Matina Brothers

The Matina Brothers (a.k.a. Matina Midget Troupe) were a Hungarian-born trio of American entertainers known for their short height.

History

Lajos Matina, the eldest, was born in Hungary sometime in the late 1800s, followed by twin brothers Bela and Matyus in 1901. The trio of brothers later moved to America where they became naturalized American citizens.[1] The brothers soon joined a troupe which was led by an individual named Prince Ludwig who dubbed them the "Matina Midget Troupe".[2] In 1915, Lajos married Elise Broek who was a suffragette.[2]

Each brother played a munchkin villager in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz where Bela was billed as "Mike Rogers" (Matina), and Matyus "Ike Rogers" (Matina).[1] Lajos also became known as "Leo" Matina while working beside his brothers "Mike" and "Ike". There is a possible but unverified connection that came from the nicknames with the candy Mike and Ike which first appeared in 1940. Author Dean Jensen writes that the younger twin brothers became very popular in America to an extent that a boxed candy was named after them. Various other theories exist however, as the company does not provide a last name for the two founders of the brand.[3][4]

The brothers continued in show business after the movie, and Leo eventually filled in as a chef for the troupe. The first brother to pass away was Mike Matina (Bela), who died on June 12, 1954.[5][6] It is unknown what happened to Leo or Ike Matina; the last mention of the remaining brothers in Billboard Magazine is from March 30, 1957 mentioning a birthday party for "Ike" Matina.[7] Bela and Matyus (Mike & Ike) currently hold the world record for the "shortest twins" at just 76 cm (30 in) each.[1]

Controversy

Bela, and Matyus ("Mike & Ike") were described as problem drinkers, who tried to get fellow Munchkins to share in their overindulgence while the Wizard of Oz was in production (it is unclear if this was done on or off site).[8] In a 1967 interview, Judy Garland referred to all of the Munchkins as "little drunks" who got intoxicated every night to the point where they had to be picked up in "butterfly nets". These accusations were denied as fabrications by fellow Munchkin Margaret Pellegrini, who said only "a couple of kids from Germany even drank beer".[9]

See also

References
  1. Shortest Twins. Guinness World Records. 30 April 2013. ISBN 9780345547118. Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  2. Kim (November 13, 2012). "The Los Angeles Prosperity Carnival and Indoor Fair of 1915". insroland.org. Archived from the original on April 21, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  3. Dean Jensen (September 1, 2006). The Lives and Loves of Daisy and Violet Hilton: A True Story of Conjoined Twins. Ten Speed Press. p. 53. ISBN 978-1580087582. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  4. "FAQS: Where did the name MIKE AND IKE® come from?". www.justborn.com. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  5. "Full text of "Billboard" June 12, 1954". Billboard Magazine. June 12, 1954. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  6. "From The Lots: Virginia Greater". Billboard Magazine. April 17, 1948. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  7. "Sun Finally Beans for Va. Greater". Billboard Magazine. March 30, 1957. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  8. Megan Rosenfeld (June 20, 2001). "The Rainbow Connection". Washington Post. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
  9. "Margaret Pellegrini dies at 89; actress played Munchkin in 'Oz'". Archived from the original on December 29, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2017.


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