@itsme Emma what because I dont understand why we all need to be interviewed? I never realised there were so many people like this , the comments are affected by celebrity culture and American bullshit, I cant stand the American culture or it s political system..annoying bullshit, you have more serial killers than anywhere by thousands because the system is fucked up , but you never consider that...
I've heard that this is very true in the Gypsy (Romany/Sinti) ethnic group. The Gypsies consider it a huge loss when one of their elders dies, especially since the younger generations don't live the traditional life of wandering that the old folks used to.
I got to work alongside Jerry Maren on a TV show in the late 1990s. He was just kind, humble, and lovely veteran actor - I was starstruck! Loved this documentary. Well done!
Similarly, I was in radio, working in the Tampa market, and got to know Karl Slover rather well. He was always up for various promotions, and one memory in particular stays with me. Our station participated in a boat parade which was Hollywood themed and we, naturally, selected The Wizard of Oz. The day of the parade, we were in full costume (I was the scarecrow) and all, including Karl, were aboard the decorated boat. The parade was barely underway when the skies opened up and one of those famous Florida downpours washed everything away. So, we docked and sloshed our way into a riverside bar where we commandeered a corner table and proceeded to get as wet on the inside as we were on the out. Karl stayed with us, drink for drink, and the Oz stories from him were enthralling. One of our party was driving me nuts - she couldn't resist treating Karl as if he were a child, right down to baby talk. Hell, he was the only real adult in the room. A great guy with a warm and generous way about him, and I miss him.
The Wizard Of Oz was a technical masterpiece, the sets, costumes, music were perfection. They really pushed the technology to the limits. It still holds up well 80 years after its original release. That is some accomplishment!
@tony john The Singer Midgets were only paid $50.00 a week while they were in rehearsals and doing costume fittings; once filming started on the Munchkinland sequence, their pay was upped to $100.00 a week. One of them, Mickey Carroll, had a benefactor in none other than Zeppo Marx, who worked it so that Carroll got $500.00 a week. Judy's being female had zilch to do with her pay; she had been with MGM only three years when she made "Wizard," and the terms of her contract had her pay increasing bit by bit. She was up to $500.00 by 1939, and it was to have increased to $750.00 in 1940 and then $1000.00 in 1941. But when "Wizard" proved her star power and that she could carry a movie, they tore up her contract and issued a new one starting her at $2000.00 a week in 1940. Jack Haley was the only actor who got $3000.00 a week, and $1000.00 of that went straight to 20th Century Fox as their "cut" for letting MGM make use of his services. The filming day was eight hours long, and ended at 7 or 8 PM; those with elaborate make-ups reported early in the morning, as the process took a long time. Such make-ups still do. As a minor, Judy was only permitted to work four hours a day, as per California child labor laws. The actors had weekends off.
@@nathanzaworski2780 Not "worse," just not as streamlined. "Wizard" actually pioneered a lot of make-up and special effects methods that are still used now. It's kind of funny; Jack Dawn, the make-up head, was one of the first to use prosthetic appliances on actors, whereas make-up used to be built up from paint, paper, cotton, and all manner of things. Jack Pierce, who turned Boris Karloff into the Monster from scratch every day while filming 1931's "Frankenstein," thought that using prosthetics was a lazy way of doing make-up, and laughed at it, saying it would never catch on. How wrong he was!
Throughout the late 90's and into the 2000's, Margaret Pellegrini used to come into my brother's printshop located in Glendale, AZ. My brother said Margaret would wear her flower pot hat and that she was very unique and kind person. I enjoyed hearing the personal experiences of the Munchkin characters and what it was like on the set of Munchkinland.
What a treat to watch. After all these years, even for 1993, the excitement and enthusiasm the munchkins showed while being interviewed was clearly visible. They had made their mark, they were all part of making something that was far bigger than all of them could imagine at the time. For many it was the first time they saw others like themselves. Can you imagine growing up and not ever seeing anyone that looks like you when you look so different from those around you? It's a horribly isolating feeling.
"The wizard of oz" is hands down one of the greatest cinematic accomplishments even 80 years after its making. There will never be another fantasy musical film as iconic as Oz. It's simply an outstanding accomplishment and R.I.P to all these talented little people who helped make that accomplishment possible.
Ditto The Wizard of m Oz is A classic that will live and on and on to Entertain future generstions of children and Adults alike. As a young black girl seeing the film in my home state of So. CALI for the first time at the local theater I'll will never forget I was mesmerized I'm now 57 years old Thx GOD for film and archives
@@ronrossmore211 aww, you got your internet feelings hurt eh? You must be one of those MJ closet fanboys, that's cute. Well Ron, by the look of your thumbnail I'm going to assume your comment is pure projection. I forgive you, must hurt to be such a sad weird little man. Get well soon little buddy
I am 56 and I watch The Wizard of Oz faithfully every year, and Rudolpf the red nosed reindeer. These two programs are total Icons that is engrained into every single American, or should be. Now I have watched the program that completes the story. Just hearing the Munchkins tell their story I am in amazement to hear the behind the scenes stuff. Thank you for this upload!
Yes, the oldies but goodies. My Aunt is here in this Video. Founder of the Oz Fest for many Years in Chesterton, IN. I was so proud of her having as many of the munchkins come to town for the Festival Event Signings and talking to anyone who wanted to hear their stories. Good times honoring them it was a blast. I had the pleasure of meeting Margaret Hamilton during one event at the shop. I made sure to get a photo with her. She went on to tell me how she felt on stage during rehearsals when the broom flames caught her hat on fire, and that was probably the most horrific experience she had. Amazing Movie, and amazing people. Let the Legacy live on. :)
My wife and I were blessed to encounter four of them. We met Mararet Pellegrini and Clarence Swenson at an outdoor showing of the movie, we lucked into an Oz convention where Meinhardt Raabe was guest of honor, and we met Jerry Maren and his lovely wife at the Chicago Comic Con.
In the late 70’s Margaret Hamilton filmed Maxwell House Coffee commercials in my hometown of Stamford, CT. I watched one being filmed on a summer’s day. I will never forget getting the opportunity to see “The Witch” with my own eyes. i saw Vivian Vance (Ethel Mertz) once also in Lord & Taylors Department Store. I wish I spoke to them but I was just a teenager and didn’t realize my opportunity.
I think she chose to be a freelance actress in Hollywood in the 30s. That means she, very unusual for the time, was not signed to a 7 year contract to one of the major studios, but she did get a lot of work. I remember those commercials. She played Cora on them. Also Jane Withers on Liquid Plumber commercials. And Nancy Walker on Bounty commercials. At the same time, Nancy was also doing Rhoda and McMillan and Wife. Nancy was a busy little lday. Wow, she was only 4 feet 10. She almost could have been a Munchkin
I met Jerry in 2012 at his nursing home in Sherman Oaks, CA. He was super quiet and all dressed for Mass on Sunday morning. I asked my ex girlfriend if it was him and she said it wasn’t. Jerry and I exchanged smiles as we were waiting in the hall for Mass. I remember him pacing around the hall waiting. We all went to Mass later on and sang along to the hymns. I can say I went to Mass with Jerry 😂
This was such a great special. Total nostalgia overdrive. I wish the world could rewind to a more friendly and respectful time like this. If you watch everyone being interviewed each and everyone of them were so thankful and grateful for what they experienced and what they had. I really love this.
I worked for West Coast Entertainment which is one of the companies mentioned in the end credits when this was released. I had the honor of meeting every single one of the actors in this video back in 1994 and they were some of the nicest people. Meinhardt Raabe (the Munchkin Coroner) and I were the exact same height. He was the tallest Munchkin at 4'10".
Hey there! I came across your comment and I just had to reach out and say hi. Your perspective really caught my attention and I would love to get to know you better. Would you be interested in chatting sometime? Looking forward to hearing back from you! 😊
This is absolutely an incredible documentary. I have fallen in love with all of these very special people. The fact that they were all small people was even more special. Several mentioned that they had never seen this many small people before. Thank God that small people are an accepted and organized group that meet others frequently. When you are in a special group or have experienced unique special experiences then only those that have known or experienced similar experiences can relate. It’s so rewarding to know that their are others that know what you feel. Awesome!!!! Heroes of their times!
