According to the US Library of Congress exhibition The Wizard of Oz: an American Fairy Tale (2010):[148]
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is America's greatest and best-loved home-grown fairytale. The first totally American fantasy for children, it is one of the most-read children's books ... Despite its many particularly American attributes, including a wizard from Omaha, [the 1939 film adaptation] has universal appeal...[149] Because of its many television showings between 1956 and 1974, it has been seen by more viewers than any other movie".[8]
In 1977, Aljean Harmetz wrote The Making of The Wizard of Oz, a detailed description of the creation of the film based on interviews and research; it was updated in 1989.[150]
Ruby slippers
An original pair of the ruby slippers on display at the Smithsonian InstitutionBecause of their iconic stature,[151] the ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in the film are now among the most treasured and valuable film memorabilia in movie history.[152] Dorothy actually wore Silver Shoes in the book series, but the color was changed to ruby to take advantage of the new Technicolor process. Adrian, MGM's chief costume designer, was responsible for the final design. Five known pairs of the slippers exist.[153] Another, differently styled pair, not used in the film, was sold at auction by actress Debbie Reynolds for $510,000 (not including the buyer's premium) in June 2011.[154] One pair of Judy Garland's ruby slippers are located in Washington D.C. at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.[155]
In 2005, one of the pairs of the ruby slippers was stolen while on loan to the Judy Garland Museum in Garland's hometown. They were recovered in an FBI sting operation in 2018. At the time they were stolen, the slippers were insured for $1 million. As of 2023, the market value for them is about $3.5 million.[156] In 2023, the slipper thief was indicted with one count of a major artwork theft. The shoes are one of four authentic pairs that are still intact.[157]
Dorothy's dress and other costumes
In July 2021, Catholic University of America reported that a dress worn by Dorothy, believed to have been given to Rev. Gilbert Hartke by Mercedes McCambridge as a gift in 1973, was found in the university's Hartke Building after being missing for many years. The university said an expert on the movie's memorabilia at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History said five other dresses apparently worn by Judy Garland were "probably authentic". The dress found at the university had characteristics shared by the other five, including a "secret pocket" for Dorothy's handkerchief, and Garland's name written in a specific style. The university said the dress would be stored in Special Collections.
Another of the dresses sold at auction in 2015 for nearly $1.6 million.[158] Many other costumes have fetched six-figure prices as memorabilia. See List of film memorabilia.
Theme park attractions
The Wizard of Oz has a presence at the Disney Parks and Resorts. The film had its own scene at The Great Movie Ride at Disney Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort, and is also represented in miniature at Disneyland and at Disneyland Paris as part of the Storybook Land Canal Boats attraction in Fantasyland.[159][160] The Great Movie Ride was shut down in 2017.[161]
On 20 July 2022, it was announced that Warner Bros. Movie World would be adding a new precinct based on the 1939 film The Wizard Of Oz. It is to feature 2 coasters manufactured by Vekoma and will open in 2024.[162]
