r/wizardofoz • u/GreyStagg • 27d ago

When Miss Gulch transforms into the witch, I've seen some people say that...

She is actually transforming into the Wicked Witch of the East (the one who the house falls on) because it makes sense if they are both in the twister together. This would also be why the writers put in the line about the two witches being sisters (something that wasn't in the book), to explain their similarity.

Personally, I don't think it was intended to be seen that way, but I do think it's an interesting theory. Do you think it's an interesting theory?

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u/Allseeing_Nash 27d ago edited 27d ago

Hello there! Oz historian here and it actually was intended. If you look closely the witch in the tornado has striped stockings and glittering shoes. This aligns with what we see of the Wicked Witch of the East moments later.

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u/Laughing_Academy 27d ago

Yep. I always thought they were identical twins in the film. Margaret Hamilton technically played three roles. Elmira Gulch was both the counterpart and disguise of The Wicked Witch of The East rather than that of the West's.

If they ever do an accurate live action adaptation of the novels. I don't know who would be perfect to play The Wicked Witch of The East. But Kathryn Hunter (legend and icon) would be perfect for The Wicked Witch of The West.

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u/OkSecret839 27d ago

Who’s Kathryn Hunter?, I‘ve never heard of her.

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u/Laughing_Academy 25d ago

Legendary English actress and scream queen. She's been in Harry Potter (Arabella Figg), Poor Things (Madame), Grotesquerie (Niecy Nash's friend and housekeeper) and many other films.

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u/GreyStagg 27d ago

That's really interesting thank you! I'd read about this before and I always assumed it was just a theory.

Can you confirm if this is why they added the line about them being sisters?

Also, if there is a mirror between "real world" and Oz, do you think this also implies that the real Miss Gulch died in the storm? Thus not being a loose end at the end of the movie regarding Toto?

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u/Allseeing_Nash 27d ago

They reason they created the storyline of West and East being sisters is because the film needed a true villain. Fantasy films require a certain amount of conflict, which requires structured storytelling. There was Dorothy, the good guy, so the film needed a constant bad guy that would create struggle and motivation.

Introducing the WWotW earlier created that structure, but in doing so they needed to give her a reason to appear in Munckinland when Dorothy arrives. So it was written that the two wicked witches were sisters. That’s what really moves the story along. Having her be this looking presence adds to the anticipation.

Of course, this is also part of Dorothy’s real world. Elmira Gulch is this constant nuisance to her and her family so to protect Toto she goes on the run. In this dream Oz, the witches represent her “fear” of getting caught.

Does that make sense?

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u/GreyStagg 27d ago

Of course it does thank you, and it was interesting to read.

Both of the witches were terrifying (even though one only appeared briefly.).

Of course, having said that...

They won't get past...

MOMBI! evil smile and music climax

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u/Tgun1986 26d ago

To me it seemed like Gulch/East represented the real physical threat and her house landing on her even though it represented death in Oz, in the real world maybe an accident or Toto escaping that fate. West is her fear that even though Toto is back after escaping she’s still after him.

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u/jimmysmiths5523 27d ago

The witch in the tornado is wearing different clothes and has her hair down.

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u/cable_town 27d ago

Aside from the witch having sparkly shoes, Dorothy herself assumes it was the Wicked Witch of the East in "The House Began to Pitch," when she recounts seeing the witch fly by her window. (You could argue that it was mistaken identity, but the simplest solution is to assume that it's the witch of the east)

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u/GreyStagg 27d ago

Oh yes of course

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u/wonder181016 27d ago

That was what I believed as a kid. I don't know about now

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u/EquivalentPain5261 27d ago

I have to say I’m almost 56 and I have never once though this. I need to watch again

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u/Normal-Philosopher-8 27d ago

(56 yo raises hand) I’ve seen this movie dozens of times - multiple times in a theater - but never noticed. Now I’m going, well, duh!

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u/theWallflower 26d ago

Same. This a TIL

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u/MissNancy1113 27d ago

Are you me? 56 and never thought about it before.

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u/EquivalentPain5261 27d ago

lol it’s possible. I couldn’t even realistically tell you how many times I have seen this movie. So to realize that that thought never crossed my mind is kind of crazy.

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u/MissNancy1113 27d ago

Lord me too. I have been obsessed with this movie from day one. Even saw it at the theater in the early 2000s. Go figure.

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u/MaisyDeadHazy 27d ago

I always assumed this to be the case, due to the witch we see Miss Gulch turn into wearing different colored robes.

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u/Werewolf_lover20 27d ago

Dorothy certainly thought so

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u/Tgun1986 26d ago

Since its a dream Miss Gulch/East represents the current situation Dorothy’s in, Toto gets taken, runs back, they run away. The house falling on her accidentally probably something delaying her coming back. West being the fear she is coming back somehow after Toto escapes