This iconic photograph from the legendary film The Wizard of Oz captures Dorothy Gale, played by Judy Garland in her landmark role, together with her beloved dog Toto, played by Terry, a Cairn Terrier.
This color image has been personally hand-signed and inscribed by original cast-member Mickey Carroll, who played a Munchkinland fiddler, town crier, and soldier in the film. Carroll has signed in bold blue marker, lower left, “Mickey Carroll”. He has added the inscription, “Munchkin / Wizard of Oz”, also in bold blue.
Born Michael Finocchiaro in St. Louis, Missouri, Carroll was the son of Italian immigrants. As a child, Carroll began dance lessons, and by the age of 18 he was appearing in shows with Mae West. While under contract to MGM, he went to school with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. It was Garland herself who offered him a part in The Wizard of Oz. Carroll landed three parts, and was one of the Munchkins who escorted Dorothy down the yellow brick road towards the Emerald City.
Mickey Carroll’s signature has been examined and authenticated by James Spence Authentication (JSA), and a unique alphanumeric authenticating label has been affixed to the signed piece, lower right. The corresponding Certificate of Authenticity from JSA accompanies the item.
This uplifting piece of memorabilia comes freshly framed in an elegant silver frame, ready for display. Framed size measures 17-1/8” in height x 14" width x 1” depth.
Widely considered one of the greatest films of all time, MGM's classic 1939 extravaganza The Wizard of Oz is, according to the Library of Congress, the most seen film in movie history.
Filmed in Technicolor, The Wizard of Oz was an adaptation of L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's fantasy novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The film was primarily directed by Victor Fleming (who left the production to take over the troubled Gone with the Wind), and was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, winning in two categories: Best Original Song for "Over the Rainbow" and Best Original Score by Stothart.
The Wizard of Oz was selected by the U.S. Library of Congress as one of the first 25 films for preservation in the National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". It is also one of the few films on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. It was among the top ten in the 2005 British Film Institute’s list of "50 films to be seen by the age of 14", and is on the BFI's updated list of "50 films to be seen by the age of 15" released in May 2020.