“Cursed Films II” Episode 1 Review: Peak Behind the Curtain at ‘The Wizard of Oz’

Cursed Films II is a five part Shudder documentary series. Reader Beware spoilers ahead.

Cursed Films II just kicked off its second season on the horror streamer Shudder. Writer and director Jay Cheel is exploring the stories behind the camera, true or exaggerated, of some of our favorite films. These myths, whispers, and tales of tragedy are discussed, debunked, or expanded upon to sometimes humorous or eye-opening results in Cursed Films II.

Cursed Films II  is documentary series that explores the myths and legends behind some of Hollywood’s most notoriously “cursed” horror film productions. In season one, the movies The Exorcist, The Crow, The Omen, Twilight Zone: The Movie, and Poltergeist were all examined. With the second season premiering this week, the show is expanding its reach beyond horror specifically, and what a better way to start than with the beloved family classic, The Wizard of Oz.

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You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who has never heard of, let alone never watched, The Wizard of Oz. Released on the heels of America’s involvement in the second World War in August of 1939. The film was a huge success, launching lead Judy Garland into stardom and is still a favorite of many. However, the film’s production was anything but smooth, and as the success of the film grew, so did the rumors. 

We are literally taken through the giant green doors into the Land of Oz theme park in North Carolina from the opening. Immediately we see the fields of green and the Yellow brick road, which are so iconic. The wonder of it all captures the feeling of watching the movie all over again. It’s innovative filmmaking on behalf of Cheel that we get that moment before the curtain is pulled back. 

We’re then bombarded with all the urban legends that have floated around for years. Munchkin sex parties in the Culver hotel, burning of actress Margaret Hamilton, Buddy Ebsen being literally poisoned by the silver paint of the Tin Man makeup, drugging of star Judy Garland and of course, the hanging man in the background of the forest setting.

Each story is given time, some more than others in the roughly 45 minutes of airtime, which moves quickly but doesn’t feel rushed. Mythbuster’s Adam Savage, one of the most eloquent and exciting guest on Cursed Films II, speaks to the silver makeup that caused the original Tin Man actor to have to leave the project.

Author John Fricke and “true blue movie buff” Greg Turkington give counterpoints to the famous hanging body in the forest scene background. Along with some YouTubers whose segment will cause a laugh and give you a contact buzz as well. Cursed Films II also included footage from an infamous Judy Garland interview, which she gave “with a few belts in her,” as one munchkin actor stated. This interview perpetuated legends of the “drunken” dwarf actors, which negatively affected them years after.

Interviews with relatives of the actors show the personal side to some of the tragedies and a sense of pride. Knowing that despite the suffering that occurred, their legacies live on in the film. Judy Garland‘s own daughter Lorna Luft speaks to the “ignorance” on behalf of the studio at the time. Giving the young actress “pep pills” to keep her skinny and even using asbestos-based snow in the poppy field scene. Which was not malicious in intent; they didn’t know any better in the 1930s. Luft also bravely shares her own story of recovery. 

Actress Margaret Hamilton suffered her own tragedy as she was terribly burned when a stunt went off too soon. However, it’s countered by a tale her son recalls of his mom coming home wrapped in bandages due to the burns, and to protect him emotionally, she tells him it’s her costume for a Mummy role. I also loved the footage from a 1975 episode of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in which Ms. Hamilton wore her witch costume to show the children it’s only make-believe. This was important to her as the Wicked Witch character in the film scared a whole generation of children.

Episode one of Cursed Films II doesn’t glorify any of the disastrous events that occurred during the making of this classic. It presents the evidence that has been collected and leaves a lot up for personal interpretation. Through interviews, archival news footage, and photos from the era, it’s a peek behind the wizard’s curtain to show the human effects of these tragedies. It also shows how we have passed down these myths in whispers since the film’s release and how it affected the real people who lived it.  4/5

Next week’s episode of Cursed Films II explores the film Rosemary’s Baby, which I’m excited to watch. Check out the trailer for Cursed Films II below and stay tuned to ScaryNerd.com for coverage throughout the series airing every Thursday only on Shudder.

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