Oz page 5

Oz page 5 by ric Gustafson


Bert Lahr was born in Manhattan and raised in the Yorkville neighborhood of New York's East Side. He knew from an early age that he wanted to be in vaudeville and on stage. He dropped out of school at fifteen and was soon in a children's theater company.
In the 1930's, Lahr went to Hollywood where later he was given the role of the Cowardly Lion in the Wizard of Oz. Lahr's scenes as the nerveless Lion etched his performance in the hearts and minds of movie fans. From his musical number ' King of the Forest' to his selfless bravery in the final act.
After Oz, Lahr returned to the stage throughout the 1940's and 1950's appearing in musical comedies. Later, he appeared in drama productions including ' Waiting for Godot'.
Bert Lahr was a cinema clown in the role of a lifetime.


research help: ' The Wizard of Oz a CBS tradition' by CBS Watch Productions


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric