Who Knew Leo Had A Thing For Red Heels!!

Dorothy's ruby slippers have found a new home.

The famous footwear, worn by Judy Garland in 1939's The Wizard of Oz, was just acquired by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. One of four pairs used in making the film, they are believed to be the the the ones used for close up shots and the most well-maintained, and will eventually land at the yet-to-be-completed Academy Museum.

In a Wednesday announcement, the Academy cites Leonardo DiCaprio as the primary benefactor.
"Leo's passionate leadership has helped us bring home this legendary piece of movie history," said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. "It's a wonderful gift to the Academy museum project, and a perfect representation of the work we do year-round to preserve and share our film heritage."

Walt Disney CEO and chair of the capital campaign for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Bob Iger echoed Hudson's sentiments. "The ruby slippers occupy an extraordinary place in the hearts of movie audiences the world over," he said. "This is a transformative acquisition for our collection."

DiCaprio led the group of donors that enabled the purchase, which was brokered by auction house Profiles in History. Steven Spielberg and LACMA co-char Terry Semel were also among those involved.
These particular slippers, which many think were worn by Garland during close-ups, insert shots and the famous heel-clicks back to Kansas, bounced private collections, including costumer Kent Warner's, after being stored in MGM's Culver City lot for the three decades following Oz's production.

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Rhys Thomas, author of The Ruby Slippers of Oz, called them "the holy grail of all Hollywood Memorabilia" in a statement from the auction house. "Of the four pairs of authentic ruby slippers known to exist, this pair offered by Profiles in History, marked '#7 Judy Garland' and known as the 'Witch's Shoes,' are the most important and most valuable," he added.

They are expected to go on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures when it eventually takes residency in Wilshire's May Company building.

Happy Birthday 89th Birthday Judy Garland

St. Patrick's Day and "Rainbow"

Well top o' the morning all ye lads and lassies that read this blog and Happy St. Patrick's Day.  Started this morning with my gluten sin for the month with Irish raisin bread with jelly with my breakfast.  What kind of Irish man would I be without Irish raisin bread.  I am born into a very large Irish family on both sides versus the one time a year Irishmen that many people are on St. Patrick's day.

The family's name on my great-great mothers side was O' Patty while on my fathers side my great-fandfather came from Cork County Ireland and his last name before reaching Ellis Island and changing it was O'Daley so as you can see hit from both sides .   I am however one of the unfortunate as I really now nothing of my Irish heritage and there are many times I wish I did.

On to the rainbow----"Rainbow: The Stormy Life of Judy Garland" by Christopher Finch which I just finished reading this incredible book about--of course Judy.  I can never get my hands on enough things about Judy, who I should point out was I believe also IRISH!  Anyway, this book was pubished by Grosset & Dunlap Publishers New York in 1975.  Designed by Will Hopkins this book is 255 pages long and is just CRAMMED with photographs and all of this wonderful information about the life, times, trials, triumphs and the end of Judy Garland.  If you have read any of the books by John Fricke, this book is not quite that caliber in my opinion but this book does its very best to tell Judy's story from an unbiased, non-judgemental point of view and does succeed in doing so.



The version I have is the second printing and is paperback.  I can not remember where I bought it or how much I paid unfortunately but I do because of school it took some to read, because of all my homework. I would highly recommend this book to any serious collection of Judy or Wizard Of Oz items and to wish you happy hunting finding it.