The Wicked Witch on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1975)

David Newell (Mr. McFeely) recollects Margaret Hamilton's visit to Mister Rogers' Neighborhood filmed at WQED in Pittsburgh. In the episode on scary images, Fred Rogers meets the actress who played the Wicked Witch of the West in 1938 movie "The Wizard of Oz". This is a bonus segment from Swift Fox Media's 2020 KZbin documentary, "Our Assignment from Fred Rogers" that can be viewed here: • Our Assignment from Fr...

[@jeffdougherty1878]

It is incredible that her total screen time in Oz was only 11 minutes yet the impact her performance made goes on and on.

[@jonathannaughton8554]

Hell yeah. I believe Hannibal Lecter had even less screentime than that in Silence Of The Lambs

[@jonathannaughton8554]

Update: he had just over 16 minutes, but still, it goes to show: a REALLY good villain will instantly elevate your film.

[@anjenue4894]

Wow!! Reminds me of Anthony Hopkins’s 16 mins screen time on Silence of the Lambs.. in a 2:18 minute film!

[@craigsimons817]

Yes, an iconic movie villain, still the yardstick for films today.

[@annereilley4892]

I think screen time is only part of it, their presence in other scenes can be without them actually being present.

[@sandrap.6530]

Without her green make up & change of voice & witch mannerisms, she just looked like a nice old lady. Shows you what a great actress she was.

[@jamesanthony8438]

She didn't look like a nice old lady as Miss Gulch in "The Wizard of Oz." She scared me more than the witch. =)

[@WorldBeans]

Reminds me of the lady who played Ms. Trunchbull in Matilda

[@Valkonnen]

Well there were prosthetics involved as well. She wore a nose and chin appliance, and THEN the green makeup and accents went on.

[@steverobertson3980]

Exactly!! A testament to her skill

[@MysticWarriorMJ]

@@jamesanthony8438 Miss Gulch was a crotchity old crone, who is represented in oz as a crotchity old crone with a grudge.

[@eliothorowitz5627]

Because she was so TOTALLY identified as the Witch, Margaret Hamilton was denied the rich career she might've had, but she took pride in her role in the legendary film and was never bitter. A wonderful actress and an admirable human being.

[@b.deville3236]

Either that, or she would have just been another MGM contract character player if not for "Oz".

[@Motown-1966]

@@b.deville3236 As far as I know, MS. Hamilton was a character actress...she wasn't a leading lady in any movie production. Sadly, it was more to do with her looks than being type casted.

[@BingCherry11]

To be "Type casted" is every actor/actress nightmare!!!!!

[@marshallmom1962]

I think i only ever saw her in Maxwell House coffee commercials after that.

[@brianmerritt5410]

Imagine playing such a memorable role that people can't see you as anything else so you can't play another character.

[@BangBang-hk4rg]

The witch was pretty scary, but those flying monkeys were the real nightmare fuel.

[@onetrueslave]

Well, one thing we'd all agree on is that lion didn't scare any of us one whit.

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

Yep. Them and ventriloquist dolls!

[@lfader]

Yes that's absolutely TERRIFIED me !!! 😳 🤣🐒🐒🐒🙈

[@riverraisin1]

I had a horrible nightmare as a child about those flying monkeys chasing me. One of only a few nightmares that I vividly remember 50+ years later.

[@ericfureal3257]

The Wheelers in Return to OZ were by far the scariest

[@alvinwagner6085]

It’s amazing how well this man understood the child psyche. He was able to think like a child and with his high adult intelligence came up with things like this. I am a father of eight and it’s not easy sometimes to remember what it was like to be a kid. Fred never forgot.

[@icyfire6879]

Wow, you've been busy!

[@mr.amushu1174]

There's a story of him getting mad at his grandson because he almost sprayed him with the hose. When he got home he thought about it and called his grandson to apologize, after all he entered their area where they were playing and also he shouldn't have lost his temper. His grandson said 'Bubba, everybody makes mistakes sometimes'. Even angels make mistakes, its learning from them and leading with love that make our mistakes okay! You got this!

[@chop3625]

How this woman didn’t receive an Oscar for that role is beyond me.

[@robertthomas5196]

There was some pretty good competition in 1939.

[@chop3625]

@@robertthomas5196 True but her performance was spectacular.

[@gaden002]

I have always thought that she played the part perfectly, but I also have to agree with Mr. Thomas, above.

[@chop3625]

@@gaden002 Those days were overloaded with quality👍

[@rebecca8525]

Oh, well, at least Idina Menzel got a Tony for playing the same character seventy years later.

[@mitchellgang120]

In this episode, Mr. Rogers and Margaret Hamilton talk about why the witch was the way she was and Margaret Hamilton explained that maybe the witch didn't have many friends, and maybe she was lonely, and that was why the Wicked Witch of the West was so unpleasant. They really got into the psychology of it, but in a way that was accessible to small children.

