Interesting Backstory: Margaret Hamilton, Actress and "The Wicked Witch"

 Recently, a Facebook page called the Swish Squad (basketball-oriented) posted this fascinating behind-the-scenes story about actress Margaret Hamilton, who played the memorable role of the Wicked Witch of the West in the Wizard of Oz film. Today's blog shares that post, and it's timely since the movie often appears on television during the holidays. Enjoy!

Interesting Backstory: Margaret Hamilton, Actress and "The Wicked Witch" 

Source: SwishSquad, Facebook, Nov 14, 2024 

Margaret Hamilton was in need of money when her agent called with an unexpected offer. Having already done several films with MGM, she picked up the phone and asked, “Yes?” Her agent replied, “Maggie, they want you for a part in The Wizard.” Excited, she thought, “The Wizard of Oz! My favorite book since I was four!” But when she asked which role, her agent replied, “The Witch.” Shocked, she exclaimed, “The Witch?!” And he simply said, “What else?”

Ironically, Hamilton’s portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz (1939) terrified generations of children—even though her first career had been as a kindergarten teacher, and she adored children her entire life. “Almost always, they want me to laugh like the Witch,” she shared. “Sometimes, when I visit schools, I’ll do it in the auditorium. And every time, there’s this moment where they’re genuinely scared, even older kids. It’s like they feel a flash of the fear they had watching the movie. They want to hear it, but they don’t want to hear it. Then they say, ‘Oh...’ The movie left an impression on them—sometimes a terrifying one. But eventually, they get over it… I think.” She added, “When I do the laugh, they hesitate, but then they clap. They’re clapping for that sound.”

Throughout her life, Hamilton was approached by children who asked why she’d been so mean to Dorothy. Concerned about the effect her role had on them, she eventually appeared on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood to reassure kids that the Witch was just a character, and not who she really was.

Filming the movie had its dangers too. During one special effects scene, Hamilton was supposed to disappear through a trap door hidden by smoke, followed by a flash of real fire. But on one take, the fire flared up too soon, igniting her costume. She suffered burns and was off set for more than a month. Upon returning, she told the studio, “I won’t sue—I know how this business works, and I’d never work again. I’ll come back, but on one condition—no more fire effects!”

Hamilton’s iconic portrayal of the Wicked Witch remains one of cinema’s most memorable performances, and despite the fear she instilled, she was beloved for her warmth and humor off-screen.