Debunking the Shirley Temple in The Wizard of Oz Myth Judy Garland Me and my Shadows

Okay- it seems that every time I check out an Oz clip on KZbin, somebody posts that Shirley Temple was "supposed" to be Dorothy and the only thing that held her back was Jean Harlow's untimely death which caused the contract negotiation of a swap to fall through, and MGM was forced to fall back on Judy Garland as a second choice. Since this is the 70th anniversary of the film, there is renewed interest in it and this comment is being made all over the internet.
First, Shirley was considered for the role initially, and BRIEFLY, at the insistence of some studio executives, as she had been the top box office draw for the past four years. The story says that Shirley was to be traded for Jean Harlow and Clark Gable to go and work and MGM. The problem is that MGM never bought the Oz property until January of 1938. Problem? Jean Harlow died more than half a year before, in June of 1937. Way too early to EVER have been part of an Oz negotiation.
While it seems that the property was definitely bought with Judy in mind, (she had already made several films, radio appearances and records) MGM Musical Director Roger Edens informally auditioned Shirley by going over to Fox to hear her sing soon after the property was bought. Edens was Judy's champion and musical coach from the start. He immediately deemed the demands of the role to be beyond Shirley's musical range and that was pretty much the end of that. To further add to the legend, Shirley's own autobiography, and the Disney Movie "Child Star: The Shirley Temple Story" seem to state the Jean Harlow story as true, and further, at least the film, seems to imply that was the ONLY reason the deal fell through. Sources have said that this is what Shirley was told at the time to protect her feelings (she was only 9 in early 1938, after all, so you can't blame those who wanted to protect her, and she was probably justifiably disappointed to begin with.) And being nine, she believed what she was told. There were probably other talks of negotiations, for sure, as Fox execs wouldn't have bothered having Roger Edens audition her, but it had nothing to do with Jean Harlow. And Shirley's not getting the role had nothing to do with a trade falling through, but rather her vocal limitations.
Love Shirley - she was spectacular....but this role would have been too much, perhaps for any 10 year old.
This clip is from the 2001 Biopic Me and My Shadows. :)

[@71crm]

Yeah, I've watched The Wizard of Oz for years now and I never once thought she was fat!

[@AB21893]

This actress looks so much like Judy Garland! Wow!

[@DeepScreenAnalysis]

That line "She'll starve herself if she has to!" is pure evil incarnate.

[@oooh19]

now it's bigger is better and you're seen as underweight even if youre not. either way beauty standards can be dumb. like tan vs pale, different cultures embrace different ideals as well as times change

[@GetToDaChoppa-k5r]

The likeness is uncanny.

[@Emeri17]

It's like she was reincarnated or something

[@WillScarlet16]

If Temple had been cast, it would have totally ruined the relationship between Dorothy and her friends - it would have been a little girl with three dads taking care of her, instead of a girl with three friends.

[@RisaGreen]

+William Craig Also Shirley Temple singing Over the Rainbow would be frightening

[@DisWldFrk90]

+Risa Green That wouldn't have even been in the film. It was written specifically for Judy. They probably would have had this upbeat, cutesy tune about wanting out of Kansas...not nearly as appealing.

[@RisaGreen]

DisWldFrk90 That sounds scary

[@gymnastix]

I have read Shirley Temple was given "The Blue Bird" (1940) role as a consolation by her studio (20th-Century Fox) for having not been cast and loaned out for M-G-M's "The Wizard of Oz" the previous year. And there are some definite similarities between both films, most notably the transporting of an ungrateful girl from reality to a fantasy world (induced by a dream), with characters in the dream who resemble friends and antagonists from reality. Also, as with "Oz"" "The Blue Bird" begins in monochrome then evolves into color for the fantasy sequences. But, unlike "Oz," "The Blue Bird" remains in color for the remainder of the film. And as with "oz," Temple's character in "The Blur Bird" emerges form her dream with a better appreciation for just how good her reality is. The "Munchkinland" and "Emerald City" worlds of "Oz" are supplanted in "The Blue Bird" by visits to a "Land of Luxury " and a heaven-like world called "Land of Unborn Children," the latter where babies are waiting to be born, even though the to-be-born characters appear not as infants but as young children similar to the ages of Shirley Temple's character "Mytyl" and that of younger brother "Tytyl." There are no tunes n "The Blue Bird" as memorable as the songs in "Oz," no "Over the Rainbow" nor even a catchy semi-title tune such as "We're Off to See the Wizard." And although I agree with others here who have posted Shirley Temple's singing ability was limited, nonetheless Temple had already performed two songs in films popularly identified with her, namely "Animal Crackers in My Soup" (from 1935's "Curly Top") and in the previous year's "Bright Eyes" her signature song "On the Good Ship Lollipop." Both songs were released as vinyl recordings by Mae Questel, best-known as the longest-running cartoon voice of "Betty Boop" and "Olive Oyl," the latter from the "Popeye" animated shorts. Questel's version of "Lollipop" sold more than two million copies in the 1930s. But the success of the record was also a testament to Temple's original rendition of the tune in "Bright Eyes."

