The Cowardly Lion from 1939’s The Wizard Of Oz stole the audience’s heart due to his vulnerable ironic nature as a supposed “king of the animals.” Bert Lahr’s Cowardly Lion, alongside Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and dog Toto gave a memorable performance as they journeyed through the mystical Land of Oz.
About seven decades later, the Cowardly Lion costume had become a valuable item from the classic as it auctioned for millions of dollars in 2014. The outfit sold for $3,077,000 at the TCM Presents… There’s No Place Like Hollywood auction, which took place in New York City.
Cowardly Lion costume sells despite dark origins — Redditors reveal the truth
The costume received newfound attention after the shocking sale, causing fans to dig up findings about its origins. Some Reddit users discovered harrowing facts about the attire, including the discovery that it was constructed of lion skin and fur. “That..is..disgusting,” Redditor mdhunter99 remarked.
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Fans have also discovered that actor Jack Haley, who played the Tin Man, also suffered severe eye infections and respiratory issues from exposure to toxic aluminum dust from the silver paint on his garb. Judy Garland, although wearing nothing over the top, had to maintain her outward appearance through extreme measures like starvation.
The other side of Hollywood’s Golden Age
The Cowardly Lion outfit, which was discovered in an old building on the MGM lot and acquired by The Comisar Collection, weighed nearly 100 pounds, making it difficult for Lahr to wear. The unregulated working conditions at the time were detrimental to actors who dealt with the consequences of their role long after their time on set.
Teenage Judy was forced to take medication and consume nearly 80 cigarettes a day to keep her youthful appearance and figure. Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, suffered skin burns due to her makeup, while Ray Bolger’s Scarecrow was permanently scarred from wearing prosthetics.