The making of the classic film Wizard of Oz is surrounded by rumors and controversy, including stories of the little people cast as the residents of Munchkinland engaging in wild behavior. Judy Garland, who starred as Dorothy in the film, claimed in a 1967 interview that the Munchkins were “little drunks” who got “smashed every night.” This portrayal of the Munchkin actors did not sit well with Jerry Maren, who played a member of the Lollipop Guild. In his 2006 memoir, Maren disputed Garland’s claims, stating that she was under the influence of pills and booze when she made those statements. He remembered fondly the experience of working on the film, while acknowledging that some of his fellow actors did have a penchant for beer.
Despite the controversy surrounding the behavior of the Munchkin actors, Margaret Pellegrini, who also appeared in the film as a Munchkin villager, looked back on her time on set with fondness. Pellegrini, whose father worked in a hotel and earned only $5 a week, was paid $50 a week for her role in the movie. She recalled that it took eight weeks to shoot the Munchkinland scenes, and afterwards she stayed in Hollywood for a month to explore and sightsee. Pellegrini’s positive memories contrast with the negative portrayal of the Munchkin actors as drunken troublemakers, perpetuated by rumors and gossip.
The last surviving Wizard of Oz Munchkin, Jerry Maren, disputed the characterization of him and his costars as unruly drinkers. In his memoir, Maren asserted that while there were a couple of Munchkins who enjoyed beer a bit too much and did get into some trouble, not all of the little people on set were indulging in excessive drinking. He criticized Judy Garland’s statements about the behavior of the Munchkins, suggesting that her remarks were influenced by her own substance use. Maren’s account challenges the prevailing narrative of the Munchkin actors as out of control party animals, providing a more balanced perspective on their behaviors during the filming of Wizard of Oz.
The stories of wild behavior among the Munchkin actors on the set of Wizard of Oz have become legendary over the years, with Judy Garland’s claims adding fuel to the fire. However, Jerry Maren’s account in his memoir offers a more nuanced view of the situation, acknowledging that while there were instances of excessive drinking among some of the Munchkins, not all of them behaved in the same manner. Margaret Pellegrini’s positive recollections of her time on set further complicate the image of the Munchkin actors as troublemakers, highlighting the diversity of experiences among the cast members during the filming of the iconic movie.
The legacy of Wizard of Oz lives on through the continued interest in the behind-the-scenes stories and rumors that have emerged over the years. The film’s enduring popularity has kept the memories of the Munchkin actors alive, with Jerry Maren’s memoir providing a counter-narrative to the sensationalized portrayals of their behavior. Margaret Pellegrini’s perspective offers a more personal look at the impact of the film on individual actors, highlighting the ways in which their experiences on set shaped their lives long after the cameras stopped rolling. Ultimately, the stories of the Munchkin actors serve as a reminder of the complexities of fame and the lasting effects of being part of a beloved cinematic classic.
