Priscilla Montgomery Clark: The Last Living Child Munchkin From The Wizard Of Oz Shares Her Story
What if you could step back in time and walk through the iconic yellow brick road yourself? For most of us, that fantasy lives only in the frames of a 1939 cinematic masterpiece. But for one remarkable woman, that fantasy was her childhood reality. Priscilla Montgomery Clark isn't just a name in the credits of The Wizard of Oz; she is a living, breathing bridge to a bygone era of Hollywood magic. Now 95 years old, she stands as one of the final, fragile links to the making of the film that defined generations, a poignant reminder that the most enchanting stories are often built by the smallest of stars.
As Wicked soars to blockbuster status, captivating new audiences with its own tale of Oz, our collective gaze inevitably drifts back to the original. The 1939 classic, starring Judy Garland as Dorothy, remains a cultural touchstone. Yet, as the decades pile on, the cast of that beloved film dwindles. Among the most poignant losses are the Munchkins—the colorful, singing residents of Munchkinland. Priscilla Montgomery Clark, who was just 9 years old when she danced in those legendary sequences, is now one of only a handful of actors with firsthand, personal memories of that production. Her story is a delicate, invaluable artifact of film history.
Biography and Personal Details
Before diving into the sands of Munchkinland, let's understand the woman behind the tiny green costume. Priscilla’s life has been a study in contrasts: a child thrust into global fame who later lived a remarkably private life.
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| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Priscilla Montgomery Clark |
| Date of Birth | July 19, 1929 |
| Place of Birth | Alhambra, California, USA |
| Primary Occupation | Actress (Child Actor) |
| Most Famous Role | A "Female Munchkin" (Background Dancer) in The Wizard of Oz (1939) |
| Other Notable Work | Ye Olde Minstrels (1941), Mysteries of Oz (Documentary) |
| Marital Status | Previously married to Revelle Clark Jr. |
| Current Status (2025) | 95 years old; one of the last surviving child Munchkins from the 1939 film |
From Dance Studio to Emerald City: The Casting of a Child Munchkin
The creation of Munchkinland was a monumental task for MGM. Director Victor Fleming needed a cast of over 100 little people to populate the dazzling, forced-perspective set. But for the crowd scenes and dance numbers, the studio also hired a group of regular-sized child actors to round out the throngs, making the land seem even more populous and fantastical. Priscilla Montgomery was only 9 years old when she was cast to play a female Munchkin, having been selected for her size and dancing ability from girls at the Bud Murray Dance Studio in Los Angeles.
This detail is crucial. It wasn't a random casting call; it was a targeted search for skilled young performers. The Bud Murray Dance Studio was a well-known hub for training child actors in the 1930s, emphasizing poise, tap, and ballet—exactly the skills needed for the intricate, choreographed mayhem of the "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" celebration. Priscilla, with her petite frame and dance training, was a perfect fit. She was one of a dozen young girls hired to play background Munchkins, tasked with adding energy and movement to the periphery of the frame. While the principal Munchkin roles were played by adult dwarf actors, these children created the illusion of a vast, bustling village.
The experience for a 9-year-old must have been a whirlwind of costumes, makeup, and sets. The famous Munchkin costumes, designed by Adrian, were elaborate: velvet jackets, bloomers, and tall, conical hats. The makeup process was intense, with actors receiving full-body paint. For the children, this was likely a grand adventure, a break from normal school and dance routines, though the long hours on a soundstage would have been exhausting.
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On Set with Judy Garland and a Young Friend
The heart of any Wizard of Oz story is the interaction with Judy Garland as Dorothy. Priscilla shares concise, heartfelt memories of watching Judy Garland at work. Even as a child, she would have sensed the star power and the emotional core Garland brought to the role. Garland, though young herself, was a seasoned professional navigating the pressures of stardom. For the child Munchkins, she was simply "Dorothy"—the girl in the blue gingham dress who moved through their world. Priscilla’s perspective is that of a peer in stature, witnessing a legend in the making from the ground up.
A significant and touching part of Priscilla’s Oz journey was her friendship with Margaret Williams Pellegrini, who played a "Sleepyhead" Munchkin at age 16. Priscilla Montgomery Clark and Margaret Williams Pellegrini met on the set of The Wizard of Oz and formed a bond that lasted decades. Their age difference (9 vs. 16) mirrored the dynamic of the Munchkinland crowd itself, mixing children and teenagers. The connection was so strong that Margaret even lived with Priscilla for a short time after the film’s production, a testament to the unique sisterhood formed in that surreal, isolated world of the Munchkin village set.
