Who Is the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz
The Wicked Witch of the West is the main antagonist in the 1939 MGM film The Wizard of Oz, portrayed by Margaret Hamilton Margaret Hamilton on IMDb. In L. Frank Baum's original 1900 book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West is named Elphaba Elphaba on Wikipedia. The film version does not use the name Elphaba and instead identifies her only as the Wicked Witch of the West.
The character is defined by her green skin, black pointed hat, and broomstick, with the iconic line "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too." The 1939 film establishes her as the ruler of the Winkie Country in the Land of Oz and the enemy of Dorothy Gale. Her death scene, triggered by water, remains one of the most recognized moments in cinema history.
Wicked Witch of the West Name in The Wizard of Oz Book and Film
Origins of the Name Elphaba
In Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, the character is given the name Elphaba, a reversal of L. Frank Baum's initials Wicked novel on Wikipedia. The 2003 Broadway musical Wicked uses the name Elphaba for the protagonist, reframing the Wicked Witch of the West as a sympathetic figure. The musical has been staged in multiple countries and has won multiple Tony Awards.
Film Casting and Character Design
Margaret Hamilton was cast as the Wicked Witch of the West after a rigorous audition process and wore a specially designed green face makeup created by Jack Dawn of MGM Margaret Hamilton on IMDb. The role required Hamilton to sit in a fire-retardant costume under hot studio lights, leading to burns during filming. The final film version does not reveal the witch's personal name, keeping her identified solely as the Wicked Witch of the West.
Modern References and Cultural Impact of the Wicked Witch of the West Name
Box Office and Franchise Data
The 2024 film Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu, grossed over $750 million worldwide, bringing renewed attention to the Wicked Witch of the West name and the Elphaba backstory Forbes box office coverage. The film features Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Galinda, with the Wicked Witch of the West name appearing in dialogue and marketing materials. The franchise now spans books, stage musicals, and major motion pictures.
Official Sources and Verification
The Library of Congress holds original production materials for The Wizard of Oz, including costume designs and scripts referencing the Wicked Witch of the West without a personal name Library of Congress Wizard of Oz collection. The U.S. Copyright Office records list The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum as a foundational work in the public domain, with later adaptations introducing the name Elphaba. Current official merchandise, theme park attractions, and studio releases consistently use the Wicked Witch of the West name alongside the Elphaba character name from the musical.