BOB, in re the Munchkins: Years ago, in Hollywood, I had a midget friend who told us he had been a Munchkin, and went on with stories of working with Judy Garland, at MGM. Then, in the internet age, I found full rosters of THE WIZARD OF OZ cast and crew, and was saddened that his name did not appear. Specialized OZ sites and fan bases also did not list him, nor does IMDb, nor Wikipedia. As it happens, in looking again, the only Munchkin actor name beginning with "A" is Gladys W. Allison. Paul Alpert is not listed.
Circus names we all recognize among the Munchkins include Jakob "Jackie" Gerlich, and the four Earles, famed as the Doll Family--Harry, Daisy, Gracie, and Tiny.
The last surviving Munchkin, Jerry Maren, died only last year, at 98.
I can recall seeing carnival sideshows claiming that the dwarf working the bally was a Munchkin. Someone can correct me....But I thought only midgets were used for Munchkins such as Singers Midgets...I have read that in some cases small children were used in some of the roles.
Right. All of Singer's Midgets were contracted by MGM, on the claim by Singer that he knew where to get more. He was paid $100 for each one he brought in, then claimed his agent's 10% from them. Most accounts have his small employees hating the man.
Yes, young children also worked as Munchkins. Look on your sites for WIZARD OF OZ, and The Munchkins for all names of the normal children and the adult midgets. Many entries have the ages, and/or dates of death of each one. Thing is, you can see who is on the official lists, and who is not.
6 comments:
"Prince Paul" Alpert
Prince Paul was also one of the original Munchkins in Wizard of Oz and a pleasant fellow.
Bob Momyer
Yup but he was more than just
a "pleasant fellow" he was a
really nice guy & helped many
of the folks he worked with
BOB, in re the Munchkins: Years ago, in Hollywood, I had a midget friend who told us he had been a Munchkin, and went on with stories of working with Judy Garland, at MGM. Then, in the internet age, I found full rosters of THE WIZARD OF OZ cast and crew, and was saddened that his name did not appear. Specialized OZ sites and fan bases also did not list him, nor does IMDb, nor Wikipedia. As it happens, in looking again, the only Munchkin actor name beginning with "A" is Gladys W. Allison. Paul Alpert is not listed.
Circus names we all recognize among the Munchkins include Jakob "Jackie" Gerlich, and the four Earles, famed as the Doll Family--Harry, Daisy, Gracie, and Tiny.
The last surviving Munchkin, Jerry Maren, died only last year, at 98.
I can recall seeing carnival sideshows claiming that the dwarf working the bally was a Munchkin. Someone can correct me....But I thought only midgets were used for Munchkins such as Singers Midgets...I have read that in some cases small children were used in some of the roles.
Right. All of Singer's Midgets were contracted by MGM, on the claim by Singer that he knew where to get more. He was paid $100 for each one he brought in, then claimed his agent's 10% from them. Most accounts have his small employees hating the man.
Yes, young children also worked as Munchkins. Look on your sites for WIZARD OF OZ, and The Munchkins for all names of the normal children and the adult midgets. Many entries have the ages, and/or dates of death of each one. Thing is, you can see who is on the official lists, and who is not.
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