Hey there! I came across your comment and I just had to reach out and say hi. Your perspective really caught my attention and I would love to get to know you better. Would you be interested in chatting sometime? Looking forward to hearing back from you! 😊
It is hard to believe that all these wonderful people are gone ! They brought so much joy and entertainment to so many children. And adults alike !! The WIZARD OF OZ is one of my all time favorite movie's. I can't think what the movie world would be without it . I pray that All of these little people are resting in Love and Peace !!
Hey there! I came across your comment and I just had to reach out and say hi. Your perspective really caught my attention and I would love to get to know you better. Would you be interested in chatting sometime? Looking forward to hearing back from you! 😊
I met a few of these wonderful people over the years. It's amazing how recognizable they still are in their specific roles they had. God Bless all of them. It was my privilege to meet them. :D
Ah..I'm so glad they were recognized for their work in the Wizzard of OZ. The last Munchkin just died 2018. No matter how insignificant some people think you are, God created everyone with a purpose. R.I.P. Little People!!! We love you.
They may have thought at some point in their lives that being small made them less , but this proves to me anyway, It made them so much more. They seem so full of love for life
I had the pleasure of meeting Jerry Maren when I was very young at the local mall. He sat and talked to my Mom and I and she was so upset that she couldn't afford to purchase the photo/autograph, she talks about it to this day. He talked to us regardless and he was very sweet. RIP sir
When I first saw The Wizard of Oz I was only 3 years old and was mesmerized when my daddy told me that the munchkins were not played by little children but were actually little people. I didn't know how many of them were teenagers. I know that some of them had never seen another little person before. I think they all deserved to have their names in the movie credits. Now, as a dancer and choreographer there is nothing more incredible than watching the phenomenal "Munchkin" singing and dancing scene. It is truly an amazing piece of cinema art and talent that will live on forever!
Singing ' Were off to see the Wizard ' made me smile ear to ear. Such happiness. Although this movie terrified me as a child, as an adult I see the beauty.
This was my all time favorite movie..I'm 66 and I still cry when Judy sings over the Rainbow. ..so beautiful..I watch it whenever I need a pick me up...
This is so nice to hear! I have heard so many stories of the little people being abused on set. Nice to hear them say they enjoyed their experience making the movie.
She received an honorary Oscar that was given back then to best juvenile actor of the year but she was almost 18 years old. She deserved to win a real one in my eyes for her performance!
My aunt Anna Mae used to make all the clothes for the Campbell soup kids. They used to come for fittings, I lived in the Portage, Chesterton area for 25 years. The munchkins and other characters would come every year
@@kyleterpsauce1760 Don't believe all those bigoted lies. A few of the Austrian members of the core group of the Singer Midgets enjoyed a tipple after work, but the American contingent were just everyday folks from everyday lives, and were gobsmacked to be working in a movie. They got along with Judy Garland, you can forget all the lies about abuse and so on.
This video actually left me with a lump in my throat, those lovely little people, and I was one of the little kids that screamed my eyes out seeing the green witch lol, bless em all.
I always found it interesting the little people in the Wizard of Oz all had pituitary dwarfism. The term “midget” referred at that time exclusively to pituitary dwarfs and they tended to get more work and better treatment than those suffering from other kinds of dwarfism. Though I also read that Singer bought his actors directly from their parents. It’s heartbreaking to think of the way they were treated. Such incredibly talented people. This was a great documentary to see! ❤️ And I LOVED the story being told about munchkins pushing each other. I think it’s mr. slover...oh i died. His happy countenance and joy at the memories. Love it.
I met the coroner Meinhardt Raabe years ago at a toy show in Boston. I’ve been collecting for almost 30 years now. I’ve a lot of famous people and meeting him by far was right up there. I asked him how Judy Garland was and like his interview he said she was so nice to the munchkins.I still have the 8x10 autograph from him which I cherish. I mean how many people get to meet someone from the most iconic film ever made? I did!
I lucked into an Oz convention one time (I was at a sci-fi con in the next hotel) and got to meet Mr. Raabe. He was very kind and welcoming. I also met Margaret Pellegrini and Clarence Swensen at an outdoor screening of the movie, and at a comic book convention I met the one and only Jerry Maren. Them little folks were bigger than life!
Nothing like some vintage memorabilia straight from the original sources! I loved the fact they all were so appreciative of having the opportunity to do the film and were so amazed at everything and everyone involved in the experience, you can tell that it gave them a lifetime of happiness & joy and they seem very humbled by it all? But I guess being involved in something Iconic like the Wizard of Oz would have that effect on someone...Thanks for the memories, from all the generations of the past and all the generations to come...
My grandmother was 12 when this came out on the big screen, I remember her telling me what it was like sitting there seeing it in black and white then suddenly seeing it in color was amazing. When I was old enough to watch movies with her, I would go to her house and spend the night and we would watch it every year when it would on t.v. and eat popcorn, my grandmother passed away in 2018 at the age of 92 and once in awhile I will pop some popcorn and curl up and watch the Wizard of Oz.
@@barbaradelorme9397 Thank you for your kind words, I hope that she is, she loved James Patterson books, so I buy them and read them out loud hoping that she is listening.
Still my favorite movie in 2020. I was made to watch the movie for the moral of the story "There's no place like home". It hurts my heart to know that the little people weren't paid what they should have been. I agree that the movie couldn't be improved on in any way, I just love it. Thanks for this back story.
The two cast members singing together at a convention brought a smile to my face. I grew up watching this film and now watch a 4K transfer of the film on Blu-Ray and wow the film has never looked better until the actual 4K UHD Blu-Ray is released. I love seeing documentaries about movies like this one.
This great movie couldn't have been made without them !!! I wonder how many of them had children and grandchildren?? There should be a reunion of the offspring of some kind. It would be interesting to hear of their legacies !! I Loved them All !! Luv Ya !!
I just love them. they are so adorable! I think they made the film real and fun and magical. Ive been mesmerized by the munchkins and their costumes and the set since I was a kid in the 60's
Lyle Johnson . . I did too. I met Jerry Maren and Karl Slover...it’s a day I’ll never forget. Mr. Maren sang the Lollipop Guild song to me. I love this movie. Jerry Maren passed away May 2018 and Karl Slover passed away November 2011. Jerry Maren was the last Munchkin to pass away.
I was blessed to meet four of them; Margaret Pellegrini and Clarence Swensen at an outdoor showing of the movie, Meinhardt Raabe at an Oz convention, and Jerry Maren at a comic book show.
Can you imagine Heidi Lamar or any big stars coming up to you going, ‘gee I don’t have any photographs on me, but come look for me later and I’ll give you one!’ Seems like celebrities were really humble back then
Celebrities have always been the same. Can be the nicest person ever; but once they get overwhelmed from the rough industry they can go off very easily on a well intended fan. Judy Garland, who loved her fans, has stories of snapping at people when it was too much for her. Always been that way. It just wasn't as easy to save newspapers and magazines of when it happened back then like it is now in the world of the internet so everyone forgot about it by the next month during this time period.
All these little people added so much to the film, a magical layer, a kindness to a film that was thereon almost violent and perilous. The balance was nice, between the good witch and the bad which, but it started out with a lot of little people giving her good advice and giving her a heartfelt welcome. I believe that kindness carried Dorothy though out the film to endure what she needed to do. All the Actors in this film were extraordinary, but the first scene with the little people really made it. I doubt without them that it would have been a success.
This movie used to come on TV every year and I would make sure as child I was glued to the set so I can see this movie I thought I appreciate it then but watching this feature here I appreciate it even more and thanks to each and every cast member thank you and you made my childhood dreams come true
I miss Little Margret. She was such a lady. I used to call her aunt Margaret and Willie and her Daughter Joey. I remember Margaret when I was just as tall as her and started towering over her as I grew. They were all close friends of the family. Every year about the same time the WIZARD of Oz would come on and until I entered the service I don’t think I ever missed watching it.
