Judy Garland’s ‘Wizard of Oz’ Ruby Slippers Stolen: Man Indicted for Theft
The Wizard of Oz is one of the most iconic movies in the history of cinema. The film, which was released in 1939, starred Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, a young girl who is swept away from her home in Kansas to the magical land of Oz. One of the most memorable items from the movie is the pair of ruby slippers that Garland wore as Dorothy. These slippers have become a symbol of the movie and are considered one of the most valuable pieces of movie memorabilia in the world.
Unfortunately, in 2005, a pair of ruby slippers that were used in the movie were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The slippers were on loan to the museum from a private collector and were valued at over $2 million. The theft was a shock to the museum and to fans of the movie around the world.
After years of investigation, the FBI announced in September 2018 that they had recovered the stolen slippers. The slippers were found during a sting operation in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI did not release any details about how they were able to recover the slippers, but they did announce that they had indicted a man for the theft.
The man, named Michael Shaw, was charged with one count of theft and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property. Shaw is a resident of Arizona and was arrested in July 2018. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently awaiting trial.
The recovery of the stolen slippers was a major victory for the Judy Garland Museum and for fans of The Wizard of Oz. The slippers are an important piece of movie history and their theft was a blow to the legacy of Judy Garland and the film. The recovery of the slippers also serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving movie memorabilia and the need to protect these valuable items from theft and damage.
The Judy Garland Museum has stated that they plan to display the recovered slippers in a new exhibit that will focus on the history of The Wizard of Oz and the legacy of Judy Garland. The exhibit will be a fitting tribute to one of the most beloved movies of all time and to the talented actress who brought Dorothy Gale to life.
In conclusion, the theft of Judy Garland’s ‘Wizard of Oz’ ruby slippers was a major loss for fans of the movie and for the legacy of Judy Garland. The recovery of the slippers is a victory for those who appreciate the importance of preserving movie history and serves as a reminder of the need to protect valuable items from theft and damage. The upcoming exhibit at the Judy Garland Museum will be a fitting tribute to one of the most iconic movies in the history of cinema and to the talented actress who starred in it.
