WE’RE OFF TO SING THE WIZARD (original) (raw)

“The Wizard of Oz” is the most American of fairy tales.

So it figures that Turner Classic Movies will mark July Fourth by showing a version of the 1939 classic musical with lyrics flashed on screen to help viewers sing along. As if you don’t know them already.

But here are a few things about the movie’s music you may not know:

Classic writers: E.Y. “Yip” Harburg and Harold Arlen were chosen on the basis of other hits they wrote, including “It’s Only a Paper Moon.” They were also behind such enduring songs as “Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?” and “Lydia the Tattooed Lady.”

Once in a lullaby: The film’s enduring theme “Over the Rainbow” was nearly cut from the film because it was thought to slow the action too early. It was left in, and went on to win the Oscar for song of the year, becoming a bona fide American standard and forever linked with the movie’s star, Judy Garland.

Oscars, otherwise: Despite six nominations, the only other Oscar it won was for best score, by Herbert Stothart. “Gone With the Wind” won the Academy Award for best picture.

Herbert helpers: For his score, Stothart freely adapted themes from Schumann, Mussorgsky, Mendelssohn and Rimsky-Korsakov.

Whiz of a Wiz: Shirley Temple was originally sought to play Dorothy. Original plans had W.C. Fields as the Wizard.

There’s nothing in that black bag for me: When plans for a “Wizard Song” were dropped, much of its florid language ended up as dialog for Frank Morgan in his penultimate scene.

“O-yee-oh! Eoh-ah!”: The six remaining notes from a planned “Death to the Wizard of Oz” funeral march became the chant of the Witch’s castle guards.

Oh my: “Lions and Tigers and Bears” intended to be a full song, never got past its initial repetition.

While away the hours: Because of edits in the film, the final verse from the Scarecrow’s song was also cut: “Gosh it would be awful pleasin’/ To reason out the reason/ For things I can’t explain/ Then perhaps I’ll deserve yer’ and be even worthy o’rve yer/ If I only had a brain.”

A dingaderry: Harburg rhymed “riddle” with “individdle”; “presumin”‘ with “human”; “lash” and “compash” and “prowess” with “mow-ess.”

No Greeks: Lines never recorded included Scarecrow’s “I would be no sweet potato/ I would think out things like Plato/ If I only had a brain” and the Cowardly Lion’s “Why, with my regal beezer/ I could be another Caesar/ If I only had the nerve.”

Munchkin moments: Though the Singer Midgets were hired to be part of the troupe portraying Munchkins, only two actually used their actual voices, Joseph Koziel and Frank Cucksey, who sing the couplet that begins, “We thank you very sweetly, for doing it so neatly.”

Up to speed: The Munchkin chorus was created by recording studio voices at a slow speed. The low-voiced Winkies (who guarded the witch’s castle) were recorded at a faster speed and slowed down.

Barnaby Jones in Oz: Buddy Ebsen was the original Tin Woodsman; he had to leave the production because of a reaction to the silver makeup.

Jed Clampett in Oz: Buddy Ebsen’s voice can still be heard in the finished film — chiefly when the characters sing “We’re Off To See the Wizard.”

Insect repellent: The biggest song to be cut from “The Wizard of Oz” was a production number called “The Jitterbug.”

Bugged, still: The finished film still alludes to the missing “Jitterbug” scene when the Wicked Witch of the West tells her flying monkey, “I’ve sent a little insect ahead to take the fight out of them.”

Who doesn’t sing in “The Wizard of Oz”: The Wizard, the Wicked Witch of the West, Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, Professor Marvel, Miss Gulch and the head of the flying monkeys, whose name was Nikko.

Who sings a song in “The Wizard of Oz” but is never seen: The Debutantes and Rhythmettes, who sing the gates of Oz theme, “Optimistic Voices” (“You’re out of the woods, you’re out of the dark, you’re out of the night”). The singers behind the Munchkin voices.

Who sings just a line in “The Wizard of Oz” and is never seen: Andrea Caselotti, the voice of Disney’s “Snow White,” who sings the line “Wherefore art thou, Romeo?” in the Tin Man’s song.

Enter Floyd: Some rock fans may choose not to sing along at all to the broadcast, preferring to accompany their viewing of “The Wizard of Oz” with the playing of Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon.” Fanatics have found more than 80 moments of unexplained synchronicity when you start the disc precisely at the third roar of the MGM Lion.

With Mojo Jojo as the Witch: Co-hosting the sing-along version of “The Wizard of Oz” with Robert Osborne tonight will be the Powerpuff Girls, who have their own movie to promote.

A sing-along version of “The Wizard of Oz” will be broadcast on Turner Classic Movies tonight at 6. The regular version will be broadcast Sunday at 8:30 p.m.

Originally Published: July 4, 2002 at 4:00 AM EDT