They were characters in the book The Wizard of Oz by author and Oz series originator Lyman Frank Baum [May 15, 1856-May 5, 1919]. Dorothy's house landed in the Munchkinland part of the magical world of Oz. The first people that she met were three Munchkins, and the Good Witch of the North. And she met others as she traveled through the country, to get to the Emerald City of the Wizard of Oz.
Leopold von Singer (May 3, 1877 - March 5, 1951) was the source of the diminutive performers in "The Wizard of Oz."
Specifically, the Viennese businessman organized the Singer Midgets performance troupe. He recruited diminutive individuals from all over Europe and then throughout the United States of America. He trained his performers in acting, dancing, singing and wrestling. He was able to offer 124 well-trained performers to play Munchkin and Winged Monkey roles in the beloved 1939 movie version of "The Wizard of Oz" by MGM Studios.
The reputation of the Singer Midgets was a compelling reason for choosing them to act the parts of the Munchkins in "The Wizard of Oz."
Specifically, the Singer Midgets were organized by Viennese businessman Leopold von Singer (May 3, 1877 - May 5, 1951). The troupe owner/operator trained his performers in acting, dancing, singing and wrestling. He recruited his performers from throughout Europe and the United States of America. He had a worldwide reputation for quality entertainment.
The Singer Midgets was a company that brought together many midget performers together in Vienna, Austria. It was formed by Leopold von Singer [May 3, 1877-March 5, 1951]. Singer was from a prominent Viennese family. He therefore could afford to have midgets from all over Europe perform in the Liliputstaadt ['midget city'] that he built at the 'Venice in Vienna' amusement park, and in performances throughout Europe.
Ultimately, the company ended up relocating to the United States of America. During the First World War, Singer relocated his family and his performers to the United States of America. The Singer Midgets all were trained and experienced in acting, dancing and singing. So they were logical choices for the many Munchkin roles that needed to be filled for the beloved 1939 film version of 'The Wizard of Oz'.
Munchkins
The surviving Munchkins from the cast of the Wizard of Oz make a variety of public appearances.
Munchkins, I believe.
18 and up
Many children actually played as munchkins in The Wizard of Oz. If you look very closley in the Munchkin Land scenes, you can see that some munchkins look to be much younger and smaller than the actual midgits.
Munchkins
The surviving Munchkins from the cast of the Wizard of Oz make a variety of public appearances.
Munchkins, I believe.
In "The Wizard of Oz," the Munchkins' favorite color is blue. This is why their houses and clothing are predominantly blue in the movie.
Toto??
Munchkins
18 and up
making sweets :)
Yes, they were standing up.
yes .... because the munchkins are migets i watched it
L. Frank Baum wrote the original Wonderful Wizard of Oz which included the Munchkins. Screenplay writers of the Wizard of Oz, Noel Langley and Florence Ryerson adapted the characters into the theatrical production.
Wizard made the film scene in l939. The Muppets did not exist at that time. Munchkins are associated with Oz but not Muppets.