BROOKLYN, Ohio – Author Don Billie has always been something of a pop culture aficionado. At one point during his time as a Northeast Ohio writer, he hatched a plan to open a Cleveland Wax Museum, focusing on the region’s famous, notable and notorious characters. He had investors and a board of directors all lined up, but at some point, the museum plan melted away and, in its place, came his opportunity to tell the enchanting story of actress Margaret Hamilton , Cleveland’s very own “Wicked Witch of the West.
” It’s an irony not lost on Billie. After all, Hamilton’s penultimate line to “I’ll get you, my pretty” (threatening Dorothy and Toto) was “I’m melting!!” from the legendary film “The Wizard of Oz.” Stories by Peter Chakerian BayArts exhibition ‘In Plain Sight: Tony Skinner’ tackles humanity within housing epidemic Manhattan Transfer vocalist extraordinaire Janis Siegel pays tribute to composer Cy Coleman Who makes the best holiday cookies in Greater Cleveland? Nominate your favorite local bakery now 3 Reasons to see Mephiskapheles (and more) at the WCSB Halloween Ball at Beachland Ballroom this Saturday, October 26 Billie, who has previously written about Cleveland’s Wes Craven and the origin of his Freddy Krueger character, is also the author of “Hey You Punks!” That book vividly depicts his experiences growing up on Cleveland’s “gritty” near-west side.
In his new book “Margaret Hamilton: From Cleveland, OH to the Land of .