Judy Garland’s Daughter Recalls Thinking the Flying Monkeys ‘Took’ Her Mom When She First Watched “The Wizard of Oz ”(Exclusive)

Lorna Luft, daughter of the legendary Judy Garland, surprised many by revealing that her first encounter with the iconic film *The Wizard of Oz* was nothing short of terrifying. In an exclusive interview with *PEOPLE*, Luft shared her memories of the film’s initial airing on television when she was just four years old, recounting how the experience mirrored that of countless young viewers.

Luft, now 73, reminisced about the special screening hosted for her and her sister Liza Minnelli in Los Angeles, while Garland was performing in New York. The siblings watched the film under the attentive eye of their nanny, who frequently reminded them of their mother’s presence on screen. “I remember that we had a really well-meaning nanny who kept saying, ‘Your mum’s on TV, your mum’s on TV,'” Luft recalled.

However, instead of capturing their imaginations, Luft and her sister were gripped by fear. The film’s unsettling scenes, particularly the menacing image of the Wicked Witch of the West, played by Margaret Hamilton, and the flying monkeys, left an indelible mark on their young minds. “The frightening image of Margaret Hamilton and the flying monkeys scared us,” Luft admitted, mirroring the fears felt by many children watching the movie for the first time.

Adding to the surreal experience, Garland called her children during the screening, hoping to hear their joyful reactions. Instead, she was met with a frightened daughter in tears. “I was really, really frightened and crying,” Luft explained, highlighting the emotional confusion of a child whose mother seemed in peril on screen.

In an effort to comfort her, Garland reassured her daughter, saying, “But I’m in New York.” However, the reassurance did little to abate Luft’s fears, as she responded, “The monkeys took you to New York.” Ultimately, Garland made a promise to never let her daughter watch the film alone again—a vow she upheld.

Luft later reflected on the complexities of witnessing a parent portrayed as a child-like character. Understanding a mother’s voice is one thing, she explained, but grasping the idea of a parent as a child can be much more challenging for young minds. Additionally, the technological limitations of the time played a role in her initial viewing experience. Most households still had black-and-white televisions, so the film’s famous transition from sepia to vibrant colour lost its magic on the Luft family’s screen.

“It wasn’t until I watched it again in 1963 that I understood what everyone was talking about,” Luft recalled, explaining that she finally grasped the impact of Dorothy’s arrival in Munchkinland when she saw it on a colour television for the first time.

Garland, who was famously married to director Vincente Minnelli and later to manager Sid Luft, passed away in 1969. In the years since her death, *The Wizard of Oz* has continued to endure as a beloved classic. Presently, the film is experiencing a revival through an immersive attraction at The Sphere in Las Vegas, where Lorna and her daughter, Vanessa Jade O’Neil, have shared the experience together.

O’Neil reflected on how the screening at The Sphere was a moment of profound connection, not only for her but for audiences at large. “I’ve had people my whole life talking about it, but it just feels like my normal,” she stated. “As I’ve grown, my perspective has definitely shifted to understanding what this movie means to so many people.”

Through personal loss and generational shifts, *The Wizard of Oz* continues to capture the hearts of new audiences, providing a blend of nostalgia and discovery. As Lorna Luft and her family demonstrate, the magic of the film transcends time, illustrating its enduring significance in popular culture.