Wizard of Oz fans shocked after learning Judy Garland was drugged and actors almost died in horrific incidents on set

With Wicked in cinemas now, fans have been eager to take a look at the original Wizard of Oz, only to realize the dark stories attached to the production.

The 1939 Wizard of Oz might be a classic beloved by many, but not everyone knows about the many issues the film went through.

While it is difficult to imagine how a film gets made now, it certainly sounds like it was a difficult struggle back in the earlier days of the industry.

Multiple actors part of the film ended with injuries, including the film’s lead, Judy Garland, who was only 16 when she brought Dorothy to screens.

Some fans have gone as far as saying that the film is actually ‘cursed’, due to the multiple mishaps that occurred.

There was no SFX makeup back in 1939, and so Buddy Ebsen, who played the Tin Man, was painted with pure aluminum dust.

While this might not sound like such a big deal, there is a reason makeup artists, or anyone for that matter, don’t do this anymore.

He was essentially poisoned by the so-called makeup, and was hospitalized just nine days after filming had begun. He was required to sit under an oxygen tent in order to recover from the poisoning.

Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, also had makeup-related problems.

There were multiple safety issues on the set of the film (Warner Bros)

After artists had used copper as part of her face paint, she suffered burns. Production had to rush to take it off to ensure that it didn't seep through to her wounds.

While these issues can be chalked up to shortsightedness, or even ignorance, the issues surrounding Garland are less forgiving.

The actress claimed that the studio forced her to take growth-suppressing drugs to maintain her youthful, skinny appearance, and they reportedly imposed restrictions on her weight.

The actress was strongly advised to take 'pep pills' in order to cope with the long days of filming, which were essentially barbiturates and amphetamines.

When she did become an adult, she struggled with an eating disorder and drug addiction. She also attempted to take her own life several times.

Judy Garland went on to struggle with drug abuse in her life as an adult(Warner Bros)

She tragically died of an accidental overdose on June 22, 1969, at just 47 years old.

Aljean Harmetz, a former New York Times Hollywood correspondent who wrote The Making of The Wizard of Oz, explained that ‘stars and lesser players were indentured servants for studios’.

Harmetz added: "If she was a normal kid, allowed to go to a normal school and not come into the industry until she was an adult.

"I doubt the tragedy that became her life in her last years would have happened."

Thankfully that has completely changed now....right?