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| + | {{Quote| You are welcome, most noble Sorceress, to the land of the Munchkins. We are so grateful to you for having killed the Wicked Witch of the East, and for setting our people free from bondage.|}}[[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (book)]] (1900) |
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| ⚫ | {{Quote |... As [[Dorothy Gale|Dorothy]] stood, mesmerized by the lovely sights around her, she noticed coming down toward her from a grassy hill, a group of the Queerest people she had ever seen. They were not as big as the grown folk she had always been used to back home; but neither were they very small. In fact, they seemed about as tall as Dorothy, who was a well-grown child for her age, although they were, so far as looks go, many years older. They wore round funny looking hats in shades of blue, and that rose to a small point about a foot above their heads, with little |
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| + | Munchkins (1939) |
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| + | {{Character |
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| ⚫ | '''Munchkins''' are |
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| − | [[File: |
+ | |image=[[File:041~2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|"''You Must be a Great Sorceress''".]] |
| + | |species=Pygmy humanoids |
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| + | |gender=Male and female |
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| + | |origin=Munchkin Country, Oz}} |
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| ⚫ | '''Munchkins''' are a fictional race created by [[L. Frank Baum]], author and creator of the Oz legacy. They first appeared in Baum's first Oz book titled [[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (book)|''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'']], published in 1900. They are the first Ozians to be introduced in Baum's story, making an introduction in the second chapter. Unlike the iconic movie musical adaptation of 1939, [[The Wizard of Oz (1939)|''The Wizard of Oz'']], in the original story Baum states that Munchkins strictly wear only shades of blue clothing as blue is their favorite color and the mascot color that represents their native homeland which is the eastern quadrant in Oz called [[Munchkin Country]]. Some Munchkins even have blue hair or beards in later books. |
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| + | We are told in the first book that the majority of these folks are usually rather short in height, being no bigger than three or four feet high. They are said to be the shortest tribe in all the land of Oz. They are mostly high spirited, and are content with their lives. The Munchkins are the wealthiest and healthiest race of Ozites in all of Oz. But while the first book does state that the Munchkins were scarcely taller than Dorothy, in later books they are mainly depicted to be as tall as anyone else in Oz; one tall Munchkin of note is the Soldier With The Green Whiskers (aka [[Omby Amby (Novels)|Omby Amby/Wantowin Battles]]). [[Tin Woodman (Novels)|Nick Chopper, the Tin Woodman]], was a Munchkin himself, or was at least born in Munchkin Country, as he confirms in [https://oz.fandom.com/wiki/The_Tin_Woodman_of_Oz_(full_text)#Chapter_15:_The_Man_of_Tin Chapter 15] of ''[[The Tin Woodman of Oz]]'' when he states that he was born in the forests of Munchkin Country which the Yellow Brick Road passes through. He is depicted as the height of an average adult as well. |
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| ⚫ | Like the 1939 movie, some Munchkins do indeed speak in rather high pitched mousy voices and some speak in deep low voices. Despite their vocal differences the Munchkins in general are not at all harmful but in fact gentle people who are not violent but are easily intimidated when challenged by anything bigger than them. Because of this the Munchkins usually keep to themselves, not bothering anyone else outside their own country or causing other Ozites trouble. They are naturally very humble, happy little people who work hard to make a profitable, honest and decent living in Oz and love the simpler things in life such as the great out back of the Munchkin Country. A good majority of the Munchkin people are all gifted farmers who have large families. The Munchkins all live side by side with their neighbors, and treat each other like family, always being loyal to thy neighbor and are glad to help one another if ever in need. The Munchkins mainly raise richly abundant crops and successful vegetable gardens and are known as some of the most talented people in Oz when it comes to growing crops as farming runs in their Munchkin blood. Therefore the Munchkins are naturally born with "green thumbs". Most of them own their own land which they turn into large fields of stocks that stretch out for many miles across the land. |
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| ⚫ | *The Munchkins are known for their happiness, gentleness and hospitality, welcoming anyone who visits the land in the east, where they live in peace and harmony. When Dorothy Gale was on the [[Yellow Brick Road]] while passing through the Munchkin Country to see the [[Wizard of Oz (Novels)|Wizard]], the Munchkins invited her and Toto to join them in a great celebration to rejoice over the [[Wicked Witch of the East (Novels)|Wicked Witch of the East's]] death. |
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| − | The majority of these folks are usually rather short in height, being no bigger than three or four feet high. They are the shortest tribe in all the land of Oz. They are mostly high spirited despite their size, and are content with their lives. The Munchkins are the wealthiest and healthiest race of Ozians in all of Oz. |
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| ⚫ | {{Quote |Once in a while she would pass by a house and the Munchkin people would step out to look at her and bow low as she and [[Toto]] |
