By ALEXANDRA NEWMAN

This Friday Meinhardt Raabe, Munchkin Coroner of the 1939 MGM Classic, “The Wizard of Oz,” will be celebrating his 90th Birthday with fellow Munchkins and Chesterton Oz Festival Celebrities and signing his newly published “Memories of a Munchkin - An Illustrated Walk Down the Yellow Brick Road.”

It is coauthored by Lt. Daniel Kinske and illustrated by Al Hirschfeld, one of the original artists of promotional materials for the movie. One hundred special editions will be offered here during his Munchkin Market Day appearances.

I had the privilege to preview the book and enthusiastically recommend it as a very good read!

It was much more than I expected, although I did know it would be entertaining. I smiled through most of it, and even laughed out loud at many of his vividly described experiences. In some parts, I was amazed at his positive attitude when he was treated so poorly.

From his downright honest description of what it was like to grow up as a little person - then referred to as a midget - through his awe at being a part of the movie, to responding to children and fans after the death of his wife Marie, the book is filled with warmth and humor.

Hailing from Wisconsin, he relates his growing up on a farm, learning about gardening, fishing and swimming.

“...I continued to spend my childhood being known as a little squirt. Not until my trip to the Chicago World’s Fair Midget Village in 1933, at the age of 17 did I realize that “midget” was the commonly used term for my genetic predisposition, and that this name, like the condition was permanent: I would remain small for the rest of my life.”

Meinhardt graduated from college with a degree in accounting, but because of his size, was unable to secure a job in that field. However, as fate would have it, he did get a job at the Chicago World’s Fair and as a Munchkin in the memorable movie.

In the book, he relates how he thought he was selected to play the Coroner because he could enunciate well and was a quick study. He shares behind the scenes secrets about the production and the stars. He was smitten with Judy Garland and appreciative of her kindness to the 124 little people.

He also dispels the notorious stories of the Munchkins all being rowdy and problems on the set. He discusses a few who fit the description. However, he says, like many stories snowballed out of proportion. When a story is told enough times, people start believing it.

Meinhardt takes the reader on an adventure on not only the Munchkin set, but several other Oz stages. His description is so vivid, one feels like you are there with him. He talks about the costumes, makeup and even the commissary where the Munchkins ate - separate from the main stars.

Speaking of stars, he genuinely expresses his pride in being in the film that made Judy Garland a star. Both Mickey Rooney and Judy’s daughter Lorna Luft wrote introductions to this book.

His story includes a chronicle about his job with Oscar Mayer. Meinhardt was the first Oscar and drove the first Weinermobile. His recollection of passing a driver’s test for a license still makes me chuckle out loud.

The book is filled with photographs I’d not seen before. Combined with the illustrations, the stories are amplified with the magic of the old photos and caricatures.

I had the pleasure of being the first reporter here to interview him at his first appearance at an Oz Festival in Chesterton. Two decades later, I have had the pleasure of reading in his book more of the colorful and touching stories he shared with me back then. And in the book, we get to see wonderful photos to go with the stories. At age 90, he continues to be a down to earth fun-loving man with lots of good stories to tell.

I’m glad I read the book.

Meinhardt will be at Munchkin Market Days, located at the Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop and Museum from 2-4 p.m. Sept. 16, 17 and 18 for book signing. Books will be available there.

Posted 9/15/2005