Wicked Witch of the West facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wicked Witch of the West |
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| Oz character | |
The iconic appearance of the Wicked Witch of the West as portrayed by Margaret Hamilton in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz
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| First appearance | The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) |
| Created by | L. Frank Baum |
| Portrayed by |
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| Aliases |
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| Species | Human (witch) |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | Ruler of the Winkies (at time of death) |
| Title | The Wicked Witch of the West |
| Family | The Wicked Witch of the East (sister, only in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the medias based after it) Wicked: Governess of Munchkinland (mother), Wizard of Oz (father) Once Upon A Time: Regina Mills (half-sister), Cora (mother), Robin (daughter), Henry Mills (nephew), Alice (probable daughter in law), Hades (former boyfriend) |
| Nationality | Ozian of Winkie descent |
| Role | Antagonist |
The Wicked Witch of the West is a famous character from the classic children's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This book was written in 1900 by American author L. Frank Baum. Even though she is a big villain in the first book, she doesn't appear much in Baum's other Oz stories after she is defeated.
Many people know the Witch best from the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz. In this film, Margaret Hamilton played her. This movie made the Witch famous for her green skin. This look has been used in many other stories and shows, like the book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West and the musical Wicked.
Contents
The Wicked Witch in Baum's Books
The Wicked Witch of the West rules the Winkie Country. Her castle is described as beautiful, not scary like in the movie. She is very afraid of water in all stories. In the books, she was not related to the Wicked Witch of the East. They were just allies who wanted to take over the Land of Oz.
The Witch only cared about getting the Silver Shoes after the Eastern Witch died. These shoes would make her even more powerful. Early drawings of her show her as an old woman with one eye and three pigtails. Her one eye was very strong, like a telescope.
Most of her power came from the creatures she controlled. She had 40 wolves, a swarm of black bees, 40 crows, and an army of Winkies. She also had a magical Golden Cap. This cap made the winged monkeys obey her three times. She used them to take over the Winkie Country and to fight the Wizard.
When Dorothy Gale and her friends came to destroy her, the Witch used her creatures to attack them. But Dorothy and her friends stopped each attack. Finally, the Witch used the winged monkeys to capture them. However, she could not kill Dorothy because the Good Witch of the North's kiss protected the girl.
The Witch decided to make Dorothy her slave. She also tried to make the Cowardly Lion obey her by starving him. But Dorothy secretly gave him food. When the Witch saw the Silver Shoes on Dorothy's feet, she wanted to steal them.
One day, the Witch managed to trip Dorothy and steal one silver shoe. Dorothy got very angry and threw a bucket of water on the Witch. This caused the old Witch to melt away. The book hinted that the Witch was already very dry. Her wickedness had dried her up a long time ago.
L. Frank Baum did not fully explain why water destroyed her. He also didn't say that all evil witches could be melted. But other wicked witches in later Oz books were also afraid of water. In the novel, the Witch did not use a broom. She carried an umbrella, which she once used to hit Dorothy's dog, Toto.
The Witch was powerful but also a bit cowardly. She avoided fighting her enemies face-to-face. She was even scared of Dorothy at first because of the Silver Shoes. She was also afraid of the dark for unknown reasons. Because of this, she never tried to steal the Silver Shoes while Dorothy was sleeping.
The Wicked Witch in Other Books
- In a 1939 book by Alexander Melentyevich Volkov, the Witch's name is Bastinda. She is the sister of the Wicked Witch of the East, like in the 1939 movie.
- Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West tells the Oz story from the Witch's side. She is named Elphaba in this book. Dorothy is just a child in this version. This name is also used in the musical Wicked.
- In the book The Unknown Witches of Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West is called Old Snarl-Spats.
- In the comic book series Grimm Fairy Tales presents Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West is named Lynessa.
- In the novel The Living House of Oz, there is a witch named Mordra. She looks exactly like the Wicked Witch of the West but comes from a different Oz.
- In Cheshire Crossing, the Wicked Witch of the West is called Miss West. She becomes friends with Alice Liddell and Wendy Darling. She also becomes romantically involved with Captain James Hook.
- In the graphic novel How the Wizard Came to Oz, the Wicked Witch of the West is named Morella.
The Wicked Witch in Movies and Shows
Early Films
- The 1910 silent film The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has a witch called "Momba the Witch." She captures Dorothy and her friends. Dorothy destroys her by throwing water on her.
- In the 1914 silent film His Majesty, the Scarecrow of Oz, the character Mombi looks like the Wicked Witch of the West from the original book drawings.
The 1939 Film: The Wizard of Oz
In the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, Margaret Hamilton plays the Wicked Witch of the West. She has green skin and wears a long black dress and a pointed black hat. She does not wear an eye-patch like in the book. This look for the Witch became very famous.
In the movie, the Witch is the sister of the Wicked Witch of the East. She wants revenge on Dorothy for accidentally killing her sister. But as soon as she sees the ruby slippers, she only cares about getting them. She believes the slippers will help her take over Oz.
The Witch is more threatening in the movie. She throws a fireball at Dorothy and the Scarecrow. She also casts a sleeping spell on a field of poppies to stop Dorothy's group. The Wizard of Oz tells Dorothy to destroy the Witch and bring back her broom as proof.
