The Wizard of Oz (1939) – The Jitterbug Musical Number

MGM's decision to ultimately cut this musical number from the classic film The Wizard of Oz must have been a tough one for the filmmakers and cast to swallow. The sequence in question was a costly one for the studio and took a month of preparation. Run time could have been a concern for the film, but concerns over the tone may have ultimately been the main cause for its removal. The sequence involves Dorothy and company strolling through the woods when Dorothy spots a jitterbug. The insect then magically causes Dorothy, Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion to begin dancing uncontrollably until they collapse from exhaustion. Though cut from the film, the Wicked Witch of the West does make reference to it in a line later in the film, alluding to the continuity error thanks to its removal.