Priscilla Montgomery - Oz Memories And More

Dr. Arvilla Nader 01 Jul 2025

For many people, the movie The Wizard of Oz holds a very special spot in their hearts, a true favorite from childhood and beyond. It is a story that has been told and retold, with characters who feel like old friends. As a matter of fact, one person who actually walked on that famous yellow brick road as a child is still with us, sharing her unique look back at that time.

This individual is Priscilla Montgomery Clark, who, at the rather young age of nine, took on a part as a Munchkin in the beloved 1939 film. Now, at ninety-five years old, she is one of the very few actors left who can recall those days firsthand. She offers a truly special link to a piece of movie history, a living connection to a story that, you know, continues to charm people all over.

Her story gives us a chance to think about the lasting appeal of this movie and the lives of those who brought it to life. We will explore her early days, her time making the film, and what her experiences mean for the story of Oz as a whole. This is, in a way, about more than just a movie; it is about the people who made it so memorable.

A Life Story - Priscilla Montgomery's Path
How Did Priscilla Montgomery Become a Munchkin?
The Start of Priscilla Montgomery's Oz Adventure
Beyond the Yellow Brick Road - What Else Did Priscilla Montgomery Do?
Priscilla Montgomery's Other Film Appearances
What is it Like Being a Last Surviving Oz Star?
Priscilla Montgomery's Enduring Connection to Oz
Remembering the Set - Priscilla Montgomery's Vivid Memories
Priscilla Montgomery and the Oz Filming Experience
What is the Legacy of Priscilla Montgomery and the Munchkins?
The Lasting Impact of Priscilla Montgomery's Oz Role
A New Chapter - Priscilla Montgomery Shares Her Story
Priscilla Montgomery's Recent Public Appearances

A Life Story - Priscilla Montgomery's Path

Priscilla Ann Montgomery was born on July 19, 1929, in Alhambra, California, in the United States. Her early life seems to have set her on a path toward performing, which is, you know, something many children dream of. She would go on to be known for her abilities to perform and to move with grace, making a mark in the early days of motion pictures.

Her family life included a marriage to Revelle Clark Jr. She is, as a matter of fact, also recognized for her work in a film from 1941 called "Ye Olde Minstrels" and for her involvement in "Mysteries of Oz," which suggests a continued connection to the famous story. These details give us a quick look at her personal history and professional work.

Personal Details - Priscilla Montgomery Clark

Full Name	Priscilla Ann Montgomery Clark
Date of Birth	July 19, 1929
Place of Birth	Alhambra, California, USA
Known For	Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz (1939), Dancer in It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
Other Works	Ye Olde Minstrels (1941), Mysteries of Oz
Spouse	Revelle Clark Jr. (previously married)
Current Age	95 (as of November 2024)
Status	One of the last surviving actors from The Wizard of Oz (1939)

How Did Priscilla Montgomery Become a Munchkin?

The story of how Priscilla Montgomery got her part in The Wizard of Oz is pretty interesting, actually. She was just a little girl, only nine years old, when the movie was being put together. They needed children who were the right height to play the Munchkins, those delightful small people from the land of Oz. So, it seems, her physical size played a part in her being chosen.

The Start of Priscilla Montgomery's Oz Adventure

Priscilla was a student at the Bud Murray Dance Studio in Los Angeles, a place where many young performers honed their skills. It was from this group of talented girls that she was picked for the part. She was one of ten young girls, whose ages were between seven and nine, who got to be Munchkins in that very well-known scene. This shows how, you know, even at a young age, talent and opportunity can come together.

Her selection was based on fitting the physical needs for the part, which meant being the correct size among the girls from her dance school. This simple fact led to her being part of one of the most beloved films ever made. It is, in a way, a testament to how small details can lead to big moments in history, particularly for Priscilla Montgomery and her time in Oz.

Beyond the Yellow Brick Road - What Else Did Priscilla Montgomery Do?

While her part as a Munchkin is what most people remember her for, Priscilla Montgomery's performing career did not stop there. She continued to work in the motion picture business, taking on other performing roles. Her abilities as a dancer, for example, were put to good use in another very well-known movie that came out a few years after Oz.

Priscilla Montgomery's Other Film Appearances

She appeared as a dancer in the 1946 film "It's a Wonderful Life," a picture that is, like The Wizard of Oz, often watched and loved by many. In this film, she had the chance to be on screen with James Stewart, a person who was, you know, a very important figure in movies. This shows that her performing work went beyond just one famous part, demonstrating her wider abilities in the field.

