The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © James Pyles
Prompt Description: Today’s prompt features a long stone walkway between rows of buildings. The building on the left is embellished with a mural on a red background. There are black posts on either side connected by wires at the top from which a Liberty bell replica is hanging.
Click the Frog to join.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD
“Grandmargie, tell me story,” said little Margaret.
Margaret smiled at her young namesake. “What would you like to hear, sweetheart?”
The child climbed onto her lap. “Tell me about when you were young. What was it like acting in the movies back in the olden days?”
“It was great fun, and I made some lovely friends.” Margaret grinned. “Imagine my excitement when my agent called to tell me they were considering me for an important role in The Wizard of Oz. ‘Oh I’ve always loved that book,’ I said. ‘What part?’ And he said, “The witch, of course. What else?’”
She terrified generations of children. However, in reality, she started out as a kindergarten teacher who adored children…and their little dogs, too. 😉
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I’ll admit I don’t take much notice of film stars. I am sure Margaret Hamilton played many parts in her acting career and with all the friends she made enjoyed every moment.
Rochelle, you always find these stories of people that make up our wonder world. Thank you.
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Dear James,
I love the old film stars. And of course I grew up with The Wizard of Oz. It aired once a year when I was a child. As you know one of my favorite things is finding out the behind the scenes stories. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s really so interesting, Rochelle! A story of people that made the wonder for the whole world across generations is such a great story 👍
So, enjoy your wonderful week ahead ☺️
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Dear Aptivi,
I’ve always enjoyed leanring about the lives of the actors behind the scenes. Glad you enjoyed. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That sounds really interesting. You’re most welcome, Rochelle 😊
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From grandma’s knee to Over the Rainbow, cute story, m’lady.
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Many thanks, C.E.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nobody remembers the witches, do they?
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Dear Neil,
Actually Ms. Hamilton was the witch that is well remembered. Not bad considering she was actually onscreen less than fifteen minutes. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love her! This was a wonderful idea for a post!
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Dear Violet,
It always made me happy to see what a dear person Margaret Hamilton really was. Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As I recall, Margaret was burned during the stunt where the witch was flying a smoking broomstick across the sky and production had to be stopped for several days. The Wizard of Oz is a wonderful film, but it has a dark history.
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Dear James,
All true. Such a dark history surrounding the film. From Ms. Hamilton’s burns to Buddy Ebsen’s near death from the tine woodsman’s makeup. Thank you for your phtoto and your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
How many people believe the characters portrayed on the small and large screen are the same in real life? (Too many, tell you what!)
How lovely to learn the Wicked Witch of the West was, first, a beloved grade-school teacher! I wonder how many of her students were shocked to see this “side” of her.
As always, you have a knack of turning a story into a learning experience.
Shalom and lotsa non-wicked love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I’ve always loved Margaret Hamilton who went out of her way to dispell her “witchy” image. She went on Mr. Rogers to show children that it was just a character she played. In her later years she was the Maxwell House Coffee lady.
Thank you re my storytelling.
Shalom and lotsa loving hugs,
Rochelle
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That is wonderful.
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I can remember a teacher that was probably a witch too! An interesting tale, Rochelle.
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Dear Keith,
I think we’ve all had a few of those. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi R, I really like how you ediucate and inform us with your wonderful topics for Friday Fictioneer. And it is hard to imagine that movie with Margaret playing that part! Truly hard to imagine.
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Dear Yvette,
What’s even more amazing is that as memorable as the Wicked Witch of the West was, she only had 12 minutes of actual screen time. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an excellent woman… and a great witch too. Let’s have a little think then, hmm.
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Dear Chris,
There was definitely more to her than 12 onscreen minutes of being a witch. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She truly managed to capture the terrifying witch even though she wasn’t onscreen very much. That cackle, the scream. Perfectly done! And I’m sure a big part of the future success of Wicked too.
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Dear Jen,
She was the penultimate witch for sure. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Brilliant info Rochelle – that clip of her talking about being offered the role – she looks like she had a great sense of humour. This is one of my all time favourite movies as it is my daughters- and so it goes on 🩷
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Dear Ange,
I suppose she’d have to have a sense of humor. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, how lovely.
I know and few weeks ago you asked for some photos. I’m gathering some, remind me where to send please.
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Dear Mary,
Glad you enjoyed my story. As for where to send photos – runtshell@gmail.com. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know she scared the living bejeezus out of me as a kid. Not sure if the part where she grabbed Toto or the part where she was flying alongside the cabin in the tornado was scariest. I really wonder if her students looked at her differently after the movie came out?
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Dear Lisa,
She was frightening indeed. And in only 12 minutes of screentime she became one of the most memorable characters in history. 😉 Not a terrible legacy. I’m sure her students knew her in a very different way. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, when you put it like that (12 min screen time in a long movie) I have to agree. I wonder how much screen time the flying monkeys got? Not sure if you saw me say I met one of the flying monkeys at one of the first Irish Music Festivals we had in our little berg of a town. He was sitting in a volunteer tent and threw that tidbit out during our chat. Talk about thrilled! I remember his name was Danny.
You are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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she played the wizard of oz? she must be a great actress indeed. there’s no resemblance to her real-life appearance.
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Dear Plaridel,
She portrayed the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz. In a total of twelve minutes onscreen she secured her place in Hollywood history. In real life she was quite lovable. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love to learn / be reminded of this history behind interesting people. Thank you, Rochelle!
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Dear Brenda,
I’m always happy to share. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for the behind the scenes story. I’ll bet there were some hilarious outtakes on this. Too bad they didn’t show them like they do now. Good job M’Luv.
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Dear Jan,
I’ve only been able to find a few behind the scenes videos. It would be fun to find outtakes but I’m not sure there would be any anyway. There are quite a few horror stories surrounding the making of the film. At any rate, thanks. M’luv for the read and the comment.
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The classic Wizard of Oz was one of my favourites. : ) Have a great week Rochelle.❀
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Thanks for stopping by, Lily.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Learnt something new. Do know some actresses but not this one!
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Dear Sabina,
Always happy to pass along info. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sent you an email. Please do check. Tks
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“What else?” Fun story. My dad loved The Wizard Of Oz.” I grew up with it because he grew up with it.
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Dear Nobbin,
The movie was made in 1939. We pretty much all grew up with it. 😉 I looked forward to watching it every year in February. Hosted my Danny Kaye. I thought how wonderful it would be if I could watch the movie anytime I wanted. Then came VHS and we recorded it. My youngest watched it nearly every day for weeks. I had to rethink that seeing it anytime I wanted to thing. LOL.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My goddaughter did that with Robin Hood, the Disney cartoon in which he’s a fox. Then, we had to play Robin Hood when we went for walks.
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Hahaha oh I love that the wicked witch was a kindy teacher
Fabulous snap of her life Rochelle
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Dear Laurie,
I found great comfort as a kid learning that she was a sweet lady who loved children. Took some of the scariness away from the witch. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Still one of my favorite movies.
Good story.
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Thank you, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She was the greatest and scariest witch of all! I love Wizard of Oz and still watch when it’s on. Classic film, great videos, and a wonderful story, Rochelle.
Shalom
🕊️
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