Margaret Hamilton Injured in Terrible Accident on Set of Original ‘Wicked’ Movie
Bringing the Wicked Witch of the West to life in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939) was a difficult task for Margaret Hamilton, who is famous for her iconic performance. A traumatic event occurred during the filming of one of the most iconic passages in Hamilton’s performance, in which the witch threatens Dorothy, saying, “I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too,” before disappearing in a cloud of red smoke and fire.
In order to drop herself into the ground while the red smoke and fire effects were being activated, Hamilton had to stand on an elevator platform set into the yellow brick road, according to Oz specialist John Fricke. The flames have to be real because this was all done without the aid of contemporary computer graphics. Hamilton said her line, turned around and was lowered as scheduled on the first take of rehearsals, and the fire effect was flawless. The triumph was celebrated on the set, but after lunch, everything changed.
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The second take didn’t work out since the team wasn’t as concentrated when they got back. Before Hamilton was completely placed into the platform, the fire was extinguished because director Victor Fleming became angry with the technicians. Parts of her attire, such as the straw of her broom and the gauze of her bonnet, consequently caught fire. The team promptly put out the fire, but Hamilton was severely burned. The green makeup she wore for the witch role had caused third-degree burns on her hand and second-degree burns on her face.
Another risk was that the cosmetics, which contained copper, would leak into her burns and worsen them. To avoid permanent damage, crew personnel hurried to use rubbing alcohol to remove the poisonous makeup. Later, Hamilton recollected the excruciating pain she felt when the alcohol was applied to her burns, calling it an unforgettable experience.
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Hamilton recovered from the injury in six weeks and went back to complete her scenes. But months after filming, she found that a small amount of the green makeup had stayed on her skin, giving her a slight green tint. Despite the difficulties, Hamilton talked positively about her experience working on the movie, calling it a fulfilling experience. She was proud of her part until her passing in 1985.
With ‘Wicked: Part One’ still captivating audiences and Part Two scheduled for release in November 2025, the tale of Hamilton’s traumatic yet enduring reputation as the Wicked Witch of the West has endured.
–Farheen Ali
