It won Academy Awards for Best Music, Original Score and
Best Music, Song (Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg for "Over
the Rainbow"). Casting the film was problematic,
with actors shifting roles repeatedly at the beginning
of filming. One of the primary changes was in the role
of the Tin Woodsman. The Tin Man was originally slated
for Ray Bolger, and Buddy Ebsen was to play the Scarecrow.
Bolger was unhappy with the part, and convinced producer
Mervyn LeRoy to recast him as the Scarecrow. Ebsen didn't
object to the change at first, but just 9 days into filming,
he suffered an allergic reaction to the metallic makeup
and had to leave the movie. Jack Haley was given the part
the next day. The makeup used on Jack Haley was quietly
changed to nonmetallic. Ironically, despite his near-death
experience with the makeup, Ebsen well-outlived all the
principal players.
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