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…
