Popular Culture

The first museum of the day was the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. I wanted to go here just so I could see Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers, Fonzie’s jacket and Oscar the Grouch. I also wanted to see Kermit the Frog, but he was out “being studied” by the Smithsonian staff.

Here are the museum write-ups for the photos:

Ruby Slippers

The Ruby Slippers were worn by Dorothy Gale, a character played by Judy Garland (1922 – 1969) in the MGM film, “Wizard of Oz,” 1939. The magical shoes, changed from the book’s silver slippers to those with an iridescent red hue, were created by Gilbert Adrian, MGM Studios’ chief costume designer, and played a central role in the film.

Dorothy obtained them from Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, and kept them from the Wicked Witch of the West in order to get home. Several pairs of slippers were made for the movie, a common practice with important costumes and props; this pair was worn by Garland in dance scenes. The felt on the soles muffled her dancing footsteps on the yellow brick road.

Dumbo

Dumbo, the flying baby elephant, originated in a 1939 children’s book by Helen Aberson and illustrator Harold Perl. Along with the Walt Disney Studio’s 1941 animated film that bears the character’s name, Dumbo also inspired a Dumbo ride, which endures as one of the most popular attractions at Disneyland.

Television Comedy

1-3 – Props used on M*A*S*H*.
4 – Production call board from final M*A*S*H* episode.
5 – Fonzie’s jacket from Happy Days.
6- Ted Knight’s blazer from The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
7 – Masks used in The Ernie Kovacs Show.
8 – Emmy award given to Groucho Marx for You Bet Your Life.
9 – Charlie McCarthy, broadcasting’s most popular wooden star.
10 – Badge used by Hal Linden in Barney Miller.
11 – Fresh-Air Taxi toy from the very popular radio program Amos ‘n’ Andy.