Munchkins to get star on Walk of Fame

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- The actors who played Munchkins in the 1939 film classic, "The Wizard of Oz," are getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Clarence Swensen, one of only nine survivors of the 125-member Munchkins cast, said he plans to be at the upcoming dedication ceremony, The Austin (Texas) American-Statesman reported.

"I feel very honored," Swensen, 89, told the newspaper at his Pflugerville, Texas, home. "I never thought we'd get a star."

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce said Munchkins Mickey Carroll, Ruth Duccini, Jerry Maren, Margaret Pellegrini, Meinhardt Raabe and Karl Slover also plan to attend the dedication, scheduled for Nov. 20 in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard.

"The Wizard of Oz" will be screened the previous night in True Techicolor and in its original format at Grauman's, where it had its world premiere 68 years ago, the chamber said.