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| ⚫ | In the original book, [[Glinda (Novels)|Glinda the Good]] does not visit the land of the Munchkins to greet a newly arrived [[Dorothy Gale (Novels)|Dorothy Gale]] and [[Toto (Novels)|Toto]] in the beginning like it was portrayed in the 1939 movie. The original Witch who Dorothy first encounters is the non-Munchkin Witch known as the [[Good Witch of the North (Novels)|Good Witch of the North]] (called Locasta in some sources) who is from the neighboring [[Gillikin Country]] in Oz. She accompanied the Munchkin people when Dorothy arrives in Oz via [[Kansas]] [[cyclone]], not Glinda. They, along with Locasta are described as being Dorothy's height who was a well grown child for her age; no older than twelve. Yet, as far as looks went they appeared to be significantly many years older, possibly as old as Dorothy's [[Aunt Em (Novels)|Aunt Em]] and [[Uncle Henry (Novels)|Uncle Henry]]. |
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| ⚫ | Baum apparently did not exactly mean that only Munchkins are short (as depicted in the iconic 1939 film), but that this is 50% of the norm for all of the adult humans of Oz. If you read an original copy of the 1900 book, you'll notice [[W. W. Denslow]]'s illustrations of the characters (which were approved by Baum), Dorothy, who's no older than twelve, is about the same height as most of the adults in Oz. Even the [[Scarecrow (Novels)|Scarecrow]] and [[Tin Woodman (Novels)|Tin Woodman]] are seen as being only a few inches taller than Dorothy. And later in the book, the [[Guardian of the Gates]], (the first inhabitant of the [[Emerald City]] met by Dorothy and apparently representative of its citizens), is ''"a little man about the same size as the Munchkins.''" |
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| ⚫ | And later, the [[Quadlings]] of the southern quadrant in Oz called [[Quadling Country]] are described as ''"short and fat.''" In W. W. Denslow's illustrations the only Ozians depicted as remarkably taller than Dorothy are Omby Amby and Glinda the Good Witch. Overall, you will notice that everyone on Oz treats Dorothy as an equal adult and not as a child. The short stature of Oz's residents is rarely mentioned in the later sequel books of the ''Oz'' series written by Baum, but most illustrations of the grown-ups still appear only as tall as Dorothy and treat her as an adult and respected individual. |
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| ⚫ | Like the 1939 movie, some Munchkins do indeed speak in rather high pitched mousy voices and some speak in deep low voices. Despite their vocal differences the Munchkins in general are not at all harmful but |
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| − | {{Quote |The houses of the Munchkins were odd-looking dwellings, for each was round, with big domes for a roof. All were painted blue, for in this country of the East blue was the favorite color...|}}[[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]] (1900) |
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| ⚫ | In the years before the rise of the Wicked Witches, Munchkin Country was ruled by various independent kingdoms; foremost among these was [[Seebania]], which ruled most of the country, but smaller city-states like [[Keretaria]] also existed. This changed when the Munchkins were ruled for many years by the tyrannical and cruel Witch known as the [[Wicked Witch of the East (Novels)|Wicked Witch of the East]]. This Witch conquered Munchkin Country and then she eventually enslaved all of the land's native people to work for her night and day. However, one day, a little girl by the name of [[Dorothy Gale (Novels)|Dorothy Gale]] unexpectedly came to Oz accompanied by her little dog [[Toto (Novels)|Toto]]. Both had been swept away in a big [[Kansas]] [[cyclone]] while aloft in their prairie farmhouse. |
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| ⚫ | *The Munchkins are known for their happiness, gentleness and hospitality, welcoming anyone who visits the land in the east, where they live in peace and harmony. When Dorothy Gale was on the [[Yellow Brick Road]] while passing through the Munchkin Country to see the [[Wizard]], the Munchkins invited her and Toto to join them in a great celebration to rejoice over the [[Wicked Witch of the East |
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| ⚫ | When the storm dropped the house it fell out of the sky and crash-landed right on top of the Wicked Witch and accidentally killed her. Resulting in all the Munchkins being liberated and freed from her bondage forever. And as a sincere thank you reward, the Munchkins, and the Good Witch of the North gave Dorothy the Wicked Witch's charmed [[Silver Shoes]], (''[[Ruby Slippers]]'' in the 1939 movie.) |
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| ⚫ | {{Quote |Toward evening, when Dorothy was tired with her long walk and began to wonder where she should pass the night, she came to a house rather larger than the rest. On the green lawn before it many men and women were dancing. Five little fiddlers played as loudly as possible, and the people were laughing and singing, while a big table near by was loaded with delicious fruits and nuts, pies and cakes and other good things to eat! |}} |
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| ⚫ | Dorothy was glad she was of help to these strange little people, but all she really wanted was to go back home to her guardians; Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. The only one who would truly be able to send her back to her homeland was Oz's most dominant ruler known as the great and powerful [[Wizard of Oz (Novels)|Wizard]] who lived as a recluse in Oz's imperial capital aka the [[Emerald City]]. Dorothy was advised to follow the [[Yellow Brick Road]] that would lead her to this city which stood in the exact center of the land. |
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| ⚫ | When Dorothy set out along this road while passing through the [[Munchkin Country]], she came across an evening party that was being held by the wealthiest Munchkin man in Oz named [[Boq (Novels)|Boq]]. Dorothy was invited to attend this event as an honored guest and passed the night there. The next morning Dorothy set out on her journey again and soon met a talking [[Scarecrow (Novels)|Scarecrow]] in a nearby cornfield. The Scarecrow told Dorothy he wanted a set of brains to become a great thnker, so the girl invited the stuffed man to join her and her dog on her task to see the Wizard. While on their way she also encouraged a [[Cowardly Lion (Novels)|Cowardly Lion]] and a [[Tin Woodman (Novels)|Tin Woodman]] to also accompany them in hopes of having their problems and troubles fixed by the Wizard as well. Throughout the group's journey in the Munchkin Country, they encountered and esaped the flesh eating wild beast called [[Kalidahs]], met a female mother [[Stork]], fell victim to the field of deadly [[Poppies]] and met the [[Queen of the Field Mice]] who lived in a grassy meadow at the Munchkin Country's border. |
