“I’ll get you my pretty … and your little dog too!”
When Margaret Hamilton was born in a small Ohio town in 1902, movie stardom didn’t seem to be in the cards. For one thing, Margaret was lacking in the looks department, and while smart and studious, Hollywood was a world away from her job as a schoolteacher in the Midwest.
But rather than give up on her dream to act, Margaret played to her strengths, literally. She was cast as a character actor, often portraying spinsters and other plain, lowly types. Before we feel too sorry for Margaret, it’s important to applaud her shrewd business sense. Margaret never undervalued her talent and refused to sign a contract with any specific studio, thus increasing her pay and ability to provide for her son.
Margaret’s true fame and fortune came when another, prettier actress turned down the role of the Wicked Witch in The Wizard of Oz because she wouldn’t wear the ugly green makeup. Not a problem for Margaret! Green makeup and bone chilling cackle and all, she became one of the greatest villains in the history of movie making. So cheers to Margaret, her memory, and The Wizard of Oz on celebrating its 70th anniversary this year.
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