Blowing Up the Yellow Brick Road: The Age-Old Question of Dorothy's Age in 'The Wizard of Oz'
Alright, gather 'round, folks. We're about to dive into the twister that is Dorothy Gale's age in 'The Wizard of Oz'. Now, grab your ruby slippers, 'cause we're not in Kansas anymore when it comes to finding a straight answer to this question.
First things first, let's set the scene. We're talking about the 1939 classic, not the books or any of those weird remakes. In the film, Dorothy is played by the ever-adorable Judy Garland, who was a mere 16 years old when the movie was released. But here's where things get tricky. The character she plays, Dorothy, isn't exactly a teenager, is she?
Dorothy: A Girl, A Woman, A Timeless Enigma
Now, you might be thinking, "Well, she's obviously a kid. I mean, she's got pigtails and a dress that's way too big for her." But hold your horses, because the script paints a different picture. In the original screenplay, Dorothy is described as a "young girl of about eighteen". Eighteen! Can you even imagine little Judy Garland as an 18-year-old? I mean, she was still collecting her pocket money at that age.
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But wait, there's more! In the book, 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' by L. Frank Baum, Dorothy is described as a "little girl". So, we've got a 16-year-old actress playing an 18-year-old character who's actually a little girl. My head is spinning like a top in the Emerald City!
Age is Just a Number... Or is it?
So, why the discrepancy? Well, it turns out, the studio wanted to appeal to a wider audience. They figured that if Dorothy was older, more adults would be interested in seeing the film. Plus, they could cast a more mature actress, you know, to bring some depth to the role. But they ended up with Judy Garland, and the rest is history.
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Now, you might be wondering, "What's the big deal? It's just a movie." But here's the thing, folks. When you're talking about 'The Wizard of Oz', there's no such thing as 'just a movie'. This is a cultural phenomenon, a cinematic masterpiece, a... well, you get the picture.
So, the next time you're singing along to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", remember, Dorothy Gale is a timeless enigma. She's a little girl, an 18-year-old woman, and a 16-year-old actress all rolled into one. And that, my friends, is the real magic of 'The Wizard of Oz'.