[@dillzee]

And that's how wicked (book and play) came to be!!

[@chazofalsa]

@@dillzee Wicked definitely changed my entire outlook on The Wizard of Oz.

[@cappystrano1]

@@dillzee you have the coolest name I’ve seen yet!

[@cappystrano1]

@@dillzee and yeah. Party on!

[@dillzee]

@@cappystrano1 Aw dang thank you 🤘

[@PandoraKyss]

I know it's cliche to say this, but the world needs Mister Rogers right now.

[@SwiftFoxMedia]

Yes we do!

[@frankwolftown]

That is not cliche, that is absolutely needed right now!

[@madvidz9819]

we need something idk what. I wouldnt want mister rogers to come back and see this.

[@timobrien8809]

So yes. I often have trouble sleeping & if it was one of those nights while the show was still on I'd watch an eppy & fall asleep soon after. I seem to remember my PBS station airing it about 3-4 AM.

[@paullangland6877]

That's a cliche that I will gladly embrace no matter what.

[@leokimvideo]

Wow, when Margret snapped into character it did scare me. Luckily Mr Rodgers made me feel comfortable from the fright.

[@matrox]

[@C.Church]

It would be most scary to know if you're not just joking but telling the truth that this really scared you. One can never know online.

[@davepelfrey3958]

I was little when I first saw this film and her in it. She was so scary to me I couldn't watch it. I had to cover my eyes.

[@West_Coast_Mainline]

It’s interesting to see you here, leo

[@allmightygreat1892]

Me 2

[@ChilesRussellTaylor]

R.I.P. Fred Rogers & Margaret Hamilton!

[@caroltenge5147]

They are up there together following the yellow brick road... forever.

[@jenniferpetti859]

I met Margaret Hamilton, when I was a little girl. She was a absolute sweetheart..

[@bobalinx8762]

That must’ve been really amazing to meet her.

[@jenniferpetti859]

@@bobalinx8762 she lived in the building of my dad's friend who was also a super. Like my dad was.. She was a absolute pleasure to meet.

[@truejaneysue8269]

That's awesome! You are a lucky person. She was an amazing actress.

[@daniellee6883]

That is so cool you got to meet Margaret 😀

[@Elysia63]

Wow! Lucky you!

[@PandoraKyss]

It's almost magical how she looked younger when she put the costume and the hat on, yet still retaining her elegance. No one will ever outdo her as the Wicked Witch; she's the only reason I enjoy The Wizard of Oz to this day. Also, I've read that Judy Garland found it hard to be frightened of her because of how wonderfully nice she was.

[@bravesfandevotee23]

Mila Kunis was too sexy to be the wicked witch.

[@mikejohnson515]

She MADE the movie!

[@skynetprime82]

@@bravesfandevotee23 she did make the wicked witch in a weird way look oddly attractive tbh

[@jimwilliams4088]

@@bravesfandevotee23 I agree with that

[@MaskedMan66]

Much as when Carrie Fisher had to act with Peter Cushing in the first _Star Wars_ movie. Princess Leia had to hate the evil Governor Tarkin, but Carrie adored Peter so much that it was difficult for her to act it.

[@woodysdrums8083]

A show made of kindness and friendship. We need that back. RIP Fred and Margaret.

[@rachealmurphy6715]

Definitely

[@Author_Alyssa_Taylor]

Woodysdrums -- but would our angry world see it for the purity it was nowadays? SO many angry people and so few kids with an attention span long enough to watch!

[@jeremyriley1238]

@@Author_Alyssa_Taylor Possibly not, as a year later, Margaret appeared on Sesame Street as the Wicked Witch, and immediately, parents started complaining about kids being scared.

[@MysticWarriorMJ]

Oh we need a lot of things back.

[@QuarrellaDeVil]

"Did I just see the Wicked Witch of the West go into your kitchen?" That's priceless. For our part, as kids, once we realized that Margaret Hamilton was playing Cora in the Maxwell House commercials, the spell was broken, and a few of us regarded her as a cool grandma figure we'd love to meet. And her little dog, too.

[@retroguy9494]

Yes I remember those Maxwell House commercials as a boy. And since my parents drank Maxwell House, I thought it was so cool that they drank the witches coffee! LOL

[@matthewwelch4305]

@@retroguy9494 Witch's BREW! Sorry, had to say it! 😉

[@lisascorp]

​@@matthewwelch4305my first thought too. But you beat me to it.

[@Jprager]

Margaret Hamilton was reportedly one of the few people who were actually kind to Judy Garland on set. The principal cast felt overshadowed or looked down on her for having the spotlight. But Margaret was always supportive and close with Judy, even reuniting with her years later reminiscing about the set

[@drhkleinert8241]

Margret Hamilton was a teacher and loves children

[@Retrorevelations]

Not sure where this story comes from. But as others have pointed out, it is very likely untrue.

[@dawnreneegmail]

Well true or not it would be good to think SOMEONE was good to Judy as a child star.

