$1 million reward offered for stolen ‘Wizard of Oz’ slippers

An anonymous benefactor has offered a reward of $1 million for anyone who is able to give reliable information that leads to the recovery of Judy Garland’s sequined, ruby red slippers, which were stolen. The 10 year anniversary of the robbery will be in August.

John Kelsch, executive director of the Judy Garland Museum in Minnestoa, said an anonymous donor and avid fan of Judy Garland has provided the reward. In order to receive the huge reward offered, someone would have to provide specific information including the precise location of the slippers and the name of the perpetrator. It is estimated that the slippers are now worth two to three times that.

The stolen pair is one of four pairs of red ruby slippers that exists. A second pair was sold in auction to David Elkouby, a memorabilia shop owner in Hollywood, though he has yet to display them. A talented actress, dancer, and singer, Garland struggled with alcohol and drug addiction as well as other personal issues before passing away from an accidental drug overdose at the young age of 47. The slippers were insured for $1 million.

The Wizard of Oz starred Garland as Dorothy, Frank Morgan as the wizard, Ray Bolger as the scarecrow, Bert Lahr as the cowardly lion and Jack Haley as the tin man. The musical film is largely considered one of the greatest movies in history, and has a 99 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes as well as a flawless four-star review from the late critic Roger Ebert.

[Image courtesy of Smithsonian].