The Tragic Disappearance of the Jitterbug Sequence: Unveiling the Wizard of Oz's Censored Scenes

While the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz is celebrated for its colorful animation and iconic characters, not every scene from the original production ended up on the final cut. One of the most intriguing omissions is the Jitterbug Sequence, a forgotten musical number that was initially included in the film but has since been lost to time. This article delves into the history of the omission, its impact on the film, and the various stage productions that have breathed new life into this lost scene.

Why Did the Wicked Witch of the West Say She Sent Insects?

In the original 1939 film, after a particular exchange between the Wicked Witch of the West and a group of captives, the scene was cut, leading to a significant gap. What happened in this deleted segment?

According to the surviving footage, after the Witch’s ominous words, the film cuts directly to Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Lion dancing and singing to the song “The Jitterbug.” This scene was only briefly captured, likely recorded as a home video, which explains the low quality and the visible imperfections. The scene captures the mischief that the Wicked Witch claimed she sent to take the fight out of them, represented by invisible insects forcing them to dance.

The Original Vision

The Jitterbug Sequence was a crucial part of the original production, envisioned as a high-energy and fast-paced musical number. Unfortunately, it never made it to the final cut of the film. Despite its omission, the concept of invisible jitterbugs left a lasting impact on the storyline. The dancers depicted as jitterbugs in the stage productions create a vivid image of how the sequence might have looked.

Stage Production Resurrections

Ancient theater archives and modern stage productions have managed to re-envision the Jitterbug Sequence. In these productions, dancers in bright green bug costumes appear, leading the characters through a chaotic and exhausting dance sequence. The culmination of these performances provides a glimpse into what the original sequence might have entailed.

For instance, in some stage versions, the jitterbugs attack the group of travelers as they make their way through the forest, forcing them to dance incessantly and ultimately leading to their exhaustion. The stage reimagining of the scene leaves viewers marveling at the vibrancy and energy that such a sequence might have brought to the film.

Visual Evidence

The only visual evidence of the Jitterbug Sequence comes from the forest scene in the film. After the flying monkeys descend onto the group, you can see that Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Lion are disheveled and exhausted. This suggests that the jitterbugs indeed played a role in their fatigue.

Conclusion

The disappearance of the Jitterbug Sequence from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz is a testament to the often-changing nature of film production. While the lost scenes may never see the light of the big screen, modern stage adaptations have brought this forgotten sequence back to life, providing audiences with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the film's original vision.