What a privilege to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the releases of The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind! Both movies were made in Culver City. “Gone with the Wind” was filmed at the Selznick Studios, now The Culver Studios. (No, the mansion Administration building was NOT Tara. Tara was burned on the “40 Acres” backlot, (which was really only 29 acres) south of the studio. “The Wizard of Oz” was made down the street at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, now Sony Pictures.
At a 1989 Culver City Historical Society event- “A Celebration of the Movies,” Jerry Maren, was honored as a special guest. Jerry, who played “The Lollipop Kid,” in “The Wizard of Oz,” shared a director’s chair with his wife, Liz, during a cheery interview. He talked about arriving in Culver City late one November night (about 1 a.m.). There were so many little people, he said he was lucky to stay in a top floor room at the Culver Hotel, but noted they put them up three in a bed, sideways! He also pointed out how many others- the overflow – had to go across the street to the Adams Hotel. Jerry laughed while he related their morning wake-up call. They heard music – a band playing, so they assumed “the little people” were being welcomed to Culver City! They jumped out of bed, ran to the window, and looked down to find an “Armistice Day Parade” going by. They got over it…..
The 4’3” Jerry Maren, who arrived in Culver City as an aspiring actor, also became well-known as “Buster Brown,” for his McDonald’s commercials and Jerry traveled around the country as “Little Oscar” in the Oscar Mayer Wiener mobile.
Jerry Maren became a local favorite, as he appeared in Culver City on so many occasions- for CC Historical Society events, “Wizard of Oz” reunions, the city’s 90th birthday celebration, and most recently at an outdoor screening of “The Wizard of Oz.”
How fortuitous for the city council to show “Culver City—the Heart of Screenland” on their 1936-still current city seal!
Julie Lugo Cerra is the city historian. She has written five books.