11/27/2024
In 1970, a heartwarming yet bittersweet reunion took place when three stars from The Wizard of Oz—Margaret Hamilton (the Wicked Witch of the West), Ray Bolger (the Scarecrow), and Jack Haley (the Tin Man)—gathered for a promotional portrait. This was in anticipation of NBC's special broadcast of the iconic 1939 film, which had captured the hearts of generations. Tragically, by this time, two of the film's beloved stars, Judy Garland and Bert Lahr (the Cowardly Lion), had already passed. Judy Garland, who had died in 1969, was especially mourned by fans worldwide for her unmatched performance as Dorothy.
This reunion, though heartwarming for fans, also carried a sense of melancholy. The stars who had become synonymous with their roles in the film had lived through personal and professional struggles, and now, only three of the original five remained. In a lovely homage to the magic of The Wizard of Oz, a thoughtful edit was made to include Judy Garland and Bert Lahr in the 1970 portrait, creating a "what might have been" moment—a reunion that could have been but never was.
The promotional segment that aired as part of the broadcast included a tribute to Garland, honoring her lasting impact on the film and its legacy. It was a moment for fans to remember not only the enduring magic of The Wizard of Oz, but also the special cast who had brought the characters to life. The 1970 reunion portrait serves as a poignant reminder of the stars we lost too soon and the timeless legacy they left behind.