Maine Was Once Home to the ‘Wicked Witch’
For most of us, it was always a tradition growing up in the 1970s to watch The Wizard of Oz each year when they showed it on the networks this time of year.
Did you know that one of the stars of the 1939 classic lived here?
I have a clear memory from my childhood of my grandmother telling me she was friends with the woman who played the Wicked Witch of the West, Margaret Hamilton. Say what? That's right. My Nana got to know her when the legendary actress would summer nearby our family cottage on Dogfish Head in Southport.
Her iconic character has struck the fear that she'll "GET YOU MY PRETTY" into generations. There's nothing really wicked about this wonderful woman that's for sure. Here's a great clip of Margaret Hamilton talking about make believe with Mr Rogers. She even puts on the costume (no green make-up though...too scary!) she wore in the Wizard of Oz.