MGM Munchkin Ruth Duccini has died. — Page 2

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#26

MGM Munchkin Ruth Duccini has died.

Posted: 1/17/14 at 4:08pm

Reg, yes, Betty was badly injured while they tested the sky-writing sequence for "Surrender Dorothy."

The broom caught fire and exploded while Betty was riding it midair (with the sky and clouds projected behind her).

After Margaret was burned in the Munchkinland sequence, she refused to do any additional shots with fire effects.

It took every ounce of her courage to do the one shot where she purposely lights her broom on fire to burn the Scarecrow (before she melts). She finally agreed to it when they convinced her it was necessary for the plot.

But she told them to go ahead and fire her if they wanted. She wouldn't do any more "pyro" shots.

So they tried the broom sky-writing shot with Betty first ... and another accident resulted. Betty was hospitalized as well (Maggie was out for six weeks after the Munchkinland accident).

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#27

MGM Munchkin Ruth Duccini has died.

Posted: 1/17/14 at 4:41pm

Bestie, to add to what you have said:

- any time that you don't see Dorothy's FACE, it is likely Bobbie, as Judy was a minor and had strict work hoirs. In fact, MGM would get Judy into wig and make up at home before driving her to the studio since the clock didnt start til she arrived thru the gates. It Bobbie who clicks her heels three times...

- you can visibly note Lahr's double when the Lion bounds down onto the yellow brick road and crashes through the window of the Wizard's Palace.

- my favorite effect anywhere in the film is the Munchkinland reveal and Dorothy switch. It is a brilliant moment of theatrical magic.

- i have ALWAYS wanted to see a picture of Caren as Dorothy.. It is a shame one hasnt surfaced in any of the books.

- the first time I ever heard that story about Betty Danko as a child, I was horrified. I still get an uneasy feeling looking at a behind the scenes picture where she is being flown up on that broom just above a bed and matress.. Its been in a few Oz books. It makes me queazy.

#28

MGM Munchkin Ruth Duccini has died.

Posted: 1/17/14 at 5:01pm

There is a photo of Caren in her Dorothy costume and wig, sitting with Judy Garland (also in costume) in the MGM commissary. It's in Caren's book, which I have.

EDIT: You bring up a good point that the reason Judy needed both a stand-in and a double on this film was because she was a minor, and they could only use her for a limited number of hours each day, during production. That's why all of the advance rehearsals and staging was done with Caren (and sometimes Bobbie), then Judy would come in, run through it (usually just once), and then they would start the takes. Judy was also an incredibly quick study and could pick it up fast. But they wouldn't waste her valuable time figuring out the steps and blocking and technical stuff. They did that with Bobbie and Caren, who were both over 18. Caren was 20 when they filmed it.

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

Updated On: 1/17/14 at 05:01 PM

#29

MGM Munchkin Ruth Duccini has died.

Posted: 1/17/14 at 5:52pm

I have never seen Caren's book!!
I'd ask for a scan of that picture, but I also want to track the book down.

Exactly. That is also part of what made Judy Garland such a valuable asset as a child performer in the MGM stable.

#30

MGM Munchkin Ruth Duccini has died.

Posted: 1/17/14 at 5:55pm

It's Caren's own candid shot taken during a lunch break, and it's in her book ... so I wouldn't want to steal her thunder and scan it. I haven't seen it anywhere else either.

She sells the book at personal appearances, but it is available on Amazon:

Hollywood's Babe - Caren Marsh-Doll

"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."

blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22

#31

MGM Munchkin Ruth Duccini has died.

Posted: 1/17/14 at 6:02pm

Oh, clearly!
I am anxious to see it, but as I said, Ive never seen the book, so I will need to get on that.
Thank you for the link.

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