Summary

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Supers/Fonts: Michael Shaw

John Kelsch

Story Location: Grand Rapids, MI

State/Province: Minnesota

Shot Date: 03/18/2024

URL: https://wwwkare11com/article/news/local/ruby-slippers-reunited-with-owner-at-garland-museum-in-grand-rapids-michael-shaw-investigators/89-16b873c9-53b2-4011-bf44-27d6ec7eaf5c

Notes and Restrictions:

Newsource Notes:

Story Description:
Elements: DNT: Video from Heritage Auctions showing the man reunited with the ruby slippers, close up shots of the ruby slippers, sound with the owner, sound with the retired museum director, file video inside he museum, file video of search video, file video of the FBI uncovering the slippers, and file video of the suspect in a wheelchair coming out of the courthouse, video from the museum reunion

SOT:
Michael Shaw
John Kelsch


Wire/StoryDescription:

GRAND RAPIDS, Minn It took considerably more than a click of the heels, but the iconic shoes worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz are finally home where they belong

On Monday, the FBI office in Minneapolis released photos of the ruby slippers being reunited with owner Michael Shaw The cinematic collectibles worth an estimated $35 million were stolen from the Judy Garland Museum in 2005 They were recovered more than a decade later in 2018, and two men have been federally charged for their roles in stealing and concealing them

During the ceremony, which took place in Garland's hometown of Grand Rapids, the iconic ruby slippers were placed on their original pedestal The FBI says when Shaw, accompanied by his niece, laid eyes on the slippers for the first time in nearly two decades, he likened the experience to a heartfelt reunion with a long-lost friend

It was incredibly rewarding and fitting to see Mr Shaw reunited with the Ruby Slippers, at Judy Garlands home, accompanied by his friends on the museum staff, said Special Agent Christopher Dudley, one of the investigators who worked on the case It is a privilege for the FBI and our Art Crime Team to work alongside law enforcement partners who truly value the importance of protecting our nations cul
tural heritage

Not only did Special Agent Dudley return the ruby slippers to Shaw, He also presented a single red sequin that was left at the scene of the crime nearly two decades ago

The Judy Garland Museum was rocked by the theft, as the slippers were there on loan from Shaw Although they were insured for $1 million, museum leaders say the theft shattered a long-standing friendship with their owner, tarnished the organization's credibility, and made a number of people instant suspects

The Judy Garland Museum survived the impact of this violation and is grateful to be a part of the homecoming, reflected John Kelsch, who was director of the museum at the time of the heist, noting that it negatively impacted operations for many years The return of the slippers to Shaw, if not the museum, promises a fresh start

We continue to serve visitors from around the world: Expect a ruby slipper crime exhibit in our near future, Kelsch hinted

For his part, Shaw introduced representatives from Heritage Auctions at the reunion ceremony, announcing that he is partnering with them to launch a worldwide tour of the slippers so people can see them before they are auctioned off later this year Officials at the Judy Garland Museum say they are working diligently to find a way to buy them and keep them in a place where Garland's life and legacy is celebrated



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After more shocking twists than even Wizard of Oz could have imagined the rightful owner of these original ruby slippers finally got the reunion he'd spent 19 years waiting for

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00:00:32;23 (Heritage Auction Video) They're in very good shape 00:00:34;11

Michael Shaw owned the famed Hollywood props one of just a handful of pairs in the world for 35 years until they were stolen in 2005 from this very podium while on loan to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids

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00:00:52;16 (Heritage Auction Video) How do I feel, it's like welcoming back and old friend That I haven't seen in years 00:00:59;21

And it wasn't Shaw's only emotional reunuion on that cold February Day

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00:01:00;25 John: Just overjoyed and surpised

00:01:25;06 John: Everyone at the museum kept it a secret from me, so I was totally shocked when I arrived that day at the museum 00:01:31;28

For museum curator John Kelsch it's a much happier shock

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:30 They were in plexi glass case right here

than the morning he relived for us ten years ago

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:36 They broke in through that door Smashed the window on the emergency exit door :41>
For years he says the theft scarred the museum's reputation

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:21 70-percent of the visitors ask, did you ever find the slippers :26


After years of searching and even diving for answers turned up nothing rumors and tensions between the two men at the center of it grew

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00:03:59;14 Basically, Michael Shaw and myself became suspects 00:04:03;27 You know, 60% of robberies are 00:04:09;11

00:04:13;17 What they call an inside job, and the public knows that too 00:04:18;09


That finally began to change in 2018


And now under the rainbow
when the FBI unveiled that the slippers had been recovered in what it described as an extortion plot but it took another five years before they charged 76 year old Terry Martin for the theft and his sentencing in late January finally cleared the way for this reunion

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00:01:26;10 (Heritage Auction Video) FBI: We want to formally return your shoes to you We thought it would be fitting we do it here in the museum where they were stolen 00:01:33;01

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00:19:57;23 John: Proud, just proud that they came home 00:20:01;14 At least for that short time 00:20:03;19

Yes, the slippers are already gone being prepared for a public world tour with stops in LA, New York City, London, Paris and Tokyo before Heritage Auctions puts them on sale to the highest bidder in December

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00:10:42;19 Kent: Any word that those slippers will make another stop during this tour? <00:10:46;19>

00:10:49;07 Janie: No, I think that's why they came to us first 00:10:54;13

But if you think this is the end of the yellow brick road think again

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00:08:44;13 This will never be over 00:08:46;04

00:08:49;08 There's going to be motion pictures produced, there's going to be television streaming documentaries 00:08:56;20 This is really just only the beginning 00:09:00;19

00:11:43;04 Kent: Have you thought about who would play you in a movie? 00:11:46;14 (laugh) No I won't be in the movie John will be 00:11:51;01

00:11:55;21 Gol, I have no idea Yet to be determined 00:11:59;01

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--KEYWORD TAGS--
MINNESOTA WIZARD OF OZ RUBY SLIPPERS MOVIE