Bert Lahr plays the queer-coded Cowardly Lion in the classic 1939 musical THE WIZARD OF OZ. For more on the queer-coding of this character be sure to check out the article I just had published with W Magazine – there are also 11 other Hollywood films with queer-coding featured in it as well. The link is pinned on the Queer Cinema Archive page :) THE WIZARD OF OZ 1939. USA. Directors: Victor Fleming, King Vidor, Mervyn LeRoy & George Cukor Screenplay: Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson & Edgar Allan

My favourite part of being the Cowardly Lion is getting to say this iconic line from the film! “Put ‘em up, put ‘em up”. I love hearing those nostalgic chuckles from the audience as they remember the great Bert Lahr. Thank you Manchester and London and the cast and crew of @yellowbrickroad for such a memorable job, it’s been a privilege. 🦁 | Jason Manford