In 1935, MGM studios embarked on a movie adaptation of L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz. The production called for the casting of many dwarfs to play the Munchkins of the mythical Land of Oz, and the studio began recruiting 'small persons' from all over the world.
During production, rumors spread around Hollywood of wild Munchkin sex orgies, drunken behavior and general dwarf debauchery. More sinisterly, a Munchkin is said to have committed suicide by hanging himself on the set during filming—what appears to be a small human body is clearly visible hanging from a tree in the Tin Man scene. It is a claim that has passed into Hollywood legend.
Set in a hotel room in Culver City, California, Babylon Heights is Irvine Welsh and Dean Cavanagh's scabrous and hilarious imaging of what could, very possibly, have led to the dwarf suicide.
- ISBN10 0393329860
- ISBN13 9780393329865
- Publish Date 30 June 2006 (first published 1 June 2006)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint WW Norton & Co
- Format Paperback (US Trade)
- Pages 114
- Language English