Summary
- "Over The Rainbow" reflects hope in a dark era, with lyrics inspired by the Jewish experience.
- The song almost got cut from Wizard of Oz due to being considered depressing by MGM execs.
- Despite a troubled production, the movie and Judy Garland's rendition of the song remain beloved.
A young seventeen-year-old Judy Garland became a household name when she starred in MGM's The Wizard of Oz in 1939. The film became one of the most beloved and recognized motion pictures in entertainment history. More so, it has earned a faithful audience generation after generation.
The Wizard of Oz exemplified MGM's musical era. One of Hollywood's most famous songs, "Over The Rainbow", was perhaps the heart of the film's timeless soundtrack. Garland's rendition of "Over The Rainbow" left a lasting impression. The song, which was written for the movie, is still frequently covered by people of all ages.
What some fans may be surprised to learn is that "Over The Rainbow" has a dark inspiration. In this article, we will discuss the meaning of "Over The Rainbow", how Garland felt about the song, and how making The Wizard of Oz proved to be a hard experience for many individuals involved in the production.
What Inspired "Over The Rainbow" And Why Was It Almost Removed From The Wizard Of Oz?
To understand the significance of "Over The Rainbow", it is important to put the era in which The Wizard of Oz was released in context. Premiering in 1939, The Wizard of Oz was a product of the Great Depression. MGM, alongside other major Hollywood studios, had a booming business. Every day Americans experienced incredible financial hardships and desired an escape from the realities of life.
Stars such as Shirley Temple helped bring joy and happiness to millions of people during the Depression, even though they struggled with the pressures of Hollywood stardom. The Wizard of Oz, based on L. Frank Baum's classic series of children's books, was an attempt by MGM to not only entertain, but provide a sense of hope to the American public.
"Over The Rainbow", emotionally performed by a young Garland, highlights a desire for better times, according to Old Time Music. More so, Garland's performance encourages a sense of positivity even in tragedy. Garland, as Dorothy Gale, sings that she wants to go to a peaceful place "where the clouds are far behind" her and "where troubles melt like lemon drops." She asks "if happy little bluebirds fly", "why, oh why, can't I?" Reflective of its era, "Over The Rainbow" shows a narrator that dreams of happiness and peace.
Judy Garland herself had a special connection to her signature song. According to Columbia News, she once described "Over The Rainbow" as "sacred."
Contrary to a widespread rumor, "Over The Rainbow" was not written about the brutality of the Nazi party and its treatment of the Jewish community. However, two Jewish men were responsible for writing the song, Yip Harburg and Harold Arlen. Rabbi Bernhard Rosenberg believes that the Jewish experience was core to the inspiration behind "Over The Rainbow."
"In writing it, the two men reached deep into their immigrant Jewish consciousness — framed by the pogroms of the past and the Holocaust about to happen — and wrote an unforgettable melody set to near prophetic words. Read the lyrics in their Jewish context and suddenly the words are no longer about wizards and Oz", the rabbi wrote in an essay published by My Central Jersey.
For a song that has meant so much to many people around the world, it is shocking to realize that it was almost removed from the final version of The Wizard of Oz.
According to Uproxx, some of MGM's executives reportedly found the song to be too depressing or slow. Two of the film's producers, Mervyn LeRoy and Arthur Freed, loved "Over The Rainbow" and fought hard for it to stay in the movie. They believed in the song's message and thought "Over The Rainbow" exemplified the film's core themes. Freed allegedly gave MGM an ultimatum and said that he would leave the production if "Over The Rainbow" was not included, according to Columbia News. Fortunately for LeRoy and Freed, their pleas and threats did not go unnoticed. MGM head Louis B. Mayer allowed "Over The Rainbow" to stay in the final product.
Why Was The Wizard Of Oz A Troubled Production?
The Wizard of Oz has brought a lot of joy to fans over the years. The beloved film's completion was nothing short of remarkable, however. The Wizard of Oz was a troubled production that had a lot of hurdles. Foremost, filming the movie was tragic for its main star, Judy Garland. MGM controlled the young Garland and forced her to diet and take substances to manage her weight. Often exhausted due to her diet and long hours on set, MGM also gave the actress substances to keep her awake and energetic.
Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, was literally set on fire accidentally while filming a scene in Munchinkland. Buddy Ebsen, who was originally set to play the Tin Man, had such a severe allergic reaction to his makeup that he almost died. After Ebsen's health scare, he was removed from the production and replaced by Jack Haley.
Additionally, the snow used in the film was made from toxic asbestos, exposing members of the core cast to a dangerous substance, according to Atlas Obscura. The Wizard of Oz was far from easy to make, but fortunately for MGM, it proved to be more than a win at the box office. More than eighty years since the film's release, The Wizard of Oz and its beloved "Over The Rainbow" remain a treasured part of American popular culture.
