Today’s episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show focused on “Classic Americana”. Part of the episode featured Dr. Brent Glass, Director of The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz were sent to the show from Washington, D.C., under the supervision of two armed guards and via first class air travel in a disguised box.
Other original props discussed and on display during the episode were one of the leather jackets worn by The Fonz on Happy Days and a pair of boxing gloves used by Sylvester Stallone in Rocky II.
Full details can be found on Oprah.com:
Drive-ins and hamburger joints aren’t the only places to find American nostalgia. The Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. is the home to many historic treasures, including memorabilia from many of Hollywood’s beloved movies.
The ruby slippers Judy Garland wore in The Wizard of Oz are among the museum’s most iconic Hollywood items. Dorothy’s sparkly red shoes journeyed far from home for a rare one-time appearance on The Oprah Show-and they travel in style!
On the trip from the museum in Washington, D.C., the ruby slippers were accompanied by an entourage to rival an A-list celebrity’s. For the voyage, the slippers were securely packed in a box disguised with a bow. With the protection of two armed guards, the ruby slippers flew first-class to Chicago.
The museum’s director, Dr. Brent Glass, says they are priceless. “There’s the value to the American public and really to the whole world because people treasure the memory of seeing The Wizard of Oz,” he says. “The value, I think, is really important because they are a treasure of our youth. They’re a treasure of the story of The Wizard of Oz and Dorothy’s quest to find her way home.”
Carefully handling the slippers using white gloves, Dr. Glass shows Oprah their felt soles. “They were worn by Judy Garland during her dance routines on the Yellow Brick Road because there’s felt on the bottom of these slippers,” he says.
One interesting part of the segment was when Oprah asked Dr. Glass if she could touch the ruby slippers, which has lead to some negative remarks on Oprah’s own discussion forum: Ruby Slippers
Below is a typewritten transcription (by myself) from the exchange:
Oprah Winfrey: “Can I touch them? Am I allowed to touch them?”
Dr. Glass: “No, you’re not allowed to touch them. But if you, if you uh-“
Oprah Winfrey: “So glad I asked. I saw everyone with gloves on – you have to touch them with gloves on, right?”
[Oprah picks up gloves]
Dr. Glass: “Uh, well, yeah – we don’t – I don’t even touch them with gloves on… but uh, we’ll, uh-“
Oprah Winfrey: “I just want to touch them.”
Dr. Glass: “The reason- the reason-“
Oprah Winfrey: “Put your gloves on, yeah, and the reason I’m not allowed to touch them is?”
Dr. Glass: “Well the reason that we’re here, and I really appreciate uh, having the opportunity to share this with the world, because not everyone gets to come to Washington.”
Oprah Winfrey: “Right…”
Dr. Glass: “But also to show people that just because something’s in a museum, doesn’t mean that it’s saved, um-“
Oprah Winfrey: “Yeah…'”
Dr. Glass: “I like to say that we’re in the forever business, at the Smithsonian Institution and at the American History Museum and you can see, and I don’t know how close up you can get-“
Oprah Winfrey: “Very close.”
Dr. Glass: “But the ruby slippers have lost some of their color over 70 years, especially after the last 30 years of display at the American History Museum.”
Oprah Winfrey: “Okay, so they’re 70 years old.”
Dr. Glass: “70 years old.”
Oprah Winfrey: “Yeah, and these were actually worn by Judy Garland?”
Dr. Glass: “They were worn by Judy Garland and they were worn by Judy Garland during her dance routines on the yellow brick road, because there’s felt on the bottom of these slippers on, um… Richard, can I pick them up? And show?”
[Dr. Glass looks off stage for affirmation, then gently picks up one of the two slippers]
Dr. Glass: “Oprah.. See the felt?”
Oprah Winfrey: “Oh, the felt for dancing. Can I touch them just so i can at least say I touched the ruby slippers?”
Dr. Glass: “You can touch, yes.”
[Oprah picks up both slippers, one in each hand, and waves them toward each other in a circling motion]
Oprah Winfrey: “Magic powers… Magic powers…”
Jason De Bord