Evil and his musical and book of the same name have had great influence since 1939 The Wizard of Oz film and the 1900 book by L. Frank Baum that inspired it. In fact, many of the Wizard of Oz characters from books and films appear in Evilsince the film tells the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West. While The Wizard of Oz centers on Dorothy and her quest to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West, Evil goes back in time, serving as a prequel, to focus on Elphaba and her journey that leads her to become the Wicked Witch of the West.
Although the Wicked Witch of the West is present as the main villain in L. Frank Baum’s original book, The Wizard of Oz made some significant changes to her for the film. In fact, there was a big creative choice about the Wicked Witch’s appearance, made in The Wizard of Oz film that had such a huge influence on the author of Evil book, Gregory Maguire, which was saved for the novel.
The Wicked Witch of the West Isn’t Green in L. Frank Baum’s Novel
She had a different appearance in the original book
In the original from 1900 Wizard of Oz novel, the Wicked Witch of the West was not green. Instead of, She was more like Snow White evil queen in her witch disguisealthough the main characteristics of his personality, including his fear of water, were present in the story. The choice to leave the Wicked Witch green was interesting, as she ended up being transported to The Wizard of Oz film and, later, in Evil.
The film used toxic green makeup to create the Wicked Witch of the West’s iconic look, meaning that for actress Margaret Hamilton, the production became somewhat dangerous.
A likely reason for the change is The Wizard of OzThe impressive use of technicolor. The Wizard of Oz is famous for being one of the first films to appear in color, so it makes sense that the film takes full advantage of grabbing the audience’s attention with the brightest colors possible. However, the setting and filming process for The Wizard of Oz was famously deranged, including the creation of the perfect Wicked Witch. The film used toxic green makeup to create the Wicked Witch of the West’s iconic lookwhich means that for actress Margaret Hamilton, the production was somewhat dangerous.
The Emerald City always being a part of the story makes the Wicked Witch’s move all the more fitting
The Wicked Witch Being Green adds cohesion to the film’s colors
Unlike the addition of turning the Wicked Witch green, Dorothy’s visit to the Emerald City was always part of the plot. Along with the added visual interest of turning the Wicked Witch of the West green in 1939 The Wizard of OzThe color change also helps link it to the Emerald City, one of the most important locations in Oz. This change in Margaret Hamilton’s appearance may be a coincidence, but it helps provide some extra visual continuity.
Furthermore, the green skin of the Wicked Witch and the Wizard in the Emerald City became significant features in Evil. Although a large part Evil The plot takes place at Shiz University, Elphaba (who later becomes the Wicked Witch of the West) dreams of going to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard of Oz. So not only does the Wicked Witch’s green skin tie into the Emerald City in the original The Wizard of Oz film, also helps point to an important connection in Evil also.
How Wicked Made The Wizard of Oz’s Green Skin a Big Part of the Story
Elphaba’s entire life has been impacted by her green skin
More than in The Wizard of Oz, Elphaba/the Wicked Witch’s green skin is very important to her experiences and who she is as a person. Evil also explains the reason for Elphaba’s skin color by saying that her father, who she doesn’t know, told her mother to drink a green elixir while she was pregnant. As a result, from her birth, she was ostracized by those around her, including her family, and made to feel different.
Elphaba’s life experience as an outsider helps shape her understanding of the world around her. She is more caring and compassionate towards other different characters and makes plans to make Oz a better place. Elphaba’s green skin also helps hint at the reveal of her real father.which has shocking consequences. How did this change play such a significant role in the plot of EvilIt’s safe to say that The Wizard of OzThe decision to turn the Wicked Witch green had a lasting impact.