Ruby Slippers
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| Photo Courtesy of Wikipedia |
Who can forget the ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz? Not me! The first time I saw the movie in its full Technicolor life I was awestruck by these vivid, sequins shoes.
One of the most memorable scenes in The Wizard of Oz was when Dorothy’s house fell from the sky, landing on and killing the Wicked Witch of the East. The death of the witch freed the Munchkins of the evil witch’s tyranny.
Glinda the Good Witch of the North feared the evil dead witch’s sister, the Wicked Witch of the West would hurt Dorothy. For her protection the good witch magically places the Wicked Witch of the East’s ruby slippers on Dorothy’s feet. At this point, Dorothy and all the viewing audiences knows the ruby slippers are magical, but no one knows precisely knows their powers.
Gilbert Adrian designed the ruby slippers and it’s reported that six identical pairs of these slippers made for the Wizard of Oz, but only four pair accounted for today. To create the ruby slippers illusion, the shoes dyed red then an overlay of burgundy sequined organza attached to each shoes’ upper and heel. Red glass jewels and dark-red bugle beads were sewn to red leather bows and then attached to the organza-covered shoes.
Where are the ruby slippers? According to Wikipedia, the pair owned by Philip Samuels from St. Louis, Missouri is in the best condition and estimated they would sell for $2 – $3 million. That’s one too many zeros for me, how about you?
Samuels has used these ruby slippers in fund-raising events for children’s charities. He also lends them to the Smithsonian where he has the slippers cleaned, repaired, or on tour. I’m not sure, if Samuel’s is still possess these ruby slippers or where the other three pairs are. However, if you’re interested you can read more here.
In the end, Dorothy yearns to return to her home in Kansas to be Auntie Em, Uncle Henry, and the farm hands whom she loved so dearly. This is when she discovers the magical power of the ruby slippers. All she had to do was click her heels three times and repeat, “There is no place like home.”
I may not have a pair of magical ruby slippers, but I do know…There is no place like home.
Visit Jenny Matlock…off on my tangent for more “R” posts…
1. Do you own a pair of ruby slippers/sandals?
In early 2000, my DH bought me a pair of Caparros red sequins high heel sandals. Until that time, I didn’t own anything like this. It actually made me feel a little like Dorothy when I got them. In believe I even quoted the line, “There’s no place like home” from The Wizard of Oz the first time I put them on.
2. When was the last time you went home (childhood home)? What do you miss most about living at home?
We haven’t been home since September. Some things I miss are: not being able to give my parents a kiss or hug each night and being a big sister to my siblings. These are things you take for granted as a kid. When you move out, then you remember these small things and wish you could do it again. One thing I think often about when living at home is the sense of no worries – free from monthly obligations and cumbersome concerns which can weigh you down. I was free to be a kid. Why did I ever want to grow up? The simple truth is, I couldn’t see the reality for the fantasy. Unfortunately, this is something we must learn along the way to adulthood and God’s word reminds us of this from the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 – there is a season for every thing.
Linking up with Amanda…
17 Comments
Jenny
I could never pull off Red shoes, maybe a pair of Red crocs…
Thanks for the wonderful Reminder of this classic movie…
I’m going to have to take a night off and watch it…
Great post for the letter “R”!
A+
beckyp
I never realized how scary The Wizard Of Oz was until I recently watched it as an adult. Those monkeys are terrifying!
Ames
I bought my great niece a pair of red sequinned shoes from Walmart for her 6th birthday. She was so thrilled to get them.
Let’s see when was the last time I wore heels???? I can’t remember, I guess I’ve been wearing sensible shoes too long.
I drive by my childhood home to visit my daughter and grandchildren. She lives on the same street I grew up on. And I miss my parents most of all.
This was a wonderful post!~Ames
storybeader
Sometime in my life, the Wizard of Oz wasn’t as scary, when Dorothy landed in Oz. But then, the terror came back. Maybe that’s bec. I moved to Tornado Alley! {:-D
Jesh StG
No red shoes! My extravagance lies in the amount of shoes I have -am not telling you, lol!
anitamombanita
I thought I was going to die when I was a little girl and I wanted a pair of red patent leather shoes and my mom (mean old mom) made me wait for what seemed like forever.
I thought I heard recently that the pair that’s in the Smithsonian is being refurbished. They are definitely iconic. Great post!
Lavender Cottage
Oh boy, the only red shoes I have are a pair of Crocs but I do like your sassy sandals.
We saw the Wizard of Oz on stage last summer and the little Toto they used would run off the stage into the audience every so often.
Patsy Sawyer
I sadly do not own many pairs of “shoes” and none of them are Red.. I wear mostly flip flops.. I could really use a pair of magic shoes though.. I do visit the house I was Born in often as my first cousin and best friend now owns it and lives there.. the house I grew up in has been long gone.. Moved away for a factory to be built.. Having been here 20 years I call this spot home.. I am visiting by way of Alphabe Thursday and welcome visitors too.. Have a great day!
Patsy
Self Sagacity
I don’t have any ruby slippers. The message that it sent is what I love best.
I visited my hometown in 2006. It was so different from what I remembered. It was more sad than happy occasion. Although I wouldn’t mind going home again, even if it was unpleasant last time.
Splendid Little Stars
most interesting! Yes, that’s certainly a LOT of zeros!
no red shoes now, but I have a childhood memories of getting some. I was very small. I loved them so much I wore them home from the store. My mother kept them for a long time, so I got to see them and reminisce from time to time.
The last time I went to my actual childhood house was on a quick trip last September. I decided to knock on the door and the people were so kind, giving me a tour of the downstairs, and wanting to know some of the history of the house.
Rocky Mountain Woman
I can go home! I can go home!
Love that movie!!!
EmptyNester
Breezy LOVED the Wizard of Oz when she was little. No, that’s not right. She STILL loves it! LOL And those ruby slippers were her favorite!
Esther Joy
My granddaughter was just recently in a Wizard of Oz production. I couldn’t help but notice the wonderful ruby slippers worn by “Dorothy”!
Sue
I have three pairs of red shoes, and I love them.
And I agree that there is absolutely no place like home!
=)
Judy SheldonWalker
Cathy, those ruby red slippers were certainly dazzling. I sat glued to that shoe each year as a child. We would travel to my grandparents to watch it. It’s funny how you can get so caught up in a show even when you know the ending.
Kara
I do have a pair of red shoes but I would not exactly call them ruby slippers. But, I did play Glenda the good witch of the north when I was in 2nd grade.
Monica
I have a pair of red shoes, but they are NOTHING like the ruby slippers…and they hurt my feet!
I loved the ruby slippers in the movie, but the Wicked Witch of the West SCARED me! 🙂