Judy Garland - Letter from Home - The Ruby Slippers!

Hello Everyone:  

We are thrilled to be able to share with you the fascinating interview we conducted last week with Morgan White, director of the new film documentary “The Slippers.” We hope you find it as interesting as we did!

“The Slippers” Are Coming to Town!  

A year ago last spring, film director Morgan White came to Grand Rapids with a film crew. On that visit, he wanted to recreate the theft of the ruby slippers stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in August of 2005.  This dramatic footage now appears in White's newly released ninety minute documentary, “The Slippers.” Based on the history of the famed ruby slippers which appear in the 1939 classic film, “The Wizard of Oz,” "The Slippers" is a spell-binding tale which covers the ins and outs of nearly seventy-five years of movie history.

In June of 2015, Morgan White returned to Grand Rapids, where he filmed portions of the “Wizard of Oz Festival" and the notorious dive in search of the stolen slippers at Tioga Mine Pit (where it was rumored the slippers might be hidden). He also filmed scores of interviews with Oz experts, including John Fricke, Jon Miner and John Kelsch. The film also includes interviews with many other people, including Debbie Reynolds, Todd Fisher, and Michael Shaw.

So far, “The Slippers” has been shown at two film festivals: a world premiere at the SXSW in Austin, Texas and the Hot Docs Canadian International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada. 

Click below for a review in the Hollywood Reporter.

 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/slippers-film-review-883837

An Interview with Morgan White  

Judy Garland Museum:  First of all, how did you come to make a movie about the Ruby Slippers? Of all film subjects, why did you choose this one?

Morgan White:  It all started with the slippers themselves. I’ve followed the Profiles in History auctions for some time, and back in 2011 when the shoes were sold for $2.2 Million I was shocked. In the catalog, I read the little blurb for the shoes, and there was the story of Kent [Warner] and the multiple pairs of ruby slippers. I wanted to know more.

Kent Warner holding the Ruby Slippers at the MGM Auction

I was talking with my friend Derek, who later edited the film, and he told me there was a book about the story written by Rhys Thomas [The Ruby Slippers of Oz]. He lent me the book, and I couldn’t put it down. As soon as I’d finished I knew I had to make it in to a film.

It wasn’t until after that I learned of the theft, and all of the other bits of the story that make it so engrossing. I loved the idea of discussing the preservation and nostalgia of Hollywood through their most iconic symbol.

JGM:  You must have had some interest in “The Wizard of Oz” and the Ruby Slippers before you began this film. What was it?

MW:  I’ve always enjoyed Oz. It’s a beautifully crafted film, and the performances are great. To be honest, I can’t for the life of me remember when I first saw it, but it would have been when I was very young. I grew up on movies like “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones.” Oz is pure Hollywood, and that’s the grab for me. It feels like a dream of old Hollywood. That’s why it plays so well as a backdrop to the story of Hollywood preservation.

JGM:  There is a lot of information and history in your film. How long did it take for you to gather all that information?

MW:  It took me the 5 years I’d been mulling it over and working on it to put it all together. The story of the slippers is very dense, and it took a lot of work to decide what was important and how to put it in to place.  

JGM:  How were you able to find the footage of the MGM auction?

Dorothy's dress at the
MGM auction

MW:  I was lucky enough to be able to meet Judy Weisz Carol, who is the daughter of David Weisz, auctioneer of the 1970 MGM Auction.

Rhys Thomas had mentioned that when he was working on his book, Judy’s husband had promised him some reels of film he shot while the auction was being prepared, but the reels never got to Rhys. I thought I’d ask Judy if she knew where the reels were.

Amazingly much of the material still existed, some on film and some on tape. There were so many wonderful moments in the footage. I had seen the footage of Kent Warner walking out on stage with the shoes, but suddenly here’s all this other stuff of him working at the auction. I couldn’t believe I was lucky enough to find it!

JGM:  As you dug more deeply into the history of the Ruby Slippers, did anything surprise you?

MW:  The thing that surprised me the most was how the story just keeps on going. Rhys spent years working on his part of the story, and that only brought it up to 1988 when his book was released. The story kept on going.

In the 28 years since his book has come out so much has happened that I was able to tell in my film. But I know that no matter what I was able to tell, someone will have way more someday because the story will undoubtedly go on forever.

