Judy Garland 'sexually harassed by Munchkins' on The Wizard of Oz set, claims ex-husband's memoir
The actress was 17 at the time
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Upon landing in the Land of Oz in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy was helped along the yellow brick road by the Munchkins. While appearing innocent on-screen, behind the scenes, things were all-but savoury.
A newly discovered memoir by Judy Garland’s ex-husband claims the actress - who was 17-years-old when filming - was sexually harassed by those playing the Munchkins.
“They would make Judy’s life miserable on set by putting their hands under her dress,” Sid Luft - who died in 2005 - wrote, according to People. Garland and Luft married in 1952, had two children, and divorced in 1967.
“The men were 40 or more years old,” he continued. “They thought they could get away with anything because they were so small.”
Rumours have long been held that the Munchkins “had sex orgies in the hotel” with producer Mervyn LeRoy having “to have police on just about every floor."
Before her death in 1969, Garland described the actors’ behaviour at the time, saying: “They were little drunks. They got smashed every night, and they picked them up in butterfly nets."
Margaret Pellegrini - who played one of the Munchkins - commented on the drinking in 2009, telling The Independent: "There were a lot of them who liked to go out and have a few drinks, but nothing got out of hand. Everyone was having a good time and enjoying themselves. There was no rowdiness or anything like that, and those stories are very upsetting.”
Jerry Maren, who sang in the Lollipop Guild that welcomed Dorothy to Oz, said: "There were a couple of kids from Germany who liked to drink beer. They drank beer morning, noon and night, and got in a little trouble. They wanted to meet the girls, but they were the only ones.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments