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Secrets of Oz Unearthed

dismembered scarecrow

Back in 1939, the idea that any of the movie-going public would be remotely interested in out-takes or deleted scenes from a major motion picture was ridiculous - which is why almost an hour of extra material excised from the MGM classic Wizard of Oz had long been thought destroyed. However, construction workers involved in the digging of a new extension to the Los Angeles subway last week discovered a sealed iron chest in what is thought to have been the basement of the long-demolished abode of Oz director Victor Fleming.

The contents were astonishing. Not only did the chest contain fifty-six minutes of cut scenes - including the original gruesome take on the dismemberment of the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger) by the Wicked Witch's flying monkeys, where the sacking used for his head has been completely unravelled and is found hanging from a tree - but also half an hour of outtakes, one of which provides the long sought after proof for the perennial rumour that one of the Munchkins hung himself on set.


chilling confirmation of the Munchkin suicide rumour

In addition to reels of film, the chest also contained a first draft script, which contains a number of surprises. In the original version of the film, Dorothy (Judy Garland) was to have been joined on her quest by not only the Scarecrow, Tin Man (Jack Haley) and Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), but also by Nikko the Wooden Butler (Pat Walshe). The character of Nikko was desperate to earn the respect of his employers, but unfortunately suffered from Tourette's Syndrome, as this extract from Nikko's song demonstrates:


NIKKO (SINGS):
I could - F*CK! - with all the gentry
They could - B*GGER! SH*TTING! - sentry
And trust me with their pets
I could - C*NT! - in their houses
And would - BOLLOCKS! - press their trousers
If I didn't have Tourette's

Apparently it was planned that the profanity would have been obscured by comical sound effects coinciding with the shocked reactions of the other cast members. Strangely enough, even though his character never made it to production, an administrative error meant that his name still appears in the end credits to this day, a fact that has led to endless speculation over the years.

It is hoped that the cut scenes can be restored and a special edition DVD released in time for the film's 65th anniversary in 2004.

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