The wicked witch and her flying monkey were a fearsome duo in the land of Oz. The witch, with her long, twisted black hair and green skin, was known for her dark magic and evil deeds. She ruled over her kingdom with an iron fist, spreading fear and chaos wherever she went. The flying monkey, with its large wings and sharp claws, was the witch's loyal companion. It would do her bidding without question, carrying out her commands with speed and precision. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with, striking fear into the hearts of the innocent.
The monkeys in the classic Judy Garland film, are purple monkeys, with purple wings that wear elaborate caps and matching vests. They are simply the creatures of the Wicked Witch of the West. The monkey leader is named Nikko. They do not speak, or act independently of the Witch's will.
Glinda then ordered the Monkeys to carry Dorothy s companions back to their new homes in Oz after Dorothy s departure and then to cease to bother people. These creatures all bare an immense pair of powerful and strong feathered wings on their backs and shoulders and can fly high into the air in long distances and soar like a bird or a hawk.
Together, they were a force to be reckoned with, striking fear into the hearts of the innocent. The wicked witch would often send her flying monkey on missions to terrorize the people of Oz. It would swoop down from the sky, causing havoc and destruction wherever it went.
See the Wizard of Oz Flying Monkeys Up Close
If you were anything like most children, The Wizard of Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West wasn’t the most terrifying part of the 1939 classic. No, that honor was reserved for her flying monkeys, those awful winged humanoid creatures that could swoop down and wreak havoc without any warning.
Several of the primate parts were played by real people: Nikko, the head monkey, was played by actor Pat Walshe, while vaudevillian actor Harry Monty was both a Munchkin and a monkey. But in the creepy scene where thousands of monkeys descend upon our heroes in the Haunted Forest, the monkeys were all tiny rubber figures no more than a few inches tall.
The figures were hung from a gantry car with four strands of extremely thin music wire, resulting in about 1100 wires total. As the gantry moved down the soundstage, it took all of the little monkeys with it, making it appear as if they were flying. That’s about 275 tiny little winged monkeys in all—but according to the Oz museum in Wamego, Kansas, only four of these models survive to this day. They have two of them.
They’re so small, in fact, that despite being hyped as one of the coolest exhibits in the museum, I walked right by them without realizing what they were. So, the next time you watch The Wizard of Oz and find yourself shuddering at that swarm of winged primates, remind yourself how tiny and nonthreatening they actually were. Now, the monkeys played by actors . we can’t help you with that fear. They’re still pretty scary.
By the way, the “little insect” the Wicked Witch mentions in the beginning of the video was a reference to a scene that was cut from the final movie. Before the monkeys show up, the Wicked Witch of the West sent little pink and blue mosquito-like insects called Jitter Bugs to make Dorothy and her friends dance and tire them out. Despite the $80,000 it cost to film the song-and-dance number, the footage was cut to help with the run time of the movie. Though most of the Jitter Bug film has been destroyed, there is some grainy footage of the number being performed in rehearsal. Here it is, mixed it with some other images from the movie:
But the magic chant of the Golden Cap was set, and had even been engraved on the inside of the cap. The incantation of the charm that called the Winged Monkeys was:
The monkey would snatch up unsuspecting victims and carry them away to the witch's lair, where they would never be seen again. But despite their ruthless ways, the wicked witch and her flying monkey were not invincible. They were eventually defeated by a young girl named Dorothy and her companions – the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion. With their bravery and determination, they were able to overthrow the witch and bring peace back to the land of Oz. In the end, the wicked witch and her flying monkey serve as a reminder that evil can be defeated, and that courage and friendship are powerful weapons against darkness. Though they may have been a terrifying duo, they were no match for the goodness and strength of those who stood against them. The tale of the wicked witch and her flying monkey continues to captivate audiences to this day, reminding us of the power of good over evil. It serves as a cautionary tale, urging us to stand up against injustice and fight for what is right, no matter how intimidating the foe may be..
Reviews for "The Role of Flying Monkeys in Shaping the Narrative of The Wizard of Oz"
1. Jane - 1 star - I found "Wicked Witch and Flying Monkey" to be incredibly boring and uninteresting. The story felt disjointed and lacked any depth or meaning. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any complexity. Overall, I was highly disappointed and would not recommend this book to others.
2. Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Wicked Witch and Flying Monkey" as I am a fan of fantasy novels, but unfortunately, this book just didn't deliver. The writing style was cumbersome and confusing, making it difficult to engage with the story. Additionally, the plot felt predictable and lacked originality. I was hoping for a captivating and imaginative read, but unfortunately, this book fell short.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars - While "Wicked Witch and Flying Monkey" had some intriguing ideas, the execution left much to be desired. The pacing was slow, and the story failed to hold my attention. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to my expectations and left me feeling underwhelmed.