Yahoo Lifestyle Leonardo Dicaprio buys Dorothy's red ruby slippers
The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the film 'The Wizard of Oz' recently purchased by Leonardo Dicaprio
The 'J Edgar' star has been named as one of a group of donors to have contributed to buying the iconic shoes - which were used in the close-up shots of the 1939 movie starring Judy Garland - for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
Academy CEO Dawn Hudson said his funding helped provide a "wonderful gift" to the organisation.
She said: "Leo's passionate leadership has helped us bring home this legendary piece of movie history. It's a wonderful gift to the Academy museum project, and a perfect representation of the work we do year-round to preserve and share our film heritage."
These slippers, known as the “Witch’s Shoes,” are in the most pristine condition of the four pairs of ruby slippers known to exist. They are slo the slippers Judy Garland wore in close-ups and insert shots, most famously when Dorothy clicks her heels three times to return to Kansas. They are called the “Witch’s Shoes” because they are likely the pair seen on the feet of the Wicked Witch of the East after Dorothy’s house falls on the witch.
Dorothy accepting a lollipop in the film 'The Wizard of Oz'
Bob Iger, president of Disney and chair of the campaign for the Academy Museum, said the addition of the slippers would have a "transformative" quality on the collection.
He said: "The ruby slippers occupy an extraordinary place in the hearts of movie audiences the world over. This is a transformative acquisition for our collection."
The Academy and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art announced plans to create a museum inside the May Company building last October.
