In brief
A pair of legendary ruby red slippers from the classic film The Wizard of Oz were sold for $28 million at a recent auction, making headlines as the most valuable piece of movie memorabilia ever. The highly coveted slippers, one of four surviving pairs, were initially expected to sell for much less, reflecting the heightened interest surrounding the musical due to the recent prequel, Wicked.
The auction, held in Dallas, saw excitement escalate when bidders responded enthusiastically to the iconic shoes worn by Judy Garland in her portrayal of Dorothy. Initially valued at just $3 million, the shoes instead reached a staggering price, which auctioneers dubbed the "Holy Grail of Hollywood memorabilia.” Originally debuted in the 1939 film adaptation of L. Frank Baum's novel, the slippers underwent color transformation from silver in the book to striking ruby red for the film to showcase the allure of Technicolor. This allure was highlighted in a memorable scene where Dorothy clicks her heels three times to return home, solidifying the slippers' place in cinematic history. The slippers have a tumultuous history; after being stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Minnesota in 2005, they were recovered by the FBI in 2018 following a sting operation. Professional thief Terry Jon Martin was convicted for the theft. The curator of the museum expressed a desire to learn the full story of the slippers’ journey during the theft period, emphasizing that their real value lies in their status as a national treasure, not glittery gemstones.The record-breaking sale has reignited interest in The Wizard of Oz, which remains a cultural touchstone. As one of the few pairs of shoes known to have survived from the film, the auction of the ruby slippers stands as a testament to the sustained legacy of Judy Garland’s performance as the beloved Dorothy.
