Original Judy Garland "Over the Rainbow" 78 rpm record
$
106
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Description
This is a very special record. It is Judy Garland's first recording of "Over the Rainbow". It was recorded on July 28, 1939 before "The Wizard of Oz" was even released. It was originally part of a Decca children's album of 78's, but did not contain the voices of Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, etc.--only the Ken Darby Singers doing other music from the film. The set did not sell well, and I have seldom heard of a collector who had one. As you can tell by scrolling eBay, the single record is almost as hard to find. The flip side is "The Jitterbug", recorded on the same date. The title referred to evil, bug-like creatures. "The Wizard of Oz' was designed to be universal and eternal in its appeal, with no references to anything in politics or pop culture. There is no mention of FDR or the Depression, and no 1939 cars in view. Just before the picture's scheduled release, the "jitterbug" dance craze began with teenagers dancing in the aisles at Benny Goodman concerts. The producers decided that the song would now date the picture and would have to be cut. After a premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, "The Wizard of Oz" opened on Aug. 25, 1939 minus "The Jitterbug"........The record may not be mint, but it has minimal wear with no noticeable scratches or chips. There are a few tiny scuffs and imperfections. I would conservatively grade it at VG+ (even though I really think it deserves E-). I have played it (on modern equipment, no steel victrola needle) and it sounds beautiful in spite of the usual surface noise. It is one of the few times where it kills me to part with something on eBay, but I must downsize. I will pack it carefully with peanuts and bubble wrap. PayPal only please, returns accepted.
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