7 Shocking Secrets And The Untold Legacy Of The Wizard Of Oz's Munchkins

The vibrant, singing residents of Munchkinland are one of the most iconic and beloved elements of the 1939 cinematic masterpiece, The Wizard of Oz. Their joyful welcome to Dorothy Gale after her house crushes the Wicked Witch of the East is a moment of pure, fantastical cinema that remains indelible in popular culture, even as of this writing in December 2025. Yet, behind the bright colors and cheerful songs lies a complex, often troubling history involving the 124 actors who brought the characters to life, a story rife with controversy, exploitation, and a legacy that continues to be debated nearly a century later.

The sheer logistics of casting and coordinating such a massive group of little people for a major Hollywood production were unprecedented at the time. Their collective experience—from their meager salaries to the sensationalized rumors that plagued the set—has become a fascinating, and at times dark, footnote in Hollywood history. This article delves deep into the facts, the myths, and the enduring legacy of the performers who created the magic of Munchkinland.

The Forgotten Cast: A Look at the Munchkin Actors' Biographies and Numbers

The task of finding over a hundred little people for the production was a Herculean effort undertaken by MGM. The studio scoured the United States, primarily recruiting performers from traveling circuses, carnivals, and vaudeville circuits, as these were the only venues where such a large population of little people were employed collectively.

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Munchkinland By The Numbers

• Total Number of Performers: The official count of little people hired to play the Munchkins was either 122 or 124, a massive undertaking for 1938 Hollywood.
• Children Involved: In addition to the adult little people, approximately ten children were also hired to play Munchkins in the film.
• Casting Restriction: It is a lesser-known fact that the casting was restricted only to white actors, reflecting the discriminatory practices of the era.
• Uncredited Roles: Despite their crucial role in one of the film's most famous sequences, none of the 124 Munchkin actors were listed in the film's credits.

Key Munchkin Entities and Notable Actors

While most of the actors remained anonymous to the public, a few performers played distinct roles and achieved a measure of fame:

• Meinhardt Raabe (The Coroner): A University of Wisconsin graduate, Raabe is perhaps the most famous of the group, known for his iconic line, "As coroner, I was appointed to examine the body, and although I'm not a doctor, I pronounce you dead!". He lived to be 94.
• Jerry Maren (The Lollipop Kid): Maren was the last surviving Munchkin actor for many years. He was the member of the Lollipop Guild who hands Dorothy the giant lollipop. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 98.
• Priscilla Montgomery Clark: One of the last surviving members, Clark was only nine years old when she played a Munchkin in the film. As of recent reports, she is 95 and remains one of the few living links to the production.
• Elaine Merk Binder: Another of the last surviving Munchkins, Binder passed away at the age of 94, with her death marking a significant moment in the film’s increasingly distant history.

Controversy and Exploitation: The Dark Side of Munchkinland

The magic of *The Wizard of Oz* often overshadows the darker realities faced by the little people on the set. Their treatment, pay, and the sensationalized rumors about their off-screen behavior have become a major part of the film's legendary, and often scandalous, lore.

One of the most persistent and shocking facts is the disparity in pay. Reports indicate that many of the Munchkin actors were paid around $50 per week. In a widely cited, though difficult-to-verify, comparison, this was allegedly less than the $125 per week salary paid to Terry, the Cairn Terrier who played Toto, the dog. This stark contrast highlights the general disregard for the performers' value to the production.

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The Sensationalized Rumors and Judy Garland's Anecdotes

The most enduring and harmful controversies stem from lurid rumors about the actors' behavior during the filming process. Decades after the film's release, stories emerged portraying the actors as "sex-crazed" and "drunken" individuals who caused chaos at the Culver City hotel where they were housed. These anecdotes were often perpetuated by star Judy Garland herself in later interviews, though many modern sources and historians, including author Stephen Cox, suggest these tales were heavily exaggerated or even invented by the studio's publicists to create buzz, or by Garland's own later struggles.

The portrayal of the actors as unruly and difficult had a harmful effect on their public image, overshadowing their professional contribution to the film. Furthermore, a significant portion of their already meager earnings was reportedly taken by their agent, who allegedly cheated them out of their full payment.

The Enduring Urban Myth

Perhaps the most disturbing myth associated with the Munchkins is the long-standing rumor that one of the actors tragically hung himself on the set and that his body can be seen hanging in the background as Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man skip down the Yellow Brick Road. This has been definitively debunked as an urban myth. The object seen in the background is a large bird, likely a crane or an emu, borrowed from the Los Angeles Zoo for the set's background scenery, which was moving its neck.

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A Century of Legacy: The Last Surviving Munchkins and The Oz Phenomenon

The legacy of the Munchkins extends far beyond the 1939 film. They represent a pivotal moment in cinema history, demonstrating the power of spectacle and the use of unique performers in Hollywood. Their home, Munchkinland, is a cornerstone of the entire Land of Oz mythology, which continues to thrive in books, films, and stage productions like Wicked.

Munchkinland in Lore and Film

In L. Frank Baum's original 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Munchkins live in the eastern quadrant of the Land of Oz, a region they call "Munchkin Country." Their favorite color is blue, which is reflected in their clothing and the scenery of their land. The 1939 film adaptation solidified the name "Munchkinland" and established their culture as one of perpetual childlike joy, celebrating their liberation from the tyranny of the Wicked Witch of the East after Dorothy's house fell upon her. The lore of Munchkin Country, its citizens, and its history of oppression under the Wicked Witch highlights a deeper narrative about freedom and community within the Oz universe.

The Last of the Little People

As time passes, the number of surviving actors from the original cast dwindles, making the stories of the last few remaining performers all the more precious and newsworthy. The passing of individuals like Elaine Merk Binder and the continued life of Priscilla Montgomery Clark serve as poignant reminders of the film's increasingly historical status. These individuals are the final living links to the Golden Age of Hollywood and the complex, often challenging, environment of the 1939 set. Their appearances at Oz conventions and festivals in recent years have kept the memory and the true story of the Munchkins alive, countering the sensationalized myths that have circulated for decades.

The Munchkins of *The Wizard of Oz* are more than just a colorful chorus line. They are a collective of pioneering performers who navigated the harsh realities of early Hollywood, exploitation, and enduring rumors to create one of the most memorable and influential scenes in movie history. Their story—a mix of cinematic magic, professional hardship, and sensationalized gossip—ensures that the citizens of Munchkinland will remain a subject of fascination for generations to come.