The Classic
That Almost Wasn't
Few movies are so
universally loved as the
1939
classic, The
Wizard of Oz,
and few have been plagued with so
many
problems. Its original cast was to have starred Shirley Temple as
Dorothy
and Buddy Ebsen as the Tin Man. Unfortunately, little Miss Temple was
under
contract to another studio who wouldn't loan her out. Mr. Ebsen, on the
other hand, turned out to be severely allergic to the aluminum paint
used
in his make-up, wound up in the hospital, nearly blinded and had to be
replaced after several weeks of filming. Other accidents, hazards and
cast
delays caused such cost overruns that in spite of its enormous
popularity,
The
Wizard of Oz
didn't turn a profit for over 20 years, when it was
released
for TV in 1960. Considering its liabilities, it's almost surprising
that
it didn't acquire the superstitious stigma among show-business types as
did Shakespeare's...uh..."Scottish play."
Looking back, it's a shame that Mr. Ebsen
wasn't
cast as the Scarecrow. As a dancer, he appeared almost boneless.
Besides,
it would have been good practice for all those years to come on
The
Beverly Hillbillies.
Acknowledgments:
8
©
Russ Brown, 1997