@@a.torres2176 And why not? Guess what? They WERE entitled to a parade. They were part of a worldwide cultural phenomenon known and loved by billions of people across many generations. If that doesn't entitle them to a parade, tell us what does. I met some of these people while they yet lived, and there was no ego about them whatsoever; quite the contrary, they were humbled by all the accolades.
MaskedMan66 EXPECTING a parade upon your arrival isn’t humbling in ANY means. The majority of them never even HEARD of the book, they didn’t know what a munchkin was, they didn’t know what they were doing, just the fantasy of traveling by bus to Hollywood to become “stars.”
I am 47 years old and Wizard Of Oz is STILL my favorite movie! I also still get so excited when it comes on! My kids (and are now grown) watched it growing up and when my 2 year old Granddaughter will watch it when she is old enough to understand it 🌈
Omg his ears 😭😭 they're all so amazing why do we only live so long... i just wish humans could live hundreds of years. Imagine walking down the street and meeting one of these incredible people today.
@@dootdoot94xo44 The Singer Midgets were ordinary, everyday people who had come from ordinary, everyday jobs. They were not a pack of unprincipled animals-- and many of them were women, and some of them were children. When you talk like that, you are treading close to bigotry.
Same. During my childhood, late 70's-90's, it was treat every year when the Wizard of Oz was played on T.V./cable, between Halloween & Christmas I believe. One night, once a year. You could not buy it on VHS untill the mid 90's, which slowly took away & replaced the yearly nostalgia. It was a big event for many of us Gen X'ers & Boomers, 80's born Millenials too.
What a sweet documentary. I have always loved the munchkins and I'm so happy to hear that the rumors weren't true and to see these sweet little people tell their stories. I'm glad that they finally got the celebrity they deserved.
@@kathygoodman6159 Not on the set, you may be sure; not with Victor Fleming at the reins! He was not a cruel or officious man, but he was no-nonsense when it came to getting work done.
I knew Meinhardt ( Mine Heart ) (the Coroner) & Marie Raabe ( ROB be) since I was born, as my parents were friends with them (my Dad & Meinhardt shared a love of flying) and we were all congregants & elders in a church my father (after being discharged from the war in rehab in late 1945) and grandparents were founders, Grace Lutheran Church in Broomall, PA which originally started meeting over the Broomall Firehouse. My parents met for the first time in the existing church's basement at a clock lecture, when only the ground level was constructed as served as the entire church in 1946-48. My Dad lost his left arm on his 51st mission as an aerial gunners in B-17s and was attending Parks Air College and along with studying Aeronautical Engineering piloting small aircraft similar to the aircraft that Meinhardt piloted as the smallest uniformed pilot in the Civil Air Patrol during WW2. In church and after the services Meinhardt, my father, Harold Roth, then President of the Whitman's Chocolate Company (ALWAYS had pockets STUFFED with hard candies, he constantly sucked on while chain smoking Lucky's & give Candy baskets to all the kids every Easter and candy stockings X-Mas Eve and if you asked him nicely give you one or two pieces from his personal stash. He was an Army cook during WW2, like my grandfather was in WW1) and Harry Homer, a big strapping guy and Vet Army cook. The 4 of them were in the kitchen working the big church breakfasts on Easter and other occasions. My Dad and Meinhardt doing dishes and everything in between along with some other Dads as I was always allowed back there as the War Stories were flying between the flyers and ground pounders. I'm telling you all this because starting at about 3 or 4 years of age, I was always big for my age and full of energy and sitting through an hour plus church service with 15- 30 minute sermons, My Dad, Meinhardt & Marie sung in the choir and exited first as I was chaffing at the bit with my Mom ready to bolt out and explode. After they'd get all their robes off, those 4 men ended up in the lower level Narthex and I would shadow my Dad and listen to them talk. MEINHARDT LOVED KIDS and took to WRESTLING ME HARD on the tile floor, while the 3 men cheered us on. They were REALLY GOOD FIGHTS! I learned a new move he tried on me just about every fight we had. My kid suit would be all messed up - his too and when he would get tired he'd pin me and shake his finger in my face and with the same tone as the coroner - he'd ALWAYS say long and loud, " I'm still bigger than you!! ". When I was about 6 years old, I had reached his 4' 7" height and sometime in that year to his surprise I PINNED HIM! and that was it. Even when I asked him to wrestle he say, "You're too big for me kid", but we were always friends as my Mom Terry & my Dad, Harold & Adelle, Harry & (I can't recall Harry's wife's name now but about Harry I want to add that usually before or after my wrestling with Meinhardt, Harry and I would shake hands for like 5 minutes at a time and try to crunch each others knuckles where I learned from him how to position your fingers so no one with ANY advantage over you can succeed and how to do it well to the other person yourself - LOL such training after church - they knew I loved it as I always came back each Sunday for more - I remember always being so sore after both of their bouts - but they were manning me up - Good times!) were all friends and see each other socially at parties at each other's houses. Meinhardt & Marie's ranch house in Broomall PA I've been over to dozens of times which had immaculate gardens Meinhardt kept as I believe his Master's Degree from Drexel University (that where my Dad went for Commerce and Engineering) he got later in life I believe in the early 70s was in Horticulture. He had a Bachelors Degree in Accounting. Both he and Marie were very bright and had such a sense of a poised humanity and a strength in character. Also in childhood on a Florida road trip my family took, we looked up friends of theirs in the "Little People Community' I believe was in Sarasota, who were connected with a circus museum there? I think that's right. but what a warm welcome - They treated US like celebrities. That touched me. In my mid 20s after I moved back into the area and attended Grace Lutheran again, I joined the choir as Marie & my Dad stayed on and Meinhardt would only participate occasionally . Of course I had this collection of Oscar Meyer Weiner Whistles that started as I was young that he'd slip into in my pockets from time to time and we'd as an adult we'd catch up on the occasions I would see him, but those exchanges seemed more detached to me and much later in my own career, I had come to appreciate his role as promoter. He was the first Little Oscar, the first to drive the Weiner mobile and a spokesman for Oscar Meyer for 30 years. Later in my professional life during a business call I met one of the Vice Presidents of Oscar Meyer and dropped a little story about my past relationship with Meinhardt. You would think he was regarding me like I knew the President of the United States or the Pope. THAT impressed me about him as I was witness to this as a working adult. They so loved and revered him. Funny, I was never all that enamored with his celebrity status before that, even though we were proud of he and Marie as being 'little people' that happened to be normal like everyone else -but only with a distinction that kind of like my Dad, who technically was viewed as handicapped but TOTALLY FUNCTIONAL being able to do just about anything a normal person did, they really weren't normal as they excelled way beyond that physical stigma and for the lack of a better description transcending themselves with the grace of God into these beautiful souls living their lives and as they shined doing so were a source of inspiration- but as a kid, they were to me just loving people to me in my life that I didn't appreciate at all as a fan or even someone outside our fold would. I have come to know the adulation people not only people had for my Dad but what with the unique national if not worldwide celebrity gave Meinhardt with people grateful to just meet him, in the absence of all these people as they have long passed into the beyond, I realize getting caught up in this movie and other things I watched and read here I read here, some inspiration struck me as well. This all started a day ago as I am just past my 63rd birthday when talking with an old shipmate I served with in the Navy about a leading Petty Officer of our ship's Signalmen who's nickname was OZ (more like Ozzy Osborn from my generation as that was his last name) OZ served as a catalyst to trigger my memory and give me cause for all this refamiliarization of Meinhardt, which in this process I came to realize today how truly blessed I've been in my life and how blessed to have these memories of him grace me (the definition of Grace as my Dad taught in Sunday school - is an undeserved gift from God) and how I was shaped by these very special people. Thanks for reading this and thank you John Fricke for this great documentary and Jimmy Allen Jr. for posting it. I am grateful and touched to hear & see Meinhardt speak again so eloquently as he told this chapter of his story along with his costars and the opportunity to share with all of you who took the time to read this on how he was so much more than his role as the Coroner . . and with that I'd like to close with these lines . . . The Coroner, I must begin, I thoroughly examined him . . AND he'll never be completely dead. He's forever loved within my head. . . . God bless.
