The Wizard of Oz (1939): Deleted Scene That Revealed Why the Wicked Witch’s Insect Never Appeared

The Wizard of Oz deleted scene that explains the Witch's strangest line: she sends "a little insect" ahead, and it never appears. Here's where it went. That insect was the Jitterbug, a full musical number MGM filmed for the Haunted Forest and cut after the first sneak preview in June 1939. In this video we trace the lost Jitterbug song, the Wizard of Oz cut scenes and songs that never made the final film, and the behind-the-scenes secrets of a production that burned its Witch, hospitalized its first Tin Man and almost lost "Over the Rainbow." Eleven hidden truths about The Wizard of Oz (1939), from the first draft to the 2024 auction. In this video: 1. The Witch's "little insect" line and the lost Jitterbug song 2. The early draft with a spoiled princess and a swing contest 3. The director shake-up and the blonde Dorothy footage MGM scrapped 4. Why "Over the Rainbow" was cut, and who brought it back 5. Dorothy's tearful "Over the Rainbow" reprise in the Witch's castle 6. Buddy Ebsen, the first Tin Man, and the aluminum powder makeup 7. Margaret Hamilton's burns in the Munchkinland fire exit 8. The asbestos snow in the poppy field and other dangerous effects 9. Why the ruby slippers were silver in the book, and the stolen pair 10. Why The Wizard of Oz lost money in 1939 11. The hanging Munchkin myth and the bird in the trees CHAPTERS 0:00 The Witch's Insect That Never Appeared 0:40 #1 The Lost Jitterbug Deleted Scene 2:40 #2 The Swing Contest in an Early Draft 4:09 #3 The Blonde Dorothy Footage MGM Scrapped 5:32 #4 Why Over the Rainbow Was Cut 6:49 #5 Dorothy's Deleted Rainbow Reprise 8:03 #6 Buddy Ebsen, the First Tin Man 9:39 #7 Margaret Hamilton Caught Fire 11:07 #8 The Asbestos Snow in the Poppy Field 12:24 #9 Why the Ruby Slippers Were Silver 13:44 #10 Why The Wizard of Oz Lost Money 15:01 #11 The Hanging Munchkin Myth Debunked 16:16 Jitterbug or No Jitterbug? This video is a commentary and educational review. Film clips are used under fair use for criticism and analysis. All rights belong to their respective owners. Some illustrations of scenes that were never filmed are AI-generated reconstructions for explanation purposes. Which Haunted Forest works better: the one we got, or the one with the Jitterbug? Tell me in the comments, and subscribe for more forgotten scenes from classic films. #TheWizardOfOz #1939 #DeletedScenes