Known for Acting
Ray Bolger began his career in vaudeville. He was half of a team called "Sanford and Bolger" and also did numerous Broadway shows on his own. He, like Gene Kelly, was a song-and-dance man as well as an actor. He was signed to a contract with MGM in 1936 and his first role was as himself in The Great Ziegfeld (1936). This was soon followed by a role opposite Eleanor Powell in Rosalie (1937). His first dancing and singing role was in Sweethearts (1938), where he did the "wooden shoes" number with red-headed soprano/actress Jeanette MacDonald. This got him noticed by MGM producers and resulted in his being cast in his most famous role, that of the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz (1939). Surprisingly, even though the film was a success, Bolger's contract with MGM ended. He went to RKO to make Four Jacks and a Jill (1942). After this, Bolger went to Broadway, where he received his greatest satisfaction. In 1953 he turned to television and got his own sitcom, Where's Raymond? (1953), later changed to "The Ray Bolger Show". After his series ended, Bolger made frequent guest appearances on TV and had some small roles in movies. In 1985 he co-hosted That's Dancing! (1985) with Liza Minnelli. Bolger died in 1987 at the age of 83. Interred at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California, USA, in the Mausoleum, Crypt F2, Block 35.
Born
January 10, 1904
Died
January 15, 1987 (age 83)
Birthplace
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Filmography
36 films, 29 shows
To Oz! The Making of a Classic
To Oz! The Making of a Classic
2009 · 50m · US
A look into how L. Frank Baum's classic novel was transformed into one of the most beloved films of all time including archival interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and rare musical outtakes.


Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1930s: Dancing Away the Great Depression
2009 · 2h · US
A two-hour in-depth exploration into the Hollywood musicals of the 1930s.


Judy Garland: By Myself
2004 · 1h 56m · US
As Hollywood biographies go, Judy Garland's story is one of the saddest success stories you'll ever hear. The sanitized studio version of her life presented a smiling kid with the big voice, who, alongside Mickey Rooney, just wanted to put on a show. But drugs, overwork, even psychological abuse at the hands of the studio is now part of the Garland legend. But despite the number of Garland books and documentaries, one account has always been missing -- Garland herself never managed to write a memoir. She did make several attempts at an autobiography, often recording stories on a tape recorder. Judy Garland: By Myself (2004), finally fills in the blanks - using Judy's personal recordings to tell the story in her own words.


The Dark Side of the Rainbow
2000 · 1h 42m
The movie The Wizard of Oz (1939) with the soundtrack replaced by Pink Floyd's album The Dark Side of the Moon (1973); several uncanny moments of synchronisation and a generally darker tone than the original film. Aired on TCM.


Vaudeville
1997 · 2h 1m · US
Vaudeville is a 1997 PBS documentary under its American Masters program. Using film clips and photos, the art and history of vaudeville (1890-1930s) is illustrated.


That's Entertainment! III
1994 · 1h 53m · US
Some of MGM's musical stars review the studio's history of musicals. From The Hollywood Revue of 1929 to Brigadoon, from the first musical talkies to Gene Kelly in Singin' in the Rain.


The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 50 Years of Magic
1990 · 52m · US
Angela Lansbury hosts a celebration and anniversary tribute to the Wizard of Oz which includes the premiere of the restored, uncut print of the classic.


That's Dancing!
1985 · 1h 45m · US
A documentary film about dancing on the screen, from its origins after the invention of the movie camera, over the movie musical from the late 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s, up to the break dance and music videos from the 80s.
The Whimsical World of Oz
The Whimsical World of Oz
1985 · 40m · UK
A promotional piece for the Disney film "Return to Oz", that also traces the history of the Oz books and films.


Peter and the Magic Egg
1983 · 30m
A boy named Peter must save Easter. An evil character named Tin Whiskers takes over the town and re-names everything including the streets to have tin in the name. He has several animal friends who help him and Mother Nature even gives him help.


Annie
1982 · 2h 7m · US
An orphan in a facility run by the mean Miss Hannigan, Annie believes that her parents left her there by mistake. When a rich man named Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks decides to let an orphan live at his home to promote his image, Annie is selected. While Annie gets accustomed to living in Warbucks' mansion, she still longs to meet her parents. So Warbucks announces a search for them and a reward, which brings out many frauds.


The Runner Stumbles
1979 · 1h 39m · US
Dick Van Dyke stars as a priest accused of murdering a nun. Directed by Stanley Kramer, this 1979 drama also features Kathleen Quinlan, Maureen Stapleton, Ray Bolger, Beau Bridges and Tammy Grimes.


Just You and Me, Kid
1979 · 1h 33m · US
George Burns stars as a former vaudevillian who befriends a young runaway, played by 14-year old Brooke Shields, who is being chased by drug dealers.


The Making of the Wizard of Oz
1979 · 30m · US
The time was 1938. The place, Hollywood. This is the story of one of the 456 films made that year, how it was made, and why it has endured.


Heaven Only Knows
1979 · 1h 7m
An angel named Simon comes to Earth and finds that he enjoys, among other things, hot dogs, beer and meddling in the lives of people.


Three on a Date
1978 · 1h 40m · US
The adventures and mishaps of four couples, winners on a TV game show, along with their young chaperone, on a Hawaiian holiday.


The Entertainer
1976 · 1h 45m
A vaudeville entertainer approaches middle age still not having attained success or stardom.


That's Entertainment!
1974 · 2h 15m · US
Various MGM stars from yesterday present their favorite musical moments from the studio's 50 year history.


