St. Louis actor Mickey Carroll dies at 89

by danesller0127 | May 8, 2009 at 03:42 am

383 views | 48 Recommendations | 10 comments

Mickey Carroll, was an American actor, from St. Louis, and the most famous munchkin, in the classic film "The Wizard of Oz" (1939). He grew up in St. Louis and made it to Hollywood to play the role as one of the Oz, that defined his life... It was Judy Garland herself who encourage him to play the part of the Munchkinland "Town Crier" marched as a "Munchkin Soldier" and was the candy-stripped "Fiddler" who escorted the movies wide orphan, Dorothy Gale, played by Garland, down the yellow brick road toward Emerald City... after the success of the film he left the show business... He spend much of his time on a charitable work, and would talk to any one, at a time, about his part in "The Wizard of Oz."

In November 2007, Carroll, along with six of the other remaining Munchkins, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Thanks to the popularity of The Wizard of Oz, Carroll made many appearances that year, serving as a grand marshal in parades, appearing on nationwide radio and TV shows, and signing thousands of autographs for fans. He helped raise money for several different charities.

ST. LOUIS - Mickey Carroll, one of the last surviving Munchkins from the 1939 beloved film "The Wizard of Oz," died Thursday. He was 89.

His caretaker, Linda Dodge, said Carroll died in his sleep at her home in suburban Crestwood. He had heart problems and received a pacemaker in February. Until January, he had lived in his own home in suburban Bel-Nor.

Carroll was one of more than 100 adults and children who were recruited to play the movie natives of what author L. Frank Baum called Munchkin Country in his 1900 book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz."

Carroll told The Associated Press in a 2007 interview that the Munchkins made only $125 a week while filming the movie that would become a classic.

"The Wizard of Oz" was Carroll's only movie. When it appeared on television in the 1960s, he found a new career at charitable events, retail events and Oz-related events.

"It's not me; it's the movie," Carroll said. "When they see me, they think of their childhood, and it makes them smile."

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danesller0127

at 05:51 on May 8th, 2009

Most of the people who remembered "The Wizard of Oz" grew up watching it on blak-and-white TVs and has not been colorized, the film was originally shot in both sepia-toned, which means brownish-tinted black-and-white and technicolor...

Since it was first released in 1939, through subsequent re-releases and annual television showings, THE WIZARD OF OZ has become an American classic. It was nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture in 1939, possibly the most amazingly productive year in Hollywood history. In 1989, THE WIZARD OF OZ was one of the first movies ever named to the National Film Registry. To find out more about this effort to preserve our nation's film heritage see the Best Classic Movie Links page.

(source: http://www.reelclassics.com/Musicals/Wizoz/wizoz.htm)

Marte Brown (not verified)

at 05:19 on May 8th, 2009

"The Wizard of Oz" (1939) It's an amazing classic film, that i recommend to the new generations... I loved to watch it! Thanks danesller0127, for sharing this great story...

I have some of the soundtracts, i liked it to share to everyone...

lyrics by EH Harburg and music by Harold Arlen

(DOROTHY)
When all the world is a hopeless jumble
And the raindrops tumble all around
Heaven opens a magic lane
When all the clouds darken up the skyway
There's a rainbow highway to be found
Leading from your window pane
To a place behind the sun
Just a step beyond the rain

Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
There's a land that I've heard of once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true

Some day I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
Away above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me

Somewhere over the rainbow blue birds fly
Birds fly over the rainbow
Why then, oh why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow
Why oh why can't I?

(http://thewizardofoz.warnerbros.com/movie/cmp/r-lyrics.html)

danesller0127

at 05:58 on May 8th, 2009

Thanks to you! Marte Brown' I love this song too, one of my favorite... :D

tikun

at 06:03 on May 8th, 2009

You can.. You really can.

danesller0127

at 07:27 on May 8th, 2009

Thanks very much! Tikun, for the read... :D

danesller0127

at 06:45 on May 8th, 2009

A pituary condition caused Carroll's short stature, he was only 4-foot-3...

As a young boy, Mickey Carroll wanted to entertain audiences. the joy of seeing carnival performers on the street led him to a life in the foot lights. He entered every amateur contest he could find, earning $50 a night with his precocious talent. Then came free dance lessons at the St. Louis Fox Theater and suddenly at age nine, Mickey stopped growing. His enthusiasm stayed high, and with the help and management of his six-foot tall brother...

(source: http://www.mickeycarrollmunchkin.com/)

QueensHart

at 06:45 on May 8th, 2009

Yes !! Thank you for this bittersweet read. Jiminy Cricketts , I did not know he lived

close to me all those years.

So nice of you to post the lyrics! As much as many love and know this song I am sure

a lot of never actually contemplated all the stanzas.

Let the joyous news be spread
The wicked, old witch at last is dead

MINE IS ! IS YOURS?

danesller0127

at 07:42 on May 8th, 2009

You're welcome! QueensHart' and thank you for the beautiful comments... I saluted and remembered this 4-foot-3, actor from St. Louis, who did it remarkable part to Hollywood silverscreen...

"It's not me; it's the movie," Carroll said. "When they see me, they think of their childhood, and it makes them smile."

Thanks also to Marte Brown, who managed to add the lyrics... :D

Roy C

at 08:26 on May 8th, 2009

I still remember the first time I saw it on TV. Pity the kid who missed that.

"If I were king of the foressssst,"

"What makes a hottentot so hot?

Courage.

What puts the ape in apricot?

Courage.

What makes the muskrat guard his musk?

Courage."

One of my favorite sequences, just before they go into see the Wizard for the first time.

The film we watch was actually not the first time "The Wizard of Oz" made it to the silver screen.

Love those Munchkins. One of the best depictions of the feeling of children who are adults ever made. The best capture of fantasy of all time.

Carroll was great.

danesller0127

at 08:48 on May 8th, 2009

Thank you! Roy C. for the remarkable sequences in the classic film "The Wizard of Oz"... Of the 125 Munchkins who starred in the film, only seven is still alive. Most recently, actor Clarence Swensen, who played one of the Munchkin soldier, passed away in late February at the age of 91... Yeah! Mickey Carroll was great, and be remembered! :D