Hollywood to Celebrate 75th Anniversary of 'Wizard of Oz'

One of two living Munchkins from the original "The Wizard of Oz" sank his hands and feet into the cement in front of the TCL Chinese Theatre Wednesday to celebrate the upcoming IMAX run of the film at the renovated theater and the movie's planned 75th anniversary DVD release.

The ceremony honoring 93-year-old Jerry Maren also coincides with tonight's red-carpet opening of the musical version of "The Wizard of Oz" at the Pantages Theatre about a mile to the east on Hollywood Boulevard.

Maren, a Los Angeles resident, portrayed one of three members of "The Lollipop Guild" that greeted Dorothy at the Munchkin village. The only other living Munchkin is 95-year-old Ruth Duccini, who portrayed a villager in the iconic film starring Judy Garland. She lives in Phoenix.

Los Angeles singer Judith Hill, who had been scheduled to perform with Michael Jackson on his ill-fated "This Is It" tour, will sing the film's biggest hit, "Over the Rainbow," during Maren's ceremony.

A 3-D IMAX version of "The Wizard of Oz" will be shown at the Chinese Theatre for one week beginning Friday to celebrate the renovation and reopening of the famed venue. On Oct. 1, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will release a 75th anniversary collectors edition DVD of the film.

-City News Service