Born in 1904, the endlessly limber and wildly expressive Ray Bolger would go on to become one of Hollywood’s most iconic physical performers — best known, of course, as the beloved Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (1939). But before Oz, before the yellow brick road, and before he became a household name, Bolger delivered a show‑stopping routine that hinted at the brilliance to come.
That moment arrived in “The Great Ziegfeld” (1936) — the lavish, larger‑than‑life biopic about legendary Broadway impresario Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. The film would go on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, but tucked inside all the spectacle is a gem: Ray Bolger playing himself, performing with the kind of rubber‑limbed grace and comedic precision that only he could deliver.
This wasn’t just another number. It was Bolger’s first feature‑length film appearance, and he made it unforgettable — a dazzling preview of the physical genius that would later define his Scarecrow and cement his place in entertainment history.
Fresh music, bold entertainment, and men’s fashion—one tight email a week.
INYIM Did You Know?
- Born in 1904, Ray Bolger became one of Hollywood’s most iconic physical performers.
- Before playing the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (1939), Bolger appeared in his first feature‑length film in 1936.
- That debut was in the Academy Award Best Picture winner The Great Ziegfeld.
- In the film, Bolger plays himself, showcasing the limber, rubber‑limbed style that later defined his Scarecrow.
- His standout routine in The Great Ziegfeld became an early preview of his legendary physical comedy and dance talent.
Check out the impressive routine!
Comment below — did you know Bolger’s Scarecrow magic started years before Oz?