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| ⚫ | In the original book, [[Glinda |
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| ⚫ | Baum apparently did not exactly mean that only Munchkins are short (as depicted in the iconic 1939 film), but that this is 50% of the norm for all of the adult humans of Oz. If you read an original copy of the 1900 book, you'll notice [[W. W. Denslow]]'s illustrations of the characters (which were approved by Baum), Dorothy, who's no older than twelve, is about the same height as most of the adults in Oz. Even the [[Scarecrow]] and [[Tin Woodman]] are seen as being only a few inches taller than Dorothy. And later in the book, the [[Guardian of the Gates]], (the first inhabitant of the [[Emerald City]] met by Dorothy and apparently representative of its citizens), is ''"a little man about the same size as the Munchkins.''" |
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| ⚫ | A long time later, after Dorothy successfully found a way back home, a pretty young Munchkin girl named [[Jinjur (Novels)|Jinjur]] who was a self proclaimed General, came to the Emerald City to conquer it with her all female [[Army of Revolt]] and to dispose the Scarecrow King of Oz. Luckily General Jinjur was defeated when the long lost [[Ozma (Novels)|Princess Ozma]] was found by [[Glinda (Novels)|Glinda, the Good Witch of the South]], who put Ozma on the throne as the official ruler with the help of many Ozians. |
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| ⚫ | And later, the [[Quadlings]] of the southern quadrant in Oz called [[Quadling Country]] are described as ''"short and fat.''" In W. W. Denslow's illustrations the only Ozians depicted as remarkably taller than Dorothy are |
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| + | *[[Tin Woodman (Novels)|Nick Chopper, the Tin Woodman]] |
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| + | *[[Omby Amby (Novels)|Omby Amby, aka Wantowin Battles, the Soldier with the Green Whiskers]], a rare tall Munchkin |
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| ⚫ | When the storm dropped the house it fell out of the sky and crash-landed right on top of the Wicked Witch and accidentally killed her. Resulting in all the Munchkins being liberated and freed from her bondage forever. And as a sincere thank you reward, the Munchkins, and the |
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| ⚫ | Dorothy was glad she was of help to these strange little people, but all she really wanted was to go back home to her guardians; |
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| ⚫ | [[File:Character-munchkins.jpg|thumb|100px|Munchkins in the [[The Wizard of Oz (1939)|1939 film]].]]The most memorable take on the Munchkin people are in the 1939 film. The Singer Midgets portrayed the Munchkins in [[MGM]]'s ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1939)|The Wizard of Oz]]'' including the Mayor, the Coroner, the Lollypop Kid, the Lullaby Girl, and the Sleepy-Head, the Violin Man, and the Munchkin Soldier. [[Jerry Maren]] played one of the iconic Munchkins from the Lollypop guild that welcomed Dorothy to Munchkinland. The 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, also depicted Munchkins as being much shorter than other residents of Oz; they are played by adult proportional dwarfs, dressed in brightly multicolored outfits, and their land is called Munchkinland. Sometimes it is also referred to as Munchkin county. |
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| ⚫ | When Dorothy set out |
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| + | In stage production of ''[[The Wiz (stage)|The Wiz]]'', the munchkins are these small round people. After Dorothy's house landed on [[Evamene (The Wiz)|Evamene]] (the Wicked Witch of the East) they were overwhelmed with joy know that now they were free. |
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| ⚫ | A long time |
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| ⚫ | In the [[The Wiz (film)|film production]] the Munchkins were played by children and teenagers. These munchkins were cursed by being turned into graffiti as a punishment for painting on Evamene's playground wall. But after Dorothy flattened her with rubble after crashing through the Oz sign, the curse was broken, they were freed from their wall prison, and were able to play again. [[Addapearle|Miss One]] acts as the grandmother of the Munchkins as she often refers to them as her "Little Digits" as they are often also seen dawning numbers on their clothes. |
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| + | In the [[The Wiz Live!|Live adaptation]], the Munchkins are depicted as average sized people draped in red, orange and pinkish clothing ''(it's uncertain its just their still of clothing or if they are shaped like that as well)'' . They act very similar to their counterparts from the original Broadway show. <gallery> |
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| ⚫ | On November 20, 2007, the Munchkins were |
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| + | File:07 05 nup 171880 0199.jpeg|Live |
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| + | </gallery> |
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| − | ===[[Gregory Maguire]]'s [[Wicked]]=== |
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| − | In this spin off and more adult and mature take on Baum's classic story, the Munchkins are not as innocent as they are seen in other adaptations and versions. The Munchkins are not all small or short and some are regular sized humans in height. They drink, smoke, attend sex-clubs were Ozians participate in drug induced orgies and have sex whenever they please. They also use foul language and are violent when they feel threatened. The Munchkins also are very morally political when it comes to the government or law, and have a mob mentality and the Munchkin county is usually always on the verge of cival war with other countries within the land of Oz. |
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| ⚫ | In [[Walt Disney Pictures]]' 1985 cult classic movie [[Return to Oz (film)|''Return to Oz'']], some Munchkins appear in the background crowd of the coronation parade scene in the mirrored [[Royal Palace of Oz]] towards the end of the film. Their appearance is extremely faithful to Baum's Description and [[John R. Neill]]'s Oz illustrations. |