[@Setebos]

Being scared by the Wicked Witch is, to me, a rite of passage.

[@jaelge]

Even as a kid, the Wicked Witch never scared me, but the crystal ball scene when Dorothy cries for her Auntie Em, to this very day will make me cry like a baby.

[@caraelisabethr]

I still to this day cannot look at the wicked witches face. There is something about her mannerisms, the green face, and costume that scare the living daylights out of me. I mean literally for years I had nightmares and couldn’t stop seeing her face when I closed my eyes. Yet I love the movie sooo figure that one out! 😂

[@raynwise]

Yes, and those darn flying monkeys!! 😱

[@ariochiv]

I was actually more terrified of the twister, but she was pretty scary too. What a classic.

[@sometimessnarky1642]

I was never scared by the Wicked witch. I mean....Dorothy did drop a house on her sister and steal her shoes so she wasn't just some Karen freaking out for no reason. I actually never trusted Glinda. She just seemed so... Flakey.

[@noahlisiecki2734]

Wasn't she was also the nicest person on set to Judy Garland

[@DH_Artist]

Yup, and Judy couldn’t be scared of her because of that haha

[@daniellemisuriello4994]

I’m defending Ray Bolger here he absolutely adored Judy. He gave her a book as a gift at the end of the Wizard of oz once they got done shooting he wrote in her book and said it was great working with her very sweet young lady lots love & success so Ray and Judy were close as well on the OZ set.

[@clarebell5926]

Yes - I read this too ha ha sounds like the whole cast were lovely and all got on really well! 😊❤️

[@WinterWonder99]

Margaret once said in an interview that on the set of The Wizard of Oz she and Judy would eat lunch together everyday and laugh until they had tears in their eyes.

[@bradleyscarton3931]

Being a former school teacher and knowing Judy was a young girl, it came naturally to her to make sure Judy had a friend and was doing okay.

[@IMCcanTWEESTED]

I don't know if Margaret Hamilton talked about it, but she and Ray Bolger (Scarecrow) remained life-long friends. She was a sweet sweet woman actor who played a part that struck terror in the hearts of millions of children.

[@gregstern8763]

She also adored and truly looked out for Judy Garland on the set of The Wizard of Oz

[@josepha3805]

Wow that's pretty cool

[@Sickofsociety1]

The world needs a lot more genuine wholesome tv shows like this.

[@donnarowe1890]

I agree!

[@moonbeam5340]

I still tear up every time I hear his voice. He was a huge part of my childhood.

[@lekocafe]

Mister Rogers was a great man, we should all strive to be more like him.

[@trissloan2340]

I am. The world crushes you.

[@jeffsmith2022]

An awesome human being was Fred Rogers...

[@toddferguson4571]

We need less Politicians and a LOT MORE Mr Rogers! They broke the mold on him.

[@waynehackney5812]

Fred Rodgers was an amazing man. Who had a heart for everyone, regardless of religious beliefs or none. A beautiful soul.

[@anhw3303]

He would be so disappointed with how so many Americans are these days.

[@exoressdelivers70]

She still has that witch voice and wicked laugh! RIP...she was awesome.

[@retroguy9494]

Yea she never lost it! That's SO cool. She also appeared a year later (Mr. Rogers was 1975) on Paul Lynde's Halloween TV special as the wicked witch. She was awesome and never lost a beat.

[@mcpeanutful]

Yes, but this was made when she was SO much older than she was when she played the witch. Doing the math, she was in her 30s when she played the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz.

[@NairAthul]

When he said she flew to Pittsburgh ,I imagined her on a broom.

[@acerjuglans383]

ME TOO!

[@tirado637]

🤦

[@FourthFielder]

I actually live in between Pgh & the Airport and watch planes all day like a modern day train-spotting... Though I pictured her in airplane, you made me spit up my Earl Grey.

[@byronspears9395]

🤔😲😂😂😂

[@constancemiller3753]

🧙‍♀️🧹😁

[@culbycove4963]

I love love LOVE that Mr Rogers acknowledges that girls AND boys like to play witches - a tiny moment, but a cool one. he was always effortlessly inclusive with his program.

[@seantolson6223]

In fairness, back when he was growing up there wasn’t really any kind of “Witch/Wizard distinction” in the popular culture, that’s something that fantasy movies and Dungeons and Dragons made up in the late 70s. The most popular wizard character for the first 10 years after this episode aired was probably the one selling cookie crisps!

[@xXTwigManXx]

I didn't catch that, that's really cool. He was a true saint of a human being

[@jedijones]

@@seantolson6223 Didn't Lord of the Rings have wizards years before D&D?

[@ChristopherPayneMUA]

1:37 - "Girls AND boys like to play witches." For 1975 this is amazingly progressive thing to say on a children's television show. Kudos Mr. Rogers.

[@MaskedMan66]

Witches come in male and female; they always have.

