If Shirley Temple had done it instead of Judy Garland, would the Wizard of Oz have been better or worse?

Question

I never knew until recently that Shirley almost did the movie. I think it's too bad she didn't but at the same time I wonder if it may have a bit too "cheesey" and not as good. What do you think?

Answer 1

JUDY GARLAND

Answer 2

I think the movie would have been worse if Shirley Temple had done the Wizard of Oz because I think Judy Garland IS Dorothy and NO ONE can replace her. Plus she has an amazing voice!

Answer 3

i thnik it would have been a bit cheesy ,

but , on the other hand , it could have been good ,

we'll never know

Answer 4

I have thought this very question because I have watched it ever since I can remember. However, I have come to the conclusion, after seeing clips of Shirley Temple movies, that had she done TWoO, it would have been a "cheesy" movie and I may not have  come to love it as I do.

Answer 5

I think "cheesey" is a pretty good description of what the WIzard of Oz would have been like if Temple had been in  it.  Too "cutesy".

It's a certainty that the MUSIC would not have been as compelling.  My ears hurt just THINKING about Shirley Temple singing "Over the Rainbow".

Answer 6

I think the movie would have been totally different if Temple played the part of Dorothy. Since Garland was actually practically a woman when she did the part, I think it made the movie better that she played a younger person.

Its is one of my all time favorite movies, I was in the musical at school and still sing the songs to this day. Judy was the right pick.

Answer 7

Well, it may have come off as being overacted if Shirley had done it, but Shirley was closer to the age Dorothy is supposed to have been in the books. Judy was too old. When "Return To Oz" was made they did a good job of casting Fairuza Balk in the role, as she was the correct age and a good actor.

A good director could have made Shirley downplay the campiness she tended to display on the Silver Screen, thus making her performance better for WoZ.

Answer 8

I personally think Judy Garland did a wonderful job. I also am not really a big fan of Shirley Temple.

I think it would of been a lot more cheesey. I don't think it would of had the same impact that it did

Answer 9

I couldn't picture anyone else singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" the way Judy did...

I think that the part was a bit to mature for Shirley she was more of that cutsey pie kid stuff...

Answer 10

Judy Garland was the best of the two.  While I used to watch all the Shirley Temple movies and loved every one of them, I don't think she would have been any good in the Wizard of Oz.  Too Cheesy is right!

Answer 11

worse...

Answer 12

i think it would have been worse.

Answer 13

They both sound alike, it may have been to cheesy your right, but either way its pretty cheesy :). I think that it would be better with Shirley Temple though.