{"product_id":"23991-the-wizard-of-oz-darby-ken-the-wizard-of-oz-record-set-inscribed-by-arranger-and-singer","title":"[The Wizard of Oz] Darby, Ken. (1909 - 1992) \"The Wizard of Oz\" Record Set - INSCRIBED BY ARRANGER AND SINGER","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRare 1939 4-disc set of first issue 78-RPM records of the cast-recording soundtrack album for \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ethe beloved film, h\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoused in original illustrated covers. Inscribed in ink on the first record sleeve \"To Henry \/ appreciatively -\" and signed by Ken Darby, the American composer, vocal arranger, lyricist, and conductor, who also provided vocals for the Munchkinland mayor in \u003cem\u003eThe Wizard of Oz\u003c\/em\u003e (1939), portrayed in the film by Charlie Becker. Songs include \"Over the Rainbow\", \"Munchkinland Part I \u0026amp; II\", \"If I Only Had a Brain\", \"If I Only Had a Heart\", \"The Merry Old Land of Oz\", and \"We're Off to See The Wizard\". This record set includes the only known release of the movie's deleted musical number, \"The Jitterbug\", as the album was created and distributed before filming wrapped. \u003c\/span\u003eSides 1 and 2 are lacking a portion from the outside edge of the record (see photos), but the rest of that record plays perfectly. The other six sides are in fine condition and don't appear to have been played more than a handful of times.  Binding is somewhat loose in some areas, but stable; brown paper sleeves all fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComposer, arranger, performer, choral director Ken Darby was an honored member of his profession. He was awarded three Oscars, sharing with Alfred Newman for the scoring of \u003cem\u003eThe King and I\u003c\/em\u003e, 1956, sharing with Andre Previn for the scoring of\u003cem\u003e Porgy and Bess\u003c\/em\u003e, 1959, and sharing with Alfred Newman for the scoring of \u003cem\u003eCamelot\u003c\/em\u003e, 1967. Other nominations were for \u003cem\u003eSouth Pacific\u003c\/em\u003e, 1958, \u003cem\u003eFlower Drum Song\u003c\/em\u003e, 1961, and H\u003cem\u003eow the West Was Won\u003c\/em\u003e, 1962. He was awarded the Grammy for Best Soundtrack Album for \u003cem\u003ePorgy and Bess\u003c\/em\u003e and nominated for Best Soundtrack Album for \u003cem\u003eFlower Drum Song\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHerbert Stothart hired Ken Darby for MGM and his first screen credit for Orchestral and Vocal Arrangements was for \u003cem\u003eThe Wizard of Oz\u003c\/em\u003e. Along with the song arrangements, and working with Douglas Shearer to create the sound of the Munchkin characters, Darby and the King's Men (vocal group formed in 1929 by Darby) also performed, with Ken featured as the voice of \"Hizzoner\", the esteemed mayor of Munchkin Land.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eThe song \"The Jitterbug\", written in a swing style, was intended for the sequence in which Dorothy and her friends are journeying to the Witch's castle. Due to time constraints, the song was cut from the final theatrical version, and the film footage for the song has been lost, although silent home film footage of rehearsals has survived. A reference to \"The Jitterbug\" remains in the film: the Witch remarks to her flying monkeys that they should have no trouble apprehending Dorothy and her friends because \"I've sent a little insect on ahead to take the fight out of them.\"\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Schubertiade Music and Arts","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":60233317712031,"sku":"23991","price":1800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0512\/4826\/7423\/files\/DarbyTheWizardofOzRecordSet23991a.jpg?v=1742848285","url":"https:\/\/www.schubertiademusic.com\/products\/23991-the-wizard-of-oz-darby-ken-the-wizard-of-oz-record-set-inscribed-by-arranger-and-singer","provider":"Schubertiade Music and Arts","version":"1.0","type":"link"}