Behind The Scenes Secrets: The Wizard Of Oz

Arthur Freed Wanted Judy Garland For Dorothy

Arthur Freed was a legendary producer and lyricist. He was not credited for his work onWizard of Oz, but it did mean a substantial promotion (they made him the head of his unit atMGM),and gave him his first credit with Rodgers and Hart’s Broadway musical hit,Babes in Arms, which featured Judy Garland with Mickey Rooney.Babes in Armsbecame the first of many “backyard” musicals that they all did together.

Of course, Louis B Mayer wanted Shirley Temple for the part ofDorothy,but Freed thought that Judy Garland was a better choice. Years later, in her autobiography, Shirley Temple claimed that Freed had exposed himself to her when she was 12, as he was trying to pursuit her to join MGM. According to Temple’s obituary, “Being innocent of male anatomy, she responded by giggling, and he threw her out of his office.”