[@k1productions87]

@@MaskedMan66 They just traditionally had a different name for males. Warlocks, I believe

[@greenkidd529]

@@MaskedMan66 *warlocks

[@friendlyneighbourhoodplatypus]

@@k1productions87 Wiccas and Wicces I believe.

[@electrictroy2010]

I remember 1975. Witches & wizards were what they called them in movies. Wicca and warlocks are terms I never heard until the 90s

[@EpicKate]

Clips like this almost always put tears in my eyes. The simple way of making the world better by open and respectful communication is just wonderful.

[@JennFrank]

Well said! 💚

[@trooperandcooperale3057]

We never had it here in Australia, and I've watching bits and pieces all day and with Tom Hanks playing Mister Rogers. It's been very emotional shall I say.

[@Sean-me4fv]

There is so much fear, aggression and negativity in the world right now. Very sad.

[@billlombard9911]

Never ever forget this great man

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

Same here, Kate. Same here.... It so makes the lack of decency and sweetness and respect towards each other these days, so much more obvious.

[@FloridaMugwump]

She had a summer house in our neighborhood and would read to the children at the local libraries each summer.

[@DiamondDogg44]

Fred Rogers was born and raised in my home state of Pennsylvania. He is revered here as one of the greatest men to ever come from here. God bless him!

[@rachealmurphy6715]

I remember him saying in times of trouble look for the helpers. He was such a great man

[@dianem8544]

He was one of the greatest men to ever come from anywhere.

[@adamwarlock3530]

She was a great actress. Played that part great. I can't think of anyone who couldve played it better. RIP

[@DanniTheMagicJunkDrawer]

My heart just breaks for her. She seems like such a sweet and genuine woman. I feel So sad that people had her labeled as a witch in real life. I just wanna give her a hug!

[@milojanis4901]

VERY underrated actress. Nobody in the history of film was more suitable for a part they were selected to play than Margaret Hamilton was as a wicked witch.

[@eddherring4972]

Margaret being the Wicked Witch is like Peter Falk being Columbo. Also I could be wrong but I believe that the green makeup is the reason why witches on broomsticks are associated with green skin. That could be inaccurate as I’ve not checked my information.

[@davidthieroff9452]

Maybe Shelly Duvall for Olive Oyl or Christopher Reeve for Superman. But yeah, she was perfect.

[@loribragg2947]

She was perfect-but I also can’t see anyone else as Mammy other than Hattie McDaniel and absolutely no one else but Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O’Hara. The Oscar judges really had their work cut out for them in 1939. 😂

[@tommyt1971]

Amazing how Fred could pull this kind of thing off. The guy had more fans and admirers than he ever knew. RIP Sir.

[@paullangland6877]

Fred Rogers was not just a host of TV show, he was a Teacher and a mediator for all of us. He had a strange but wonderful power and he somehow used this power to do good in the world.

[@jettcarlburg356]

Fred Rogers and Margaret Hamilton were two of the loveliest people ever. So wonderful to see them together gently teaching children the difference between pretend and reality.

[@bracita15]

I’m sure I wrote this comment somewhere else but it bears repeating. There’s a video somewhere of Margaret Hamilton being interviewed and she was asked to laugh like the Wicked Witch. I am almost 60 years old, but when I heard her cackle it sent shivers down my spine. 🧙🏻‍♀️

[@zyabayz101]

I'm older than you, and I had EXACTLY the same reaction! The most terrifying movie character of my entire childhood.

[@retroguy9494]

That "cackling" used to make ME laugh!

[@WWZenaDo]

@retroguy94 - Me too! It doesn't take much effort to emit a scary cackle.

[@RyneMurray23]

Her as the witch still gives me chills

[@bargainbassist]

That’s what real acting is!

[@amandapanda3657]

Margaret Hamilton and mister Rogers together talking is the cutest thing. Old people truly seem sweet and these two truly were sweet

[@mt22201]

You must be quite young if you think Fred Rogers was old in this video.

[@brianjohnson4955]

he wouldve been good on that movie

[@MaskedMan66]

Mt. Rogers was only 47 at that time.

[@MaskedMan66]

@@brianjohnson4955 He was ten when it was made.

[@hotelmario]

Old People lol

[@samlewis7878]

This woman is INCREDIBLE AND ICONIC. Pardon me for saying, but one of the best witches of ALL TIME!

[@charlieg1337]

not even close...now that is a "wicked" witch

[@michaelvaughn169]

THE best

[@IndianOutlaw1870]

No one can touch her. No one is even close.

[@SuperMatrix59]

This was a time in history that could never be recaptured. Like lightning in a bottle.

[@garyschermer5463]

well said

[@Anth230]

Time marches on.

[@retroguy9494]

Well, perhaps one day with a different generation. But certainly not in most of OUR lifetimes. Too much hate and easy triggering right now.

