 The famed Jitterbug number was in actuality a leftover of an  abandoned subplot that was discarded in early rewrites of the  script. In the original Oz movie there was to be a large subplot  involving characters named Princess Betty and the Grand Duke of Oz,  to be played by MGM contract players Betty Jaynes (qv) and  Kenny Baker (II) (qv). Jaynes, known for her refined operatic  style of singing, was supposed to offset Judy Garland (I) (qv)s  jazz type of singing and a number was devised highlighting the  differences. The Jitterbug number was devised by Harold Arlen (qv)  and E.Y Harburg to showcase Garlands talents. Both Jaynes and  Bakers characters were deemed unnecessary in early script rewrites  and were removed from the picture, as well as their subplot.  However, the Jitterbug number survived in the script and was filmed  for the movie, although it too was cut from the picture in early  previews. A reference to the Jitterbug number survives in the Wicked  Witchs orders to Nikko, when she tells him to "send the insects on  ahead to soften them up" before the Flying Monkeys take off.