I met Margaret Pellegrini in the early 90's when she visited Rochester, NY. I asked her to autograph her picture to my son Michael. My son''s name is Alex. Michael is me. I am 67 years old and grew up watching the movie when it appeared on tv once a year around Easter time. Margaret was a sweetie. Loved her and love the movie !
Mike Polito I knew her as Little Margaret or Aunt Margaret and her daughter Joey as Aunt Joey. Little Margaret and Willie were really nice people. I remember looking up to them, being eye to eye with them and then towering over them. God it sucks growing old. Everyone I knew growing up is dead or dying.
How nice to listen to thier individual stories . They all have great memories and a great sense of humor. I know they made to the castles in the heavens. RIP
I remember it being on broadcast TV every year, it was a national event for a long time. I eventually lost interest as a too cool for school teen, but I had already seen it every year without fail. As an adult, I love it again 😊
About fifteen years ago I went to the apartment of one of my friends. I commented on an amazing landscape painting she had hanging up. It was done by her grandmother Fern Formica. She was a multitalented woman and quite a character.
Cute is still a compliment where I come from. I doubt any insult was intended. Sometimes we see things but the original poster never meant. The Producer wanted Little People because they are cute.
@@lorimiller4301 ....I also don't believe the insult was intentional. But because "little people" are small in size....we should NOT equate them with "cute" children. If you listen to many of these actors talking about the problems they encountered....most overcame, it includes their yearning to be taken (more) seriously.
Thank God someone interviewed these people & recorded it before they died. We need to record every elderly person before they die.
If God preserves her, Olivia de Havilland will be 104 this July. Imagine the tales she can tell!
@@MaskedMan66 and She is still so beautiful.
@@latoya7029 Very true!
Why do we need to do that ? Because we all need 5 mins of fame? U must be a yank
@itsme Emma what because I dont understand why we all need to be interviewed? I never realised there were so many people like this , the comments are affected by celebrity culture and American bullshit, I cant stand the American culture or it s political system..annoying bullshit, you have more serial killers than anywhere by thousands because the system is fucked up , but you never consider that...
How on earth could anyone give this a thumbs down?
You were stars? You are and always will be STARS.
When an old person dies , a library burns to the ground . Talk to the elderly , learn their stories !
🎯
I've heard that this is very true in the Gypsy (Romany/Sinti) ethnic group. The Gypsies consider it a huge loss when one of their elders dies, especially since the younger generations don't live the traditional life of wandering that the old folks used to.
@@hilarylawrence4588 Thank you . i learned something new today . exactly what i was talking about . talk to each other
very well said !!
THAT IS SO TRUE!!! Listen and learn as much as you can while they are still with us.
I got to work alongside Jerry Maren on a TV show in the late 1990s. He was just kind, humble, and lovely veteran actor - I was starstruck! Loved this documentary. Well done!
What was the show? Is it here on YT?
Similarly, I was in radio, working in the Tampa market, and got to know Karl Slover rather well. He was always up for various promotions, and one memory in particular stays with me. Our station participated in a boat parade which was Hollywood themed and we, naturally, selected The Wizard of Oz. The day of the parade, we were in full costume (I was the scarecrow) and all, including Karl, were aboard the decorated boat. The parade was barely underway when the skies opened up and one of those famous Florida downpours washed everything away. So, we docked and sloshed our way into a riverside bar where we commandeered a corner table and proceeded to get as wet on the inside as we were on the out. Karl stayed with us, drink for drink, and the Oz stories from him were enthralling. One of our party was driving me nuts - she couldn't resist treating Karl as if he were a child, right down to baby talk. Hell, he was the only real adult in the room. A great guy with a warm and generous way about him, and I miss him.
I own a signed picture of Jerry Merin.I don't know if it's authentic,but I'd like to findout.
Hes my favorite munchkin ❣️❣️
@@arthurdeschenes1987 I have a signed photo of him as well, and I know it's authentic because I stood there while he signed it! :-)
81 yrs later and we still love the movie and the munchkins. RIP
The Wizard of Oz certainly has the right to be called the greatest movie ever made. It appealed to all ages and took the mind on a magical journey.
And it still does!
So does the book, for that matter-- and it has even more adventures in it!
also 1 of the worst movie sets of all time...crazy shit that went on
No it doesn't, Wizard of Oz is overrated
The greatest horror movie of all time is in the White House at this time. Brandon and knee-pads Harris.
Still watching after 64 years. Truly an American classic. There's no place like home.
64 years? 🤔 what year are you coming from?
@@LadyLakeland 1955
Me too at 65
@@LadyLakeland lol they mean their age not the movies age. I was confused too
Definitely an American Classic that will be around for generations to come!
The Wizard Of Oz was a technical masterpiece, the sets, costumes, music were perfection. They really pushed the technology to the limits. It still holds up well 80 years after its original release. That is some accomplishment!
@tony john For such a happy movie, it was grueling for them to make
@tony john The Singer Midgets were only paid $50.00 a week while they were in rehearsals and doing costume fittings; once filming started on the Munchkinland sequence, their pay was upped to $100.00 a week. One of them, Mickey Carroll, had a benefactor in none other than Zeppo Marx, who worked it so that Carroll got $500.00 a week.
Judy's being female had zilch to do with her pay; she had been with MGM only three years when she made "Wizard," and the terms of her contract had her pay increasing bit by bit. She was up to $500.00 by 1939, and it was to have increased to $750.00 in 1940 and then $1000.00 in 1941. But when "Wizard" proved her star power and that she could carry a movie, they tore up her contract and issued a new one starting her at $2000.00 a week in 1940.
Jack Haley was the only actor who got $3000.00 a week, and $1000.00 of that went straight to 20th Century Fox as their "cut" for letting MGM make use of his services.
The filming day was eight hours long, and ended at 7 or 8 PM; those with elaborate make-ups reported early in the morning, as the process took a long time. Such make-ups still do. As a minor, Judy was only permitted to work four hours a day, as per California child labor laws. The actors had weekends off.
@@nathanzaworski2780 Any movie is grueling to make.
@@MaskedMan66 Of course, but they had more technical issues and worse ways of doing things back then.
@@nathanzaworski2780 Not "worse," just not as streamlined. "Wizard" actually pioneered a lot of make-up and special effects methods that are still used now.
It's kind of funny; Jack Dawn, the make-up head, was one of the first to use prosthetic appliances on actors, whereas make-up used to be built up from paint, paper, cotton, and all manner of things. Jack Pierce, who turned Boris Karloff into the Monster from scratch every day while filming 1931's "Frankenstein," thought that using prosthetics was a lazy way of doing make-up, and laughed at it, saying it would never catch on.
How wrong he was!
This was an amazing show. They have all passed over the rainbow now, but we'll always have The Wizard of Oz.
Yea that makes me so sad as most of the people who I watched it with as a child have now gone 2 😢
Throughout the late 90's and into the 2000's, Margaret Pellegrini used to come into my brother's printshop located in Glendale, AZ. My brother said Margaret would wear her flower pot hat and that she was very unique and kind person. I enjoyed hearing the personal experiences of the Munchkin characters and what it was like on the set of Munchkinland.
My wife and I met her at a couple of Oz events, and she was one of the most gracious ladies I've ever met.
She looked like a very sweet woman 🌸🌸🌸
@@gayledimitri5887 She was. :-)
She was always kind to us and very neighborly!
@@gayledimitri5887 She most definitely was!
What a treat to watch. After all these years, even for 1993, the excitement and enthusiasm the munchkins showed while being interviewed was clearly visible. They had made their mark, they were all part of making something that was far bigger than all of them could imagine at the time. For many it was the first time they saw others like themselves. Can you imagine growing up and not ever seeing anyone that looks like you when you look so different from those around you? It's a horribly isolating feeling.