[@blackhawkswincup2010]

I love Margaret Hamilton. She was such a sweetheart in real life, and her fact shows it. My wife is fond of a quote, "By the time you're 40, you pretty much have the face you deserve." Margaret spent her time choosing happiness, and that's what I remember. I was struck by this when she had a small part on the old Lou Grant TV series. A life well-lived.

[@TheraP2014]

What a lovely comment and quote, thanks!

[@mcpeanutful]

Peggy Hamilton was in her 30s when she played The Wicked Witch of the West, and when she was 40, that's what she was known for.

[@KELLY-maybeWeCudBeGirlfriends]

OMG!!!! I watched this episode back in 1975 when I was 9 years old. And I also was terrified of the movie Wizzard of Oz. And I was ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED of the wicked witch, to the point of having nightmares about her several times a week for 2 years. Then I watched this episode of Mr. Rodgers, and I can't even begin to tell you how much it helped me, and I never dreamed of her or the movie ever again. The nightmares completely stopped. THANK YOU MY FRIEND FOR SHARING THIS VIDEO!!!!

[@Migzter05]

Even without the makeup, I still easily recognize her. She did an amazing job as the Wicked Witch. Truly iconic.

[@triplanelover]

great to see; she was gracious enough to have invited me to interview her back in 1971 in NYC at her Grammercy Park apartment. I still have the tape , what an absolute joy she was to be around ! she even heard me sniffling and offered to get me some hot tea with honey, which I had! I will never forget that afternoon with her.

[@SwiftFoxMedia]

Incredible! What did you ask Margaret Hamilton in the interview? What an amazing memory!!

[@dennishuyvaert1416]

What a great story!!

[@George-pf8zb]

maybe you should share that interview

[@rachealmurphy6715]

Oh please share

[@SebisRandomTech]

Would love to hear that tape posted here!

[@ohioweatherguy]

This was actually my favorite episode! I don't recall ever being all that scared by the witch, it was the tornado scene that scared me the most. I had to cover my eyes during that scene (go figure I grew up to be a meteorologist). Even without the green makeup it was amazing seeing her put on that costume and very clearly transform into the Wicked Witch of the West even though several decades had passed by that point.

[@tonibauer2949]

Her riding the bicycle through the sky in the tornado scared me more than the witch character! Freaky.

[@susans654]

@@tonibauer2949 The flying monkeys scared the bejezus out of me when I was a child.

[@lenadahling]

People usually say it's the monkeys.

[@Cablecol]

Yes the tornado and the bike scenes were the scariest.🌪🚴‍♂️

[@suzanner1630]

the scarecrows arm on fire was what scared me the most

[@BoredPodcaster]

This was a great clip in itself, and shows exactly why Mr. Rogers was so popular. My favorite episode, though, is when he decided to go behind the scenes of the show itself, just as he'd done to many other places. As a kid watching that, I was fascinated by how everything worked, and what it looked like off to the side of the set. I've enjoyed behind-the-scenes documentaries about everyday work environments since, and the feeling of wonder and excitement from learning how things work, or are done, still remains today. We absolutely need Mr. Rogers today, but if he were alive, I think it'd absolutely break his heart to see the state of our society now, after all he'd personally done to make things better. As a society, we're poor keepers of the legacy he left behind, but at least we still have these remnants to look back on. Maybe it'll inspire someone to take up the mantle, and start making a difference again.

[@bargainbassist]

There’s always Bill Burr! 😂

[@robertdubs9466]

I remember she also gave some depth to the Wicked Witch's character and described the Wicked Witch a someone who enjoyed what she did, but was also frustrated because she never got what she wanted.

[@MFPhoto1]

Judy Garland said that Margaret Hamilton was so nice between takes that it was hard to act scared of her when the cameras rolled.

[@drhkleinert8241]

And Frank Morgan, too. A total nice, warmhearted and handsome man. Judy Garland said it brings her to tears when the Wizard gives all the presents because Morgan was a really generouslly man in real live and allways friendly.

[@orcaartist]

“Girls AND boys like to play witches.” He was a good soul.

[@DaveFisher-cq2dr]

yes indeed, he sure was

[@Snowfire6916]

The fact he said that back in 1975 is incredible, and means a lot to me especially as a trans woman. Mr. Rogers was one in a million.

[@SPohl-zy4rz]

So wonderful that Mr. Rogers invited her on the show like that. Looks like they had great fun that day!

[@christinewittmann1806]

We always had our children watch the bonus material of movies we thought might scare them before they watched the actual movies for exactly this reason.

[@truejaneysue8269]

She was such an amazing actress. I was so scared that I would hide my face every time I saw her in The Wizard of Oz. Mr. Rogers Neighborhood was a favorite show as a child. The segment with her on his show was excellent. I have fond memories of both The Wizard of Oz and Mr. Rogers. Wish we had more entertainment like those days...now a days.

