In a fun classic Hollywood trivia, The Wizard of Oz I cut a specific song from the film, but the film still made a subtle reference to it as the story progressed. Adapted from L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of OzThe story depicts the journey of Dorothy Gale, who is transported to the magical land of Oz after her home in Kansas is swept away by a tornado. The 1939 cast Wizard of Oz the film includes Judy Garland, Margaret Hamilton and Billie Burke. The film was a critical success; The Wizard of Oz was praised for its memorable quotes and use of color; It has since been considered one of the best films ever made.
One of the most memorable aspects of the film was its musicwhich won the Oscar for Best Original Score in 1940. Wizard of Oz The soundtrack includes popular songs such as “Ding, Dong, The Witch Is Dead” and “Follow the Yellow Brick Road”, with Judy Garland’s performance of “Over The Rainbow” offering an inspiring message to viewers that happiness can be found anywhere. However, there was also a song recorded that was cut from the final film; while the music never arrived The Wizard of Ozit was still very subtly mentioned in the film.
Why the Wizard of Oz recorded a song titled “The Jitterbug”
The song cost almost $2 million to film
Throughout the film, Dorothy and her friends, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion travel through the lands of Oz to the castle of the Wicked Witch of the West. It was originally planned for the Witch to send a Jitterbug creature to stop them. According to Slashfilm, the Jitterbug would attack the group and force them to dance to “The Jitterbug” until they were exhausted, allowing the Flying Monkeys to capture Dorothy. Despite the scene costing US$80,000 to film, the equivalent of US$2 million in 2024, the Jitterbug sequence ended up being cut from the film.
There are different explanations as to why “The Jitterbug” was cut. At the time of the film’s release, the jitterbug dance became popular and, via The Independentproducers feared the craze would date the film. There was also the belief that the song’s lyrics subtly referenced alcoholism, which could have sent a negative message to viewers. According to Colliderthe producers also felt that “The Jitterbug” sequel did not fit properly with the rest of the magic of Oz. There is still filmed footage from the “The Jitterbug” sequence, which gives an idea of what the scene would have looked like if it had been included in the film.
How ‘The Jitterbug’ Song Is Still Referenced by The Wizard of Oz’s Wicked Witch
The Jitterbug is even referred to by the Wicked Witch in a critical scene
Although the Jitterbug never appeared in The Wizard of Oz, there was even a subtle reference made to the creature in a critical scene. The reference is made just before the Flying Monkeys attack the group and kidnap Dorothy. The Wicked Witch orders the Flying Monkeys to bring Dorothy to her and makes a reference to “a small insect” in the scene’s dialogue.
“Do what you want with the others, but I want her alive and unharmed! They won’t give you any trouble, I promise. I sent a little bug ahead to break up their fight.”.“
The jitterbug reference was left in the film’s final release; according to Posterthe public never noticed the reference and did not ask questions about the “little insect” which never appeared to attack Dorothy and her friends. Despite not appearing in the film, “The Jitterbug” was included in re-releases of the film’s soundtrack and the dance sequence has since been used in stage adaptations of The Wizard of Ozallowing viewers to fully experience music that never appeared in the iconic film.
Sources: Slashfilm, The Independent, Collider, Poster