Margaret Pellegrini, who played one of the Munchkins in the 1939 MGM musical, “The Wizard of Oz”

Recently, Warner Bros., IMAX Corporation and the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX have teamed up to host the world premiere of the 75th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz IMAX® 3D release.  It will take place at the new TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX in Hollywood on Sept. 15, followed by an exclusive one-week IMAX engagement at the new theatre and IMAX® theatres across North America.

Over the years,  The Wizard of Oz has had many historic ties to the TCL Chinese Theatre … Composer Harold Arlen, desperate to write a song for the Dorothy-Kansas sequence, sought refuge in the Chinese Theatre one evening and was inspired to write the iconic “Over The Rainbow.” The film had its original Hollywood premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Aug. 15, 1939, and The Wizard of Oz’s “Dorothy” – Judy Garland – was the honoree for the 50th handprint & footprint ceremony in the theatre’s famous forecourt in 1939. The beloved Munchkins have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 6915 Hollywood Blvd. in front of the historic TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX as well.

It was on that spot that flowers have been placed by fans of the film in tribute to Wizard of Oz Munchkin, Margaret Pellegrini, who played the Flower Pot Munchkin and passed away on August 5th at the age of 89. In honor of her, the TCL Chinese Theater IMAX in Hollywood will dim their forecourt lights tonight for one minute at 9pm.