The Styrous® Viewfinder: 20,000 Vinyl LPs 236: The Wizard of Oz & Over the Rainbow

August 15, 2020

20,000 Vinyl LPs 236: The Wizard of Oz & Over the Rainbow

On August 15, 1939, 81 years ago today, Judy Garland sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow . . .

Somewhere Over the Rainbow (film clip)

[Verse 1]
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
There's a land that I heard of
Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true

[Chorus]
Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far
Behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

[Verse 2]
Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?

[Outro]
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh why can't I?

. . . in a sepia world . . .

Dorothy (Judy Garland)

film still

. . opened a door on a dazzling Technicolor fantasy . . .

. . . that made film history!

The Wizard of Oz movie poster

Seventeen years later MGM Records released the soundtrack for the film in stereo and mono; my recording is the mono version.

The Wizard of Oz vinyl LP front cover

photo of front cover by Styrous®

Garland was sixteen years old at the time of filming, however, she was not the only girl in the running for the part. Several actresses were considered for the role of Dorothy, including Shirley Temple, at the time, the most prominent child star, and Deanna Durbin, a relative newcomer, with an operatic voice. Garland was the most experienced of the three. Officially, the decision to cast her was attributed to contractual issues. The film premiered in Hollywood, CA.

The Wizard of Oz vinyl LP back cover

photo of front cover by Styrous®

Since fantasy films generally were unsuccessful at that time, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer portrayed Oz as a head-trauma-induced delirium, instead of a real place. It is implied that Oz is merely Dorothy's dream since she awakens in bed at the end, though Dorothy is convinced that her journey was all in fact real.

The main song from The Wizard of Oz, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, has been covered by almost EVERYone; including Tiny Tim and Homer and Jethro! I've linked my favorite versions to YouTube. There's a complete list of covers of the song on Second Hand Songs (links below).

Tracklist:

Side 1:

A1     Over The Rainbow
A2     If I Only Had A Brain
A3     If I Only Had A Heart
A4     If I Only Had The Nerve
A5     Ding--Dong! The Witch Is Dead
A6     We're Off To See The Wizard

Side 2:

B1     If I Were King Of The Forest
B2     Ding--Dong! The Witch Is Dead
B3     We're Off To See The Wizard

Companies, etc.

Credits:

    Chorus – M-G-M Studio Chorus*
    Conductor – George Stoll, Herbert Stothart
    Featuring – Bert Lahr, Frank Morgan (2), Jack Haley, Judy Garland, Ray Bolger
    Orchestra – M-G-M Studio Orchestra*
    Written-By – Harburg*, Arlen*

Notes:

Copies with black labels were released in 1962.

Various ‎– The Wizard Of Oz
Label: MGM Records ‎– E3464 ST, MGM Records ‎– E3464 St.
Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: US
Released: 1956
Genre: Stage & Screen
Style: Soundtrack

Viewfinder links: