Wizard of Oz super-fan offers $US1 million for safe return of Dorothy’s slippers
<p>“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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>"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.</p>
<p> "They wanted to remain anonymous. They only wanted to share that they are a huge Wizard of Oz fan, based in Arizona."<br /> <br /> 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.</p>
<p>"He was the only person he felt should touch them," Feeney said. "Nobody else."<br /> <br /> 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.</p>
<p>"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."</p>
<p>The museum offered an award of a quarter of a million dollars, but to no avail.</p>
<p>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?</p>
<p><em>There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home…</em></p>
<p><em>Photo Source: Ed Zerga</em></p>
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