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 Youtube, 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. :)

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Me and My Shadows
• Wizard of Oz
• Judy Garland

[keanufan09]

If judy's mother was any kind of mother she wouldnt allow them to put judy on pills, judy was not fat and it's really sad that their are stage mothers like judy's mom that are trying to live out their dreams in their own kids

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[volleyball994pimp]

@Wizard488 I'm sure the fame and fortune was well worth her life with contsant drug addiction to pills playing this movie started her on. i'm sure it was well worth it.

[shewearsfunnyhat]

Actually, Shirley Temple was offered the part by MGM. Twentieth Century-Fox declined the offer and cast her in Susannah of the Mounties instead. Perhaps you should actually read some books instead of getting all of your "proof" from a movie. This fact is discussed in the books Shirley Temple: American Princess and The Films of Shirley Temple..

[Wizard488]

Perhaps Judy didn't like playing another little girl. But, 'The Wizard of Oz' is one of the world's best movies. I'm sure she appreciates it now.

[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.

[YumikoSasaki14]

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

[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

[ElphabaoftheWest]

That chick is a split image of Judy Garland back in the day! With the dorothy costume, exact match! :D

[JustLiveLikeUrDying]

ohh dang...have you guys seen the actual dress of dorthy in the original wizard of oz that judy garland wore? i have ....and that thing is super mini....you would mistake it to be one of the munchkins outfits no joke...definitely not fat

[LibranWay]

Damn Hollywood..will chew your ass up & spit you out looking like bubble gum & not give a damn about it. Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, you get my drift.

Then when they're dead & gone after enduring the BS of the public accusing them as being washed up tired acts..."Oh he was such an artist, Oh she was so talented"...and so on with them not recieving a shred of all that loving admiration while they are still around to hear & recieve it. The general public are such hypocrites.