Wizard of Oz super-fan offers $US1 million for safe return of Dorothy’s slippers
“There’s no place like home” is a catchphrase we’ve all come to equate with Dorothy of Oz’s famous red slippers, which were stolen 10 years ago.
Today, apparently The Wizard of Oz’s biggest ever fan is offering $US1 million ($AUS1.34 million) to anyone who can provide information leading to the ruby slippers’ retrieval.
"We didn't think the offer was legitimate at first," said Rob Feeney, spokesman of the scene of the crime: the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
"They wanted to remain anonymous. They only wanted to share that they are a huge Wizard of Oz fan, based in Arizona."
Collector Michael Shaw donated the sparkling shoes once a year to be shown at the museum. Feeney insisted they be placed in a safe every night for safe keeping, but Shaw refused.
"He was the only person he felt should touch them," Feeney said. "Nobody else."
This was a grievous mistake, as the slippers’ display window was smashed and the iconic footwear were taken and never seen by the public again.
"We kicked ourselves in the butt for not putting them in the safe," said museum board member, Jon Miner. "Of course, the owner was dumbfounded. And so were we."
The museum offered an award of a quarter of a million dollars, but to no avail.
Now, the fate of the shoes rests in in the palms (or on the soles?) of their captor. Will $1 million be enough to bring the slippers back?
There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home…
Photo Source: Ed Zerga
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