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 accidental act and guide her toward the Emerald City.
Munchkin Actors and Costumes in the 1939 Film
In the 1939 MGM movie, adult actors portrayed the Munchkins, often using short stature costumes and makeup. The group included performers from vaudeville, circus, and film backgrounds, with several credited as singers and dancers in the famous "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" sequence.
Munchkins in L. Frank Baum's Oz Books
L. Frank Baum introduced the Munchkins in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as one of the distinct peoples of Oz, living in the eastern part of the country and wearing blue. Baum described them as kind, simple folk who welcomed Dorothy and honored the death of the Wicked Witch.