Her involvement in "Ye Olde Minstrels" in 1941 also shows her continued presence in films during that period. These other works, while perhaps not as widely known as her Oz role, still add to the story of her time in the performing arts. It is interesting to see how, in some respects, her career had different facets beyond the one most people think of when they hear her name.

What is it Like Being a Last Surviving Oz Star?

Being one of the last few people who were actually there for the making of The Wizard of Oz is a very special situation. Most of the people who were part of that 1939 film have, you know, passed on. This makes Priscilla Montgomery Clark's memories and her continued presence particularly important for those who care about the movie's history. She is one of only three surviving actors who have personal memories of that time.

Priscilla Montgomery's Enduring Connection to Oz

At ninety-five years old, Priscilla is a living link to a time that feels, in a way, very far away now. Her ability to recall her experiences gives a direct look into the past, something that is quite rare. The lasting affection for The Wizard of Oz means that her perspective is, you know, highly valued by many who love the film. She represents a direct tie to the movie's beginnings.

The fact that she is still here means that new generations can hear about the making of the film directly from someone who was there. This is, basically, a gift to movie lovers and historians alike. Her recollections offer a chance to hear firsthand accounts, rather than just reading about them in books. It is, you know, a very unique position to be in.

Remembering the Set - Priscilla Montgomery's Vivid Memories

Being on the set of a big movie like The Wizard of Oz when you are just a child must have been a truly remarkable experience. Priscilla Montgomery has some clear memories from that time, including moments that were, you know, quite intense. One particular memory she has shared involves an incident that happened during the making of the film, which was a bit scary.

Priscilla Montgomery and the Oz Filming Experience

She recalls a fire incident that took place on the set. This event caused Margaret Hamilton, the person who played the Wicked Witch of the West, to get burns. This kind of memory shows that even behind the scenes of a magical movie, there could be, you know, difficult or dangerous moments. It adds a human touch to the often-glamorous idea of old Hollywood film making.

Such firsthand accounts give us a deeper look into what it was really like for the people who made these films. They remind us that these stories, which seem so perfect on screen, involved real people and real challenges. Priscilla Montgomery's memory of this event is, you know, a powerful reminder of the efforts and risks involved in creating movie magic.

What is the Legacy of Priscilla Montgomery and the Munchkins?

The part of the Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz is, you know, very important to the film's lasting appeal. These characters bring a sense of wonder and fun to the story, and the actors who played them, like Priscilla Montgomery, are a big part of why they are so well-remembered. Their contribution helped make the film a true classic, something people return to again and again.

The Lasting Impact of Priscilla Montgomery's Oz Role

With new movies like "Wicked" coming out, which tell stories from the world of Oz before Dorothy's arrival, people are thinking about the original film more than ever. This renewed interest brings attention back to the people who were in the 1939 movie. Priscilla Montgomery's role, even as a child, is a piece of that ongoing story. She is, you know, easily seen in the Munchkin scene, a tiny figure in a big moment.

Her ability to still speak about her experiences means that the story of the Munchkins, and the film itself, stays fresh and personal. Books have been written about the Munchkins of Oz, suggesting that even if you think you know everything about the film, there is always more to learn, and people like Priscilla offer, you know, a direct source of that information.

A New Chapter - Priscilla Montgomery Shares Her Story

For a long time, information about Priscilla Montgomery's later years was, you know, not widely known. Her filmography might have had notes saying her later life was "unrevealed." However, this has started to change. She has recently begun to share her story more openly, giving people a chance to hear from her directly, which is, actually, a wonderful thing.

Priscilla Montgomery's Recent Public Appearances

She made her first public appearance at an Oz-related event, a moment that was, you know, very special for those who were there. This decision to step into the public eye and tell her story after so many years shows a desire to share her unique perspective. She has even been quoted saying, "Oz is my drug," which suggests a deep and lasting connection to the film and its magic.

Her willingness to share these memories, to "step into the sun" and "step into the light," gives fans and historians alike a rare opportunity. It means that the story of The Wizard of Oz can be told with the actual voices of those who were part of its creation, making the history of the film, you know, much richer and more personal.

Priscilla Montgomery Clark, born in 1929, was a nine-year-old Munchkin in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Now at ninety-five, she is one of the last few people who were in that movie and can recall the experience firsthand. She was picked for the part from the Bud Murray Dance Studio in Los Angeles because she was the right height. Beyond Oz, she also appeared as a dancer with James Stewart in the 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life, and in Ye Olde Minstrels in 1941. She has shared memories from the Oz set, including a fire incident that caused burns to Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch. Her story, which she has recently begun to share more openly at Oz events, provides a direct link to the making of a film that continues to be loved by many.

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