We were frightened by the green-faced wicked old witch, and we all know the words to the songs.

That knowledge will come in handy Tuesday, Oct. 25 — just a few days before Halloween.

Join Dorothy and Toto and follow the yellow brick road to the Emerald City as they are joined by the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion as the Sedona International Film Festival presents “The Wizard of Oz” Sing-along.

“Our audience will get to join in the toe-tapping fun of one of the most treasured musicals of all time,” said Patrick Schweiss, executive director of SIFF. “People will also have the chance to meet one of the original Munchkins, Margaret Pellegrini, and Judy Garland’s stand-in, Caren Doll, who will host our event.

Pellegrini played one of the Sleepy Heads. She also portrayed the Flower Pot Lady, one of the Munchkins who first greeted Dorothy after the house fell on the Wicked Witch of the East. Pelligrini appears at events dressed in a similar costume even today.

Pellegrini was born Sept. 23, 1923, in Tuscumbia, Ala. When she was helping a relative in a potato chip booth at the Tennessee State Fair, some dwarfs asked if she wanted to join their show. Until that time, Pelligrini, who was 3 feet 4 inches tall then, said she didn’t think she was a dwarf.

However, her height landed her a part as one of the 124 Munchkins in the classic film that is still shown on television every year. Pelligrini was 15 years old. She later married the man who played the mayor of Munchkinland, Charlie Becker.

Today, at age 88, Pelligrini lives in Glendale where her house is dedicated to “The Wizard of Oz” collectibles.

Doll didn’t appear in the 1939 movie, but she still had one of the most important roles.

“Most people think I took Judy Garland’s place when the movie was filmed, but that’s not what a stand-in does. Besides, how would it look with Judy in one scene and then me in another? We don’t look alike,” Doll said. “What I did was all the prep work on the scenes with the director, the technician and the cameraman. It takes several times going through a scene to perfect it. They didn’t make Judy go down the yellow brick road over and over — I did.”

Doll said when everyone was satisfied, they called in Garland. When she stepped onto the scene, Doll stepped off.

“You never want to wear out your star,” she said.

Basically, Doll is a dancer. She started when she was 4 years old and was hired by MGM. That’s where the producers for “The Wizard of Oz” found her. Afterward, she appeared in many films but retired from acting in 1949 after a plane crash.

“When we made the film we were all in our teens. I was 19. We also had no idea the movie was going to be so popular and become such a classic,” Doll said. “Now, who’d think at the age of 92, I’d still be connected with it?”

Her role as a stand-in for Garland is one of Doll’s most cherished memories, she said.

Today, Doll lives in Palm Springs, Calif., and has recently had her autobiography published, after the strong urging of friends and family.

This will be Doll’s first visit to Sedona. She is looking forward to the experience and seeing the famed red rocks.

Peregrini and Doll have traveled extensively to Oz-related events and celebrations. They will introduce the film in Sedona and host a Q&A discussion following the screening.

“You’ve seen the musical journey to Oz probably dozens of times but you’ve never experienced it like this.” Schweiss said. “This is everyone’s chance to experience the classic on the big screen — in vivid color — and get to join in the fun by being part of the show.

Plus, you’ll get the added bonus of meeting one of the Munchkins and Judy Garland’s stand-in.”

The audience will enjoy singing along with Dorothy, hissing at the Wicked Witch of the West, portrayed by Margaret Hamilton, and cheering on the band of travelers as they make their way to the Emerald City down the yellow brick road.

Celebrate Oscar-winning film in the fashion in which it was meant to be seen: in a grand theatrical setting on the big screen.

To enhance their powers while they are in the magical land of Oz, audience members will receive a free “Perform-Along Fun Pack,” including a kazoo, mystical bubbles, a noisemaker, magic wand and more. Blow bubbles for Glenda the Good Witch of the North and participate in myriad other fun activities.

To complete the experience, everyone is encouraged to dress as their favorite “Oz” character. Prizes will be awarded for imagination and creativity.

“I will,” Schweiss said. “Think of it as ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ meets the great and powerful Oz. It’s an interactive, audience-participation experience — and a whole lot of fun.”

“The Wizard of Oz” won two Academy Awards and was nominated for four others in 1940, including Best Picture.  

The title sponsor of this special event is Mary Fisher, vice chairwoman of the Sedona Film Festival Board who had the idea to bring this show to Sedona.

“The Wizard of Oz Sing-Along” will be shown at the Sedona Performing Arts Center at Sedona Red Rock High School on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 each or $6 for full-time students and children. Proceeds benefit the Sedona Film Festival filmmaker scholarship program.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Sedona International Film Festival office, 2030 W. SR 89A, Suite A3, or call 282-1177. For more information or to order online, visit www.SedonaFilmFestival.com.