JGM:  As a result of all the in-person interviews you conducted while making the film, did you come to any conclusions about the theft? (You don’t have to tell us who you think did it!)

MW:  I think that the most likely turn of events is the most plausible. I’ve heard it all when it comes to theories, from it being an inside job to Michael [Shaw] having had the shoes stolen. That’s all just a little too Hollywood. While it would have been easy for someone who really wanted to have the shoes to steal them, it just seems unlikely that anyone would have done it for their collection.

I think in the end the shoes are at the bottom of Tioga [Mine Pit], or some other body of water, and the people who did it live in Grand Rapids. It just makes the most sense. I think the end it doesn’t really matter. The mystery will continue, and somehow that’s more interesting than knowing the truth.

JGM:  What do you hope people will take away with them from this film?

MW:  Though the ruby slippers may be forefront in the film, the real message of the film is how important the preservation of cinema really is. No matter what the item is, these objects are historically significant, and they deserve to be saved.

Back in 1970, when MGM gutted the studio they gave people an opportunity to save the many treasures it held, but many studios weren’t the same. So much was lost. I’ve heard horror stories. Thankfully people like Kent Warner saw historical significance in these items and saved them for future generations.

Next time you go to a museum take a look at who a certain item is attributed to. You’ll probably notice that the museum galleries are made up of people’s collections, whether it be old manuscripts or ancient helmets. These were items people saw significance in and so they saved them.

When the Academy had their costume exhibit at LACMA last year I walked through the many galleries marveling at the beautiful costumes that were on display. Because of the sorted past that is Hollywood costume collecting none were attributed to Kent, not even his ruby slippers, because he had either sold them or traded them, but none-the-less Kent was all around. He truly was the Robin Hood of Hollywood.

JGM:  We know that a lot of fans are very interested in seeing this film. What plans exist for the movie? Will it be shown on the Smithsonian Channel? PBS? Any Hollywood Film Festivals? In New York?  How will people be able to see it?

The Slippers at the MGM auction

MW:  The plan is to screen “The Slippers” at more festivals over the next few months and then release it on Television and digital platforms.

JGM:  Finally, Morgan, what do you see as the key meaning of the Ruby Slippers?

MW:  There’s no place like home. Home is the key to the Ruby Slippers. They are a portal to a different time in our lives and can take us there when we want to go back just by watching Oz. They are a beautiful talisman.

JGM:  Thank you so much, Morgan White. We want to congratulate you on this remarkable work and wish you the best of luck with having it seen. Everyone is really looking forward to the Minnesota premiere screening of “The Slippers” on June 11^th during the “Wizard of Oz” Festival, and looking forward to meeting you as well.

MW:  Thank you!

****

The Slippers: A Special Event

Don’t miss this opportunity to see this remarkable film! It covers the entire history of Judy Garland’s ruby red slippers. It's a fascinating ride through Hollywood history. Included in the film are historic footage, interviews with all the players, including Debbie Reynolds, Michael Shaw, Todd Fisher, John Kelsch and more. It’s a 90 minute colorful, dramatic, and sometimes funny ride through the history of “The Slippers!”

Included in the event will be live music by Josh Gallagher during the cocktail/social hour, 3-course sit-down meal, introduction by director Morgan White, and the Minnesota premiere showing of “THE SLIPPERS.”  Don’t miss it!

SATURDAY, June 11th       -          6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
at the SAWMILL INN                     $35.00 per person

Order your tickets here:  

http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com/wizard-of-oz-festival/wizard-of-oz-festival-2016

Meet the Staff 

Continuing our series from our last newsletter, we thought it would be nice for you to meet a few more members of our staff, beginning with the Judy Garland Museum founding director, John Kelsch.

John Kelsch with June Allyson in Grand Rapids.

John Kelsch has served as executive director of the Judy Garland Museum since its founding in 1994. He grew up in Bismarck, North Dakota. After high school, he was awarded the prestigious Ann Ball Pierce Scholarship, and attended the University of Hartford/Hartford Art School. Following art school, he earned a degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota and a Masters in Museum Administration from New York University.

