Suite101

The Munchkin Legacy


© Karen Barker Crowley

Feb 9, 2001


Two weeks ago, Wizard of Oz Munchkin Donna Stewart-Hardway shared her memories of making the film. In part two of her interview, she talks about her enduring connection to Oz, her love for the fans, and why her life today is so “Ozsome.”

How are you involved with Oz today?

I am involved now far more than originally. William Stillman, the author of the book The Wizardry of Oz, contacted me to ask about my feelings about being in the film. When he and Jay Scarfone, the co-author, were putting the book together they tried to get me to be involved in the Oz conventions and festivals around the country. I told them no, as I did not see what I had done that was so important that anyone would care to meet me let alone ask for an autograph. It made not one bit of sense to me. Bill in particular would keep it up until I promised to go to the International Wizard of Oz Convention in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I have to admit Bill was right. The very fact that I was there, no matter how small my part was, seemed important to the Ozzies who attend these conventions. The children’s reactions are priceless.

I also have a large Web site that is very different from most Oz sites. Mine is very personal because it is my history with Oz. I am the youngest cast member, and I am also the only computer-literate cast member. The site is for the public to not just look at but to participate in. These are the people who make Oz what it is today. I spend a lot of time writing letters and e-mails. I have made arrangements for when I die that this site continues at least through a couple of more generations. The URL is http://www.midville.com/donna

What do you think of the fans?

I love each and every one of them. They are what this is about, not me. The kids are just incredible. I have a fan page with kids’ pictures from all over the country. I correspond with people in such diverse places as Sweden, Northern Ireland, and several provinces in Canada. I don’t think there is a state in the union that I have not heard from someone there. One woman told me she played the music of Oz to her unborn child with a disk player held to her stomach. WOW!

Go To Page: 1 2 3


Post this Article to facebook Add this Article to del.icio.us! Digg this Article furl this Article Add this Article to Reddit Add this Article to Technorati Add this Article to Newsvine Add this Article to Windows Live Add this Article to Yahoo Add this Article to StumbleUpon Add this Article to BlinkLists Add this Article to Spurl Add this Article to Google Add this Article to Ask Add this Article to Squidoo

Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages
2.   Mar 20, 2001 9:00 AM
In response to message posted by AnneWatkins:

Thanks for stopping by, Anne. It's always exciting to get another subscriber. :)

...

-- posted by karenbc
1.   Mar 19, 2001 2:50 PM
Thanks so much for doing this piece. How interesting! Very well done, thanks.

Anne

p.s. sorry I'm so late getting here...in order to avoid that problem in the future I'm subscribing to your topi ...

-- posted by AnneWatkins



Join the latest discussions

For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Karen Barker Crowley's Wizard of Oz topic, please visit the Discussions page.