[@manuelorozco7760]

gymnastix I liked the Blue Bird too equally as much as Wizard of Oz.

[@richardranke7878]

My niece thought Judy Garland was a better singer than Shirley Temple...and at that time she was!!:-)

[@RisaGreen]

I agree with your niece

[@littlesongbird1]

Garland was a better singer but both were very talented. However, Shirley was able to move on with her life and seemed very happy with her role as an ambassador and in politics. My grandma always believed that Shirley felt blessed because her parents may have not been perfect but they made sure she was able to transition from child star to adult successfully vs. Judy who sadly was a drug addict and drunk in later life.

[@arthurgearheard4701]

@@littlesongbird1 glad to see her duet with Streisand near the end of her life!

[@me323]

I noticed a slight error. When Mayer gives Judy the book, the title of the book is 'The Wizard of Oz'. The 1939 movie was simply called 'The Wizard of Oz', whereas the actual book title was 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'. Just a slight observation there.

[@erict6100]

It doesn't really matter what colour the scarecrow's top was, this was a great bio pic.

[@pics2share]

I loved this when I saw it years ago. The 2 female leads were incredibly well-cast. I actually thought I was really watching Judy...

[@rachelberrythegleequeen.3221]

I’m glad Judy was Dorothy because she’s so believable.

[@lovesthelonelyisland]

She does look just like her! Amazing!

[@rogerpropes7129]

"This is the last straw.",..... "I'm taking my ax on the road." lol. Throwaway lines.

[@oooh19]

i like when they showed the different looks before the shoes, blue dress, & pigtails. the pink dress was cool

[@rivkahchaya]

There was a teaser reel released about the "search" for Dorothy that was mostly publicity for the film, and shows Shirley Temple in it. The whole myth grew up around that.

[@jewishgirl1000]

5:01 CHILLS

[@lenwelch2195]

Never in the history of film. Making was there a better casting than of Judy playing Dorothy! the film worked because you fall for Judy ( not Dorothy as she sings over the rainbow and you care about her with or without your permission . She draws you in . nothing about Temple is genuine - forced cadence of speech , the effort spent being precious and cute is exhausting to watch - I would've been rooting for the witch if temple had been cast. Judy had so much talent that you actually wanted this little girl to make it back home safely , and her public always wanted Judy to be safe and happy ! Judy broke our hearts , she did her best during a time that addiction was not understood or treated. Judy made the most of it ! It all started here for most - the public love affair with Garland . Well deserved!

[@dequadiewalton7619]

Yess well put bust and she could out sing some jszz singers like um nance wilson and eartha kitt

[@tammie1078]

I wouldn't say Shirley's acting is forced at all. And she was so genuine, She's a swell actress. And the story was about a little girl after all. I like her singing, granted it wasn't as powerful as Judy's but it was a kid's singing voice as the character is a little girl. Bounding her chest to make her look younger, I don't see 10 I see 16 or 17 still. You may as well done the script part where Dorothy falls for the Scarecrow (which I'm curious to see how that would have looked). But I'm very happy they chose Judy, it's one of my favorite movies, but I wouldn't mind a version from fox of Shirley as Dorothy as it was intended.

[@lenwelch2195]

Tim Dewano let me speak for everyone in behalf of your comment : find a hobby

[@lenwelch2195]

Tammie she didn’t fall for the scarecrow . What Shirley offered no one else had and same with judy . The film would not have had the crossover effect to adults had it not been for Judy . I never questioned as a kid that the actress playing Dorothy was too old . My take was that she was about 14 or 15 and storyline was age appropriate . So the role would’ve been lost if a little girl played the role

[@tammie1078]

@@lenwelch2195 Actually in the deleted scene of If I only had a brain, there was more to that dance number, and the line "I'll be more worthy of ya" says he liked her, I even heard there was a script or an idea that they were in love with each other. I never thought she was to old or anything , but that was before I really read and knew the book. In the book she is not a teen or anything. But I like the one we have so it's ok, still wouldn't mind seeing Shirley as well.

[@mikehudson8884]

It turned out as it should have done. Judy was great as Dorothy. Shirley got 'The Bluebird' movie released in 1940, which was just as good in my opinion.

[@manuelorozco7760]

Mike Hudson My thoughts exactly

[@garytbradbury4799]

Bluebird was a flop, can't even hold a candle to OZ!

[@sarujo]

Wow. It's like seeing a ghost or a clone.

[@jknuttel]

I read some newspapers articles from the last three days of Harlow's life. MGM was going to loan her to 20th Century-Fox to appear with Tyrone Power in "In Old Chicago". In exchange, Power would be loaned to MGM afterwards to appear in "Madame X". The deal was cancelled when Harlow died. Power did "In Old Chicago" with Alice Faye and MGM cast John Beal in "Madame X". Nowhere is there any mention of Shirley Temple or Clark Gable.

[@DisWldFrk90]

That's because it's not possible. Harlow died before MGM even had rights to Oz. They wouldn't have been negotiating deals for cast members, they didn't even know they'd get it at the time. Even just before they got the rights, Judy's list was on the name as the lead proving she was the number one choice from the beginning.

[@garytbradbury4799]

DisWld...stop spreading lies, you don't know that? Jean was signed to do Old Chicago, Temple was the exchange to do Oz......The deal broke off because Jean died@! End of story.

[@manuelorozco7760]

To be honest, I'm a much bigger fan of Shirley Temple than Judy Garland. I do feel bad Shirley didn't get traded to MGM from Fox but that did not stop me from enjoying The Wizard of Oz as a kid. It's a not great but magically beautiful movie that became a measuring stick in the fantasy film genre that inspired the likes of from Neverending Story to Harry Potter! I liked what Fox did with Shirley and developed the Blue Bird for her instead as well. I actually did not see that one until almost four years ago but I've seen Wizard of Oz countless times. Over the past year, I've thought about OZ every now and again especially with the Wiz Live last month on NBC. PS I saw this scene on the day of Mickey Rooney's death and was coming home from a Dodger game in LA when the news was announced. May he rest in peace and be over the rainbow with Judy now.

[@littlesongbird1]

In an interview Shirley states that while visiting MGM her mom went to speak with Mr. Meyer and while Shirley was alone Arthur freed invited her into his office where he exposed himself and she didn't understand what was happening so she laughed so hard she cried and he got angry and her threw her out. On the way home she told her mom, "You won't believe what happened to me!" and her mom said, "You won't believe what happened to me!" because it turned out that Mr. Meyer was trying to hit on Shirley's mom. The two decided they would rather stay at Fox. It makes me wonder though if Judy was ever abused by one of those men because that could have been another reason she had issues.

[@manuelorozco7760]

littlesongbird1 No kidding

[@kevinbutler1955NYC]

I was lucky enough to meet the performer..who played Judy Garland's mom..Mrs.Ethel Gumm(Ms.Marsha Mason)in NYC..years ago..she is nothing like the person..that she played in the movie.Ms.Mason is a sweet and kindly person.

[@manuelorozco7760]

Thank God for that

[@invaderzim1414]

5:07 the resemblance is unbelievable!!!

[@williamanthony9090]

I went to 5:07 to dispute your assessment, only to find myself agreeing with it.

[@gdcat777]

Modern films often like to rewrite history for effect. They don't always have to care about truth because its Hollywood. The person posting this makes sense and is exposing these lies.

[@sevenwonders3615]

Dang she must of really studied Judy. Her mechanism and demeanor is just like Judy Garlands! Looks just like her too.

[@PinkoLady]

The casting in this was so perfect... Lindy Booth is an amazing Lana Turner.

[@KammybRich7000]

Shirley Temple would have made for a great Dorothy, but not for the Oz that MGM was making. Staying close to the actual content of the story, Temple would have been ideal, but this version was too ambitious.

[@manuelorozco7760]

+John Lingard I agree Shirley would have been a great Dorothy indeed

[@slvrangel22]

Very well stated Especially considering Dorothy was supposed to be 10. Who is to say that if they went with Shirley it wouldn't have still become a classic. Adjustments would have been made and the public wouldn't have known any better.

[@dequadiewalton7619]

Fox should have made there own version with temple

[@tammie1078]

@@dequadiewalton7619 I'd like to see that, so we'd have two Oz movies, since I like the one with Judy, I wouldn't mind one with Shirley as well :)

[@RayPointerChannel]

@@dequadiewalton7619 They could have if they had bought the rights earlier. The signs were there after Fox produced HEIDI. But after that (1938), they released three Shirley Temple films of lesser quality starting with REBECCA OF SUNNYBROOK FARM, JUST AROUND THE CORNER, and probably the lesser, LITTLE MISS BROADWAY--a matter that Shirley's mother complained about to studio Chief, Darrel F. Zanuck. After the success of THE WIZARD OF OZ, Fox attempted a similar fantasy concept, THE BLUE BIRD also with a Technicolor fantasy sequence that was a box office failure. It failed largely due to two reasons. The first was a break from the Shirley Temple "template." While she was no longer playing an orphan, or a child with a single parent, she had a family and a younger brother. Instead of being a winsome and appealing child, she was an unpleasant, selfish, complaining, whining brat, even though she reforms in the end. The second problem was that of the staging and pacing of the fantasy. While elaborate, it is too slow moving. And most of all, it did not have the whimsical songs that OZ had. THE BLUE BIRD was reduced to one gratuitous number with some mechanical wooden figures that whistled to the song, LADY-OH, which seemed like an under developed musical number with limited dancing. In addition, most of the staging and Special Effects too far too "stagy," Although the film did received an Oscar for Special Effects for the Forest Fire sequence, which is spectacular.

