Judy Garland
(Dorothy Gale)

Contrary to popular myth, Judy Garland -- not Shirley Temple -- was MGM's first choice to play the role of Dorothy. Garland had been under contract with the studio since 1935 when at the tender age of 13, she auditioned and was hired on the spot, reportedly without a screen test. Her voice, it seemed, was enough to convince the studio executives of her potential at the box office. Garland starred in MGM musicals such as Pigskin Parade and Love Finds Andy Hardy, but The Wizard of Oz would become the film that would showcase the young star's talents.

As a contract performer with the studio, Garland made only her standard $500 a week for her appearance in the film. Of course, after the movie's tremendous success, the 16-year-old starlet was positioned to command a much richer salary and her old contract was torn up. Although she starred in over two dozen films throughout her sadly abbreviated career, no role would ever eclipse Dorothy and Garland would receive her only Academy Award® -- a special miniature Oscar® for "most outstanding performance by a juvenile" -- for the role.