#6: “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” Almost Didn’t Make the Cut
Believe it or not, but the timeless and beloved song “Over the Rainbow” almost met an unfortunate fate. Director Victor Fleming initially contemplated removing the song from the final edit, concerned that it would make the film too long. Thankfully, the song’s composer, Harold Arlen, and lyricist, E.Y. Harburg, along with producer Mervyn LeRoy, championed its inclusion.
They recognized the emotional resonance and significance of “Over the Rainbow,” which served as a poignant expression of Dorothy’s longing for a better life beyond her mundane Kansas existence. Ultimately, their persistence paid off, and the song not only remained but became one of the film’s most iconic and enduring elements, winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song and forever capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide.