In the late 1930’s, an international casting call brought talented dwarves from around the world to Los Angeles to make “The Wizard of Oz” and a lot of them stayed. Often in Burbank, groups of little people would socialize at the original Bob’s Big Boy and hold events in the surrounding areas and parks.
This exhibit, inspired by Ryan Steven Green, who created a documentary called “The Hollywood Shorties,” explores through photos, artifacts and film clips the joy, excitement, poignancy and societal contributions of the players of the first professional sports team ever created entirely of little people.
Billy Barty (vaudeville entertainer, film actor, LPA activist) and Jerry Maren (the “Lollipop Kid” The Wizard of Oz”) formed The Hollywood Shorties baseball team in 1949, just after WWII.
The Hollywood Shorties was originally a team of actors and stuntman ranging from 3’5’’ and 4’9” who played charitable baseball games against celebrities and faculties of high schools primarily across the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas. In the 1970’s The Shorties introduced basketball to their fans and found themselves in great demand by NBA teams, often playing mini-games for the NBA game crowds at half-time.
The exhibit opens on June 28th and there will be a VIP reception on Saturday, July 21st from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. Some members of the Hollywood Shorties and executives of the Little People of America are expected to attend. RSVP on EventBrite or by contacting Jackie Langa at The Museum at 818-347-9665 or jackie.langa@TheMuseumSFV.org.
The Museum is located at 18860 Nordhoff St., Ste. 204, Northridge, CA 91324. For more information, please visit www.TheMuseumSFV.org.
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