The Planned Dorothy: A Look At Near-miss Casting
- 01. The Original Dorothy: Shirley Temple Was MGM's First Choice
- 02. The Casting Battle: Why Temple Never Played Dorothy
- 03. Timeline of Dorothy Casting Decisions
- 04. Why Garland Ultimately Got the Role
- 05. Alternative Candidates Beyond Temple
- 06. The Historical Significance of Garland's Casting
- 07. The Studio System's Impact on Casting
- 08. Legacy and Cultural Impact
The Original Dorothy: Shirley Temple Was MGM's First Choice
Shirley Temple was the actress MGM originally wanted to play Dorothy Gale in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, but she was under exclusive contract to 20th Century Fox and the loan-deal never materialized. Instead, 16-year-old Judy Garland received the iconic role after studio chief Louis B. Mayer's attempts to borrow Temple failed, and Deanna Durbin also proved unavailable. Garland's portrayal became legendary, defining Dorothy for generations and earning the film lasting cultural significance.
The Casting Battle: Why Temple Never Played Dorothy
MGM studio chief Louis B. Mayer initially pursued Shirley Temple because she was already an established child star with proven box-office appeal. Temple was just 11 years old at the time, six years younger than Garland, and had signed her first contract at age 3 with Educational Pictures before moving to Fox Film Corporation by age 6.
The proposed loan-deal would have required Fox to receive Clark Gable and Jean Harlow inExchange for Temple appearing in MGM's The Wizard of Oz. However, Jean Harlow died from acute kidney failure in 1937, which killed the proposed deal before MGM even acquired the rights to the property. Historians Jay Scarfone and William Stillman note that MGM didn't acquire the Wizard of Oz rights until 1938, making Temple's earlier rumored involvement timeline-impossible.
Timeline of Dorothy Casting Decisions
- 1935: Rumors began circulating that Shirley Temple might play Dorothy in a series of Oz movies
- 1937: Temple learned of potential negotiations to loan her to MGM, but Jean Harlow's death prevented the deal
- Early 1938: MGM acquired rights to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz novel
- Mid 1938: Mayer attempted to borrow Temple from Fox but was declined
- Mid 1938: Deanna Durbin was asked but proved unavailable
- Late 1938: Sixteen-year-old Judy Garland was officially cast as Dorothy
- October 13, 1938: Principal photography began on The Wizard of Oz
- August 25, 1939: Film premiered at San Francisco's Fox Theater
Why Garland Ultimately Got the Role
Producer Mervyn LeRoy and producer Arthur Freed had wanted to cast Garland from the outset, despite internal studio dissent. Garland was under contract to MGM and had already appeared in half-a-dozen movies by 1938. The studio was actively grooming her for future stardom and searching for vehicles specifically tailored to her talents.
At 16, Garland was near the start of her varied show-business career when MGM cast her as Dorothy. Her anxiety about working on a large-scale production with seasoned entertainers actually informed her performance as Dorothy-an adolescent thrust into a grandiose world full of unknowns. This emotional authenticity became central to Dorothy's enduring appeal.
| Actress Considered | Age When Considered | Studio Contract | Outcome | Reason Not Cast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shirley Temple | 11 years old | 20th Century Fox | Rejected | Fox declined loan-request; Harlow died |
| Deanna Durbin | 17 years old | Universal Pictures | Unavailable | Universal refused to loan her |
| Judy Garland | 16 years old | MGM | Cast | Already under MGM contract |
| Mickey Rooney | 18 years old | MGM | Tested | Too old; wrong gender |
| Baby Peggy | N/A | Independent | Rumored | Lack of studio backing |
Alternative Candidates Beyond Temple
After Temple proved unavailable, MGM considered Deanna Durbin, the Universal Pictures singing sensation who was also 17 years old at the time. Universal refused to loan Durbin to MGM, leaving Garland as the clear internal choice.
Some accounts mention that Mickey Rooney was briefly considered for a gender-swapped version of Dorothy, though this never progressed beyond early brainstorming. The studio ultimately recognized that Garland's vocal abilities and emotional range made her the ideal candidate for The Wizard of Oz musical numbers.
The Historical Significance of Garland's Casting
Historians now agree that Garland was tied to the project all along once MGM secured the rights, with producers LeRoy and Freed being strong Garland backers despite undercurrents of doubt. By 1938, the studio was actively looking for vehicles specifically for her talents, and The Wizard of Oz was judged a suitable project.
Garland received international recognition for her portrayal of Dorothy Gale, launching her into sustained stardom across four decades. She followed this with leading roles in major MGM musicals including Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), Easter Parade (1948), and Summer Stock (1950).
- Garland appeared in half-a-dozen movies before being cast as Dorothy
- The film became the most commercially successful adaptation of L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel
- Ruby slippers became one of cinema's most recognizable props
- "Over the Rainbow" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1939
- The film received 10 Academy Award nominations total
The Studio System's Impact on Casting
The studio system of the early days fundamentally shaped who played Dorothy, as exclusive contracts prevented cross-studio casting unless loan-deals were negotiated. Temple's contract with Fox made her inaccessible without significant compensation, while Garland's MGM contract made her immediately available.
This casting drama illustrates how contractual obligations in Hollywood's golden age often determined career trajectories more than talent alone. Had Fox agreed to loan Temple, cinema history might have featured an 11-year-old Dorothy rather than Garland's 16-year-old portrayal.
"Sometimes, the gods know best." - Shirley Temple, reflecting on Garland getting the Dorothy role
Legacy and Cultural Impact
Garland's performance defined Dorothy for generations, with the blue gingham dress and sparkling ruby red slippers becoming iconic visual symbols of American cinema. The film's enduring popularity led to multiple revivals, television broadcasts reaching over 40 million viewers annually by the 1960s, and its inclusion in the National Film Registry in 1989.
Today, historians and critics universally recognize Garland's casting as perfect, with her anxiety and authentic teenage vulnerability informing Dorothy's character in ways that would have been impossible with younger Temple. The role remains Garland's most memorable performance across her four-decade career.
Key concerns and solutions for The Planned Dorothy A Look At Near Miss Casting
Was Shirley Temple ever officially offered the role of Dorothy?
No, Shirley Temple was never officially offered the role. MGM sought to borrow her from 20th Century Fox through a proposed trade involving Clark Gable and Jean Harlow, but Fox declined the request and Jean Harlow's death in 1937 ended negotiations before any formal offer was made.
Why did Judy Garland wear ruby slippers instead of silver shoes?
In L. Frank Baum's original 1900 novel, Dorothy wore silver shoes. MGM changed them to ruby slippers (bright red in the film) to take advantage of the new Technicolor technology and make the shoes visually pop on screen.
How old was Judy Garland when she played Dorothy?
Judy Garland was 16 years old when cast in 1938 and turned 17 during filming, which ended that same year. She was born June 10, 1922, and the film premiered August 25, 1939.
Did Shirley Temple ever express regret about not playing Dorothy?
No, Temple never expressed regret. In her autobiography, she wrote that Garland was always meant for the ruby slippers and stated, "Sometimes, the gods know best," acknowledging that Garland's casting was the right outcome.
What happened to the original Dorothy casting contracts?
Garland received a standard MGM contract worth approximately $500 per week during production, which was typical for young actors under studio system arrangements in the late 1930s. Her contract included an option for renewal and established her as a leading juvenile star.