Winged Monkeys

In the spirit of March Madness, here on the blog this month we will be holding the first official Familiar Madness Tournament. 16 of the all-time great familiars from literature, film, and television will face off in a single elimination tourney to decide who is the greatest of them all.

4. Winged Monkeys – the intelligent, winged minions to the Wicked Witch of Oz



Best known from the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz,” the Winged Monkeys obey commands, but do not speak. When Dorothy and her co-horts go in search of the Witch, she sees them coming, and so sends the Winged Monkeys to bring them to her. They kidnap Dorothy and dismantle the Scarecrow. (Wiki)



Unlike the first three participants in the Familiar Madness Tournament, the Winged Monkeys represent our first villainous animal companions. Ruthless and loyal, these flying primates served the Wicked Witch no matter how nefarious her plans.

Did the Winged Monkeys terrify you as a kid as much as they did me? Or did you secretly root for the bad guys?

Tomorrow: We meet a moth, a wildcat, and a mouse, all in one familiar.