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| − | *[[Nick Chopper]] (The Tin *Woodsman) |
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| − | [[File:Character-munchkins.jpg|thumb|Munchkins in the [[The Wizard of Oz (1939)|1939 film]].]] |
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| ⚫ | The most memorable take on the Munchkin people are in the 1939 film. The Singer Midgets portrayed the Munchkins in [[MGM]]'s ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1939)|The Wizard of Oz]]'' including the Mayor, the Coroner, the Lollypop Kid, the Lullaby Girl, and the Sleepy-Head, the Violin Man, and the Munchkin |
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| + | In the 2013 [[Disney]] film, ''[[Oz the Great and Powerful]]'', the Munchkin's appearance is very close, if not identical, to the Munchkin people from the 1939 movie. They also sing and dance to greet a newly arrived "Wizard" like they one day will with [[Dorothy Gale (MGM)|Dorothy Gale]]. They, like many Ozians, help [[Glinda (2013 Film)|Glinda]] and [[Oscar Diggs (Oz the Great and Powerful)|Oscar Diggs]] defeat the the Wicked Witches named [[Evanora]] and [[Theodora]] to successfully run them out of the [[Emerald City]] and off the Royal Throne. |
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| + | == TV adaptations== |
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| + | ===''[[Tales of the Wizard of Oz]]''=== |
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| + | The Munchkins here are notably different from other incarnations, being fruit-like creatures born from trees that speak in a high-pitch and indiscernible tone, however they can speak somewhat more clearly in the film adaptation and finale of the series. Their nature as plant-like creatures which must be picked from trees by others of their kind make them similar to the [[Mangaboos]]. |
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| + | ===[[Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz]]=== |
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| + | [[File:SmallestKids.png|thumb]] |
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| + | They are regular characters, and Dorothy even builds a school for them in [[Munchkin School]]. One girl munchkin appears skeptical there could be children smaller than them. |
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| + | ==Video Games== |
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| + | ===Final Fantasy XIII and XIII-2=== |
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| + | [[File:FFXIII enemy Munchkin.png|thumb|left|143x143px|A munchkin, as seen in Final Fantasy XVIII.]] |
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| + | Munchkins appear as a common enemy in Gran Pulse, one of the two worlds in the game. It's a member of the Goblin family, a short humanoid creature. Another form of Munchkin, the Munchkin Maestro, also appears. |
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| + | ''See Also:''[http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Munchkin_(Final_Fantasy_XIII) Munchkin] ''on the Final Fantasy Wiki.'' |
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| + | ==Board & Card Games== |
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| + | ===[[The Wonderful Game of Oz]]=== |
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| + | Munchkinland is part of the board in this early board game. |
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| + | [[File:Munchkin box.jpg|thumb|194x194px]] |
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| + | A card game franchise known as [[Munchkin (card game)|Munchkin]] exists. The game is a humorous take on paper-and-pencil roleplaying games such as Dungeons and Dragons; there, "Munchkin" is a pejorative term for players who play in an aggressively competitive manner. |
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| + | The game does feature diminutive creatures, harkening back to the Ozian origins of the term. Many editions of the game have been published; some of which are crossovers with other properties. An Oz edition of the game was released in the late 2010s. |
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| + | ==Outside Oz== |
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| + | Munchkins have expanded beyond Oz, becoming a commonly used term. Parents often call their children "munchkin" as a term of endearment. There have also been a number of nods to them in popular culture. |
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| − | In the Disney 2013 film, the Munchkins appearance is very close, if not identical to the Munchkin people from the 1939 musical, they also sing and dance. They help Glinda and the other tribes of Oz, help [[Oscar Diggs]] defeat the the Wicked Witches of the land and take back the [[Emerald City]]. |
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| ⚫ | On November 20, 2007, the Munchkins were officially given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Seven of the surviving Munchkins actors from the film were present. As a result of the popularity of the iconic 1939 musical film The Wizard of Oz, the word "munchkin" has entered the English language as a reference to small children, dwarfs, or anything cute of diminutive stature. |
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| + | ==Quotes== |
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| ⚫ | {{Quote |... As [[Dorothy Gale (Novels)|Dorothy]] stood, mesmerized by the lovely sights around her, she noticed coming down toward her from a grassy hill, a group of the Queerest people she had ever seen. They were not as big as the grown folk she had always been used to back home; but neither were they very small. In fact, they seemed about as tall as Dorothy, who was a well-grown child for her age, although they were, so far as looks go, many years older. They wore round funny looking hats in shades of blue, and that rose to a small point about a foot above their heads, with little dangling jingle bells all across the brims that tinkled ever so sweetly as they moved. Their clothes were also blue and of the same shade as their hats, and they all wore well-polished boots with a deep roll of blue at the tops. The men, Dorothy thought, were about as old as [[Uncle Henry (Novels)|Uncle Henry]], for two of them had long gray beards. |}} [[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (book)]] (1900) |
