#40: Margaret Hamilton Was Burned on Her Face and Hands During Filming

One of the most harrowing incidents during the filming involved a dangerous mishap with Margaret Hamilton, who portrayed the Wicked Witch of the West. In a scene where the witch exits Munchkinland in a plume of fire, a trap door was supposed to open for her safety before the flames appeared.

However, during take two, the door failed to open quickly enough. The result was a horrifying accident where Hamilton’s hands and face were burned by the flames. This unfortunate incident forced her to undergo a six-week recovery, halting production and serving as another reminder of the physical risks and challenges that actors faced in bringing this cinematic masterpiece to life.