The Return of Dorothy's Iconic Ruby Slippers: A 19-Year Journey Home
After being stolen in 2005, the iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in 'The Wizard of Oz' have finally been reunited with their rightful owner, marking the end of a 19-year saga.
A pair of ruby slippers, famously worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale in "The Wizard of Oz," has been returned to its owner after being stolen from a museum dedicated to the actress.
FBI agents recently reunited collector Michael Shaw with the shoes at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Shaw described the experience as a heartfelt reunion with a long-lost friend.
The reunion is short-lived as the shoes will soon begin a journey around the world, courtesy of Heritage Auctions. After this whirlwind journey, they will be sold and sent to their final destination, which may be in Kansas. The Garland Museum is working to acquire the shoes for display in the museum, located in Judy Garland's restored childhood home.
The ruby slippers were stolen from the museum in 2005 but were recovered in 2018 during a sting operation in Minneapolis, according to the US District Attorney’s Office of North Dakota. Two men were charged with the theft, with one of them believing the shoes contained actual rubies. However, the shoes are actually just painted red and covered in sequins, as confirmed by the Smithsonian.
Though they may not be covered in gems like Garland's Dorothy's famous slippers, they hold great value. The US District Attorney’s Office of North Dakota has estimated that the shoes are worth approximately $3.5 million.
Michael Shaw, second from the left, is pictured being reunited with the slippers he owned for the first time since they were stolen in 2005. FBI agents discovered the shoes in a 2018 sting operation and sent them to the Smithsonian to confirm their authenticity.
Michael Shaw, second from the left, is shown in a photo reuniting with his slippers that were stolen in 2005. The FBI found the shoes in a sting operation in 2018 and sent them to the Smithsonian to verify if they were indeed authentic.
FBI Minneapolis
“The Wizard of Oz,” considered one of the greatest films ever made, marked a new era in studio filmmaking when it was released in 1939. Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers, showcased in vibrant Technicolor, remain cherished symbols from the movie.
According to the North Dakota attorney’s office, only four pairs of the original slippers are still in existence. One pair is displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Interestingly, the shoes were initially mismatched, with Garland’s name inscribed in both, but with different numbers. This suggests that each shoe belonged to a different pair used during filming. Additionally, one slipper showed more signs of wear compared to the other, indicating the intensity of Garland’s dancing scenes on set.
Smithsonian experts were asked by the FBI to verify the stolen pair's authenticity in 2018, leading to the reunion of the museum's slippers with their long-lost matches. The stolen shoes were labeled "#1-” and “#6 Judy Garland," just like the pair on display at the Smithsonian. CNN has contacted the Smithsonian to inquire about whether the mismatched pairs were reunited with their actual other half.
Some pairs of ruby slippers that once belonged to Garland have ended up in the collections of fans. An MGM costumer found a few pairs of ruby slippers on the studio lot in 1970. One pair was auctioned that year and eventually donated to the Smithsonian, while he kept at least two pairs for himself. Shaw later purchased one of them. Another original pair is showcased at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ museum, donated by a group of benefactors that included Leonardo DiCaprio. In 1939, a fortunate Tennessee teenager won slippers worn on-screen in a contest and kept them until the late 1980s when she sold them to another movie enthusiast.
Actor Debbie Reynolds, matriarch of another Hollywood dynasty, also bought a rare pair from the lucky MGM costumer — prototype slippers with curly toes that were never used in the film.
Editor's P/S:
The recovery of the stolen ruby slippers from "The Wizard of Oz" is a heartwarming story that evokes a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the iconic film. The fact that the shoes have been reunited with their owner, Michael Shaw, after being missing for over a decade is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of law enforcement and the passion of collectors. The shoes' upcoming journey around the world before being sold will provide an opportunity for fans and the general public to experience a piece of cinematic history.
The article also sheds light on the fascinating history of the ruby slippers, revealing that only four original pairs still exist. The mismatched slippers at the Smithsonian and the pair stolen from the Judy Garland Museum suggest that multiple pairs were used during filming, providing a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes workings of a classic Hollywood production. The various pairs of slippers that have found their way into private collections and museums underscore the enduring legacy of "The Wizard of Oz" and the significance of the ruby slippers as cultural artifacts.