John Kelsch moved to Grand Rapids, Minnesota in 1987 to fill the position of Executive Director at the  Itasca County Historical Society,  which was then located in the old Central School. During his time at ICHS, John organized the first gathering of little people from “The Wizard of Oz.” It was his privilege to escort 13 Munchkins and their spouses on a bus from Minneapolis to Grand Rapids. Quite an adventure. Most of these people had not seen one another since they appeared in “The Wizard of Oz” back in 1939, and, as you can imagine, there was a great deal of excitement. The following year, with the return of the Munchkins and a huge parade, 40,000 people descended on Grand Rapids. Throughout the years, the Judy Garland Festival was covered by the BBC radio, Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, Newsweek and the CBS Evening News. 

In 1993, John Kelsch left Grand Rapids to serve as executive director at the Mission Mill Museum in Salem, Oregon. After a year, the Kelsch family returned to Grand Rapids, where John assumed the position of Executive Director for the newly created Judy Garland Museum. At that time, the museum holdings consisted of a dream and the Judy Garland birthplace, which had been moved to its present site and was badly in need of restoration. Less than a year later, in June of 1995, the Judy Garland birthplace was opened to the public for the first. Although restoration would continue into 1996, fans were thrilled to be able to enter Judy’s birthplace, a dream come true for many.

with Claire Weber, Judy's cousin in TN

The following year, a downtown space was rented to use as a children’s museum. Kelsch know that Judy had always had a special affinity and love for children and having a children’s museum would be a fitting tribute to her, one that would help sustain the seasonal tourism of fans. John Kelsch spent – working to raise both private and public funds to build the Judy Garland Museum. The dream was fulfilled in 2004 (?), with the opening of the new Judy Garland Museum and Children’s Discovery Center. Since that time, the museum has seen well over a million visitors.

John Kelsch has two children:  a son, Jonas, who teaches English in China, and a daughter, Celeste, who attends school in Minneapolis. He is married to Michelle Russell. In his spare time, he enjoys gardening and Turner Classic Movies.

Meet the Teachers 

With the thousands of children who visit the Children’s Discovery Center on field trips during the school year, we need many teachers. Here are some of our wonderful teachers.

Biz Peterson grew up in Cloquet and attended high school there. At the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, she earned a Bachelor in English Education with a minor in Speech. In addition, she has a Masters in Education Design.

Biz taught school in Grand Rapids for 42 years, teaching both middle and high school. Today she enjoys teaching part-time at the Children’s Discovery Center. She says she loves kids. She and her husband, Chris have three children and three grandchildren.

Biz is in charge of our High Tea and Style Show at the Judy Garland Birthplace during the Wizard of Oz Festival, so if you see her, 
please say hello!

Debra Knopik worked as a para at Van Dyke School in Coleraine for six years before coming to work at CDM where she has been for the last three years. She enjoys working with children and has volunteered at schools for many years. 

Deb, who grew up in Chisholm, has two sons and four grandchildren.

Marlon Sias joined the Children’s Discovery Museum staff in 2013. He is a graduate of Crown College with a degree in Bible and Theology. Recently, he published comprehensive 400 page book titled “Worthy to Escape.”

Before working at CDM, Marlon was an entrepreneur, having started and/or re-designed four companies. He and his wife, Debbie, home-schooled their five children. With all their children now grown, they have expanded their teaching to include and after School 4-H program.

The new 'Log-Crawl" exhibit is Marlon's latest contribution to the Museum. Since Marlon's grandchildren live overseas, he is happy to provide the Museum with the welcomed "grandpa" role. 

Wish List

In our last newsletter, we mentioned a few things we need help with on our wish list:

- Donated garden work
- Donated work on our historic house windows
- Donated paint job on  the historic house window frames (we would pay for the paint & materials)

In addition, we find that unfortunately things get broken in the historic Judy Garland house. At present, we have several things which need mending:

- a crystal glass, 
- antique ceramic curtain holder
- some small antique toys

If you or someone you know has a talent for mending broken items, please give us a call. 
Just of a few minutes of your time could help us greatly.

Thank you!

****

Coming Up:

Next week our blog will include the balance of our interview with John Fricke and more about his presentations at the Wizard of Oz Festival, Josh Gallagher and Jazz and more. Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, please like us on Facebook!