[@superhetoric]

another myth - judy fans know judy embellished here and there for interesting stories, particularly this one told on the jack parr show! fleming never said "you three dirty hams, let that little girl in there".

[@friendsfamilyaccount]

I didn't notice that, but that would actually be accurate. If you've seen pictures of the original outfit, the whites ARE pink because under the early Technicolor lights, it would photograph white. True whites were never used; they would have come up blinding.

[@sheliaevans2151]

I remember this movie. couldn't imagine no one in the wizard of Oz but Judy

[@Citrohan]

I'm sure I read somewhere (and I wish I could remember where) that MGM bought the film rights shortly after Snow White was released. Their intention was to try to duplicate Disney's success and make it as an animated feature. If that is true, that sort of kills the part of the myth that says they bought it with Garland or Temple in mind.

[@IrishFriendsFan]

The actress did a good job, and so did everyone else working on it. It's Ms Luft that got it wrong.

[@dgeneric7518]

Even as a child in the 90s, I always thought she was too old to play the part. I LOVED Shirley Temple, but wonder how this would have turned out. Her starring in "The Blue Bird" unsettled her career. I agree, Judy was a much better singer, however.

[@williamanthony9090]

And yet the strength of Judy's voice only mattered on one solitary performance, the "Over The Rainbow," number. Take that song out of the equation, and Shirley Temple may well have been the better choice to play Dorothy. Unfortunately, we'll never for sure.

[@ohhhwolfy]

I'm actually incredibly surprised there's even a discussion on this. Of course Shirley was offered the role of Dorothy in "Oz" before Judy. It's discussed thoroughly in the book "Child Star" and throughout interviews with an awful lot of people who co-starred with Shirley decades ago....when talk about it was fresh. I've seen the interviews.

[@DisWldFrk90]

Kind of interesting that they had that guy say "Turned over to Mervin Leroy". It almost kind of implies he wanted Shirley Temple as well. He was always adamant he wanted Judy from the start. It's probably a good thing Shirley didn't get this role. Not only for the sake of the film, but herself as well. They probably wouldn't have treated her too nicely cause so many of them would have been pissed off that it wasn't Judy Garland and would have taken it on her.

[@dequadiewalton7619]

This is what u take from the movie????

[@DisWldFrk90]

@@dequadiewalton7619 Don't really understand your question, but I'll give it a shot. If you were referring to my comment on what them having that guy say "Turned over to Mervyn LeRoy", no other word than yes. That's what it was seemingly implying when it was farther from the truth. It was basically saying that Mervyn LeRoy sent Roger Edens to hear Shirley sing so she could be in the film. He mentions that Edens didn't want to go, but doesn't say anything about how LeRoy didn't really want to do it either. He only did it because Loew's Inc heavily pressured him. If you were referring to what I said about it being a good thing Shirley didn't get the role, that had nothing to do with this movie. That came from the fact that Judy was who MGM had the role all planned out for, forcibly having Shirley Temple would have made them angry, and movie studios have never been shy about taking out their anger on somebody. Especially when the actor/actress doesn't belong to them. One example being when Judy was too sick to do Annie Get Your Gun so Betty Hutton, from Paramount, did it instead. Betty Hutton talked about how terribly the crew treated her because they were mad that it wasn't Judy Garland in the role. No doubt at all they would have done the same thing to Shirley. Hollywood movie studios are not a place you want people upset with you in. It's a harsh business and they don't care if it's a kid they are being harsh to.

[@dizzydaisygal]

Well- the Shirley Temple Life Story movie that they made says that they were going to drop Judy Garland to go with Shirley Temple too so now I don't know what to think.

[@Hermioneswish]

dizzyizzy Shirley also said so in her autobiography. I don’t think she would have lied.

[@thebrittcorre]

"this role would have been too much, for any 10 year old..." cant under estimate the power of a ten year old. Before shirley came along, im sure many said " no 4 year old can learn to tap like bojojangles." .. "Jean Harlow died more than half a year before, Way too early to EVER have been part of an Oz negotiation" is not necessarily true. It takes YEARS to make big decisions in the acting business. Shirley is well over 9 now, and she obviously knows the truth and has no reason to lie.

