That tornado scene actually looks like real tornadoes look. Even the movie Twister can’t top that, and I grew up watching Twister as a kid. What makes it really impressive, is that they created a tornado in 1939, without the information that we have now about tornadoes.
I was wondering how they were able to get enough info about tornadoes to make it look this real, but knowing that they really just worked with the info they got and made it work makes me appreciate this even more.
Thank you for pointing out the projection screen. I fully acknowledge that they were used a lot in those times in fact I teach kids about the concept in filmmaking class. But for the longest time I struggled trying to comprehend the depth of field for that one shot with the model set. Someone else mentioned a vehicle driving the base of the stocking around back and forth so I couldn’t visualize it. But a projection helps clarify things a lot more now. That just goes to show how realistic the one shot looked. Im 34 and I study film and I still couldn’t figure it out so thank you lol
REALLY NOT sure why everyone refers to it as a stocking. It was a tube, likely of wire mesh, wider at the top, narrower at the bottom, and it was wrapped in muslin fabric. I know this because I have read accounts of there having to be a person inside the tube, and they had to pass a large needle in and out to make it stay together. It was a curiously dangerous job, because it was dark in the tube and you never knew where the needle was coming back in. They also ran compressed air hoses through it to blow the dust. Which gave the funnel a nice soft blurred effect. The color of the dirt you said was brown. That was as inconsequential, as it was filmed in B/W - then processed in sepia…. It could have been purple. It was whatever they decided looked best on film. You can help me out with this: Buddy Gillespie made another tornado for a TV show in the 70’s before he passed away in 1978. I remember reading an article in TV guide about it. Now - FIND THAT SHOW! It would be awesome to see.
Indeed. Muslin. Muslin was also used for the walls in the set. It was sewn together, but no one had to stay inside. Thanks for helping us keep the facts alive. Really appreciate it.
That cyclone is pure nightmare fuel. 🌪️
The Wizard of Oz was way ahead of its time, but in a good way.
The door flying away gets me every time😂
Glad to know I’m not the only one XD
That tornado scene actually looks like real tornadoes look. Even the movie Twister can’t top that, and I grew up watching Twister as a kid. What makes it really impressive, is that they created a tornado in 1939, without the information that we have now about tornadoes.
I was wondering how they were able to get enough info about tornadoes to make it look this real, but knowing that they really just worked with the info they got and made it work makes me appreciate this even more.
Def disagree, Twisters tornados were far and above better, but the technology diff, they did an incredible job on OZ
That movie was so ahead of its time
Thank you for pointing out the projection screen. I fully acknowledge that they were used a lot in those times in fact I teach kids about the concept in filmmaking class. But for the longest time I struggled trying to comprehend the depth of field for that one shot with the model set. Someone else mentioned a vehicle driving the base of the stocking around back and forth so I couldn’t visualize it. But a projection helps clarify things a lot more now. That just goes to show how realistic the one shot looked. Im 34 and I study film and I still couldn’t figure it out so thank you lol
Looks better than cgi
That wind look so strong, I’m surprised that the set didn’t blow away.
To say technology wasn’t as advanced back then, that was really dope! 🔥
REALLY NOT sure why everyone refers to it as a stocking. It was a tube, likely of wire mesh, wider at the top, narrower at the bottom, and it was wrapped in muslin fabric. I know this because I have read accounts of there having to be a person inside the tube, and they had to pass a large needle in and out to make it stay together. It was a curiously dangerous job, because it was dark in the tube and you never knew where the needle was coming back in.
They also ran compressed air hoses through it to blow the dust. Which gave the funnel a nice soft blurred effect. The color of the dirt you said was brown. That was as inconsequential, as it was filmed in B/W - then processed in sepia…. It could have been purple. It was whatever they decided looked best on film.
You can help me out with this: Buddy Gillespie made another tornado for a TV show in the 70’s before he passed away in 1978. I remember reading an article in TV guide about it. Now - FIND THAT SHOW! It would be awesome to see.
Indeed. Muslin. Muslin was also used for the walls in the set. It was sewn together, but no one had to stay inside. Thanks for helping us keep the facts alive. Really appreciate it.
Still holds up
It’s an incredible effect.
The twister was recycled for several more MGM films.
Yes it was. :) Do you know which movies? And did you see the difference in the shadow placement?
I watch new movies and the computer effects suck compared to using props
How clever