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Episode 14: The Road From Vienna to Oz

The Story of Jackie Gerlich

Jackie Gerlich as a young boy
Photograph of Jackie Gerlich as a young boy. LBI Archives, Salomons-Fox Family Collection, AR 25886.
wizard of oz still
The Munchkins (specifically the "Lollipop Guild") as depicted in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. L–R: Jackie Gerlich, Jerry Maren, and Harry Doll. Source: Wikipedia

Leo Fuks is a born performer. So when, in 1936, a vaudeville impresario shows up to recruit him, 10-year-old Leo is more than happy to join his troupe, and his parents reluctantly agree. As Leo, now known as Jackie Gerlich, travels the world and dips his toes into Hollywood, his family is left behind to grapple with the terror of rising antisemitism in Vienna. After years without contact, Leo’s mother is shocked to see her son dancing on screen in The Wizard of Oz—and she resolves to do everything she can to get her son back.

Exile is a production of the Leo Baeck Institute, New York and Antica Productions.

It’s narrated by Mandy Patinkin. This episode was produced by Emily Morantz.

Our executive Producers are Laura Regehr, Rami Tzabar, Stuart Coxe, and Bernie Blum. Our associate producer is Emily Morantz. Research and translation by Isabella Kempf. Voice acting by Cyrus Lane. Sound design and audio mix by Philip Wilson. Theme music by Oliver Wickham.

Special thanks to the Bentley Historical Library and the Syracuse University Special Collections Research Centre.

This episode of Exile is made possible in part by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, which is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Finance and the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future.

Want more from Jackie Gerlich?

To learn more about Jackie Gerlich, you can view the Salomons-Fox family collection in the Leo Baeck Institute online archive and read the story of the Salomons-Fox family.

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