Who Are the Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz
The munchkins are the small residents of the fictional Land of Oz who greet Dorothy after her house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East. They celebrate her for freeing them from the witch’s rule.
How the Munchkin Roles Were Filmed
The munchkin roles were played by adult actors and performers of short stature, many from the Singer Midgets troupe. They wore colorful costumes, elaborate makeup, and prosthetic appliances to appear small beside the human actors.
Behind the Scenes and Legacy
Filming the munchkin scenes required careful coordination because of the large cast and detailed costumes. The sequence remains one of the most memorable early Technicolor musical moments in film history. For more background, see The Wizard of Oz on IMDb.
