| The Lady Lunatic | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Cynthia Cynch |
|
First Appearance |
The Wizard of Oz (1902 Stage Production) |
|
Created by |
L. Frank Baum |
Origin[]
One day, Kansas girl, Dorothy Gale and her pet cow, Imogene, were transported to the land of Oz by a twister. Dorothy's house fell on, and accidentally killed, the Wicked Witch of the East. Cynthia Cynch, a Munckin maiden, then entered the scene. The Munchkins accused Cynthia of being a witch and causing the storm but, she was rescued by the Good Witch of the North, who told them that it was an ordinary storm. Cynthia explained she once worked in one of Oz's largest department stores but, she is now insane because of the disappearance of her lover, Niccolo Chopper. She sang "Niccolo's Piccolo," her lover's favorite ballad. Cynthia then exited and Dorothy met Pastoria, Trixie Tryfle, and the Scarecrow.
Eventually, they came upon the Tin Woodman, who had rusted playing his piccolo. As it turned out, the Woodman's real name was Niccolo Chopper and he was, in fact, Cynthia's lost lover. He sang "When You Love! Love! Love!" and explained that he had no heart, so could not love Cynthia. He joined the others in the hope of receiving one from the Wizard of Oz, and return to Cynthia.
After the group made it to the Emerald City, Cynthia returned and asked Pastoria if he is her Niccolo. When he said, "No," she became furious. Then Wizard then entered. The distraught Cynthia asked the Wizard if he was her Niccolo, and was further outraged when he said, "No." She exited. Dorothy, the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman came forward and requested their desires (home, brains, heart). The Wizard gave the Scarecrow a brain of the Mark Hana variety and the Tin Woodman a heart. He declared this the greatest of all his achievements and called for a celebration.
Cynthia was later seen in the finale singing goodbye to Dorothy without her story ever being resolved (Did she reunite with Niccolo?).
Public Domain Appearances[]
- The Wizard of Oz (1902 Stage Production)
Notes[]
- Much like Maimie Mannering being the literary predecessor to the character of Wendy Darling, Cynthia was an early prototype for the character of Nimmie Amee.