[@ItIsJustJudy]

I saw this episode when it aired. I wish they would release they entire episode again. I met David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely, and is the man speaking in this clip. He is just as nice and friendly as you would imagine he would be. Mister Rogers knew how to choose the right people for his show. My only regret is never having the courage to write to Mister Rogers to thank him for what his shows meant to me.

[@jeffreydotson4842]

Man, how I wish people like Mr. Rogers were allowed to live forever.

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

They all live long enough to earn their wings. :')

[@retroguy9494]

He IS alive forever bruh. Its just that he's in Heaven now. Like all the good people!

[@xendava7217]

What an amazing moment in television history. She got into that costume and she really looked just like she did back in the film.

[@truckerkevthepaidtourist]

These classic clips really make me realize how great of a friend David was to Fred and how cool he was not just as Mr mcfeely but a very vital part of the show behind the scenes

[@SwiftFoxMedia]

He's an incredible part of the show's legacy!

[@hereholdthiswillya]

Crazy, I actually watched that episode as a kid. It helped me humanize the actress and to see how nice she was as a person.

[@Deon82]

It's funny, The Witch appeared in Sesame Street, but the kids got scared! She comes back on Mr. Rogers, and its cool!

[@rexrabbiteer]

she was in full make up and I think she acted as the witch in that one. in mr rogers she was just herself

[@ryancoulter4797]

She appeared on this first before Sesame Street. The problem was that some never saw the Mr Rogers episode. I lived in Canada and we never got Mr Rogers on tv, just Sesame Street. Gave me nightmares for months. And they played it up here at least twice.

[@wendyokoopa7048]

@@ryancoulter4797 what part of Canada? Pbs to me was always accessible with antenna and cable but I'm an hour and a bit from wnpe/wnpi Norwood

[@rachealmurphy6715]

No it was the parents that complained and it was never aired

[@stevennorthrup5790]

The episode was currently found

[@red2846]

This is exactly how you should teach children! Show them. He was my absolute favorite when I was a little girl!

[@retroguy9494]

And, if you noticed, no HATE like their is today. Only understanding.

[@everready19373]

The Wizard of Oz used to be aired one day a YEAR. It was a big deal when I was a kid. Friends would come over, we'd put blankets down on the living room floor, mom would make popcorn for us. Oh what great memories. Now the youngsters can watch it anytime the want to. How cheap.

[@jackmorgan8931]

And that was the one night you couldn't find a kid anywhere in the neighborhood, outside playing...well, all those games we used to play back then including just roaming the neighborhood with your pals. Time for "The Wizard of Oz"? Clear the streets!

[@gtlfb]

I also recall going through the TV Guide each week to see what was coming on - “Ooh, if I can stay awake til 11pm Tuesday I can watch ‘The Mummy”!. Being able to watch any movie any time isn’t nearly as satisfying, there’s no delicious sense of anticipation.

[@retroguy9494]

Well, that's only because Warner Brothers bought all of Ted Turner's (who owned the rights to show The Wizard of Oz on TV) entertainment holdings and has now made it available to stream on HBO Max. Its always about the money today boys and girls! But yes, I, too, remember as a child when it would be on TV once a year. And I would always watch it too! Sometimes with my parents as THEY actually got to see it in the theater when it first came out in 1939 when THEY were little kids!

[@stepha2642]

She went on to sell coffee. She was the spokeswoman for Maxwell House.

[@mcpeanutful]

What era was that? I ask to be able to use math to find out how old she was by that point, because her role as the witch was when she was in her 30s.

[@mikebasil4832]

Thank you for this clip from one of the most special episodes of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.

[@laurasmith7976]

Margaret Hamilton was the greatest actress in History. The wicked witch was so real and scary.

[@howardweinstein1324]

The greatest actress in history, EVER... WOW! Thats high phrase, she would have loved to know that.

[@CartoonMitchell]

You won't get an argument from me!

[@rachealmurphy6715]

Definitely

[@derekllewellyn6663]

@@CartoonMitchell I just love it so much it's looks amazing made movie wizard of oz same year would definitely home history books documentary about biography book club

[@retroguy9494]

I actually thought the witch was FUNNY when I was a boy. It was Miss Gulch that scared me! Probably because I knew a couple of women like her at the time.

[@hpa2005]

Unless I'm mistaken: Ms. Hamilton would have kids come up and ask her why she was so mean to Dorothy, which got her worried and in turn lead to her agreeing to be on "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" in part to show that she was just playing a character.

[@michellewarns1330]

Actually, as you can see, she was a really friendly lady and kids loved her. That and she was a kindergarten teacher and all her students kept asking her to do lines from the movie.

[@rachealmurphy6715]

She loved children

[@benjaminspinney8718]

Fred called my Dad to come on the show as Bigbird so he could show the kids that there was actually a man in the puppet, but dad said the Muppets did NOT want that to happen. So he had Bigbird on anyway in the land of make-believe so they wouldn't have to tell the kids he was a just a puppet.

