The Harmetz book was a great read, but it is definitely not the most accurate account. Some probably due to further information being uncovered and some due, no doubt, to sloppy research.
Glinda, in the film, is a bit of a b*tch. Yes, my firm belief in that predates Wicked by years. As a child, Glinda's backhanded compliments, muddled or not, always take me by delighted surprise. As Sondheim says, "Nice is different than good." Glinda is a GOOD witch.
As far as Toto goes, I love the explanation as to why Toto does not speak... especially since Billina the hen can speak incredibly well. It makes me admire Toto a bit more. In regards to Glinda not knowing what Toto is, that also can be traced back to the original novel, when Dorothy spends the night at Boq's house and the Munchkins are fascinated by Toto because they do not have dog's in Oz. This also leads to one of Baum's first inconsistencies, because later in the same book, we learn that the Wicked Witch has an army of wolves. Hmm.
As to why, in MGM's Oz, the Wicked Witch knows that Toto is a dog and Glinda does not, I always chalked it up to one simple thing. The Wicked Witch was spying. We see this for the entire duration of Dorothy's journey down the Yellow Brick Road - she is lurking in trees and on roofs, or just watching through her crystal ball (why, according to the DIC animated series, only works part of the time.). It is entirely possible that when the Witch received word of her sister's death, she checked in via crystal ball and saw the exchange between Dorothy and Glinda.
Actually, Reg, I just Googled Aljean Harmetz's book, and I got this page which confirms what I said and mentions Edna May Oliver by name as one of the comediennes in consideration for Glinda:
I heard George Clooney and Lindsay Lohan were also in the running for Glenda the Bad Witch from the South, but maybe I'm misremembering it incorrectly now.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
"I mostly object to Glinda asking Dorothy if she's a good witch or a bad witch and then a few minutes later announcing that only bad witches are ugly."
Reginald - I am not stalking you, honest!! But I have to say I love your post about Glinda. I never paid attention to that line before but you are right, she is a bitch, lol.
I never properly noticed that line or the red brick road before - I feel ashamed of my complete lack of observation!
AEA, she then follows it up by asking her if she brought her broom with her so that she can fly to Emerald City. Glinda goes out of her way, on first meeting, to call Dorothy homely and repeatedly say that she is veering toward ugly.