"The wizard of oz" is hands down one of the greatest cinematic accomplishments even 80 years after its making. There will never be another fantasy musical film as iconic as Oz. It's simply an outstanding accomplishment and R.I.P to all these talented little people who helped make that accomplishment possible.
You mean to tell me "the wiz" (I think that's the name) isn't of equal splendor? 😂
Ditto The Wizard of m Oz is A classic that will live and on and on to Entertain future generstions of children and Adults alike. As a young black girl seeing the film in my home state of So. CALI for the first time at the local theater I'll will never forget I was mesmerized I'm now 57 years old Thx GOD for film and archives
@@ronrossmore211 aww, you got your internet feelings hurt eh? You must be one of those MJ closet fanboys, that's cute. Well Ron, by the look of your thumbnail I'm going to assume your comment is pure projection. I forgive you, must hurt to be such a sad weird little man. Get well soon little buddy
The most memorable movie of all time
@@ronrossmore211 what is wrong with you?
Hollywood needs a Yellow Brick Road walk of fame for these humble and talented little people.
🤣
Nah they don’t because they molested Judy
Uh.... these talented little people are the devil!!! You need to look up the back story to this movie. Not all it seemed to be.
I totally agree
@@Mrs_ChefAdams clown
I am 56 and I watch The Wizard of Oz faithfully every year, and Rudolpf the red nosed reindeer. These two programs are total Icons that is engrained into every single American, or should be. Now I have watched the program that completes the story. Just hearing the Munchkins tell their story I am in amazement to hear the behind the scenes stuff. Thank you for this upload!
Yes, the oldies but goodies. My Aunt is here in this Video. Founder of the Oz Fest for many Years in Chesterton, IN. I was so proud of her having as many of the munchkins come to town for the Festival Event Signings and talking to anyone who wanted to hear their stories. Good times honoring them it was a blast. I had the pleasure of meeting Margaret Hamilton during one event at the shop. I made sure to get a photo with her. She went on to tell me how she felt on stage during rehearsals when the broom flames caught her hat on fire, and that was probably the most horrific experience she had. Amazing Movie, and amazing people. Let the Legacy live on. :)
@@BeanMafiaanimals That wasn't a rehearsal, that was a take.
Oh how I wish I could’ve sat around with these people and hear all of these stories in person!!! They are great storytellers!!!
Gooei
My wife and I were blessed to encounter four of them. We met Mararet Pellegrini and Clarence Swenson at an outdoor showing of the movie, we lucked into an Oz convention where Meinhardt Raabe was guest of honor, and we met Jerry Maren and his lovely wife at the Chicago Comic Con.
In the late 70’s Margaret Hamilton filmed Maxwell House Coffee commercials in my hometown of Stamford, CT. I watched one being filmed on a summer’s day. I will never forget getting the opportunity to see “The Witch” with my own eyes. i saw Vivian Vance (Ethel Mertz) once also in Lord & Taylors Department Store. I wish I spoke to them but I was just a teenager and didn’t realize my opportunity.
I think she chose to be a freelance actress in Hollywood in the 30s. That means she, very unusual for the time, was not signed to a 7 year contract to one of the major studios, but she did get a lot of work. I remember those commercials. She played Cora on them. Also Jane Withers on Liquid Plumber commercials. And Nancy Walker on Bounty commercials. At the same time, Nancy was also doing Rhoda and McMillan and Wife. Nancy was a busy little lday. Wow, she was only 4 feet 10. She almost could have been a Munchkin
That is very cool, you might not of got autograph but you can always say you got to see her in person
Im from Stamford also. Cora.
I was about 7 when she did that commercial (and loved it!) but I believe this is why I drink Maxwell House Coffee today ......
@@dlakoba4459 Yea it is good coffee. Kinda sad in a way seeing her lot older but still nice ones to watch
I met Jerry in 2012 at his nursing home in Sherman Oaks, CA. He was super quiet and all dressed for Mass on Sunday morning. I asked my ex girlfriend if it was him and she said it wasn’t. Jerry and I exchanged smiles as we were waiting in the hall for Mass. I remember him pacing around the hall waiting. We all went to Mass later on and sang along to the hymns. I can say I went to Mass with Jerry 😂
Cool! I didn't even know he was Catholic.
This was such a great special. Total nostalgia overdrive. I wish the world could rewind to a more friendly and respectful time like this. If you watch everyone being interviewed each and everyone of them were so thankful and grateful for what they experienced and what they had. I really love this.
Jerry just passed away last year. He was the last surviving munchkin. Rest in Peace all 🌼
Met him once, through a mutual acquaintance. What nice man he was. RIP Jerry!
We see his name in the yellow brick road that surrounds the old school house at Grand Rapids Minn. Judy (Frances Gumm) Garland's birth place
What a resilient spirit he had. Goes to show big wonderful things can come in even the smallest of packages.
Yes
@Limp Cock lies
I could sit and listen to these wonderful people tell their stories for hours. RIP
I worked for West Coast Entertainment which is one of the companies mentioned in the end credits when this was released. I had the honor of meeting every single one of the actors in this video back in 1994 and they were some of the nicest people. Meinhardt Raabe (the Munchkin Coroner) and I were the exact same height. He was the tallest Munchkin at 4'10".
Hey there! I came across your comment and I just had to reach out and say hi. Your perspective really caught my attention and I would love to get to know you better. Would you be interested in chatting sometime? Looking forward to hearing back from you! 😊
What a fascinating documentary! The Wizard of Oz is one of my favorite films, and I never knew how extensive the Munchkin Land sequence was.
Great backstory that we may never have heard if it wasn't for this doc
So glad I found this. Brought a huge smile to my face.
This is absolutely an incredible documentary. I have fallen in love with all of these very special people. The fact that they were all small people was even more special. Several mentioned that they had never seen this many small people before. Thank God that small people are an accepted and organized group that meet others frequently. When you are in a special group or have experienced unique special experiences then only those that have known or experienced similar experiences can relate. It’s so rewarding to know that their are others that know what you feel. Awesome!!!! Heroes of their times!
Hey there! I came across your comment and I just had to reach out and say hi. Your perspective really caught my attention and I would love to get to know you better. Would you be interested in chatting sometime? Looking forward to hearing back from you! 😊
It is hard to believe that all these wonderful people are gone ! They brought so much joy and entertainment to so many children. And adults alike !! The WIZARD OF OZ is one of my all time favorite movie's. I can't think what the movie world would be without it . I pray that All of these little people are resting in Love and Peace !!
Hey there! I came across your comment and I just had to reach out and say hi. Your perspective really caught my attention and I would love to get to know you better. Would you be interested in chatting sometime? Looking forward to hearing back from you! 😊
I met a few of these wonderful people over the years. It's amazing how recognizable they still are in their specific roles they had. God Bless all of them. It was my privilege to meet them. :D
Thank you for this documentary. I loved getting to know the munchkins! A favorite childhood movie of ours in the 50s!
I see we all got the recommendation for this video in 2019 at the same time 😂
Yup 😂
Yeah lol glad of it though, this was great.
Same, lol.
You're freakin' me out man! ;)
scheron harley nearly 2020!
Ah..I'm so glad they were recognized for their work in the Wizzard of OZ. The last Munchkin just died 2018. No matter how insignificant some people think you are, God created everyone with a purpose. R.I.P. Little People!!! We love you.
That was Jerry Maren who died last year. He is the dark hair guy with the moustache in this documentary.
Harriett Randall THEY made the movie lovable. Truly deserved so much more praise.
Why anyone think they were insignificant? They were people just like you.
Spare us with your GOD speculation we are an evolved species get an education and quit passing on bullshit
@@mikekennedy5470 We are a created species, and no amount of hatred on your part will ever change that.
I love how that one man keeps saying 'see'after every sentence or so. lol. it reminds me of my grandpa:)
He’s my favorite lol
My grandpa said that too
Jerry maren?
