Iconic Wizard of Oz Ruby Slippers to be Exhibited in London

A genuine pair of the red glitter slippers, famously worn by Judy Garland in the movie The Wizard of Oz, is set to be exhibited in central London. These slippers, which constitute one of only four remaining pairs created for the production, were utilized by the young actress during key moments, notably the finale where she performs the iconic action of clicking her heels together three times, uttering the phrase: “There’s no place like home.” The exhibition will take place at Heritage Auctions’ London saleroom and offices, located on Hanover Street, running from 28 November through 5 December, as part of a global showcase. Subsequently, the footwear is scheduled for auction in Los Angeles on 7 December, carrying an estimated price range of £2.3m to £3.8m ($2.9m to $4.8m). Gilbert Adrian, who served as the chief costume designer at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), was responsible for the creation of the red sequin slippers. Multiple prototypes were produced and subsequently discarded. Of the six to 10 pairs ultimately manufactured, four pairs used in the film are thought to still exist. A different pair is permanently exhibited at the National Museum of American History, part of the Smithsonian institution in Washington DC. The specific pair of slippers now being displayed was discovered in an MGM warehouse following the company’s sale in 1969. The film, adapted from L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, tells the story of Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas, and her dog Toto, who are carried to the magical Land of Oz by a tornado. In Oz, Dorothy encountered characters such as the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and the Tin Man, who accompanied her on her journey to find the Wizard of Oz in hopes of returning home. The particular pair of shoes slated for auction appears in sequences depicting Dorothy at the gates of Oz. In these scenes, when the witch attempts to remove the shoes from Dorothy’s feet, her hands receive an electric shock. Furthermore, they are visible in the film’s conclusion, where Glinda reveals to Dorothy that she can return home by closing her eyes and clicking the slippers’ heels together. The movie achieved status as a Hollywood classic and is preserved within the US Library of Congress’s National Film Registry, recognized for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. Glinda the Good Witch of the North and the Wicked Witch of The West were also featured in the film, serving as the basis for characters in the contemporary Wicked musical and movie. The footwear will be displayed concurrently with the Wicked Witch of the West’s hat, which was worn in the film and is also scheduled for auction. In 2005, the shoes were lent to the Judy Garland Museum for its annual Judy Garland Festival; however, they were stolen while on exhibit and were not recovered by the FBI until 2018. Earlier this year, they were returned to their owner, who subsequently chose to sell them via Heritage Auctions. Joe Maddalena, executive vice president at Heritage Auctions, stated that the slippers are invaluable and likely “the most important prop in Hollywood history.” He added, “We’re thrilled they will journey down the yellow brick road, to the auction block and to a new home.” Information regarding BBC Radio London is accessible via Sounds, and updates from BBC London are available on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Submissions for story concepts can be sent to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk. This content is copyrighted by BBC in 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites and provides information regarding its policy on external linking.