Ruby Slippers

Ruby Slippers. The Ruby Slippers are one of the most iconic pieces of film costume in cinematic history, originating from the 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical fantasy film The Wizard of Oz. Worn by the protagonist Dorothy Gale, portrayed by Judy Garland, the magical shoes are central to the film's plot as the object that can return her to Kansas. Their vibrant color, achieved through technical innovation on the then-new Technicolor process, and their legendary status have made them a potent and enduring symbol of hope, magic, and the journey home within American popular culture.

In The Wizard of Oz

In the film, adapted from L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the slippers are bestowed upon Dorothy by Glinda the Good Witch after her house lands on and kills the Wicked Witch of the East. In Baum's original book, the shoes were silver, but the film's producers changed them to ruby red to capitalize on the new Technicolor film process, making them visually stunning against the yellow brick road. The slippers' magical property is their ability to transport Dorothy home, a power she learns from Glinda only after her journey to the Emerald City and her encounters with the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Woodman, and the Scarecrow. Their theft by the Wicked Witch of the West and subsequent recovery are key plot points, culminating in Dorothy clicking her heels together three times while repeating, "There's no place like home."

Design and creation

The slippers were designed by famed MGM chief costume designer Gilbert Adrian. The base was a generic "Innes" shoe with a moderate heel, chosen for Judy Garland's comfort during long filming days. The iconic red color was created by covering white silk faille shoes with red sequins, numbering about 2,300 per shoe, and accented with red glass beads and orange felt lining. Several pairs were created for the production to serve as backups for stunts, dance sequences, and photography tests under the bright arc lamps used on set. The specific shade of red was carefully selected to appear most vibrantly red under the specific lighting and film stock of the Technicolor camera system, a collaboration between Adrian and the film's cinematographer, Harold Rosson.

Cultural impact

The Ruby Slippers have transcended their role as a film prop to become a global cultural icon, symbolizing nostalgia, magic, and the idea of home. They are frequently referenced and parodied in television shows like The Simpsons and Saturday Night Live, in films such as The Wiz and The Muppets' Wizard of Oz, and in music by artists like Elton John and Kansas. The phrase "click your ruby slippers" has entered the English language as an idiom for wishing to be somewhere else instantly. The slippers are a cornerstone of Warner Bros. merchandising and are often cited among the most valuable and recognizable pieces of film memorabilia, alongside items like the Rosebud sled from Citizen Kane and the Lightsaber from Star Wars.

Theft and recovery

A pair of the slippers displayed at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, was stolen in August 2005, in a heist that remained unsolved for over a decade. The Federal Bureau of Investigation recovered the shoes in a 2018 sting operation in Minneapolis. The investigation, which involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Grand Rapids Police Department, revealed a complex plot, though the original motive remains unclear. The recovery was a major event in the world of art crime, highlighting the immense black-market value of iconic Hollywood artifacts. Another pair was also stolen from the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in 2000 but was later recovered.

Preservation and display

Due to their age and delicate materials, the surviving Ruby Slippers are carefully preserved in climate-controlled environments. The most famous pair is a centerpiece of the National Museum of American History, part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., where they have been displayed since 1979. Other authenticated pairs are held by the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles and in private collections, such as that of David Geffen. Conservation efforts by institutions like the Smithsonian involve meticulous work to stabilize the degrading sequins and fabric, often using techniques developed for preserving historic textiles, ensuring the slippers remain for future generations to experience.

Category:Film costumes Category:American folklore Category:Cultural icons