They may have thought at some point in their lives that being small made them less , but this proves to me anyway, It made them so much more. They seem so full of love for life
They achieved immortality ❤❤
All little people are beautiful as God makes us perfection . Love you.
I can't believe a movie hasn't been made yet just on the behind the scenes of all of these guys! What stories!
A reputable movie, you mean, of course. There was a bit of cinematic slander called "Under the Rainbow," but that was rubbish.
@@MaskedMan66
I like The Wizard of Oz.
I had the pleasure of meeting Jerry Maren when I was very young at the local mall. He sat and talked to my Mom and I and she was so upset that she couldn't afford to purchase the photo/autograph, she talks about it to this day. He talked to us regardless and he was very sweet. RIP sir
These peoples’ memories are absolutely stunning! They must be in their 70s here, but they remember EVERY thing! I love it!
When I first saw The Wizard of Oz I was only 3 years old and was mesmerized when my daddy told me that the munchkins were not played by little children but were actually little people. I didn't know how many of them were teenagers. I know that some of them had never seen another little person before. I think they all deserved to have their names in the movie credits. Now, as a dancer and choreographer there is nothing more incredible than watching the phenomenal "Munchkin" singing and dancing scene. It is truly an amazing piece of cinema art and talent that will live on forever!
Pretty much everyone in this video were teens when they did the movie, which may be one reason they got along with their fellow teen, Judy.
The actors who played the munchkins were brilliant. My favorite part of the entire movie!
Singing ' Were off to see the Wizard ' made me smile ear to ear. Such happiness. Although this movie terrified me as a child, as an adult I see the beauty.
I make house calls UKdoctor I completely understand your statement.
These people were so wonderful. A beautiful thing being a part of history.
This was my all time favorite movie..I'm 66 and I still cry when Judy sings over the Rainbow. ..so beautiful..I watch it whenever I need a pick me up...
But sometimes I wonder if some of the munchkins had sad lives. They made them all so happy in the movie.
@@johnnymfan5065 Difficult, I'm sure, but not necessarily sad.
This is so nice to hear! I have heard so many stories of the little people being abused on set. Nice to hear them say they enjoyed their experience making the movie.
Yeah they're completely false, and this guy debunked all of the wizard of oz myths ua-cam.com/video/4XJVQJWld7Y/v-deo.html
Happy 80th anniversary The Wizard of Oz this movie will never get old Judy deserved that Oscar
Oh wow. She didn't get the Oscar 😖?
She received an honorary Oscar that was given back then to best juvenile actor of the year but she was almost 18 years old. She deserved to win a real one in my eyes for her performance!
@@raea3588 It was just as real as any Oscar, and she treasured it.
My aunt Anna Mae used to make all the clothes for the Campbell soup kids. They used to come for fittings, I lived in the Portage, Chesterton area for 25 years. The munchkins and other characters would come every year
My all time favorite movie. The truth is " there's no place like home". Even named my dog OZ. The great and powerful!💖
"We're not in Kansas anymore Toto!"
@@elisemiller13 "Toto? I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."
gentleman with the cardigan is the most adorable man I've ever seen. they all are so sweet & made that film what it is today.
No they're not
@@kyleterpsauce1760 Don't believe all those bigoted lies. A few of the Austrian members of the core group of the Singer Midgets enjoyed a tipple after work, but the American contingent were just everyday folks from everyday lives, and were gobsmacked to be working in a movie. They got along with Judy Garland, you can forget all the lies about abuse and so on.
This video actually left me with a lump in my throat, those lovely little people, and I was one of the little kids that screamed my eyes out seeing the green witch lol, bless em all.
I always found it interesting the little people in the Wizard of Oz all had pituitary dwarfism. The term “midget” referred at that time exclusively to pituitary dwarfs and they tended to get more work and better treatment than those suffering from other kinds of dwarfism. Though I also read that Singer bought his actors directly from their parents. It’s heartbreaking to think of the way they were treated. Such incredibly talented people. This was a great documentary to see! ❤️
And I LOVED the story being told about munchkins pushing each other. I think it’s mr. slover...oh i died. His happy countenance and joy at the memories. Love it.
Singer didn't buy anybody from anywhere.
What a wonderful program. Thank you for a terrific post.
I met the coroner Meinhardt Raabe years ago at a toy show in Boston. I’ve been collecting for almost 30 years now. I’ve a lot of famous people and meeting him by far was right up there. I asked him how Judy Garland was and like his interview he said she was so nice to the munchkins.I still have the 8x10 autograph from him which I cherish. I mean how many people get to meet someone from the most iconic film ever made? I did!
I'm jealous. I hate you. I'm kidding. lol
😁
I lucked into an Oz convention one time (I was at a sci-fi con in the next hotel) and got to meet Mr. Raabe. He was very kind and welcoming. I also met Margaret Pellegrini and Clarence Swensen at an outdoor screening of the movie, and at a comic book convention I met the one and only Jerry Maren. Them little folks were bigger than life!
These people should have been in more movies. They were so happy and so enthusiastic.
What a great movie. We will never forget it.
Many of them were in more movies, and T.V. shows. But most of them just went back to their regular lives and jobs.
Nothing like some vintage memorabilia straight from the original sources! I loved the fact they all were so appreciative of having the opportunity to do the film and were so amazed at everything and everyone involved in the experience, you can tell that it gave them a lifetime of happiness & joy and they seem very humbled by it all? But I guess being involved in something Iconic like the Wizard of Oz would have that effect on someone...Thanks for the memories, from all the generations of the past and all the generations to come...
Little on the outside, big hearted beautiful people on the inside. ❤️ this documentary made me smile, just lovely and heartwarming.
Puts the lie to all those rotten tales people tell, doesn't it?
@@MaskedMan66 what?
@@servantofali9903 What?
I Watched Every Bit Of This😊It Was Just Wonderful❤Thanks For Sharing
This was really interesting, and touching to learn how much the little people of Oz loved what they had done.
My grandmother was 12 when this came out on the big screen, I remember her telling me what it was like sitting there seeing it in black and white then suddenly seeing it in color was amazing. When I was old enough to watch movies with her, I would go to her house and spend the night and we would watch it every year when it would on t.v. and eat popcorn, my grandmother passed away in 2018 at the age of 92 and once in awhile I will pop some popcorn and curl up and watch the Wizard of Oz.
I am so sorry for your loss 😭
What a beautiful memory. I have an overwhelming feeling that she still watches it with you. ❤
@@barbaradelorme9397 Thank you for your kind words, I hope that she is, she loved James Patterson books, so I buy them and read them out loud hoping that she is listening.
Awe, they're all so cute. Rest in peace, munchkins.
Still my favorite movie in 2020. I was made to watch the movie for the moral of the story "There's no place like home". It hurts my heart to know that the little people weren't paid what they should have been. I agree that the movie couldn't be improved on in any way, I just love it. Thanks for this back story.
The two cast members singing together at a convention brought a smile to my face. I grew up watching this film and now watch a 4K transfer of the film on Blu-Ray and wow the film has never looked better until the actual 4K UHD Blu-Ray is released. I love seeing documentaries about movies like this one.
This great movie couldn't have been made without them !!! I wonder how many of them had children and grandchildren?? There should be a reunion of the offspring of some kind. It would be interesting to hear of their legacies !! I Loved them All !! Luv Ya !!
This is so well done! Now my kids are enjoying this timeless movie and I love reliving my childhood with them. The munchkins were my favorite part.
I would love to see them all! I remember the faces omg 😲 I love you. You’ve made my childhood grand. I’m almost 40.
I just love them. they are so adorable! I think they made the film real and fun and magical. Ive been mesmerized by the munchkins and their costumes and the set since I was a kid in the 60's
It’s so good to listen to them tell their stories!Especially since almost every other story about them pegs them as ruthless drunks.
Absolutely!!! They all seem to make them out to be super rowdy drunks who made sexual advances at Judy. What a shame.
