Released in 1939, it transformed Judy Garland into an international star and became a defining piece of Hollywood history. But behind the Technicolor magic was a production marked by exhausting schedules, dangerous working conditions, and an industry that abused women and children.
For decades, stories surrounding the film have grown into something much darker.
Because when a movie is surrounded by on-set injuries, cast members who suffer extraordinary personal tragedies, urban legends that refuse to die, and one of Hollywood's greatest stars spends a lifetime battling the consequences of childhood fame, people begin to wonder whether The Wizard of Oz was simply an unlucky production, or whether it carries a curse.
This week, Richard Baker and Dr. Nick Coatsworth separate Hollywood myth from historical fact as they explore the so-called Curse of The Wizard of Oz, the brutal realities of the Golden Age studio system, and the heartbreaking treatment of Judy Garland.
Some of the stories surrounding The Wizard of Oz have been debunked. Others are firmly supported by historical evidence. And some have grown larger with every retelling, fuelled by decades of rumour, nostalgia, and Hollywood folklore.
This episode is sponsored by Blackmores. More health, more life.
Contact the show at conspiracycabal@outlook.com.
The Conspiracy Cabal doesn't promote conspiracy theories - it examines them. We search for the kernel of truth in every story, exploring how conspiracies start, why they persist, and what drives people to believe them.
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