Oz Rumors and Folklore
Munchkin Rumors
When a movie becomes a classic, and lives on for years to come, many rumors build up around it. In the case of The Wizard of Oz, Munchkin myths have been alive for years. It’s rumored that the Munchkins participated in inappropriate behavior and drank during their stay in Culver City. It’s said police had to be on almost every floor. This is not true. Only a small percent gave the whole group the reputation. According to Jerry Maren, a Munchkin himself, only a couple of the Munchkins were drunky, and, however, they weren’t on the set, and they kept quiet. Also, an Inter-Office Communication memo in MGM noted some after-hour trouble with Munchkins. One Munchkin tried to kill his wife, while another tried to knife his assistant. Despite this, the rumors about Munchkins, many which Judy herself exaggerated on talk show programs, are not true.
Hanging/Suicide
Probably the largest Oz myth is the rumor that a Munchkin tried to hang himself during the Tin Woodman scene. People claim to have viewed this as the trio skipped off down the yellowbrick road. This is not a suicide that you see by the cottage; it’s a bird from the Los Angeles Zoo. To achieve an outdoor effect on the set, birds from the Los Angeles Zoo were used in Oz. So next time you watch Oz, look closer, because what you are seeing isn’t a Munchkin hanging, but simply a bird.
Dark Side of the Moon
Another myth of Oz is the suspicious synchronicity between The Wizard of Oz and Pink Floyd’s album, the Dark Side of the Moon. Some people believe that the group knew what they were doing when they created the album, others assume it’s a coincidence. You can read more about the Dark Side of the Moon and Oz here. Recently, Turner Classic Movies aired Oz synched with the album. Is this all a coincidence… or is there meaning behind this? We may never know, but you can find out more at the site link above.
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