“I was a Sleepy Head in the bird’s nest, and one of the gals who wore a flower pot hat,” says Margaret Pellegrini, referring to her roles in the 1939 MGM classic movie The Wizard of Oz.

“They put me right in the front row and ever since then, the flower pot hat has been my trademark. As a teenager, some little people asked her if she’d join their midget show. “I said no! I had no idea I was going to stay small, but I guess they saw something in me that made them know before I did.

They sensed I might change my mind, and suggested they keep in touch.”

It was good they did. Soon afterwards, Pellegrini received a letter from Hollywood asking if she’d like to be in a motion picture called the “Wizard of Oz.”

“I was terribly excited,” she recalls “I said yes indeed, I’d love that.”

After shooting the MGM production, the beautiful lady of miniature proportions continued her show business career which included tap, hoola and fan-dancing. She raised a family as well.

“The Oz story still has such meaning,” says Pellegrini.

“If everyone would use their hearts, their minds and their courage, life would be so much better for all of us. And,” she smiles, “there really IS no place like home.”

The 23rd annual Wizard of Oz Festival runs from September 17 - 19 in Chesterton. Organized by Lakeshore Festival & Events, Inc., and the Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce, it is the oldest and largest celebration of Oz in the country.

For information call 926-5513.

Posted 8/23/2004