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| + | [[Glinda (MGM)|Glinda the Good]] (1939) |
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| ⚫ | {{Quote |Once in a while she would pass by a house and the Munchkin people would step out to look at her and once they saw she wore the [[Silver Shoes]], they would bow low as she and [[Toto (Novels)|Toto]] walked by, as they all knew she was the means of killing the [[Wicked Witch of the East (Novels)|Wicked Witch of the East]] and forever setting the people free from her bondage.|}} |
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| + | [[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (book)]] (1900) |
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| ⚫ | {{Quote |Toward evening, when Dorothy was tired with her long walk and began to wonder where she should pass the night, she came to a house rather larger than the rest. On the green lawn before it many men and women were dancing. Five little fiddlers played as loudly as possible, and the people were laughing and singing, while a big table near by was loaded with delicious fruits and nuts, pies and cakes and other good things to eat! |}} |
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| + | [[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (book)]] (1900) |
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| + | ==Gallery== |
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<gallery> |
<gallery> |
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| + | IMG 20150202 153855.jpg|Munchkins |
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| − | + | IMG 20150101 222821.jpg|The Council with the Munchkins by Michael Hague. |
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| − | + | IMG 20150112 231323.jpg|Munchkin City |
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| − | + | IMG 20150101 224616.jpg|The Munchkins and Good Witch of the North welcome Dorothy to Oz. |
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| − | Tumblr_mchh46bEAs1r28h5so1_500.gif|The Lulluby League |
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| + | Tumblr mchh46bEAs1r28h5so1 500.gif|The Lullaby League |
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| − | IMG_20141228_065206.jpg|Munchkins. By W. W. Denslow. |
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| − | + | IMG 20141228 065206.jpg|Munchkins. By W. W. Denslow. |
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| + | IMG 20141228 065108.jpg|Boq the Munckin man. By W. W. Denslow. |
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| − | + | IMG 20141228 002400.jpg|Dorothy meets the Mnchkins by Evan Dahm. |
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| − | + | IMG 20141224 224804.jpg|Munchkin house |
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| − | + | IMG 20141224 224436.jpg|Munckinland |
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Snapshot 6 (8-30-2014 1-29 PM).png |
Snapshot 6 (8-30-2014 1-29 PM).png |
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IMG 20140511 034709.jpg |
IMG 20140511 034709.jpg |
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| + | IMG 20141204 115940.jpg |
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| − | IMG_20141204_115940.jpg| |
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IMG 20140511 035400.jpg|Munckins |
IMG 20140511 035400.jpg|Munckins |
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| − | + | IMG 20141022 224549.jpg|Munchkins give Dorothy the Silver shoes! |
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IMG 20140629 013717.jpg|Munchkinland. |
IMG 20140629 013717.jpg|Munchkinland. |
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IMG 20140630 133146-1.jpg|Boq's Munckin baby plays with Toto. |
IMG 20140630 133146-1.jpg|Boq's Munckin baby plays with Toto. |
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| + | IMG 20150101 224241.jpg|W. W. Denslow illustration. |
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| − | IMG_20150101_224241.jpg |
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IMG 20140728 103834.jpg|Boq invites Dorothy to his banquet. |
IMG 20140728 103834.jpg|Boq invites Dorothy to his banquet. |
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| + | File:Munchkin-kids.png|1978 Concept Designs |
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| − | IMG_20150101_222048.jpg |
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| + | IMG 20150202 174729.jpg|The Munchkin Celebration. |
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| + | IMG 20150101 222048.jpg|Munchkins 1939 |
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| + | IMG 20140630 133120.jpg|A Munchkin man happily plays an instrument. (1900) |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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==Credits== |
==Credits== |
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| + | |||
| − | * |
+ | *''[[The Wizard of Oz (1939)]]'': [[The Singer Midgets]] |
| − | * ''[[The Wiz (stage)]]'': Phylicia Ayers-Allen, Pi Douglass, Joni Palmer, Andy Torres, Carl Weaver |
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| − | * |
+ | *''[[The Wiz (stage)]]'': Phylicia Rashad, Pi Douglass, Joni Palmer, Andy Torres, Carl Weaver |
| + | *''[[The Wiz (film)]]'': Ted Williams, Mabel Robinson, Damon Pearce, Donna Patric Ingram |
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| ⚫ | |||
| + | *''[[Funky Fables]]'': [[Scott McNeil]] |
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| + | *''[[The Muppets' Wizard of Oz]]'': Muppet Rats |
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[[Category:Oz Book Characters]] |
[[Category:Oz Book Characters]] |
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[[Category:Oz Movie Characters]] |
[[Category:Oz Movie Characters]] |
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[[Category:Races]] |
[[Category:Races]] |
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[[Category:Wicked Characters]] |
[[Category:Wicked Characters]] |
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| − | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:Munchkins| ]] |
[[Category:Once Upon a Time Characters]] |
[[Category:Once Upon a Time Characters]] |
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Latest revision as of 06:29, 29 December 2023
- " You are welcome, most noble Sorceress, to the land of the Munchkins. We are so grateful to you for having killed the Wicked Witch of the East, and for setting our people free from bondage."