That wasn’t true at all, apparently it was a joke Judy herself made up, even still people years later believe it was actually true..
My youngest Sister met some of the Munchkin actors. I forget which ones. She is a fan of the movie and old books and such of OZ.
Lyle Johnson .
. I did too. I met Jerry Maren and Karl Slover...it’s a day I’ll never forget. Mr. Maren sang the Lollipop Guild song to me. I love this movie. Jerry Maren passed away May 2018 and Karl Slover passed away November 2011. Jerry Maren was the last Munchkin to pass away.
It is sad they have all passed away. You and my youngest Sister will have wonderful memories of meeting them.
I was blessed to meet four of them; Margaret Pellegrini and Clarence Swensen at an outdoor showing of the movie, Meinhardt Raabe at an Oz convention, and Jerry Maren at a comic book show.
My most favorite move ever! Must have seen it 100 times and can recite word for word! And I am 49 yrs old and will never stop watching it!
Can you imagine Heidi Lamar or any big stars coming up to you going, ‘gee I don’t have any photographs on me, but come look for me later and I’ll give you one!’ Seems like celebrities were really humble back then
Celebrities have always been the same. Can be the nicest person ever; but once they get overwhelmed from the rough industry they can go off very easily on a well intended fan. Judy Garland, who loved her fans, has stories of snapping at people when it was too much for her. Always been that way. It just wasn't as easy to save newspapers and magazines of when it happened back then like it is now in the world of the internet so everyone forgot about it by the next month during this time period.
Hedy.
Umm. They still are
That's Hedley...
@@gc4644 Wrong movie. :-)
All these little people added so much to the film, a magical layer, a kindness to a film that was thereon almost violent and perilous. The balance was nice, between the good witch and the bad which, but it started out with a lot of little people giving her good advice and giving her a heartfelt welcome. I believe that kindness carried Dorothy though out the film to endure what she needed to do. All the Actors in this film were extraordinary, but the first scene with the little people really made it. I doubt without them that it would have been a success.
This movie used to come on TV every year and I would make sure as child I was glued to the set so I can see this movie I thought I appreciate it then but watching this feature here I appreciate it even more and thanks to each and every cast member thank you and you made my childhood dreams come true
I miss Little Margret. She was such a lady. I used to call her aunt Margaret and Willie and her Daughter Joey. I remember Margaret when I was just as tall as her and started towering over her as I grew. They were all close friends of the family. Every year about the same time the WIZARD of Oz would come on and until I entered the service I don’t think I ever missed watching it.
This was amazing! These actors were so down to earth. I can't even imagine the things they saw and experienced. One of my favorite movies 💗
Rachelstorrersings down time earth!? More like entitled.
@@a.torres2176 Troll.
MaskedMan66 THEY EXPECTED A PARADE WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT CULVER CITY.
@@a.torres2176 And why not? Guess what? They WERE entitled to a parade. They were part of a worldwide cultural phenomenon known and loved by billions of people across many generations. If that doesn't entitle them to a parade, tell us what does. I met some of these people while they yet lived, and there was no ego about them whatsoever; quite the contrary, they were humbled by all the accolades.
MaskedMan66 EXPECTING a parade upon your arrival isn’t humbling in ANY means. The majority of them never even HEARD of the book, they didn’t know what a munchkin was, they didn’t know what they were doing, just the fantasy of traveling by bus to Hollywood to become “stars.”
What a classic. I always looked forward to watching this movie every year.
The interviews were a treat to watch.
Yes Munchkins you'll go down in history!!!
This was a charming film. Thank you for posting it. DA
History dies without these old videos
😂😂😂 not
What a treat! I always loved the Munchkins. So sad that they are all gone now. 😢
Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us.
👍 OUTSTANDING Documentary. Beautiful hearts in those “Munchkins” 👍
Thank you✌️
I am 47 years old and Wizard Of Oz is STILL my favorite movie! I also still get so excited when it comes on! My kids (and are now grown) watched it growing up and when my 2 year old Granddaughter will watch it when she is old enough to understand it 🌈
The fact that Mickey would stop by to visit Judy during lunch all the time is so adorable...
Aww!
They were mates …
Contrary to the lies people tell, Judy was the darling of the set, and everyone loved her.
Omg his ears 😭😭 they're all so amazing why do we only live so long... i just wish humans could live hundreds of years. Imagine walking down the street and meeting one of these incredible people today.
We used to live hundreds of years, but then an asteroid belt exploded and showered radiation on the Earth that shortened our lifespan by 90%.
@@MaskedMan66 i doubt that but i mean ok
@@aaliyahhugley3770 Why doubt it?
I love how that lady in red says that Toto got more than they did, and then she smiles slyly at the camera!!!
Toto really made more than the munchkins...
Screen time. Toto is on screen from start to end.
@@daveburrows2678 Terry didn't make a dime. What's a dog going to do with money? Her trainer Carl Spitz got paid.
In other words, she was joking. :-)
@@dootdoot94xo44 The Singer Midgets were ordinary, everyday people who had come from ordinary, everyday jobs. They were not a pack of unprincipled animals-- and many of them were women, and some of them were children. When you talk like that, you are treading close to bigotry.
I remember looking forward to the movie coming on tv every year. Those were the best days, it was a treat to look forward to. Not like today at all.
Same. During my childhood, late 70's-90's, it was treat every year when the Wizard of Oz was played on T.V./cable, between Halloween & Christmas I believe. One night, once a year. You could not buy it on VHS untill the mid 90's, which slowly took away & replaced the yearly nostalgia. It was a big event for many of us Gen X'ers & Boomers, 80's born Millenials too.
What a sweet documentary. I have always loved the munchkins and I'm so happy to hear that the rumors weren't true and to see these sweet little people tell their stories. I'm glad that they finally got the celebrity they deserved.
What rumors are you referring to?
@@_whatnext_9319 The ones they talked about - the wild parties and drunk and disorderly on the set.
They were so cute AND adorable 🥰
@@kathygoodman6159 Not on the set, you may be sure; not with Victor Fleming at the reins! He was not a cruel or officious man, but he was no-nonsense when it came to getting work done.
2039 is 19 years away from now wow wizard of oz gonna be 100 years
What an experience they had! Once in a lifetime! I hope each one of them was a celebrity in their home towns.
