Column: Can a munchkin be seen committing suicide in “The Wizard of Oz”?
Is there any pictures to prove that it was a large bird in the background and not a hanging munchkin?
Just try watching the movie. I’ve seen The Wizard of Oz several times. Probably at least 20 times. It’s my favorite movie. Before I had ever heard the Hanging Munchkin tale, I saw a bird in the background. My grade 3 teacher even told us that it was a stagehand caught on film. It is clearly a bird flapping it’s wings.
And think about it: Would a movie set tree be able to support the weight of a body? The tree in question is near the back of the set, so it very well could just be a cardboard cutout.
http://www.snopes.com/movies/films/ozsuicid.htm
http://www.eskimo.com/~tiktok/faq11.html#q11.20
http://www.westol.com/~wizardoz/hanging.htm
http://www.dvdresource.com/savant/s9hang1.shtml
http://www.dvdresource.com/savant/s13hang2.shtml
http://www.dvdresource.com/savant/s49hang3.shtml
http://dfpress.com/inbusiness/1030982.html
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/6396/answers.htm (#54)
How’s that?
Another theory, which I believe has serious merit, has been propounded by Karolinska Institute film historian Lars-David Klapferbord. He believes that since it is well-documented that the actors playing the Munchkins were a randy lot, the diminutive figure seen hanging from the tree was actually engaged in an act of auto-erotic asphyxiation.
I personally know two of the three leading living experts on the making of the movie.
It’s a bird.
In the film, in fact, it’s obvious. It’s only the lousy resolution of TV screens that makes it possible to imagine anything else.
John W. Kennedy
“Compact is becoming contract; man only earns and pays.”
– Charles Williams
Altho’ I don’t know any of the folk personally, I agree entirely with John W. Crappy resolution and small-sized screen leave an ambiguous appearance; watched on film, on a reasonably-sized screen, there is no doubt whatsoever.
Except of course for the small group who contend that that it was a Munchkin midget (slightly overweight) trying to hang herself on one of the cardboard trees, using a rope that was (because of her small stature) EXACTLY nine yards long, and thus creating the famous expression (still in use today) that it’s not over until the fat lady swings.
I don’t have a copy of the movie with me, that’s why I’m asking for pictures. Thanks Zulu for the links, they really helped.
CK, I’m not saying the guy is a saint. But there’s no need to call him John W. Crappy.
[Note: This message has been edited by Ed Zotti]