- ―The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (book) (1900)
- "We Wish to welcome you to Munchkinland..."
- ―
Munchkins (1939)
Munchkins are a fictional race created by L. Frank Baum, author and creator of the Oz legacy. They first appeared in Baum's first Oz book titled The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published in 1900. They are the first Ozians to be introduced in Baum's story, making an introduction in the second chapter. Unlike the iconic movie musical adaptation of 1939, The Wizard of Oz, in the original story Baum states that Munchkins strictly wear only shades of blue clothing as blue is their favorite color and the mascot color that represents their native homeland which is the eastern quadrant in Oz called Munchkin Country. Some Munchkins even have blue hair or beards in later books.
We are told in the first book that the majority of these folks are usually rather short in height, being no bigger than three or four feet high. They are said to be the shortest tribe in all the land of Oz. They are mostly high spirited, and are content with their lives. The Munchkins are the wealthiest and healthiest race of Ozites in all of Oz. But while the first book does state that the Munchkins were scarcely taller than Dorothy, in later books they are mainly depicted to be as tall as anyone else in Oz; one tall Munchkin of note is the Soldier With The Green Whiskers (aka Omby Amby/Wantowin Battles). Nick Chopper, the Tin Woodman, was a Munchkin himself, or was at least born in Munchkin Country, as he confirms in Chapter 15 of The Tin Woodman of Oz when he states that he was born in the forests of Munchkin Country which the Yellow Brick Road passes through. He is depicted as the height of an average adult as well.
Like the 1939 movie, some Munchkins do indeed speak in rather high pitched mousy voices and some speak in deep low voices. Despite their vocal differences the Munchkins in general are not at all harmful but in fact gentle people who are not violent but are easily intimidated when challenged by anything bigger than them. Because of this the Munchkins usually keep to themselves, not bothering anyone else outside their own country or causing other Ozites trouble. They are naturally very humble, happy little people who work hard to make a profitable, honest and decent living in Oz and love the simpler things in life such as the great out back of the Munchkin Country. A good majority of the Munchkin people are all gifted farmers who have large families. The Munchkins all live side by side with their neighbors, and treat each other like family, always being loyal to thy neighbor and are glad to help one another if ever in need. The Munchkins mainly raise richly abundant crops and successful vegetable gardens and are known as some of the most talented people in Oz when it comes to growing crops as farming runs in their Munchkin blood. Therefore the Munchkins are naturally born with "green thumbs". Most of them own their own land which they turn into large fields of stocks that stretch out for many miles across the land.
- The Munchkins are known for their happiness, gentleness and hospitality, welcoming anyone who visits the land in the east, where they live in peace and harmony. When Dorothy Gale was on the Yellow Brick Road while passing through the Munchkin Country to see the Wizard, the Munchkins invited her and Toto to join them in a great celebration to rejoice over the Wicked Witch of the East's death.
Baum's Munchkins in the Land of Oz
In the original book, Glinda the Good does not visit the land of the Munchkins to greet a newly arrived Dorothy Gale and Toto in the beginning like it was portrayed in the 1939 movie. The original Witch who Dorothy first encounters is the non-Munchkin Witch known as the Good Witch of the North (called Locasta in some sources) who is from the neighboring Gillikin Country in Oz. She accompanied the Munchkin people when Dorothy arrives in Oz via Kansas cyclone, not Glinda. They, along with Locasta are described as being Dorothy's height who was a well grown child for her age; no older than twelve. Yet, as far as looks went they appeared to be significantly many years older, possibly as old as Dorothy's Aunt Em and Uncle Henry.
The Good Witch of the North and the Munchkins greet a newly arrived Dorothy and Toto to Munchkin Country in the magical Land of Oz. By Charles Santore
Baum apparently did not exactly mean that only Munchkins are short (as depicted in the iconic 1939 film), but that this is 50% of the norm for all of the adult humans of Oz. If you read an original copy of the 1900 book, you'll notice W. W. Denslow's illustrations of the characters (which were approved by Baum), Dorothy, who's no older than twelve, is about the same height as most of the adults in Oz. Even the Scarecrow and Tin Woodman are seen as being only a few inches taller than Dorothy. And later in the book, the Guardian of the Gates, (the first inhabitant of the Emerald City met by Dorothy and apparently representative of its citizens), is "a little man about the same size as the Munchkins."
And later, the Quadlings of the southern quadrant in Oz called Quadling Country are described as "short and fat." In W. W. Denslow's illustrations the only Ozians depicted as remarkably taller than Dorothy are Omby Amby and Glinda the Good Witch. Overall, you will notice that everyone on Oz treats Dorothy as an equal adult and not as a child. The short stature of Oz's residents is rarely mentioned in the later sequel books of the Oz series written by Baum, but most illustrations of the grown-ups still appear only as tall as Dorothy and treat her as an adult and respected individual.
