Search - Herbert Stothart, Harold Arlen, E. Y. Harburg :: The Wizard Of Oz: Selections From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Almost Over the Rainbow

Bruce G. Silverman | Los Angeles, California | 09/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This version of The Wizard of Oz proves three things: 1) MGM may well have been the Tiffany's of movie studios back in the 30's, but their sound department was pretty primitive; 2) Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg were a stupendous team and Herbert Stothart (MGM's music director) was a darned good arranger; 3) Judy Garland was a miracle.



Hiss, scratches, pops and limited sonic range notwithstanding, you can't beat this recording to provide the essence of the movie. Judy and her fellow cast members (especially Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr and Jack Haley) are just wonderful.



The album notes don't point it out, but there's an interesting "extra" performer on many tracks: Buddy Ebsen. Ebsen was cast as the Tin Man (without a heart), and worked for about a week on the film before becoming desperately ill as a result of the toxic aluminum powder that was ground into his makeup. When it was clear that Ebsen wasn't going to recover quickly, he was replaced by Haley. (The makeup formula was replaced, too!) But Ebsen's voice, which had been pre-recorded for performance playback, appears on a number of tracks on this recording."

Wonderful!!

CW | Washington, DC | 06/23/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really liked this CD (5 stars) because of a number of things. #1- It's a condensed version of the boxed set, and perfect for a CD when you're in a time pinch. #2-It has a cheaper price than that of the Boxed set (although you should still get the box set), and you have the core songs of the 1939 movie."

A fantastic soundtrack with great sound quality

iamjoey | Kentucky, USA | 01/03/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I don't get why other reviews bash the sound quality. I think it's just fine, myself. But oh well.I previously owned this soundtrack on cassette tape in a few incarnations, most recently this version, which was my favorite. But sadly, I've lost them all. But now I finally own it on CD, and I couldn't be happier. Extended versions, outtakes, and the classics we all know and love. Just like the purple sticker on the packaging says, it is "the most beloved movie of all time."However, I do have some beef with this soundtrack, which is why it is rated only four stars instead of five. All 26 tracks clock in at a total of a measly 39 minutes. Considering most CDs hold at least 74 minutes, and there was so much music, including extended versions and outtakes, they could have crammed a bit more onto this disc, including more outtakes, such as the score from a deleted scene where the Wicked Witch of the West actually turned the Tin Man into a beehive as she'd threatened earlier in the film. Let's hope one day there's a single-disc Special Edition with more music or a reissue of the double-disc deluxe edition with all the music. But I guess they wanted people to buy the deluxe edition, and putting too much on the single-disc version could have talked people out of buying it.All in all, while I would have liked for there to be more music, but for the reasonable price you pay, you get all the songs, digitally-remastered, with extended versions and outtakes. A must-have for your CD collection if you don't want to shell out money for the double-disc edition on eBay or Amazon or spend time searching in stores for it, but want the soundtrack."