[@h193013]

At first I thought this was the Judy movie with Renee Zellweger I was wrong

[@sheismymom]

no this movie is actually good

[@manuelorozco7760]

I saw this one first

[@sidetable1]

Could you put up the whole movie Me and My Shadows- The Judy Garland story. I could watch this movie over and over again.

[@garytbradbury4799]

The reason Temple was pulled from Oz, Jean Harlow was signed to do "In Old Chicago" 1937 with Tyrone Powers for 20th Century, Shirley was part of the exchange, or contractual deal. In exchange for MGM's Jean Harlow, Shirley Temple (20th Century Fox) would be doing Oz. But Jean Harlow passed on before this could happen, so Shirley was pulled from the project and Judy got the part of Dorothy.

[@DisWldFrk90]

I have no doubt somebody told that story to Shirley Temple, and that she believed it, but it doesn't line up with what can be verified on record. Which is not shocking as Shirley Temple's mother was very bitter towards Fox about this to the point where she told the press Fox flat out lied to her and told her they had the film rights to Oz. Most crucial thing that shows that cannot be true the way it was written in Shirley's book is that Jean Harlow died 7 months before MGM even knew they would have the rights to the film. They wouldn't have been making casting deals while Jean Harlow was alive. Especially before they even had music to test Shirley's voice for as that's key to a musical. The earliest casting proposition on record is from January 1938 (7 months after Harlow's death and 1 month before the film rights were final) and Judy Garland is listed as the studio choice to play Dorothy on the proposition. Per what the MGM records show, Loews Inc panicked after seeing the budget for the film (the budget would have been shown almost a full year after Harlow's death) and wanted somebody who could be guaranteed to bring in money as they were worried about losing money on the film due to the high budget. Understandable as that's exactly what happened in the first release despite it's popularity. My best guess as to what happened is Fox did want Shirley to play Dorothy, but they did not want to loan their biggest star to MGM. They probably had a whole scheme, mistakenly believing MGM's only choice was Shirley, and that they would crumble and work out a deal to give the rights to them. After realizing this backfired, they likely told the Harlow story to Gertrude as Zanack didn't want to look like an idiot and it was easier to say it was nature's fault than his ego.

[@tonycanabal1659]

Shirley did a secret audition for the part and was turned down due to her vocal limitations as well as Fox not wanting to loan her out.

[@moorek1967]

She was under contract to another studio. That's the ultimate reason, it was bargaining between the studios.

[@Pixiebabylove]

i've just ordered this dvd from amazon, very excited to watch the whole thing :D

[@519djw6]

I don't see any "debunking" here. Shirley Temple *was* the biggest child actress of her time (and remains the biggest child actress of *all* time). And I'd never heard anything about Jean Harlow having anything to do with it. It was just that 20th Century Fox didn't want to loan out their "golden goose."

[@gordielaforg]

she looks just like judy garland in this...its amazing..

[@TheMaverickChristian]

everything i read on this subject all said that Shirley Temple was to have the part but her mother was so demanding that they rejected them and went with Judy

[@littlesongbird1]

I think Demanding is a bit unfair. Shirley's mom wanted to protect her from creeps like Arthur Freed and she also wanted to make sure Shirley was not mistreated and go her breaks, meals, etc. (Remember that this before many child labor laws they have now a days). My grandma felt that Shirley's mom should be admired for making sure her daughter was treated with respect vs. Mrs. Gumm who more or less pushed drugs on Judy and used her to make money and didn't care much about her well being.

[@maleficentdiva]

OMG this is scary, Tammy looks just like her! WOW!!!!

[@ballsarama1675]

The recreations of Garland's costume tests show her a bit more plumper than the actual shots. Garland had an unusual figure to fit for, extremely long legs, a very small midriff and, at the time of Oz, a fuller bosom (check her appearances in the cut "Mr. Monotany" number from Easter Prarade and "Get Happy" from Summer Stock) . She wasn't overweight as implied by this movie or others including documentaries. Her bosom was wrapped to make her look younger and more in line with Dorthy's age as outlined in the book. Temple lost the gig because of the singing demands of the MGM effort.

[@Lemonnex]

Temple wasn't cast because Fox had her under contract and refused to loan her out to anyone else because she wouldn't be able to work on other projects that would make them more money.

[@LVanHelsing]

@Gianetta I know right they a bit of the trivia in it. Like how they kept changing her costume, how the three had to rest against the boards on breaks and even when tin man say wheres the dog i think i stepped on it again. But the myth is definetly Judy Garland

[@YumikoSasaki14]

was this ever released outside of the us? I want to watch it so badly but cant find it anywhere in my country >_

[@VladSicoe]

Imagine Shirley Temple singing Over the Rainbow, instead of Judy Garland.

