As Wicked opens in theaters across the country today, I thought I’d take this opportunity to remind everyone about the original Wicked Witch of the West’s connection to Maine. In the 1939 movie, The Wizard of Oz, Margaret Hamilton played the iconic role of the Wicked Witch of the West. It was the sixth movie for the character actress, and the role that she’ll forever be remembered for as one of the most memorable villains in movie history.
Following the success of The Wizard of Oz, Margaret Hamilton first became bewitched with Maine while performing at the Lakewood Playhouse outside Skowhegan where she did summer stock in 1940. After World War II, Hamilton returned to perform at the Ogunquit Playhouse, the Brunswick Summer Theater and the Maine State Theater, which further enchanted her with the magic of Maine.
Unable to resist the lure of Maine any longer, when she heard that the lighthouse on Hendricks Head on Southport Island was being sold by the government, she considered buying it! But perhaps that was a bit too showy for this former witch? Or didn’t quite measure up to her castle in the movie? Regardless in 1961 Margaret, along with her son Hamilton (Ham) and his wife, Helen Meserve, purchased Cape Island off the tip of Southport. For those familiar with the area, Southport is near the popular tourist destination of Boothbay Harbor, and for dogs it’s also near Squirrel Island! Margaret summered on Cape Island from 1962 to 1975. After that she spent her summers in Southport with Ham and Helen, until her death in 1985.
According to Ham, she would arrive in early spring, and stay late into the fall, fitting in as much time as possible at her island refuge between her acting obligations. And in case you’re wondering, she didn’t have Flying Monkeys or Winkie Guards to help her with the chores. In fact, Margaret was frequently seen rowing herself between the island and the mainland. She also took great delight taking care of the ca. 1852 farmhouse, which had no electricity or telephone, and relied on kerosene lamps and wood for the fire. In fact her son joked that contrary to what the mainland children thought, she used her broom not for flying but cleaning. Coincidentally the house was painted “ruby red,” and to this day tour boats entertain passengers by calling it the “Witch’s Island.”
Although neighbors may have been worried about the wicked reputation of their newest summer resident, she soon had them at ease with her kindness. In fact, despite her mistreatment of Dorothy in the movie, in real life Margaret loved children, and spent much of her life trying to convince them that she wasn’t wicked. Oh and dogs, you’ll be comforted to know, despite her efforts in the movie to take Toto away, she was a big advocate for animals. As for Toto, whose real name was Terry, the two teamed up again for the 1942 movie “Twin Beds,” shortly before the Cairn Terrier’s passing in 1945.
If you’d like to read more of Ham’s memories of Margaret Hamilton’s time in Maine, we recommend, “Wizard of Oz ‘Witch’ Loved Her Maine Island,” The Working Waterfront Archives (January 21, 2014) and “No Place Like Home,” Portland Monthly (July / August 2004).
