In a fun bit of classic Hollywood trivia, The Wizard of Oz cut one particular song from the movie, but the movie still made a subtle reference to it as the story progressed. Adapted from L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the story depicts the journey of Dorothy Gale, who is transported to the magical land of Oz after her Kansas home is swept up by a tornado. The cast of the 1939 Wizard of Oz movie includes Judy Garland, Margaret Hamilton, and Billie Burke. The movie was a critical success; The Wizard of Oz was praised for its memorable quotes and use of color; it has since been regarded as one of the greatest movies ever made.
One of the most memorable aspects of the movie was its music, which won an Oscar for Best Original Score in 1940. The Wizard of Oz 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 one recorded song that was ultimately cut from the final movie; while the song never made it into The Wizard of Oz, it was still referred to very subtly in the movie.
Why The Wizard Of Oz Cut A Song Titled "The Jitterbug"
The Song Cost Nearly $2 Million To Film
Throughout the movie, Dorothy and her friends, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion journey through the lands of Oz to the castle of the Wicked Witch of the West. It was originally planned for the Witch to send out a Jitterbug creature to stop them. According to Slashfilm, the Jitterbug was going to attack the group and force them all to dance to "The Jitterbug" song until they were exhausted, allowing the Flying Monkeys to capture Dorothy. Despite the scene costing $80,000 to film, equivalent to $2 million in 2024, the Jitterbug sequence was ultimately cut from the movie.
There are different explanations as to why "The Jitterbug" was cut. At the time of the movie's release, the jitterbug dance became popular and, via The Independent, producers feared the craze would date the film. There was also the belief that the song's lyrics were subtly making references to alcoholism, which could have sent a negative message to viewers. According to Collider, the producers also felt "The Jitterbug" sequence didn't fit in properly with the rest of Oz's magic. Filmed footage of "The Jitterbug" sequence still exists which gives an idea as to what the scene would have looked like, had it been included in the movie.
How "The Jitterbug" Song Is Still Referenced By The Wicked Witch In The Wizard Of Oz
The Jitterbug Is Still Referred To By The Wicked Witch In One Critical Scene
While the Jitterbug never appeared in The Wizard of Oz, there was still a subtle reference made to the creature in one 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 little insect" in the scene's dialogue.
"Do what you like with the others, but I want her alive and unharmed! They'll give you no trouble, I promise you that. I've sent a little insect on ahead to take the fight out of them . "
The reference to the jitterbug was left in the final release of the movie; according to Playbill, audiences never picked up on the reference and didn't ask questions about the "little insect" that never appeared to attack Dorothy and her friends. Despite not appearing in the movie, "The Jitterbug" was included in re-releases of the movie's soundtrack and the dance sequence has since been used in stage adaptations of The Wizard of Oz, allowing viewers to fully experience the song that never made it into the iconic movie.
Sources: Slashfilm, The Independent, Collider, Playbill
Based on Frank L. Baum's book of the same name, The Wizard of Oz follows young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) as she's swept away to the magical land of Oz. Upon arriving, she falls afoul of a witch, then enlists the help of a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion in order to find the Wizard and get home to her family.
Director Victor Fleming
Release Date August 25, 1939
Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures
Writers Florence Ryerson , Noel Langley , Edgar Allan Woolf
Cast Margaret Hamilton , Jack Haley , Judy Garland , Bert Lahr , Ray Bolger
Runtime 102 minutes
Budget $2.8 million
English (US) ·