[@RisaGreen]

That sounds terrifying

[@manuelorozco7760]

+Vlad Sicoe I don't know how I would feel if that ever happened. I am a much bigger fan of Shirley than Judy though

[@Arthur_McGowan]

A Technicolor camera was a huge box. Looked nothing like that thing.

[@Dawnpool93]

As cute as Shirley would have been and a lot more fitting in terms of age, her singing voice doesn't hold a candle to Judy's voice...

[@rogerpropes7129]

Shirley had just come off her best film, and her own favorite, 'The Little Princess' from Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic book, in color, with a ballet sequence, even though the music, with Arthur Treacher too, is subordinate to the charming story. Shirley's was a peerless talent; she gets to dump ashes on snooty Marsha Mae Jones. It even has Anita Louise and Richard Greene, the '30s cinema's most beautiful couple, as lovers. (Louise was Titania in 'Midsummer Night's Dream' and Greene's career was stymied when he went off to the war and ended up as Robin Hood on TV in the '50s.)

[@manuelorozco7760]

I love The Little Princess

[@tbottoms985]

@manuel11galvan I really want to watch this too! did you ever find a way online? id really appreiciate it!

[@entertainer1987]

When Judy, Bert, Ray, and Jack were filming this scene they lip-syncing to a track that was pre-recorded by Judy, Ray, Bert, and Buddy Ebsen, (the actor who was originally cast as the Tin Man). There was no time to re-record the group singing "Off To See the Wizard" in the trio and quartet versions. Jack Haley only recorded his solo parts in songs.

[@randallderosa5874]

Garland was cast, and the rest is history, thank GOD. The movie would have bombed if Temple had played Dorothy, plain and simple-PERIOD.

[@missyglittervlogs3543]

Randall DeRosa I’m glad she didn’t play Dorthy! MGM are sick people! There’s no telling what they put Judy through!

[@williamanthony9090]

Saying that doesn't make it so... The movie didn't even turn a profit until they began showing it on television in the 1950's! So your claim the production would have bombed, "plain and simple- period" is based on what? Your opinion? Whatever. Everyone has one of those, and I don't find yours in any way compelling. Most of the 1939 audiences were made up of people who had actually read one or more of the "Oz" books. In those books Dorothy was a child, NOT a teenager playing a child. Although Judy Garland had a much stronger singing voice than Shirley Temple, it only really mattered in her rendition of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow." Take that song out of the film, which is what almost occurred, and Garland's vocals aren't anywhere near as important! Who then would have made for the better Dorothy? That's a question that can never be truly answered, especially by viewers conditioned to seeing Garland in the part over the last eighty years. The fact 1939 audiences weren't as impressed, however, tells a much different story.

[@friendsfamilyaccount]

@keanufan09 I'm not entirely sure Mrs G was portrayed 100% accurately here. Judy and and her mom did not get along; Judy had a lot of animosity towards here mostly because of her dad. So keep in mind this is Judy's account as told to Lorna. Not to say it ISN'T true, but as with a lot Judy said, should be taken w/a grain of salt. Also, amphetamines weren't understood back then; nor the addiction. Mickey Rooney was also addicted, but he kicked it. Poor Judy was never really given the chance.

[@marcosvalenca]

@lafea34 Most stars didn't like Louis B. Mayer. Dame Elizabeth Taylor stood up against him once when when he mistreated her mother. The only one who seemed to really like him and called him Papa Mayer was June Allison.

[@friendsfamilyaccount]

sorry - can't. I actually had another scene from this on here and it was pulled down for copyright. I'd suggest trying to get the DOUBLE VHS version that was mail order only (not the crummy one they sold in Walmart later on) and converting it to DVD since the DVD versions are incomplete also, from what I read. This was from the vhs version.

[@JulianneHannes]

They should remake the second part of this movie with now 30something as older Judy, then it'd be a masterpiece

[@catherineaustin2]

Agreed. I don't really like the other actress they got for older Judy

[@dequadiewalton7619]

Would u watch it????

[@markedwardindc]

True. However, when Audrey made "My Fair Lady" three years later, her voice was dubbed by soprano Marni Nixon, who had previously dubbed the singing voice of Deborah Kerr in "The King and I" (1956) and Natalie Wood in "West Side Story" (1961). Interestingly, Natalie had made another musical that same year; "Gypsy" was also released in 1961, in which Ms. Wood did all of her own singing. Whether a performer is dubbed or not depends on the vocal demands of the character's music.

[@dequadiewalton7619]

Let me know

[@Blogrich55]

Great clip! Thanks for sharing. This is my favorite movie.

[@waynebrasler]

One problem about Shirley Temple, who I have always adored, isn't being mentioned here, but it was an issue of which Roger Edens was keenly aware. And that was her acting range. As she got older she more and more lost whatever she had, in the words of Alice Faye, and it took her considerable time to find her footing as an adult actor. She was just terrible in some films. But by the time of "The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer" she was great. Myrna Loy complained she stole all the scenes!

