9. Terry (Toto) was paid more than many of the human actors in the film
Terry was the Cairn terrier who played Toto, though in the film credits she was credited as Toto. She was an established film veteran when she was hired to appear in the film. Such was the demand for her services that in the fall of 1939 there were three feature-length films in theaters in which Terry played a significant role. For her work in Oz, in which she performed all of her own stunts, she was paid $125 per week (about $2,200 in 2019). By contrast, most of the Munchkins who acted as the residents of Munchkin Land were paid $50 per week for their services.
Like many of the others who performed in the film, Terry was injured on the set, which nearly led to the animal being euthanized. During the filming of scenes within the Witch’s Castle, another actor – most sources claim it was a Winkie, though some claim it was Bert Lahr – stepped on Terry’s foot, breaking it, and temporarily halting filming. The dog recovered at Judy Garland’s home. Terry, in character as Toto, attended the premiere of The Wizard of Oz at the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and such was her popularity that her name was changed to Toto in 1942.