[@sanmanbk1278]

If they showed that Bigbird was actually just a man in a costume, so many kids would have had that innocent illusion destroyed and probably would start questioning the authenticity of all the other Muppet characters as well. Understandable that Sesame Street didn't want to ruin that fantasy for the kids (might have ended up with lost viewership as well). Must have been so cool knowing your dad was Big Bird AND Oscar the Grouch. Always a big fan of your dad, may he rest in peace🙏

[@RyneMurray23]

She played that role perfectly 👍🏼

[@wootuser]

There are still people as kind and humble as Mister Rogers in this world and I wish they would get the airtime on TV. Mr Rodgers showed us what it was to be a good and kind person. I miss him greatly. When I was a child I couldn't wait to go to the neighborhood of make believe.

[@adrienneflowersscott9290]

I love Margaret Hamilton. She was such a dynamic actress and she seemed so kind and sweet. 😊

[@rachealmurphy6715]

She loved children.

[@tonypastor705]

I've never seen ANYONE play a witch as good as she did.

[@retroguy9494]

You should have known my neighbor across the street when I was a boy. Only she wasn't PLAYING!

[@IndianOutlaw1870]

@@retroguy9494 LOL

[@borgullet3376]

When I was a kid my first nightmares ever were of the Wicked Witch.. I saw this and they stopped. Leave it to Mr. Rogers to proactively put an end to a theme of childhood terror... R.I.P. Mister Fred Rogers

[@borgullet3376]

R.I.P. Ms. Hamilton

[@matthewm.986]

That's a wonderful story!

[@DV_Dark_Jedi]

I've heard that he was asked to attempt to comfort children after 9/11

[@disneystarwars0078]

This is a great episode. It helped teach children about scary images and showed who Margaret Hamilton really was, a nice, sweet person.

[@afc358]

What a lovely little clip. I read somewhere that she was horrified to appear so scary to children, as she adored them and gave a great deal of her money to children's charities.

[@kevinpyne5808]

I watched this live as a young teenager. I was still naive and half of me still believed she was evil. Her being on the show made me totally realize she was a nice lady.

[@anotherDnightmare]

2020 could use a dose of Mr. Rogers right about now.

[@tonibauer2949]

Amen.

[@davesmietanski5988]

Kindness, gentleness and morals will one day come back in style. Until then, we have to deal with most of America and the world acting like the way they do. Bless you wicked witch and mr Rodgers

[@CraftyZanTub]

For now, if you've children, there are digital libraries of the old children's shows.

[@hewiy33]

i didn't see OZ until I was in my late 40's. I was TERRIFYED of witches as a child and seeing the witch always made uncomfortable. But my local theatre was running classic movies and this was one of the selections. My older brother wanted to see it I agreed to go. It was great and the first time I watched was on the big screen as it was intended.

[@wishingwell12345]

How incredibly wholesome children's TV was back then!

[@jonoeschger1552]

I had the honor of meeting her in Philadelphia when they used to have celebrities at the John Wanamaker’s dept. store court. What a classy lady, and yes...I mentioned the nightmares her portrayal of the WW caused me to have as a child.

[@harryrichards4183]

Did you meet her at the Eagle? 😊

[@bluekg13]

Amazing how this immediately brought smile to my face. Long live Mr. Rogers. We need another one like him to help us in these tough times.

[@bloke_19xx33]

She also ‘plugged’ for Maxwell House coffee as ‘Cora’ the store owner

[@jimwilliams4088]

Yes she did. Loved the commercial

[@Questor-ky2fv]

Thanks for the lovely post! This character was important to the whole movie. Also, having Mr. Rogers explain how it was "just pretend" play acting, was very helpful for young kids. The show, and Margaret Hamilton did a great job explaining things, without spoiling the movie for future and repeat watchers. We used to watch it every year when I was growing up, but that was decades ago. I'm in my early sixties now. For about the past year I've been thinking of watching the movie again. Now you have strengthened the urge. Thanks again for a great post!🤗👍👏

[@khriscaplinger4506]

It's something how she was so wicked and frightening in the wizard of oz yet I've heard it said that in real life Margaret Hamilton was the kindest Lady you could meet

[@mcpeanutful]

Even in her 30s when she portrayed the Witch in The Wizard of Oz she was kind in real life?

[@JaneBarkley]

Just brilliant. When I was very young I saw a scary movie that really terrified me. When I saw the actor on an award show in part costume it really clicked how it was all just make believe. I just love that Mister Rogers knew this would be an important key for people.

[@Scorpion.1992]

Margaret will go down in History as the best Wicked Witch ever on screen💯% God bless her..

[@raulduke3237]

I never thought about this but, imagine playing this infamous role... and being the face of it. The wicked witch of the west is a pop culture icon.

[@JasmynSundayrose]

She was also on Shinning Time Station. Loved her in that too.

[@ethanwinters184]

George Carlton was also on this perticuler show

[@dukecraig2402]

She died 4 years before that show aired.

