She was not seriously ill during filming: While she was known to be petite and fragile, there's no evidence of a major illness during the filming of the movie.
She was, however, under considerable strain: The demands of filming were physically and emotionally taxing for Garland, who was only 16 at the time. Here are some factors that contributed to her struggles:
* Overworked and underfed: She was forced to work long hours, often under harsh lighting conditions. The studio was very controlling of her diet, which was severely restricted and often consisted of black coffee and chicken broth. This contributed to her already existing weight issues.
* Drug use: Garland was given amphetamines to keep her energized and working long hours, and barbiturates to help her sleep. This pattern of drug use would unfortunately continue throughout her life.
* Emotional stress: The pressure to perform and meet the expectations of the studio, along with the grueling filming schedule, took a toll on her emotional well-being.
It's important to remember that:
* The production of The Wizard of Oz was notorious for its harsh working conditions, and Garland was not the only one to suffer.
* The studio's actions, including the excessive use of stimulants and the unhealthy diet, contributed greatly to her struggles.
While Garland was not actively ill during the filming, the pressures and demands of the production, coupled with her already fragile state, made her experience very challenging and ultimately had lasting negative consequences on her health.