[@melissagray8138]

Poor sweet little Judy. They used her, drugged her, and didn’t give a damn that they were destroying her. It makes my blood boil!

[@billhosko7723]

Karen, looking for attention.

[@patriciacardwell2587]

She actually already knew she was going to play dorothy in wizard of oz on Feb 24th of 1938 before she filmed forever darling

[@marcosvalenca]

@DudeSinger Garland WAS jelous of Lana Turner and almost all other great beauties. She was always over critical about herself and insecure. Sometimes even selfdestructive.

[@andrewsmatilda99]

That actress was scarily similar to Judy

[@AGKISSY24]

Shirley Temple or Judy Garland who would you pick??

[@ellieandbuster]

Do you have the rest of this movie? I'd love to watch it.

[@user-iw1qc2ui2w]

Hi

[@gerardfonz]

Shirley had incredible roles in Heidi and The Little Princess around that time. If she was Dorothy she would’ve been just as good except her Rainbow song would be a child-like sound but I think if practiced enough would’ve pulled it off nicely. The Oz movie was so well made though. Fox gave Shirley lead role in a copycat movie The Bluebird and she did well but the movie was a dud. Just like Shirley’s successful films, writing and directing are everything.

[@friendsfamilyaccount]

It's also in A&E's biography of Shirley Temple....some Hollywood myths never die.

[@1683az89]

@5:55 Tin Man - no no don't feed the animals, they work better when they are hungry. and @ 6:53 Tin Man - I almost step on that dog again, Lion - what dog. hahahaha

[@MaskedMan66]

Of course, Shirley not only did make it to Oz, she went Judy one better by playing not Dorothy, but Princess Ozma, the ruler of Oz, in her own T.V. production of "The Marvelous Land of Oz."

[@rogerpropes7129]

Judy was saddened that mickey never proposed to her, but he went after the flashy beauties; he claimed to have impregnated Lana, which she vociferously denied--maybe she just didn't know! Then he wed Ava Gardner!

[@gdcat777]

Thanks for the clarification.

[@maleficentdiva]

well her hair is actually red in the final movie anyway, its like an Auburn color, its very pretty! :)

[@Pochopo]

Somewhat of a random observation, but the girl who played Judy in this was spot on! She looks 90% like Judy!

[@clarekuehn4372]

Interesting. But maybe Lorna Luft didn't know, so the filmmakers of Shadows didn't know. And maybe Judy was briefly told that she might lose it. And she was insecure about her face. So it roughly works as a scene.

[@MaskedMan66]

The costumes and makeup of the Scarecrow and the Lion could have been done so much better.

[@samsprrr3548]

What is this from please i think i watching it as a child.

[@DisWldFrk90]

That is actually not even possible. If you check the records WoZ when Judy Garland's 16th birthday happened, June of 1938, they were still casting at that time. There is no way in the world she celebrated her 16th birthday after WoZ. She'd have been 17 when it came out.

[@dequadiewalton7619]

She was 15 when she shot the movie 🎥

[@DisWldFrk90]

@@dequadiewalton7619 She was 15 when they were getting production set up and writing the script. Once recording sessions and filming started (September and October of 1938) she would have been 16 as she was born on June 10th 1922. It would have been the fall after her 16th birthday. I know you can't see it, because the user has since deactivated their KZbin channel that they had 6 years ago, but this was a comment in reply to a user who was attempting to trash the accuracy of the film by saying how wrong this birthday party was because (in their words not mine) "Her 16th birthday was after WoZ". My comment was in reply telling them it is impossible for her to have celebrated her 16th birthday after WoZ came out. When the film premiered, on August 17th 1939, she had recently turned 17.

[@adriangarcia543]

What name of movie

[@sketchtheparadigmyork1217]

5:20 “she IS Dorothy” practically broke the fourth wall considering how much she really resembles Garland

[@samsprrr3548]

Please what is this scene from I have been looking for it since I was a kid.

[@thelizardqueen6365]

...this clip helped me realize I shouldn't watch this film. Watching a very well-made documentary on Judy Garland. The role had been fitted for Judy originally, but Shirley Temple was being heavily considered. A bit bugged by the random Lana cameo in a way. I just saw a clip of Judy saying that she had gone to high school at the studio w/ several actors and actresses who went on to have great film careers, Lana was one of them. Judy has also said that she never read any of the Oz books before.

[@DisWldFrk90]

I don't know how the Gene Harlow myth got started as the poster pointed out she died before MGM even had the rights to this movie. But I think it's perfectly possible that was an excuse made up by Fox because I think it would be quite embarassing for them to admit their top money maker didn't have a strong enough singing talent for a big role like this. MGM's side of the story makes more sense. That Judy was the first choice and they very briefly considered Shirley because she was a bigger name.

