On October 12, 1939, five Maryville area children dressed up as characters from the Wizard of Oz arrived at the art deco Oz-like Tivoli Theatre on a carriage pulled by two Shetland ponies that had actually been used in the movie in the scene where Dorothy rode out of Munchkin Land to begin her Yellow Brick Road journey.

The Tivoli had just opened 14 days earlier on August 28 after moving from its original location in the renovated Electric Theatre 110 E 3rd Street (site of Cobbler Corner today – the marquee is still there).

The parade to the theatre was part of an MGM promotion that went nationally where the ponies and carriage toured the country.

Famous Ponies, Wizard and Oz, Coming Here
The Maryville Daily Forum, October 7, 1939, Page 2. via Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-maryville-daily-forum-wizard-of-oz-p/197366562/ 

Here’s a chance for five lucky youngsters Maryville a ride with two Hollywood stars.  They’re the two celebrated two ponies.  They are coming here here to lead a gala Wizard of Oz parade in connection with the showing picture, “The Wizard Oz” at Tivoli. Five lucky the the will be chosen in a contest conducted by theatre, furnished costumes from the movie and given honor lead the grand parade October .  The two ponies draw a phaeton, the same which used to make “The Wizard Oz”   To enter the contest just write  your age, height, weight and color hair and eyes on a piece of paper and mail it to the Tivoli.

Ponies to Be in Wizard and Oz Parade
The Maryville Daily Forum, October 10, 1939, Page 6. via Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-maryville-daily-forum-wizard-of-oz-h/197367064/

The Wizard of Oz who has thrilled millions of children  with his feats of magic, will bring to the Tivoli Thursday the Hollywood ponies, Wizard and Oz, and the original phateon carriage used in the sumptuous technicolor production.

The phateon is the same one which Judy Garland rides in the motion picture and the ponies are the same animals which drew the young star through the Land of Oz.

Five lucky youngsters who resemble most closely the five leading characters in the Wizard Oz will  the thrill of wearing costumes made up by famous Hollywood designers.

They will wear these and take part in a gala parade which is to start outside the Tivoll theatre at 11 o’clock  Thursday morning.

Children desiring to compete for the honors of representing the Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, Tin Woodman, Wizard and Dorothy should register not later than Thursday at the theatre.

Photo of September 4, 1939 Parade with horses and carriage in Brattleboro

With Opening Tonight, theNew Tivoli Presents Beautiful Theater

The New Tivoli theater will be open to the public for the first time tonight, with a show beginning at 7:15, C. E. Cook, owner of the new structure, has announced. Workmen have been busy the past several days putting the finithing touches to the new building for the opening night. Completion of the theater is the fulfillment of a dream conceived by “Doc” Cook 15 years ago, and embodying many features that he has observed elsewhere and originated during the years he has been in the theater business.

Built to seat 800 persons, the building is strictly modern throughout, with numerous distinctive features, ultra modern appointments, unexcelled equipment, and beautiful decorations. Spacious lounges, carpeted floors, indirect lighting, red and old rose mohair seats, reddish-brown and wal nut colored walls, a large stage, orchestra pit, and other special features combine to make the theater one of the most outstanding in Northwest Missouri.

“Blondie Takes a Vacation,” the story of the famous comic strip characters of Chic Young, will be the feature picture on the opening night. In addition, the Tivoli Ambassadors, a musical unit under the direction of John Geiger, will furnish music. In this picture, the Bumsteads, Blondie, Dagwood, and Baby Dumpling, come to life on the screen as they start for a summer resort.

On the train they meet a genial pyromaniac, played by Donald Meek, and a toughcrusted business man played by Donald McBride, with McBride later making their vacation an unusual one. Blondie is portrayed by Penny Singleton, Dagwood by Arthur Lake, Baby Dumpling by chubby Larry Sims. Baby Sandy, who made good in

Bing Crosby’s “East Side of Heaven.” will be brought to the screen in his latest picture, “Unexpected Father” which will be shown at the Tivoli Friday and Saturday. In addition to the theater, two other businesses have opened in the New Tivoli building, and a doctor and dentist will have offices at the west side of the second floor. H. L. Raines, jeweler and optometrist, who has been in business in Maryville for 34 years, has moved into the west room of the theater building, where he will carry a complete line of jewelry and kindred merchandise in addition to taking care of his optometry department.

Mrs. Hope Mills, who came here from Shenandoah, Iowa, where she fomerly was associated with the Mae Farmer Fashion Shop, has opened a women’s store in the east side of the building with a stock of dresses, coats, millinery, lingerie, hosiery, and accessories.

