December 9th 2024.
The infamous red ruby slippers, worn by Judy Garland in the classic 1939 musical The Wizard of Oz, have been a beloved symbol in the world of film. These iconic shoes have captured the hearts of viewers for decades, with their dazzling red color and the magical power they hold. However, these slippers have had a tumultuous journey, as one of the four remaining pairs was stolen and went missing for 13 long years.
The slippers were loaned to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota by movie memorabilia collector Michael Shaw in 2005. However, just a few months later, they were stolen by professional thief Terry Jon Martin. Believing that the slippers were adorned with real gemstones, Martin attempted to sell them through a middleman named Jerry Hal Saliterman. However, to his dismay, Martin discovered that the "rubies" were actually made of glass.
Feeling deceived, Martin simply passed the slippers on to someone else and for 13 years, their whereabouts remained a mystery. The theft caused a great stir and the police offered a reward of $250,000 for any information leading to their return. An anonymous donor even added another $1 million to the reward, for the name of the thief and the slippers' location.
In 2018, the FBI finally retrieved the stolen slippers during a sting operation in Minnesota, thanks to a tip from an individual who attempted to extort the shoes' insurance company. The slippers were then returned to their rightful owners, but the story doesn't end there. Martin was charged with theft of a major artwork and eventually pleaded guilty, receiving a sentence of time served.
The slippers, which were worn by Judy Garland in some of the most iconic scenes of the film, are now back in the spotlight. One pair was sold at auction for a staggering $28 million to an unknown buyer, while another pair is on display at the National Museum of American History in Washington DC. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in California is also home to a pair of the slippers, and the fourth pair is said to be owned by a private collector.
Designed by MGM's chief costume designer Gilbert Adrian, multiple pairs of these magical shoes were made for the production. Some reports even claim that up to 10 pairs existed at one time. The slippers aren't the only original memorabilia from The Wizard of Oz that is making headlines, as Wicked star Ariana Grande was recently presented with the original wand used by her character in the film.
The theft of the ruby slippers was a dark chapter in their history, but thanks to the efforts of the FBI, they were returned to their rightful owners. The daring heist and the dramatic retrieval of these valuable shoes have added a new layer of interest to their story. The ruby slippers continue to hold a special place in the hearts of fans and remain one of the most iconic pieces of film costuming of all time.
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