[@MrNoturaveragerednek]

She may have been far from fat but the Hollywood Image of what an attractive girl is has not changed since 1939 when the movie was made. Even today, thin is in, but she played the part of a young girl and not a woman in this movie calle The Wizard of Oz, and in the book Dorothy was like what, 10 years old or something like that, I'll have to find me a book and reread the story.

[@jrbrook76]

Well, we're all just lucky it never happened. It would have been an utter crap fest with Shirley Temple. She had her rightful place, but Oz wasn't it.

[@tammie1078]

To say it would have been crap is abit harsh, I think it would have been good. Granted I love the version of Judy, but I'd be curious to see how it would have played out with Shirley.

[@joemaddalone6061]

What was this from

[@juliasmith5267]

I really liked the video.

[@lilgiggler35]

the scene near the end of the clip never happened. Judy had a gift for embellishing a story and her daughters state the the "you dirty old men , let that little girl in there" was just a story that Judy made up for that interview on the spot for a laugh.

[@littlesongbird1]

Agreed and her co stars were upset when they heard that story.

[@jaxsoncrocker2005]

All of the Judy Garland movies 1. The Big Rescue (1929) 2. Bubbles (1930) 3. Every Sunday (1936) 4. Pigskin Parade (1936) 5. Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937) 6. Everyone Sings (1938) 7. Love finds Andy Hardy (1938) 8. Listen Darling (1938) 9. The Wizard Of Oz (1939) 10. Babes in Arms (1939) 11. If I Forget You (1940) 12. Andy Hardy finds Dep

[@LeighMet]

These aren't all her movies

[@friendsfamilyaccount]

@lilgiggler35 Nobody ever says "you dirty old men" - it's "you dirty hams" A ham actor is a performer who overacts or is exaggerating and it's all in fun. Hardly a dirty old man! Also, it may or may not have happened and the entire thing was in jest anyway - so we're to say they never had fun on the set? Actually I believe it was the stories about the munchkins that Liza stated she exaggerated.

[@LT82659]

POV: You read every word of the description :)

[@59jlopez70]

What's done is done and no matter what Judy Garland is and will always be our Dorothy. If Shirley would've played Dorothy it would've just been another Shirley Temple movie that's all and today's generation Shirley is not a popular classic but at least with Judy her voice will always be the trademark in this movie for all generations and more to come.

[@yomomma4435]

I REMEMBER BEING IN THE DRESSING ROOM WITH HER ONCE I TOLD HER SHE SHOULD DO IT...SHIRLEY TEMPLE

[@marcosvalenca]

@friendsfamilyaccount My God, you really did your homework. What details you know!

[@siewbergeron8014]

How about the future of The Bad Witch

[@2424dianne]

They wanted Shirley Temple but fox wouldn't lend her to MGM. I'm so mad. Of course, Judy garland was great. It was turn, her time. Shirley temple was already a household name.

[@mariafelixmoranbenavides4073]

I dont understand about this And i want someone of You to answer me this doubt : why always many Well all the girls want to be dorothy in the role of wizard of oz ???? I do not understand that so please someone tell me why

[@Voyagersguidebook]

I don't know people's thoughts, but I think Dorothy is a great character, who gets to meet many other fun characters. I believe a lot of people can relate to her personally. She's stuck in a place (in her situation, a farm) and she feels in a boring rut with her life, longing to go out there and see the world. Then this big magical storm comes and whisks her away to a fantasy-land. But she realizes it's not all that great either. There's a lot of beauty and fun, but there's also many unknown dangers. In real life, People love to travel and do more with their lives, but they always want a place to come home to where they feel safe, comfortable and loved. Dorothy learned that lesson in a big way. She had also taken her home life for granted and didn't appreciate it until the end when all she desired was to get back there. I think we all go through that feeling. That's my thought on Dorothy. :)

[@DisWldFrk90]

Well for "all girls" we're only talking Temple and Garland. They never had a "casting call" for this role, it was pre-casted. Temple wanted it because it was a favorite childhood book of hers. It was equal, to her, as to why so many people wanted to be in Harry Potter. Judy wanted it because the role would be a big change for her. She'd be a star lead and get to be dolled up with a movie star instead of the girl next door (at least that was the original plan until they wanted her to have the more midwestern look). They both had their own personal reasons for wanting it.

[@gracebenjamin5548]

Scarecrow's top was green, not blue

[@JoeTyria]

It actually was teal. The tint on this clip is slightly off. However, in the book, Scarecrow is completely in blue. ;-)

[@thalialuvmx]

this is so sad....judy was the definitely the most talented child star of that era but she was treated like crap. always being told that she didn't measure up...smh poor thing