Short and Sweet: The Life and Times of the Lollipop Munchkin

Jerry Maren
Cumberland House (2008)
ISBN 9781581825435
Reviewed by Lisa Kisner for Reader Views (11/08)

 

After seventy-years in show business, Jerry Maren shares his adventures in this autobiography of his life.  He came to Hollywood as a teenager to play a Munchkin in the Wizard of Oz and never left.  He has played parts in all forms of media, including movies, television and the live stage.  Informative narratives, personal recollections and hundreds of photographs are combined into this wonderful memoir.

This book is a straightforward account of the author’s years in Hollywood told with a touch of humor. As a little person in Hollywood, Mr. Maren’s career was unusual and varied.  His most famous role was as the Lollipop Munchkin on the Wizard of Oz.  Mr. Maren relays one anecdote after another as he recalls the fond memories of playing the Munchkin and many other unique roles in television and movies such as Buster and Brown and body double for Charlie McCarthy.  During his career he has shared the stage with actors such as Judy Garland, Groucho Marx, Humphrey Bogart and Andy Williams. 

There are hundreds of pictures as well in the book that bring his recollections to life.   I enjoyed reading about the various acting jobs Jerry held.  Aside from the Wizard of Oz, I was delighted to find out how many fond memories of my childhood Mr. Maren played a part in, including the Apple Dumpling Gang, H.R. Pufnstuf and those McDonaldland commercials from the 70s I loved so much. 

For me, this book was a walk down memory lane, not just my memories, but Hollywood’s Golden Age as well.  Informative, entertaining and interesting, “Short and Sweet” by Jerry Maren is pure enjoyment, from cover to cover.

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