Ray Bolger - The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz

Bolger's M-G-M contract stipulated that he would play any part the studio chose; however, he was unhappy when he was originally cast as the Tin Woodman in the studio's 1939 feature film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. The role of the Scarecrow had already been assigned to another lean and limber dancing studio contract player, Buddy Ebsen. In time, the roles were switched. While Bolger was pleased with his role as the Scarecrow, Ebsen was struck ill by the powdered aluminum make-up used to complete the Tin Woodman costume. The powdered aluminum badly coated Ebsen's lungs, leaving him near death. While Ebsen recuperated from his illness, Jack Haley was instead cast in the role of the Tin Woodman.

The Scarecrow's Kansas counterpart, Hunk is one of Aunt Em and Uncle Henry's three farmhands. He loses his hat with Hickory (Tin Man's alter ego) and Uncle Henry as the tornado approaches the farm. Hunk welcomes Dorothy back to the farmhouse in her bedroom when she awakens from being unconscious.

Whenever asked as to whether he received any residuals from telecasts of the 1939 classic, Bolger would reply: "No, just immortality. I'll settle for that." He was good friends with actress Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, until her death, and gave a eulogy at her memorial service in 1985. Judy Garland often referred to Bolger as "My Scarecrow". Upon the death of Haley in 1979, Bolger said, "It's going to be very lonely on that Yellow Brick Road now."