The Wizard of Oz : The tornadoes in the background

The tornadoes in the background

That looked like some great special effects. Although it says in the trivia it was just muslin stockings spun around. It's amazing the effect that had from something so simple.

Re: The tornadoes in the background

Taht's exactly what it was. The description
you give is a bit simplistic ,a lot more to it than that.

Watch the extras included on the DVD ,
they show exactly how they did just about everything.



Go for it or just be a gopher!
(MR.) happipuppi13 🐕 *arf,man!*

Re: The tornadoes in the background

The trivia isn't quite correct. In fact it was a muslin stocking 80ft long spun by a motor suspended from the studio ceiling.

Let Zygons Be Zygons.

Re: The tornadoes in the background

Sure it was muslin, but I've never been sure why they call it a "stocking". Who needs a stocking that size, besides a 200 foot tall woman?

Re: The tornadoes in the background

I think they just called it a stocking because of the basic shape of it.

Let Zygons Be Zygons.

Re: The tornadoes in the background

That makes sense, yeah. They likely made it specifically for the movie.

Re: The tornadoes in the background

Yeah it is but you have to make do with what you got, and you have to remember that this movie was released decades before there was such a thing as CGI animation.

Re: The tornadoes in the background

Even now it gives me the creeps. There's this shot in the special features documentary (Angela Lansbury narrates it) where they just have this shot of the entire house getting engulfed by this big, black THING and there's a cue from the score that is basically troublesome trumpets blaring, and it's really alarming and disturbing to me! They outdid themselves with the tornado FX for this. Even better than the ones today to be honest.

CDEGFEDCC. (Shhh!)

Re: The tornadoes in the background

I know what shot you're talking about. It is quite frightening. I think they officially call that an "alternate take" since is not in the final film; there were no shots seen of the cyclone overtaking the house, although it would've likely occurred after Dorothy's delirium began (though that is all shot inside the house). The tornado footage *is* magnificent, because each time it is shown it does, in fact, saunter closer and closer to the house, resulting in my favorite shot of that sequence: when Dorothy has arrived at the front gate and kicks it open, advancing to the front door (after the screen door has flown off its hinges). The funnel swirls in the background like a snake, but it becomes so engulfed in dark clouds, you hardly see it any more.

Re: The tornadoes in the background

What? Everybody said the effect is awesome.

Re: The tornadoes in the background

You know it's funny, as a kid I was almost more scared of the tornado than I was of the witch! The way they juxtaposed it in the background while Dorothy is trying to get home is very threatening! A great special effect for it's time. Oh hell, it's impressive even nowadays! But as a child, it was immensely creepy. The way they set the scene up, how the tornado gets closer and closer to Dorothy and then eventually swallows up the farm house, with her inside of it! It's just great. I just re watched the film recently and it gave me goosebumps. And I'm 20 years old now!

Re: The tornadoes in the background


as a kid I was almost more scared of the tornado than I was of the witch!
Well that makes sense. A witch can be defeated.. A tornado can't.

Re: The tornadoes in the background

Exactly!

Re: The tornadoes in the background

I was born and raised in California, and earthquakes don't bother me in the least.

But a tornado would terrify me!


I intend to live forever.
So far, so good.

Re: The tornadoes in the background

As a child, I can remember having a vivid dream of looking out the window and seeing a black cyclone coming toward me. I'm pretty sure it was after watching The Wizard of Oz.

---
House. My room. Cant walk. My medal. My father. Father, dont!

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Re: The tornadoes in the background

That tornado effect is just one example of how film makers used ingenious yet simple ideas for incredible effects. Today, it's almost too easy to sit down at a computer and use off-the-shelf 3D software to make tings happen. The stocking effect is way more convincing than anything in "Oz: The Great and Powerful", which was a gorgeous movie, but almost entirely CGI.

Re: The tornadoes in the background

An absolutely brilliant special effect for friggin' 1939!





Schrodinger's cat walks into a bar and doesn't.

Re: The tornadoes in the background

That tornado always scared the bejeezus out of me!

Re: The tornadoes in the background

And I'm a Storm Chaser! I've seen 29 of them, and will head to Oklahoma City in May for my fourth tour!







Schrodinger's cat walks into a bar and doesn't.
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