The Beautiful Wicked Witch of Oz That Almost Was

Gale Sondergaard in a wardrobe test for “The Wizard of Oz” 1939

During pre-production of MGM’s classic The Wizard of Oz (1939), an early idea was to have the Wicked Witch of the West portrayed as a slinky, glamorous villainess in a black sequined costume, inspired by the Wicked Queen in Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Sondergaard was originally cast as the witch in “Oz” and was photographed for two wardrobe tests, both of which survive. One was as a glamorous wicked witch, and another as a conventionally ugly wicked witch. After the decision was made to have an ugly wicked witch, Sondergaard, reluctant to wear the disfiguring makeup and fearing it could damage her career, withdrew from the role, and it went to veteran character actress Margaret Hamilton.”

[Source: animateher  via The Mary Sue]