Characters List
Wizard of Oz Characters: Top 7
The Wizard of Oz characters first came to life in L. Frank Baum’s 1900 fantasy book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. More than a hundred years later they still have the power to captivate and enchant. Read a countdown of the seven most memorable characters from the land somewhere over the rainbow:
7. The Good Witch of the North
Not all witches are nasty. In Baum’s book, the Good Witch of the North (portrayed by Billie Burke in the famous 1939 film The Wizard of Oz by director Victor Fleming) is a kind old lady who has ruled over the northern Gilikin Country since she rescued its people from her wicked counterpart. She welcomes Dorothy to Oz, tells her of the wizard, and set her on her way along the yellow brick road to the Emerald City.
Although she doesn’t appear again in the story, a kiss she gives Dorothy on the forehead proves to be a protective charm. In later versions of the story, including the 1939 movie, the Good Witch of the North is often combined with the Good Witch of the South, Glinda. She is young and beautiful, and has a much more prominent role.
6. The Munchkins
The Wizard of Oz Munchkins live in Munchkin Country in the Land of the East. In Baum’s book, they are about the same height as Dorothy and wear tall hats with bells on the brim that tinkle as they walk.
They are timid folk, enslaved by the Wicked Witch of the East who has ruled over them for many years, and are too frightened at first to speak to Dorothy, who they view as a powerful sorceress. In popular culture, the Munchkins are often portrayed as colorful dwarf-like creatures with jolly temperaments.
5. The Cowardly Lion
Unlike Toto, many of the animals that Dorothy encounters in Oz can speak, and the Wizard of Oz Lion (played by Bert Lahr) is no exception. When Dorothy first meets him, he tries to scare her and bite Toto. She accuses him of being a coward, at which point he backs down and admits that she’s right.
The lion is
The Wizard of Oz characters first came to life in L. Frank Baum’s 1900 fantasy book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. More than a hundred years later they still have the power to captivate and enchant. Read a countdown of the seven most memorable characters from the land somewhere over the rainbow:
7. The Good Witch of the North
Not all witches are nasty. In Baum’s book, the Good Witch of the North (portrayed by Billie Burke in the famous 1939 film The Wizard of Oz by director Victor Fleming) is a kind old lady who has ruled over the northern Gilikin Country since she rescued its people from her wicked counterpart. She welcomes Dorothy to Oz, tells her of the wizard, and set her on her way along the yellow brick road to the Emerald City.
Although she doesn’t appear again in the story, a kiss she gives Dorothy on the forehead proves to be a protective charm. In later versions of the story, including the 1939 movie, the Good Witch of the North is often combined with the Good Witch of the South, Glinda. She is young and beautiful, and has a much more prominent role.
6. The Munchkins
The Wizard of Oz Munchkins live in Munchkin Country in the Land of the East. In Baum’s book, they are about the same height as Dorothy and wear tall hats with bells on the brim that tinkle as they walk.
They are timid folk, enslaved by the Wicked Witch of the East who has ruled over them for many years, and are too frightened at first to speak to Dorothy, who they view as a powerful sorceress. In popular culture, the Munchkins are often portrayed as colorful dwarf-like creatures with jolly temperaments.
5. The Cowardly Lion
Unlike Toto, many of the animals that Dorothy encounters in Oz can speak, and the Wizard of Oz Lion (played by Bert Lahr) is no exception. When Dorothy first meets him, he tries to scare her and bite Toto. She accuses him of being a coward, at which point he backs down and admits that she’s right.
The lion is