William Richard Galeota, M. D., who has his office in the building, came here from Columbia, Mo., where he was a resident in medicine at the University hospital. He was graduated from the New York Medical college and had internships at the St. Agnes hospital, White Plains, N. Y., and Aultman hospital, Canton, Ohio. Dr. R. Wayne Wilson, dentist, who also has an office in the building, came here from Grant City where he practiced dentistry for six years.

He is a graduate of the Kansas City Western dental college. Dr. Wilson has purchased of H. W. Kramer the residence property at Main and Thompson, which he will occupy after October first.

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Carriage Ride in Movie

In the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy (Judy Garland) rides in a miniature, flower-adorned carriage during the Munchkinland scene

• The Scene: After the Munchkins and Glinda celebrate the death of the Wicked Witch of the East, a small carriage pulled by two Shetland ponies appears to transport Dorothy.
• The Carriage: This specialized prop was designed and built by Cedric Gibbons and his team at the MGM lot.
• The Ponies: According to The Judy Garland Museum’s post, one of the ponies used was named Admiral, who was also featured in Gone with the Wind.
• Purpose: The carriage takes her around the town for a victory procession before she begins her journey on the Yellow Brick Road. 

Wizard of Oz Premiere in August

The Wizard of Oz had its world premiere on August 12, 1939, in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, followed by a major Hollywood premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on August 15, 1939, before its general U.S. release on August 25, 1939

Photo of Carriage at Judy Garland Home

1. Five kids from Maryville piled into a carriage pulled by Munchkin Land shetland ponies — finally a ride where nobody argued over who got the window seat.
2. They asked the driver if the ponies knew the way to the Tivoli. He said, “Of course — they’re from Munchkin Land.” The kids replied, “Great — tell them we’ll pay in candy and applause.”
3. One kid leaned over and asked a pony, “Do you know Dorothy?” The pony nodded and said, “Only when she forgot her ruby slippers and needed a lift.”
4. The Tivoli usher said the carriage had to park outside. The kids said, “No problem — the ponies prefer the nosebleed section anyway.”
5. At the ticket booth they asked if the ponies needed tickets. The cashier said, “Only if they plan to sing.” The ponies started a chorus of neighs and got complimentary programs.
6. One child told the others, “If the movie’s too scary, we can always ask the Cowardly Lion for help.” The ponies replied, “We’ll volunteer as tiny, brave backup.”
7. They hung streamers on the carriage and called it a premiere ride — the paparazzi were mostly pigeons, but they made do.
8. When the screen turned to Technicolor, one kid shouted, “I told you the ponies would bring color to the trip!” The ponies pranced like they’d been painted.
9. The kids promised the ponies they’d clap loud enough to wake the Wicked Witch — the ponies said, “Please don’t; we like our hooves unbothered.”
10. After the show, one child sighed, “Best night ever.” The ponies replied, “Agreed — but next time, can we get the aisle seats?”
11. One kid asked the ponies if they’d seen Toto. The lead pony said, “Only his Yelp reviews — 5 barks, would fetch again.”
12. They tried to sing along with “Over the Rainbow.” The ponies harmonized with a perfect neigh — tickets sold out for the afterparty.
13. When the Wicked Witch appeared, a pony whispered, “Don’t worry, we brought mint — witches hate fresh breath.”
14. The carriage pulled up and the Tivoli doorman asked for ID. The ponies flashed tiny horseshoes and were waved right in.
15. During the storm scene, one kid gripped the reins. The pony said, “Relax — we handle tornadoes and tiny umbrellas daily.”
16. Concession stand asked if they wanted popcorn. One pony replied, “No, thanks — we prefer hay-dinated kernels.”
17. At intermission they practiced their curtain call. The ponies bowed so low a small fan club formed under their manes.
18. A kid asked if the ponies could get movie merch. The clerk sold them “I Heart Munchkin Land” badges sized for hooves.
19. After the murder-of-crows scare, a pony muttered, “Finally — a plot twist with better choreography than the barn.”
20. One child asked the ponies their favorite character. The ponies answered, “The Tin Man — great shine, but needs oiling after showtime.”
21. They tried to enter the projection booth. The projectionist said, “Only if you promise not to chew the film.” The ponies formed a no-chew pact.
22. Leaving the Tivoli, a kid said, “That was magical.” The ponies agreed: “And the best part? No one asked us to click our heels — just our horseshoes.”