The Daydreamer
1966 · 1h 41m · US
A young Hans Christian Andersen goes in search of knowledge in the Garden of Paradise in order to make his studies easier. Each time he falls asleep, he experiences in his dreams the different characters he would later write about in fairy tales including The Little Mermaid, Thumbelina, and The Emperor's New Clothes.


Backstage Party
1961 · 1h
Party, enterianment, and Behind the scenes


Babes in Toyland
1961 · 1h 46m · US
All roads lead to magical, merry Toyland as Mary Contrary and Tom Piper prepare for their wedding! But villainous Barnaby wants Mary for himself, so he kidnaps Tom, setting off a series of comic chases, searches, and double-crosses! The "March Of The Wooden Soldiers" helps put Barnaby in his place, and ensures a "happily ever after" for Tom and Mary!


The All-Star Christmas Show
1958 · 1h 30m
This 1958 Christmas spectacular was produced by the USO for the entertainment of troops stationed overseas. Over 50 top names from stage, screen and television appear in this truly all-star concert film - a magical evening of music, comedy and fun. Feeaturing Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, George Burns, Milton Berle, Jack Benny, Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Danny Kaye, Dinah Shore, Shirley MacLaine, Jimmy Durante, Jimmy Stewart, Danny Thomas, Anna Maria Alberghetti, June Allyson, Ray Bolger, Red Buttons, Sid Caesar, Marge & Gower Champion, Cyd Charisse, Van Cliburn, Leo Durocher, Rhonda Fleming, Benny Goodman, Eydie Gormé, Betty Hutton, Frankie Lane, Tony Martin, David Niven, Kim Novak, Gregory Peck, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell, Jane Powell, Martha Raye, Jimmie Rogers, Jane Russell, Dick Shawn, Jo Stafford, Gale Storm and Miyoshi Umeki.


A Star Is Born World Premiere
1954 · 30m · US
A live television broadcast covering the world premiere of A Star Is Born, capturing the arrivals, spectacle, and excitement surrounding one of Hollywood’s most lavish premiere events.


April in Paris
1952 · 1h 40m · US
A series of misunderstandings leads to a chorus girl traveling to Paris to represent the American theater, where she falls in love with a befuddled bureaucrat.


Where's Charley?
1952 · 1h 37m · UK
Musical version of the comedy, "Charley's Aunt," by Brandon Thomas. As part of a simple enough ruse, a Cambridge student poses as his aunt but his scheme goes wrong, first when someone falls for the aunt, and then when the real aunt turns up.


Make Mine Laughs
1949 · 1h 3m · US
A kind of filmed vaudeville show, using old material from RKO films and some new.


Look for the Silver Lining
1949 · 1h 46m · US
After getting her start in her parents' vaudeville act, Marilyn Miller is taken under the wing of dance sensation Jack Donahue. He senses the girl's enormous talent, and before long she's performing on Broadway. There, she is extremely successful and finds love with songwriter Frank Carter. Yet obstacles remain for the rising star, especially when he proposes marriage just before he's set to be deployed in World War I.


The Harvey Girls
1946 · 1h 44m · US
On a train trip out west to become a mail-order bride, Susan Bradley meets a cheery crew of young women traveling out to open a "Harvey House" restaurant at a remote whistle-stop.


Stage Door Canteen
1943 · 2h 12m · US
A young soldier on a pass in New York City visits the famed Stage Door Canteen, where famous stars of theatre and film appear and host a recreational center for servicemen during the war. The soldier meets a pretty young hostess and they enjoy the many entertainers and a growing romance.


Four Jacks and a Jill
1942 · 1h 8m · US
Karanina "Nina" Novak, is befriended by Nifty, the leader of a four-piece orchestra, and in return, secures an engagement for them at the Little Aregal Cafe, with herself as the vocalist, by pretending she once knew the King or Aregal back in the old country. Steve shows up pretending to be the King of Aregal, and complicates the growing romance between Nina and Nifty. When Steve runs off with Opa, the real King of Aregal (also Steve) appears and complicates things again.


Sunny
1941 · 1h 38m · US
A circus performer who falls in love with a rich car dealer's son, against her family's wishes. Features some spirited dance numbers with Ray Bolger.


The Wizard of Oz
1939 · 1h 42m · US
Young Dorothy finds herself in a magical world where she makes friends with a lion, a scarecrow and a tin man as they make their way along the yellow brick road to talk with the Wizard and ask for the things they miss most in their lives. The Wicked Witch of the West is the only thing that could stop them.


Another Romance of Celluloid: Electrical Power
1938 · 10m · US
This short begins at Boulder Dam (now Hoover Dam). The electricity generated here by the Colorado River is sent to Hollywood, where movie studios need it to make movies. After a tour of the MGM studios' power plants, we see short advertisements for upcoming MGM releases.


Sweethearts
1938 · 1h 54m · US
The team behind a successful Broadway production tries to stop the married stars from transitioning to Hollywood.


Rosalie
1937 · 2h 5m · US
West Point cadet Dick Thorpe falls in love with a girl, who turns out to be a princess from an European kingdom.


The Great Ziegfeld
1936 · 3h 5m · US
At the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, sideshow barker Florenz Ziegfeld turns the tables on his more-successful neighbor Billings, and also steals his girlfriend. This pattern repeats throughout their lives, as Ziegfeld makes and loses many fortunes putting on ever-bigger, more spectacular shows