I knew Meinhardt ( Mine Heart ) (the Coroner) & Marie Raabe ( ROB be) since I was born, as my parents were friends with them (my Dad & Meinhardt shared a love of flying) and we were all congregants & elders in a church my father (after being discharged from the war in rehab in late 1945) and grandparents were founders, Grace Lutheran Church in Broomall, PA which originally started meeting over the Broomall Firehouse. My parents met for the first time in the existing church's basement at a clock lecture, when only the ground level was constructed as served as the entire church in 1946-48. My Dad lost his left arm on his 51st mission as an aerial gunners in B-17s and was attending Parks Air College and along with studying Aeronautical Engineering piloting small aircraft similar to the aircraft that Meinhardt piloted as the smallest uniformed pilot in the Civil Air Patrol during WW2. In church and after the services Meinhardt, my father, Harold Roth, then President of the Whitman's Chocolate Company (ALWAYS had pockets STUFFED with hard candies, he constantly sucked on while chain smoking Lucky's & give Candy baskets to all the kids every Easter and candy stockings X-Mas Eve and if you asked him nicely give you one or two pieces from his personal stash. He was an Army cook during WW2, like my grandfather was in WW1) and Harry Homer, a big strapping guy and Vet Army cook. The 4 of them were in the kitchen working the big church breakfasts on Easter and other occasions. My Dad and Meinhardt doing dishes and everything in between along with some other Dads as I was always allowed back there as the War Stories were flying between the flyers and ground pounders. I'm telling you all this because starting at about 3 or 4 years of age, I was always big for my age and full of energy and sitting through an hour plus church service with 15- 30 minute sermons, My Dad, Meinhardt & Marie sung in the choir and exited first as I was chaffing at the bit with my Mom ready to bolt out and explode. After they'd get all their robes off, those 4 men ended up in the lower level Narthex and I would shadow my Dad and listen to them talk. MEINHARDT LOVED KIDS and took to WRESTLING ME HARD on the tile floor, while the 3 men cheered us on. They were REALLY GOOD FIGHTS! I learned a new move he tried on me just about every fight we had. My kid suit would be all messed up - his too and when he would get tired he'd pin me and shake his finger in my face and with the same tone as the coroner - he'd ALWAYS say long and loud, " I'm still bigger than you!! ". When I was about 6 years old, I had reached his 4' 7" height and sometime in that year to his surprise I PINNED HIM! and that was it. Even when I asked him to wrestle he say, "You're too big for me kid", but we were always friends as my Mom Terry & my Dad, Harold & Adelle, Harry & (I can't recall Harry's wife's name now but about Harry I want to add that usually before or after my wrestling with Meinhardt, Harry and I would shake hands for like 5 minutes at a time and try to crunch each others knuckles where I learned from him how to position your fingers so no one with ANY advantage over you can succeed and how to do it well to the other person yourself - LOL such training after church - they knew I loved it as I always came back each Sunday for more - I remember always being so sore after both of their bouts - but they were manning me up - Good times!) were all friends and see each other socially at parties at each other's houses. Meinhardt & Marie's ranch house in Broomall PA I've been over to dozens of times which had immaculate gardens Meinhardt kept as I believe his Master's Degree from Drexel University (that where my Dad went for Commerce and Engineering) he got later in life I believe in the early 70s was in Horticulture. He had a Bachelors Degree in Accounting. Both he and Marie were very bright and had such a sense of a poised humanity and a strength in character. Also in childhood on a Florida road trip my family took, we looked up friends of theirs in the "Little People Community' I believe was in Sarasota, who were connected with a circus museum there? I think that's right. but what a warm welcome - They treated US like celebrities. That touched me. In my mid 20s after I moved back into the area and attended Grace Lutheran again, I joined the choir as Marie & my Dad stayed on and Meinhardt would only participate occasionally . Of course I had this collection of Oscar Meyer Weiner Whistles that started as I was young that he'd slip into in my pockets from time to time and we'd as an adult we'd catch up on the occasions I would see him, but those exchanges seemed more detached to me and much later in my own career, I had come to appreciate his role as promoter. He was the first Little Oscar, the first to drive the Weiner mobile and a spokesman for Oscar Meyer for 30 years. Later in my professional life during a business call I met one of the Vice Presidents of Oscar Meyer and dropped a little story about my past relationship with Meinhardt. You would think he was regarding me like I knew the President of the United States or the Pope. THAT impressed me about him as I was witness to this as a working adult. They so loved and revered him. Funny, I was never all that enamored with his celebrity status before that, even though we were proud of he and Marie as being 'little people' that happened to be normal like everyone else -but only with a distinction that kind of like my Dad, who technically was viewed as handicapped but TOTALLY FUNCTIONAL being able to do just about anything a normal person did, they really weren't normal as they excelled way beyond that physical stigma and for the lack of a better description transcending themselves with the grace of God into these beautiful souls living their lives and as they shined doing so were a source of inspiration- but as a kid, they were to me just loving people to me in my life that I didn't appreciate at all as a fan or even someone outside our fold would. I have come to know the adulation people not only people had for my Dad but what with the unique national if not worldwide celebrity gave Meinhardt with people grateful to just meet him, in the absence of all these people as they have long passed into the beyond, I realize getting caught up in this movie and other things I watched and read here I read here, some inspiration struck me as well. This all started a day ago as I am just past my 63rd birthday when talking with an old shipmate I served with in the Navy about a leading Petty Officer of our ship's Signalmen who's nickname was OZ (more like Ozzy Osborn from my generation as that was his last name) OZ served as a catalyst to trigger my memory and give me cause for all this refamiliarization of Meinhardt, which in this process I came to realize today how truly blessed I've been in my life and how blessed to have these memories of him grace me (the definition of Grace as my Dad taught in Sunday school - is an undeserved gift from God) and how I was shaped by these very special people. Thanks for reading this and thank you John Fricke for this great documentary and Jimmy Allen Jr. for posting it. I am grateful and touched to hear & see Meinhardt speak again so eloquently as he told this chapter of his story along with his costars and the opportunity to share with all of you who took the time to read this on how he was so much more than his role as the Coroner . . and with that I'd like to close with these lines . . . The Coroner, I must begin, I thoroughly examined him . . AND he'll never be completely dead. He's forever loved within my head. . . . God bless.
What a TV fabulous special. It's great that such a well made, informative and heartwarming show can be seen by a worldwide audience today.
I met Margaret Pellegrini in the early 90's when she visited Rochester, NY. I asked her to autograph her picture to my son Michael. My son''s name is Alex. Michael is me. I am 67 years old and grew up watching the movie when it appeared on tv once a year around Easter time. Margaret was a sweetie. Loved her and love the movie !
Mike Polito I knew her as Little Margaret or Aunt Margaret and her daughter Joey as Aunt Joey. Little Margaret and Willie were really nice people. I remember looking up to them, being eye to eye with them and then towering over them. God it sucks growing old. Everyone I knew growing up is dead or dying.
How nice to listen to thier individual stories . They all have great memories and a great sense of humor. I know they made to the castles in the heavens. RIP
So wonderful to hear the stories from their perspectives. Glad someone thought to honor their importance and highlight their unique contributions.
I had met Jerry Maren in Myrtle Beach in the early 2000's. IT WAS A REALLY BIG DEAL for me meeting him!!
Such an ENJOYABLE documentary 👏 I was young, with my family, watching this movie back in the early 60's 💞
I have watched this movie every year since I could remember. And will until I die.
I"m into my 40s and still like to watch it.
I remember it being on broadcast TV every year, it was a national event for a long time. I eventually lost interest as a too cool for school teen, but I had already seen it every year without fail. As an adult, I love it again 😊
God bless these folks. They gave us such a wonderful gift. I'm so glad this showed up on my feed.
I am so grateful for this video. I love Little People and l loved all of their characters in this Iconic Movie, The Wizard of OZ.
Why did UA-cam wait until they were all dead to give me the recommendation for this??
I'm just getting this notification, Jan.30, 2021. lol
Thank you for uploading this. I've always wonder what they did after the film. Kind of sucks they were not included in the credits.
They were; it says, "The Singer Midgets" quite clearly.
The credits would have ran for a long time, extras aren't credited in movies
Yes but they didn't all come from that agency.
@@alberttatlock5237 They weren't all extras e.g. coroner, mayor, lollipop guild.
@@raea3588 They were added to the ranks of the Singer Midgets by virtue of being cast for the film.
Very nicely presented and quite a few interesting facts I never heard before.
About fifteen years ago I went to the apartment of one of my friends. I commented on an amazing landscape painting she had hanging up. It was done by her grandmother Fern Formica. She was a multitalented woman and quite a character.
Is this relevant?
MaskedMan66 Probably as much as you are
@@kyler01williams No need to be rude; I didn't insult you. But this doesn't sound like it has anything to do with the video.
@@MaskedMan66 Fern played one of the Munchkins in The Wizard of OZ
@@darreylhenderson702 Thank you; I appreciate the clarification.
R.I.P munchkins I loved them sooo much they were so cute and talented
Hmmm....I wouldn't say they were all "cute"....quite a few were a bit menacing!
I'm sure the adult Munchkin actors and actresses would resent being called "cute." They deserve more respect than that!
Cute is still a compliment where I come from. I doubt any insult was intended. Sometimes we see things but the original poster never meant. The Producer wanted Little People because they are cute.
@@lorimiller4301 ....I also don't believe the insult was intentional. But because "little people" are small in size....we should NOT equate them with "cute" children. If you listen to many of these actors talking about the problems they encountered....most overcame, it includes their yearning to be taken (more) seriously.
@@glennfromthebronx There was a rumor that some of the munchkins would put their hands up Judy Garland's dress. Hope it's not true.
The music really made this film majestic!