicked Witch of the East, her sister, the Wicked Witch employs Flying Monkeys to try to stop Dorothy and her friends from reaching the Emerald City.

The Wicked Witch of the West is killed (or melted, anyway) when Dorothy throws water on her after she tries to light the Scarecrow on fire.

Flying Monkeys

Pat Walshe as Nikko, the Head Flying Monkey

Ordered by the Wicked Witch of the West, the Flying Monkeys try to kidnap Dorothy, dismantle the Scarecrow, and throw Toto into a river. Led by the head Flying Monkey, Nikko, they try to steal the Ruby Slippers while Dorothy and her friends sleep in a field of poppies.

After the Wicked Witch of the West is killed, the Flying Monkeys swear allegiance to Dorothy.

Choose a Side! - Witches' Battle Royale!

Which Side Are You On?

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