Unlike the book, the Witch sends the Winged Monkeys first to attack. The Golden Cap is not mentioned. The Witch is killed when Dorothy throws a bucket of water on her. Dorothy does this to put out a fire the Witch started on the Scarecrow. The Witch screams "Don't throw that water!" right before she melts.
After the Witch dies, her soldiers are happy to be free. They cheer, "Hail to Dorothy! The Wicked Witch is dead!" The Wicked Witch of the West is ranked as one of the top movie villains of all time.
Margaret Hamilton also played Miss Almira Gulch in the Kansas part of the film. Miss Gulch is a woman who wants to take Dorothy's dog, Toto, away. In the tornado scene, Dorothy sees Miss Gulch transform into the Wicked Witch.
Margaret Hamilton's Other Appearances
- In 1976, Margaret Hamilton played the Witch on Sesame Street. The Witch drops her broom, and Big Bird and David refuse to give it back. The Witch gets angry and makes it rain inside a store. She has to prove she can be nice to get her broom back.
- Many parents complained that the Witch was too scary for young children. Because of these complaints, the episode was not shown again.
- Hamilton also played the Wicked Witch in The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976). She also played the role on stage many times.
- She appeared as herself on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood to show kids that the Witch was just a character. She explained that her costume and acting made her seem scary, but it was all make-believe.
The 2003 Stage Musical: Wicked
The musical Wicked tells a different story from the 1995 novel. It focuses on the friendship between Elphaba (the Wicked Witch) and Galinda (who becomes Glinda). The musical changes many parts of the story from the book. For example, Elphaba survives at the end.
The 2013 Film: Oz the Great and Powerful
Mila Kunis plays the Wicked Witch of the West, named Theodora, in this 2013 Disney movie. At first, she is a good witch. She is the younger sister of Evanora (Rachel Weisz). Theodora falls in love with Oscar Diggs (James Franco).
Evanora tricks Theodora into thinking Oscar betrayed her. She gives Theodora a magic apple that makes her forget her sadness. But the apple is evil and turns Theodora's heart bad. Her skin turns green, and her nose becomes crooked. Theodora then becomes the Wicked Witch and vows revenge.
Television Series: Once Upon a Time
The Wicked Witch is a main villain in Once Upon a Time. She is played by Rebecca Mader and is named Zelena. Zelena is the older half-sister of Regina, the Evil Queen. She learns powerful magic from Rumplestiltskin.
Zelena wants to go back in time to change her past and be raised as royalty. Her plans are stopped by Emma Swan and Regina. Zelena is later thought to be killed. But her soul travels back in time, and she takes the place of Maid Marian. She returns to the present to make Regina suffer.
Zelena becomes pregnant and is taken back to Storybrooke. She later travels to Camelot with the heroes. She tries to control Merlin and helps King Arthur's plans. Zelena gives birth to a baby girl. She names the baby Robin after her father.
Zelena eventually becomes closer to Regina. She tries to change for her daughter. She even gives up her magic to help stop the Black Fairy.
Television Series: Emerald City
The Witch of the West appears in Emerald City, played by Ana Ularu. She is one of the last Cardinal Witches of Oz. She is very emotional. She claims to hate magic but uses it often. She chases Dorothy after Dorothy accidentally kills the Witch of the East.
Other Adaptations
- In The Wiz (1974), the Wicked Witch of the West is named Evillene. She rules the Winkies and runs a sweatshop. She is defeated when Dorothy sets off the sprinkler system.
- In the 1982 anime film The Wizard of Oz, the Witch has purple skin and an eyepatch. Her soldiers are magical.
- In the 1986 anime series The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the Witch has purple skin and long white hair. Her eyes can turn people to stone. She also says the Wicked Witch of the East was her sister.
- In the 1990s animated series The Wizard of Oz, the Flying Monkeys bring the Witch back to life. She tries to steal what Dorothy's friends value most. She is still weak to water.
- In The Muppets' Wizard of Oz (2005), Miss Piggy plays all the witches, including the Wicked Witch of the West. This Witch is only weak to tap water. She is defeated when Dorothy kicks her into a bathtub filled with tap water.
- In the 2007 miniseries Tin Man, the character Azkadellia (Kathleen Robertson) is like the Wicked Witch. She is possessed by an evil spirit. Dorothy's sister, DG, helps free Azkadellia from the witch's control.
- The Wicked Witch of the West appears as a boss in the video game Lego Dimensions. She is defeated with water.
- In the TV show Supernatural, the Wicked Witch comes to Earth. She is the villain in the episode "Slumber Party." Dorothy Gale, the daughter of L. Frank Baum, fights her. The Witch is killed by Charlie Bradbury using the Ruby Slippers.
- In Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz, the Witch's spirit is trapped in her crystal ball. Her niece, Wilhelmina, tries to steal the Ruby Slippers to bring her back.
- The Wicked Witch of the West is a member of the Monster Society of Evil in the Shazam! comic books. She is defeated by Shazam and sent to a special prison.
See also
In Spanish: Bruja Mala del Oeste para niños