Munchkin History:
Dorothy and her friends pass by a Munchkin home on the way to the Emerald City.
In the years before the rise of the Wicked Witches, Munchkin Country was ruled by various independent kingdoms; foremost among these was Seebania, which ruled most of the country, but smaller city-states like Keretaria also existed. This changed when the Munchkins were ruled for many years by the tyrannical and cruel Witch known as the Wicked Witch of the East. This Witch conquered Munchkin Country and then she eventually enslaved all of the land's native people to work for her night and day. However, one day, a little girl by the name of Dorothy Gale unexpectedly came to Oz accompanied by her little dog Toto. Both had been swept away in a big Kansas cyclone while aloft in their prairie farmhouse.
When the storm dropped the house it fell out of the sky and crash-landed right on top of the Wicked Witch and accidentally killed her. Resulting in all the Munchkins being liberated and freed from her bondage forever. And as a sincere thank you reward, the Munchkins, and the Good Witch of the North gave Dorothy the Wicked Witch's charmed Silver Shoes, (Ruby Slippers in the 1939 movie.)
Dorothy was glad she was of help to these strange little people, but all she really wanted was to go back home to her guardians; Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. The only one who would truly be able to send her back to her homeland was Oz's most dominant ruler known as the great and powerful Wizard who lived as a recluse in Oz's imperial capital aka the Emerald City. Dorothy was advised to follow the Yellow Brick Road that would lead her to this city which stood in the exact center of the land.
When Dorothy set out along this road while passing through the Munchkin Country, she came across an evening party that was being held by the wealthiest Munchkin man in Oz named Boq. Dorothy was invited to attend this event as an honored guest and passed the night there. The next morning Dorothy set out on her journey again and soon met a talking Scarecrow in a nearby cornfield. The Scarecrow told Dorothy he wanted a set of brains to become a great thnker, so the girl invited the stuffed man to join her and her dog on her task to see the Wizard. While on their way she also encouraged a Cowardly Lion and a Tin Woodman to also accompany them in hopes of having their problems and troubles fixed by the Wizard as well. Throughout the group's journey in the Munchkin Country, they encountered and esaped the flesh eating wild beast called Kalidahs, met a female mother Stork, fell victim to the field of deadly Poppies and met the Queen of the Field Mice who lived in a grassy meadow at the Munchkin Country's border.
A long time later, after Dorothy successfully found a way back home, a pretty young Munchkin girl named Jinjur who was a self proclaimed General, came to the Emerald City to conquer it with her all female Army of Revolt and to dispose the Scarecrow King of Oz. Luckily General Jinjur was defeated when the long lost Princess Ozma was found by Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, who put Ozma on the throne as the official ruler with the help of many Ozians.
Famous Munchkins
- Bini Aru
- Boq-one of the most wealthiest Munchkins of Oz.
- King Cheeriobed
- Isomere
- Jinjur
- Kiki Aru
- Ku-Klip
- Margolotte
- Mooj
- Mopsi Aru
- Nick Chopper, the Tin Woodman
- Nimmie Amee
- Number Nine
- Ojo the Lucky
- Dr. Pipt
- Realbad (Ree Alla Bad)
- Sister Six
- Omby Amby, aka Wantowin Battles, the Soldier with the Green Whiskers, a rare tall Munchkin
- Unc Nunkie (Stephen)
Film adaptations
The Wizard of Oz 1939
Munchkins in the 1939 film.
The most memorable take on the Munchkin people are in the 1939 film. The Singer Midgets portrayed the Munchkins in MGM's The Wizard of Oz including the Mayor, the Coroner, the Lollypop Kid, the Lullaby Girl, and the Sleepy-Head, the Violin Man, and the Munchkin Soldier. Jerry Maren played one of the iconic Munchkins from the Lollypop guild that welcomed Dorothy to Munchkinland. The 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, also depicted Munchkins as being much shorter than other residents of Oz; they are played by adult proportional dwarfs, dressed in brightly multicolored outfits, and their land is called Munchkinland. Sometimes it is also referred to as Munchkin county.
The Wiz
In stage production of The Wiz, the munchkins are these small round people. After Dorothy's house landed on Evamene (the Wicked Witch of the East) they were overwhelmed with joy know that now they were free.
In the film production the Munchkins were played by children and teenagers. These munchkins were cursed by being turned into graffiti as a punishment for painting on Evamene's playground wall. But after Dorothy flattened her with rubble after crashing through the Oz sign, the curse was broken, they were freed from their wall prison, and were able to play again. Miss One acts as the grandmother of the Munchkins as she often refers to them as her "Little Digits" as they are often also seen dawning numbers on their clothes.
In the Live adaptation, the Munchkins are depicted as average sized people draped in red, orange and pinkish clothing (it's uncertain its just their still of clothing or if they are shaped like that as well) . They act very similar to their counterparts from the original Broadway show.
