My Wizard of Oz Connection

The Wizard of Oz munchkins got a star on the Walk of Fame today! When I saw this in the news, I immediately thought of my great-uncle's brother, who was one of the famed munchkins. I asked my mom for his name, and did a little internet research. I had always known of my WOZ connection, but hadn't taken the time to look into it further.

I was beyond excited after I typed his name in Google and was greeted with page after page of references to his name, Joseph Koziel! He is credited as being Townsman #1, and he was one of the two that sang "we thank you very sweetly" to Dorothy. His name is listed on the WOZ soundtrack credits as well - I can't wait to buy it!

I was ecstatic to find a picture of Joseph (above). He is pictured with two other munchkins during a WOZ screen test.

I would love to say that Hollywood is in my blood, but alas, he is a relative by marriage. I am still very proud to say that one of my relatives was in one of the greatest movies ever made. And I couldn't be happier that the munchkins are finally getting their day in the sun - they have now been cemented into Hollywood history forever.

Whenever I am on the Sony lot (which used to be the MGM lot and was where parts of WOZ was filmed), I think of my munchkin relative, and try to imagine the excitement he must have felt upon arriving in Hollywood from small town Illinois back in the late 30's. I always wonder how he got involved in this movie, and if there was a nationwide call for munchkins.

My mom met the WOZ star once, many moons ago, at a famly get together. I wish he were alive today so that I could get a first person account of the glory days of MGM. I can't help but feel that his spirit is somewhere on that lot, maybe just over the rainbow.

And I still feel like I can say that Hollywood is in my blood.

Check this out for more info about the muchkins:

http://www.kansasoz.com/infomunchkins.htm