Stolen ruby slippers inspire fictional reading

‘Ruby Slippers’ is ‘part mystery, part travelogue and part Coen Brothers storytelling’

On Aug. 28, 2005, the ruby red slippers were stolen. Worn by Grand Rapids native Judy Garland in the 1939 movie classic “The Wizard of Oz,” the famous shoes, on display at the Judy Garland Museum at the time, were one of only four original pairs of such red slippers. Prior to the heist, no one but Garland had ever worn the size 5 1/2 shoes; however, thousands had seen the particular traveling pair. The theft of the ruby slippers, which were insured for $1 million, remained a mystery, with many theories circulating, including that someone from the community stole the prized slippers. Last year, the slippers were recovered.