Return to Oz 1985
In Walt Disney Pictures' 1985 cult classic movie Return to Oz, some Munchkins appear in the background crowd of the coronation parade scene in the mirrored Royal Palace of Oz towards the end of the film. Their appearance is extremely faithful to Baum's Description and John R. Neill's Oz illustrations.
The Muppets' Wizard of Oz 2005
In the Disney made for TV movie, the Munchkins are portrayed by the gang of the Muppet Rats. They live in tiny blue houses and wear all blue clothing that stays very close to the original 1900 illustrations by W. W. Denslow.
Dorothy and the Witches of Oz 2012
In the made for TV movie Dorothy and the Witches of Oz (sometimes called The Witches of Oz), a group of Munchkins dressed in blue and white silk with matching hats can be seen during the battle that takes place in Oz.
Oz the Great and Powerful 2013
In the 2013 Disney film, Oz the Great and Powerful, the Munchkin's appearance is very close, if not identical, to the Munchkin people from the 1939 movie. They also sing and dance to greet a newly arrived "Wizard" like they one day will with Dorothy Gale. They, like many Ozians, help Glinda and Oscar Diggs defeat the the Wicked Witches named Evanora and Theodora to successfully run them out of the Emerald City and off the Royal Throne.
TV adaptations
Tales of the Wizard of Oz
The Munchkins here are notably different from other incarnations, being fruit-like creatures born from trees that speak in a high-pitch and indiscernible tone, however they can speak somewhat more clearly in the film adaptation and finale of the series. Their nature as plant-like creatures which must be picked from trees by others of their kind make them similar to the Mangaboos.
Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz
They are regular characters, and Dorothy even builds a school for them in Munchkin School. One girl munchkin appears skeptical there could be children smaller than them.
Video Games
Final Fantasy XIII and XIII-2
A munchkin, as seen in Final Fantasy XVIII.
Munchkins appear as a common enemy in Gran Pulse, one of the two worlds in the game. It's a member of the Goblin family, a short humanoid creature. Another form of Munchkin, the Munchkin Maestro, also appears.
See Also:Munchkin on the Final Fantasy Wiki.
Board & Card Games
The Wonderful Game of Oz
Munchkinland is part of the board in this early board game.
Munchkin
A card game franchise known as Munchkin exists. The game is a humorous take on paper-and-pencil roleplaying games such as Dungeons and Dragons; there, "Munchkin" is a pejorative term for players who play in an aggressively competitive manner.
The game does feature diminutive creatures, harkening back to the Ozian origins of the term. Many editions of the game have been published; some of which are crossovers with other properties. An Oz edition of the game was released in the late 2010s.
Outside Oz
Munchkins have expanded beyond Oz, becoming a commonly used term. Parents often call their children "munchkin" as a term of endearment. There have also been a number of nods to them in popular culture.
Munchkins in Hollywood
On November 20, 2007, the Munchkins were officially given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Seven of the surviving Munchkins actors from the film were present. As a result of the popularity of the iconic 1939 musical film The Wizard of Oz, the word "munchkin" has entered the English language as a reference to small children, dwarfs, or anything cute of diminutive stature.
Quotes
- "... As Dorothy stood, mesmerized by the lovely sights around her, she noticed coming down toward her from a grassy hill, a group of the Queerest people she had ever seen. They were not as big as the grown folk she had always been used to back home; but neither were they very small. In fact, they seemed about as tall as Dorothy, who was a well-grown child for her age, although they were, so far as looks go, many years older. They wore round funny looking hats in shades of blue, and that rose to a small point about a foot above their heads, with little dangling jingle bells all across the brims that tinkled ever so sweetly as they moved. Their clothes were also blue and of the same shade as their hats, and they all wore well-polished boots with a deep roll of blue at the tops. The men, Dorothy thought, were about as old as Uncle Henry, for two of them had long gray beards. "
- ― The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (book) (1900)
- "The little people who live in this land-it's Munchkinland, and you are they're national heroine, my dear. It's all right - you may all come out and thank her..."
- ―
Glinda the Good (1939)
- "Once in a while she would pass by a house and the Munchkin people would step out to look at her and once they saw she wore the Silver Shoes, they would bow low as she and Toto walked by, as they all knew she was the means of killing the Wicked Witch of the East and forever setting the people free from her bondage."
- ―
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (book) (1900)
- "Toward evening, when Dorothy was tired with her long walk and began to wonder where she should pass the night, she came to a house rather larger than the rest. On the green lawn before it many men and women were dancing. Five little fiddlers played as loudly as possible, and the people were laughing and singing, while a big table near by was loaded with delicious fruits and nuts, pies and cakes and other good things to eat! "
- ―
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (book) (1900)
Gallery
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Credits
- The Wizard of Oz (1939): The Singer Midgets
- The Wiz (stage): Phylicia Rashad, Pi Douglass, Joni Palmer, Andy Torres, Carl Weaver
- The Wiz (film): Ted Williams, Mabel Robinson, Damon Pearce, Donna Patric Ingram
- Funky Fables: Scott McNeil
- The Muppets' Wizard of Oz: Muppet Rats
- "The Wonderful Wizard of Ha's (2007 VeggieTales Episode)": The French Peas as Munchies