[@darkknight5541]

That's the beauty of Mister Rogers. He was such a loving person who knew how to handle any situation.

[@cccccc5398]

That was a GREAT one, with Margaret Hamilton...just so wonderful.

[@wkeena]

I got to spend some time with Margaret and she was the sweetest thing ever. Just a lovely person.

[@anarchistatheist1917]

I was born 45 years after the wizard of oz was initially shown. It's a great classic that withstood time by being beloved by multiple generations and will continue to be beloved by multiple future generations as well. The same can be said of Mr Rogers neighborhood. Rest in peace Margaret Hamilton, and Fred Rogers.

[@JordanVanRyn]

Margaret Hamilton is the grandma we all would love to have. Not only did she bring to life one of the most iconic villains in film history. But she was also the sweetest kindest people ever. RIP Margaret. You’ll always be remembered.

[@torrigarnet]

This busts the argument that children can't understand certain topics because they're kids. You have to meet them on their level of understanding. They understand more than adults will admit. Mr. Rogers did an amazing job of explaining things on that level. A true National Treasure.

[@rfb3011]

Margaret Hamilton portrayed the best witch ever on screen. She was a great actress, I enjoyed watching her in a number of movies. And, of course, paired with Mr. Rogers, just wonderful.

[@kmsharley75]

I’m 45 years old and still scared as hell over the Wicked Witch of the West

[@byzantineladybug9471]

@@kimburnett7340 Me too! I was just going to post that I find the wicked witch terrifying!

[@TimothyJonSarris]

Without realizing that episode help me get over my fear of her when she presents herself in the crystal ball in the film.

[@finster1968]

Funny you say that...her crystal ball appearance in Wizard of Oz also scared the hell out of me worse than her in person scenes!!

[@greg1268]

Ok, was it just me or did anyone else get goosebumps when she laughed like the wicked witch of the west?!?!? WOW!!!

[@dalewatts1475]

We never had this in Australia, but I can see why Mr Rogers is so loved in America.

[@jeffreydevoti7000]

Having watched "The Wizard of OZ" many times over the decades, the huge indoor sets give it a dream like quality. It's like you exprenced it yourself while asleep. . As I child, through my parents Activity Club at their work at The Magnavox TV factory; I got to go to the Land of OZ in Blowing Rock North Carolina. It was very well done, colorful and meticulously Clean. Even as a jaded adult, I think I would still enjoy it just as much If I could go back in time and experience it all over again. 🤗

[@junodonatus4906]

I agree with you about the dream-like feel of that movie - it just touches something deep inside us. which is why the movie resonates with everyone from children to adults. The movie contains so many elements that we identify with such as leaving home/going on a journey, longing for home amid the strangeness of a new environment, making new and meaningful friendships, accomplishing a task, and ultimately saying goodbye. When Dorothy wakes up back on the farm it is almost as though we did too And I can't think of a more fitting image of nostalgia than the black-and-white footage of a farm and the loving elderly, and doting, family members in our lives. I didn't grow up on anything resembling a farm and yet nevertheless they invoke a sense of nostalgia for me.

[@esmeephillips5888]

She played the witch on Sesame Street. Some parents reported that their kids would no longer watch the show for fear she would come back. The segment was never rerun.

[@Mxyzptlksac]

I remember it scared me too. My parents didn’t complain... but it did scare me

[@ryancoulter4797]

Scared me too. Had witch nightmares for months. Didn’t tell my parents. And they played it at least twice up here in Canada

[@newguy90]

@@ryancoulter4797 That's one of the major differences between Sesame Street and Mr Rogers. Sesame Street didn't want to completely break the illusion that their characters were real. Mr Rogers preferred to pull back the curtain to show children the difference between fantasy and reality. Hence why he called the puppet section of his show "The Land of Make Believe." Rogers was hesitant to allow Big Bird on his show because Carol Spinney, Big bird's puppeteer, wanted to appear in character as Big Bird. Rogers wanted to interview Spinney and show how his Big Bird costume worked.

[@thedoncrazephaze5375]

I will admit she scared me...but my 2yrs younger brother had horrible night terrors over the Wicked Witch of the West, I mean "therapy level" explanations & care was needed (kinda exxagerating - kinda not). One way my parents explained it to him was at this time (mid to late 70s) Ms.Hamilton was doing Maxwell House coffee commercials. So every time after the Witch was on TV my brother would get through the trauma by exclaiming quite loudly, "Its the Maxwell House coffee can lady!" Amazing how something so terrifying & problematic at the time can be so funny now.

[@Rhythmicons]

Mr. Newell is such a kind man. I received a letter from him a few years ago and cried. This was over thirty years after watching the show for the last time. I received a Speedy Delivery from Mr. McFeeley in real life and couldn't believe how something from my childhood dream came to life. My wife noticed how uplifted I was in a way that I never really have been either before or since.

[@PRINCESS2527]

The world will never have another MR Rogers….