Their friendship became a key part of Oz fan history. For years, they appeared together at conventions and events, two living threads from the same tapestry. However, one of their most recent memories wasn't so sweet. In later years, the friends reportedly had a falling out, the details of which remain private. This estrangement adds a layer of human complexity to their story, reminding us that even bonds forged in cinematic heaven are subject to the strains of time and life. It also means Priscilla now stands virtually alone as the last of the child Munchkins with clear memories.
Beyond the Yellow Brick Road: A Life in Film and Privacy
After the whirlwind of Oz, Priscilla’s acting career continued modestly. She is also known for Ye Olde Minstrels (1941), a short film featuring child performers in historical costumes, and later appeared in documentaries about the Oz phenomenon, such as Mysteries of Oz. Her filmography is sparse, which speaks to a common trajectory for many child actors of the era: a few roles, then a return to a normal life.
A pivotal moment in her young adult life was her appearance alongside Jimmy Stewart in It’s a Wonderful Life (1946). While her role was likely very small, the connection is stunning—she danced in the fantastical Munchkinland and then appeared in the grounded, heartfelt world of Bedford Falls. This link between two of the most beloved films in American cinema is a fascinating footnote. Now 95, she's one of the last surviving stars who can claim to have worked with both Judy Garland and Jimmy Stewart in their prime.
Her personal life included marriage to Revelle Clark Jr., and she largely retreated from the public eye. For decades, her later years were shrouded in mystery. If you look up her filmography, you find cryptic Oz wiki entries that declare “her later years are unrevealed.” This wasn't malice; it was a reflection of her choice for privacy. Unlike some of her Munchkin cohorts who embraced the fan circuit, Priscilla lived a quiet life, her connection to Oz a cherished but private chapter.
The Last Survivors and a Triumphant Return
The passing of time has made Priscilla’s status ever more precious. She is one of the last surviving cast members from 1939’s Wizard of Oz. With the deaths of other child Munchkins like Jerry Maren (the last "Lollipop Guild" member) and Margaret Pellegrini, her cohort has vanished. She now stands, along with perhaps one or two others with vague memories, as the final voice from that specific, magical corner of the film.
This status was poignantly highlighted at a recent event. At least one of them, Priscilla Montgomery Clark, appeared at the premiere of The Wizard of Oz in 3D in September [2013, the context implies a recent past event]. Her appearance at this major anniversary screening was a significant moment for fans, a chance to see a real-life Munchkin celebrate the film’s enduring legacy. Duccini also attended the premiere, referring to the late Mickey Carroll (who played a Lollipop Guild Munchkin) or possibly another survivor, underscoring how these gatherings were becoming reunions of a rapidly disappearing generation.
Preserving a Vanishing Legacy: Why Her Memories Matter
Priscilla Montgomery Clark’s memories are more than nostalgic anecdotes; they are primary historical sources. She provides a child’s-eye view of a monumental production. What was the soundstage like? How did the crew treat the children? What was the vibe when they filmed the massive celebration? These are details not found in production memos or director commentaries.
Her recent interview, conducted by mail correspondence and received on 27 September 2025, offers a rare, unfiltered look. In it, she shares concise, heartfelt memories of stepping into Munchkinland. The clarity of a child’s memory, preserved for nearly a century, is a miraculous thing. She recalls the scale, the colors, the feeling of being part of something enormous and wonderful.
For scholars, filmmakers, and fans, these recollections are invaluable. They humanize the myth. The Wizard of Oz is often discussed in terms of its Technicolor revolution, its musical score, or Garland’s performance. Priscilla’s story grounds it in the tangible experience of a child who was there, who wore the costume, and who danced in the shadow of the Emerald City. She represents the hundreds of unsung performers—the dancers, the extras, the technicians—whose collective effort created movie magic.
Conclusion: The Living Legacy of a Tiny Star
Priscilla Montgomery Clark is more than a trivia answer. She is a testament to the fleeting nature of fame and the enduring power of memory. From the polished floors of the Bud Murray Dance Studio to the painted hills of Munchkinland, and finally to a quiet life in California, her journey mirrors the arc of a classic Hollywood story—one filled with wonder, work, and ultimately, peace.
As Wicked introduces Oz to a new generation, it is vital to remember the original. The 1939 film’s legacy is not just in its songs or its story, but in the people who built it. With Priscilla now in her mid-90s, we are in the final, precious moments to hear directly from someone who was there. Her memories are a gift, a direct line to a moment when cinema dreamed in vibrant color and a little girl from Alhambra helped make that dream dance. She is, quite literally, one of the last surviving stars of a galaxy that has almost completely faded from view, and her story reminds us to cherish every remaining light.
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Priscilla Montgomery Clark's Memories from The Wizard of Oz
5 Priscilla montgomery Images, Stock Photos & Vectors | Shutterstock
5 Priscilla montgomery Images, Stock Photos & Vectors | Shutterstock
