Midgets in movies

[Raffine]

IN the old days the term 'Midget' was used for people with pituritary conditions that made them very small. They were normally porportioned, had high voices, and basically looked like kids. The Munchkins in THE WIZARD OF OZ were played by midgets. FREAKS star Harry Earles (and his sister Daisy, who played Freida) were 'Midgets'.

'Dwarfs' have normal sized heads but very short limbs. Billy Barty and Angelo Rossitto   were 'dwarfs'.

Using these old terms almost all of the Little People you see nowadays are 'Dwarfs' since advances in Medical Science has made 'Midgets' pretty much extinct. Hormone treatments usually allow them to grow to normal heights.



MIDGET!


DWARF!

[AndyC]

IN the old days the term 'Midget' was used for people with pituritary conditions that made them very small. They were normally porportioned, had high voices, and basically looked like kids. The Munchkins in THE WIZARD OF OZ were played by midgets. FREAKS star Harry Earles (and his sister Daisy, who played Freida) were 'Midgets'.

'Dwarfs' have normal sized heads but very short limbs. Billy Barty and Angelo Rossitto   were 'dwarfs'.

Using these old terms almost all of the Little People you see nowadays are 'Dwarfs' since advances in Medical Science has made 'Midgets' pretty much extinct. Hormone treatments usually allow them to grow to normal heights.

It's true that the words were used that way, but it wasn't technically correct. Dwarf is a medical term encompassing a whole range of conditions (not just two) that cause extremely small stature, including growth hormone deficiencies (pituitary dwarfism). As I understand it, midget was a term that originated in circus sideshows, which is why it's so widely used by the public, and why some take offense at it. There's a connotation of freakishness.

But yeah, when I think of dwarves, I invariably picture people with short limbs but a full-sized head and torso, which is the most common kind of dwarf. A quick Googling identifies them as achondroplastic dwarves. What I find interesting is that the condition is not restricted to people. Dogs like Basset Hounds, Corgis and Dachshunds were selectively bred for achondroplasia.

[Nukie 2]

Using these old terms almost all of the Little People you see nowadays are 'Dwarfs' since advances in Medical Science has made 'Midgets' pretty much extinct. Hormone treatments usually allow them to grow to normal heights.

Oh phew, you scared me there at first!

[Rev. Powell]

Sorry guys, but isn't midget a degradory term?

True. They prefer to be called "little people" which is more dignified for some reason that escapes me.

Dwarf is generally accepted as well, which is what I call them.  Considering they have dwarfism, that's what I call 'em.

That's my preference as well. It's the proper term, neither a nickname nor a vague PC term.

Although, for some reason, it just seems more fitting to use "midget" in a discussion of cheesy movies.

A good idea, except that dwarfism generally describes an extremely short person with disproportionate limbs.  In other words all dwarfs are "midgets," but not all "midgets" are dwarfs.  I think: there still seems to be some debate going on about the proper terminology.   

[Nukie 2]

Yes but they don't like to be called midgets!
They're little people: proletarians or something like that...

[RCMerchant]

Why don't we just call em all "sawed-off little basterds"? 
(i'm only 5'2"...so I qualify as a  'SOLB".)

[Rev. Powell]

Why don't we just call em all "sawed-off little basterds"? 
(i'm only 5'2"...so I qualify as a  'SOLB".)

You, sir, are a giant among midgets. 

My first girlfriend was 4'11", full grown.  And she had huge breasts.  Ah, memories! 

[Nukie 2]

Why don't we just call em all "sawed-off little basterds"? 
(i'm only 5'2"...so I qualify as a  'SOLB".)

You, sir, are a giant among midgets. 

My first girlfriend was 4'11", full grown.  And she had huge breasts.  Ah, memories! 

At least she was lower to the ground, she'd have problems if she was tall!

[Mr. DS]

I think the term "little people" is twice as offensive as "midgets" but thats just me and I'm not a midget.  I think political correct terms are kind of silly because not matter what you pick, you're saying the person is "different" than the norm. 

[AndyC]

I think the term "little people" is twice as offensive as "midgets" but thats just me and I'm not a midget.  I think political correct terms are kind of silly because not matter what you pick, you're saying the person is "different" than the norm. 

I agree, "little people" seems much more patronizing. And for me, it conjures up images of dolls and Lilliputians and leprechauns.

A good idea, except that dwarfism generally describes an extremely short person with disproportionate limbs.  In other words all dwarfs are "midgets," but not all "midgets" are dwarfs.

As I understand it, all midgets are dwarves, but not all dwarves are midgets. Then again, in common parlance, the two have come to be pretty much interchangeable. But I think I prefer RC's blanket term.

[retrorussell]

In Brouges had a.. uh.. vertically challenged character in it. 

[JaseSF]

Billy Barty plays the Imp servant to Allison Hayes' witch Livinia in The Undead

[retrorussell]

XTRO had a short person taking those eggs from the cocooned babysitter, from what I recall.

[MrMari]

I just ordered a copy of "For Y'ur Height Only".
Its a 1979 Filipino movie about a 3 foot tall secret agent named Weng Weng.
Can't wait till it arrives.