Starring: - Judy Garland
- Jack Haley
- Clara Blandick
- Ray Bolger
Description:
Young Dorothy is bored of her gray life on a Kansas farm. When her house is whisked away by a tornado, it lands somewhere over the rainbow in a Technicolor world, and Dorothy knows she's not in Kansas anymore. This beloved, incomparable classic based on L. Frank Baum's turn-of-the-century novel is a musical and visual candy store. Dorothy's journey to find a way back to Kansas has permeated American culture and film for decades and remains one of the best musicals and children's stories ever filmed.
THE WIZARD OF OZ held its premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theater on August 15, 1939. THE WIZARD OF OZ is number six on the American Film Institute's list of America's 100 Greatest Movies. THE WIZARD OF OZ was an original selection to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 1989. MGM acquired the film rights to the L. Frank Baum story for $75,000, a huge amount at the time. Some of the original casting desires included either W. C. Fields or Ed Wynn as the Wizard; Fanny Brice or Beatrice Lillie as Glinda, the Good Witch; Gale Sondergaard as the Wicked Witch; and Shirley Temple as Dorothy. After Ray Bolger asked to play the Scarecrow instead of the Tin Man, Buddy Ebsen was cast as the Tin Man but was replaced after nine days of filming by Jack Haley because of breathing problems he suffered at the hands of his costume. The picture went through a number of directors: Richard Thorpe, whose nine days of footage were not used; George Cukor; Victor Fleming, who directed most of the color scenes before having to leave to direct GONE WITH THE WIND; and King Vidor, who directed most of the black-and-white scenes set in Kansas. Shooting of what was known as Production 1060 was to begin on April 19, 1938, but actually began on October 13, 1938, and lasted until March 16, 1939. The film went well over budget, costing more than $2.75 million. It took in only about $3 million on its initial release. Judy Garland was paid $500 a week for the film. Bert Lahr's Cowardly Lion costume weighed more than 50 pounds. The Munchkin coroner, played by Meinhardt Raabe, was also Little Oscar, Oscar Mayer's official spokesman in commercials. Jerry Maren, one of the Munchkin Lollipop Guild singers, continued his career in show business, which included stints in more than 60 films as well as appearances on THE MAN SHOW and SEINFELD. UNDER THE RAINBOW, a 1981 comedy spoofing the behind-the-scenes making of THE WIZARD OF OZ, starred Chevy Chase and Carrie Fisher.
1. Main Title - M-G-M Studio Orchestra & Chorus
2. Over The Rainbow - Judy Garland
3. Cyclone - M-G-M Studio Orchestra
4. Come Out, Come Out... - Billie Burke & The Munchkins
5. It Really Was No Miracle - Judy Garland/Billy Bletcher & The Munchkins
6. We Thank You very Sweetly - Joseph Koziel/Frank Cucksey
7. Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead - The Munchkins
8. As Mayor of the Munchkin City - Billy Bletcher/Pinto Colveg/J.D Jewkes
9. As Coroner, I Must Aver - Harry Stanton
10. Ding-Dong! The Witch is Dead (reprise) - The Munchkins
11. The Lullaby League - Lorraine Bridges/Betty Rome/Carol Tevis
12. The Lollipop Guild - Billy Bletcher/Pinto Colveg/Harry Stanton
13. We Welcome You to Munchkinland - The Munchkins
14. Follow the Yellow Brick Road/You're Off to See the Wizard - Judy Garland/The Munchkins
15. If I Only Had A Brain (extended version) - Ray Bolger/Judy Garland
16. We're Off To See The Wizard (duo) - Judy Garland/Ray Boger
17. If I Only Had A Heart (extended version) - Judy Garland/Ray Bolger
18. We're Off To See The Wizard (trio) - Bert Lahr/Ray Bolger,Buddy Ebsen
19. If I only had the Nerve - Ray Bolger/Jack Haley/Judy Garland
20. We're Off To See The Wizard (quartet) - Judy Garland/Roy Bolger/Buddy Ebsen/Bert Lahr
21. Optimistic Voices - M-G-M Studio Orchestra/The Debutantes/The Rhythmettes
22. The Merry Old Land Of Ozz - Frank Morgan/Judy Garland/Ray Bolger/Jack Haley/Bert Lahr...
23. If I were King of The Forest (extended version) - Bert Lahr/Judy Garland/...
24. The Jitterbug (outtake) - Judy Garland/Ray Bolger/Jack Haley/Buddy Ebsen/Bert Lahr
25. Ding Dong! Emerald City (outtake) - Ken Darby/The M-G-M Studio Orchestra & Chorus
26. Delirious Escape (extended version)/Delirous Escape Continued/End T itle - The M-G-M Studio Orchestra
Wizard of Oz
