Ruby slippers from "Oz" go missing

DULUTH, Minn. — A pair of ruby slippers considered to be "The Holy Grail" of all Hollywood memorabilia has been stolen.

A rare pair of the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the classic movie "Wizard of Oz" were stolen during the weekend in what appears to be a targeted burglary at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minn.

Insured for $1 million, the shoes are one of four pairs known to exist that were used in the 1939 movie, said their owner, Michael Shaw, a North Hollywood movie memorabilia collector.

"It's the worst nightmare for me," he said. "The theft is not only a crime against me but against children. Those shoes have been used to raise money for AIDS, for helping get kids off the street, reading programs, and for children with Downs syndrome and autism."

According to the movie Web site www.IMDb.com, each pair has an estimated value of $1.5 million, making them the most valuable piece of Hollywood memorabilia.

Shaw, himself a childhood actor, has owned the slippers since 1969.

The slippers, he says, had been on display three other times in Grand Rapids.

This summer, the slippers were in the ninth week of a 10-week loan to the museum.

The slippers were stolen sometime between 5:45 p.m. Saturday and 9:45 a.m. Sunday, when an employee discovered the break-in, said John Kelsch, Judy Garland Museum director.

Grand Rapids Police say an emergency-exit-door window was broken. A glass case that contained the ruby slippers was broken and the slippers removed.

The 2-year-old building has the best alarm system available, Kelsch said. It should warn a security firm when doors or windows are opened, or if motion is detected. But the private firm received no signal.

Other "Wizard of Oz" memorabilia within the museum, such as jeweled gloves and original movie programs, were untouched.