Caren Marsh Doll (néeMorris; born April 6, 1919), also credited as Caren Marsh, is an American former stage and screen actress and dancer specializing in modern dance and tap. She is notable as one of Judy Garland's stand-ins in The Wizard of Oz (1939) and Ziegfeld Girl (1941). She is one of the last surviving actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
From 1937 until 1948, Marsh appeared in motion pictures with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, including a small uncredited part in Gone with the Wind. She became a dance instructor in 1956.
Early life
Marsh was born in Hollywood, California on April 6, 1919.[1] Her father was a Hollywood stockbroker. She and her family were active in the Methodist church. In 1937, she graduated from Hollywood High School[2] and wanted to become an actress. Her parents did not approve of this choice and preferred she pursue a college education. They compromised by telling Caren that unless she could land an acting job she would be sent to school.[2]
Film career
Marsh auditioned for a role in Rosalie (1937), starring Nelson Eddy and Eleanor Powell, but did not win the role. She later re-auditioned for that movie and got the part.[2] She was hired as Judy Garland's stand-in for The Wizard of Oz.[3] She was hired primarily because she was similar in height and build to Garland and even received her own pair of ruby slippers.[2] In fact, hers are the feet seen in the film when Dorothy taps the heels of the slippers together. She served as a stand-in for Garland a second time with Ziegfeld Girl (1941). According to Marsh, when she wasn't filling in for Garland in The Wizard of Oz she would be across Hollywood at Selznick International Pictures working as an extra in Gone with the Wind (1939).
In 1947, Marsh was named Miss Sky Lady of 1947[6] and began appearing in fewer films to focus on her new interest in dance. After appearing in an airshow as Miss Sky Lady, she took flight instruction classes, learned to fly and later dropped leaflets of her acting profile on various movie studios in Hollywood.[4] She made an appearance on The Gabby Hayes Show in 1956, after which she became a dance instructor.
Marsh in hospital after the plane crash
1949 plane crash survival
On July 12, 1949, aged 30, Marsh was aboard Standard Air Lines Flight 897R, when the C-46Ecrashed.[7] The flight had left Albuquerque, New Mexico, at 4:43 am. While on approach to the Lockheed Air Terminal in Burbank, California, at 7:40 am, the twin engine plane, flying too low, hooked a wingtip on a hill and crashed near Chatsworth, California, and Marsh was one of the 13 people who survived. Marsh was pulled from the wreckage by another passenger named Judy Frost.[8] Marsh was hospitalized at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital for several weeks, and nearly had her left foot amputated. Marsh's doctors told her that she would likely never dance again, but after careful exercise she was able to heal and continue in her dancing.[6]
The Wizard of Oz
Although not a credited cast member, Marsh is one of a few known surviving personnel to have worked on the MGM film The Wizard of Oz (1939). Nonetheless, she has outlived all the major cast members. She has appeared in Wizard of Oz film festivals, conventions, and reunions.
Oz festival
In 2011, Marsh served as the Grand Marshal of the Oz-Stravaganza Parade in Chittenango, New York.[6]
Once a month on the first Monday, Marsh volunteers as a dance therapy instructor at the Palm Springs Stroke Activity Center where the styles taught range from themes like ballroom dancing, country, Hawaiian, and belly dancing.[6] She is an active member of The Palm Springs United Methodist Community Church.[11]
