Of course you recognize Shirley Temple in this number from the 1936 movie Captain January. But did you recognize the guy dancing with her? That’s Buddy Ebsen, at the age of 28, many years before we all knew him as Jed Clampett. (via Metafilter)
He was also originally cast as the Tin Woodsman in "The Wizard of Oz" (1939), but he developed a severe allergic reaction from breathing in the aluminum powder he was required to wear as part of his makeup. He was hospitalized for two weeks (followed by a month of at-home recuperation). The part was recast (and the makeup changed to an aluminum paste rather than powder), and all the scenes were reshot with Jack Haley in his place — although Ebsen's voice still made it into the final film, as he is singing "Off to See the Wizard" with the other cast members (Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, and Bert Lahr) in the scene after the Woodman has been lubricated back to life.
Ironically, although the makeup mishap nearly cost him his life, Ebsen outlived all the credited cast members of the film by many years, with only a couple Munchkin actors and extras outliving him.
Dancing over boxes and barrels carrying Shirley Temple who is the star the movie revolves around, must be nerve wracking. A fall could be career ending although she doesn't look frail in this picture. xoxoxoBruce
3 comments:
Buddy Ebsen was always ,first, a dancer.
He was also originally cast as the Tin Woodsman in "The Wizard of Oz" (1939), but he developed a severe allergic reaction from breathing in the aluminum powder he was required to wear as part of his makeup. He was hospitalized for two weeks (followed by a month of at-home recuperation). The part was recast (and the makeup changed to an aluminum paste rather than powder), and all the scenes were reshot with Jack Haley in his place — although Ebsen's voice still made it into the final film, as he is singing "Off to See the Wizard" with the other cast members (Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, and Bert Lahr) in the scene after the Woodman has been lubricated back to life.
Ironically, although the makeup mishap nearly cost him his life, Ebsen outlived all the credited cast members of the film by many years, with only a couple Munchkin actors and extras outliving him.
-"BB"-
Dancing over boxes and barrels carrying Shirley Temple who is the star the movie revolves around, must be nerve wracking. A fall could be career ending although she doesn't look frail in this picture.
xoxoxoBruce
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