Wizard Of Oz (CASTING THE SCARECROW)

This video is a short documentary about the casting of Ray Bolger as The Scarecrow in the MGM classic film 'The Wizard Of Oz (1939)' Bolger had originally been cast as The Tin Man, but faught and won his dream role he played in the movie.

Narrated by Angela Lansbury

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• the
• wizard
• of
• oz
• 1939
• casting
• scarecrow
• ray
• bolger
• documentary
• interview
• classic
• song
• judy
• garland
• angela
• lansbury
• mgm

[TheMartinick]

I saw Mr. Bolger when about nine or ten years old in 1954 perform onstage in Las Vegas. I cannot recall the exact hotel. My mother was a dancer and wanted to see Ray perform and she took me along. He performed "If I Only Had a Brain" and danced as if his arms/legs could go any direction! There was a sigh from the audience with lots of clapping and cheering. Being young at the time, I did not connect that HE was the man who actually was the Scarecrow. Lots of great memories. I am 64+

[addicted2you20]

that dance style that he was capable of is mindblowing. how did he do that?

[jessicaaxo7]

funny how i remember that scene most from watching this movie when i was a kid. must have been in the bonus features.

[hardlines4]

Pure Genius!!!

[hfelton]

This part may have made Bolger a star, but his ego kept from becoming even bigger when he turned down the lead in ''The Music Man'' on Broadway because he didn't think it had a showstopper for him like ''Once in Love With Amy'' in ''Where's Charley.'' Little did he know that ''Trouble'' would become even more memorable than ''Amy,'' or that Robert Preston, a good journeyman actor would achieve overnight stardom in the role.

[HeyBellBell]

@TheMartinick What a great story!

[ferociousgumby]

I think they had to cut the number because he was upstaging everybody else. "I think I'll miss you most of all." (Ahhhh, what am I, chapped liv-ah??)

[shawnielee1976]

SO TALENTED!!!!

[squeapler]

What a unique dance style.  I agree, he was better for Scarecrow!

[joshscomputer]

@nickmandl Because Scarecrow was a bigger part, and Buddy Ebsen (who was originally cast to play him) was a more well-known star, and they didn't want to risk giving the part to a lesser-known star. But, good sense won through in the end.

[awesomechic99100]

does he have bones in his body? amazing dancer