Author Topic: Lion Costume from WIZ OF OZ (Read 20781 times)

Here are a couple snaps I took of the costume... the owner (consignor) was also there, making sure the lights were working properly, the emerald green carput leading up to the case was clean and that the music was playing... quite a character. He said when the figure/suit travels, tit has 4 handlers.

The entire costume is the original, except for the mane/ wig which was recreated at a hefty expense. All in all the actual lion hide survived very well, with only one small patch that had to be done, near the tail. The face was made by taking a life cast of one of Burt Lahr's sons, who resembled his dad quite a bit. It was something to be able to stand that close to something from OZ... a film i really loved as a kid.

Here's a screen grab from the film. Looks like the new wig was made longer than the original (tho it looks not to be as tightly curled):

Neo · « **Reply #13 on:** November 18, 2014, 10:39:24 PM »

Wow. What an iconic piece from a classic. Now I want to go turn on The Dark Side of the Moon and watch the movie.

Must have been cool to see that stuff in person, and cool of them to let you take photos. Do you have any other photos from there?

erik1925 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 18, 2014, 10:52:41 PM »

I do and will post some others. What is interesting is that this costume was offered thru Profiles In History, in Dec of 2011. Back then, its pre-sale estimate was $2,000,000 – $3,000,000.

https://www.profilesinhistory.com/press-releases/profiles-in-history-to-auction-off-king-of-the-forest-of-hollywood-artifacts-the-cowardly-lion-costume-from-the-wizard-of-oz/

It was also up for auction, thru Christies, back in May of 2000, too.

http://www.hollywd.com/wizard_of_oz.htm

erik1925 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 24, 2014, 04:03:33 PM »

The Lion costume started at 1.6M and sold for: $ 2.6M

What is interesting is the owner of the costume was at Bonhams the day i was there and he was saying he hoped for at least $4M.. maybe as much as 6M.. but after owning it for 20 years, he obviously changed his mind. He also said the upkeep was expensive, as well.

And the alternate/test dress for Dorothy from OZ sold for: $ 200,000.00

Mirosae · « **Reply #16 on:** November 24, 2014, 04:34:23 PM »

Quote from: erik1925 on November 24, 2014, 04:03:33 PM

The Lion costume started at 1.6M and sold for: $ 2.6M

What is interesting is the owner of the costume was at Bonhams the day i was there and he was saying he hoped for at least $4M.. maybe as much as 6M.. but after owning it for 20 years, he obviously changed his mind. He also said the upkeep was expensive, as well.

That's an expensive rug!

Monster_A_GoGo · « **Reply #17 on:** September 01, 2015, 11:11:59 AM »

Jeff, I'm just now seeing this. If I'm not mistaken, although nothing I've read online indicates they are authentic, the Hollywood Museum in the old Max Factor building in Hollywood has a pair of Ruby Slippers that they claim are one of the real pairs. Seeing what you said about the Lion's costume (

Quote

It was something to be able to stand that close to something from OZ... a film i really loved as a kid.

) and knowing you live nearby, I'd just thought I'd throw it out there. But how AWESOME you got to be so near to the Lion!

I remember as a kid (this would have been 1976) there was something called "The Freedom Train" that had all sorts of different stuff from throughout our country's history. The ONLY thing I remember seeing on the train is Dorothy's dress from "The Wizard of Oz". Strange how things like that--magical things like that--will resonate with you and everything else fades away.

erik1925 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 01, 2015, 01:26:45 PM »

Quote from: Monster_A_GoGo on September 01, 2015, 11:11:59 AM

Jeff, I'm just now seeing this. If I'm not mistaken, although nothing I've read online indicates they are authentic, the Hollywood Museum in the old Max Factor building in Hollywood has a pair of Ruby Slippers that they claim are one of the real pairs. Seeing what you said about the Lion's costume () and knowing you live nearby, I'd just thought I'd throw it out there. But how AWESOME you got to be so near to the Lion!

I remember as a kid (this would have been 1976) there was something called "The Freedom Train" that had all sorts of different stuff from throughout our country's history. The ONLY thing I remember seeing on the train is Dorothy's dress from "The Wizard of Oz". Strange how things like that--magical things like that--will resonate with you and everything else fades away.

Chances are the pair of slippers there were not a screen worn pair. I know that several pairs were made, as well as an alternate style (Debbie Reynolds owned those but they were auctioned thru PIH a while back). If memory serves, I think there were 2 screen worn pairs of ruby slippers. So im not sure if the pair at the Hwd Museum is one.. im thinking it may not be, but still was from the production.

Neo · « **Reply #19 on:** September 01, 2015, 06:28:48 PM »

Quote from: Monster_A_GoGo on September 01, 2015, 11:11:59 AM

Jeff, I'm just now seeing this. If I'm not mistaken, although nothing I've read online indicates they are authentic, the Hollywood Museum in the old Max Factor building in Hollywood has a pair of Ruby Slippers that they claim are one of the real pairs. Seeing what you said about the Lion's costume () and knowing you live nearby, I'd just thought I'd throw it out there. But how AWESOME you got to be so near to the Lion!

I remember as a kid (this would have been 1976) there was something called "The Freedom Train" that had all sorts of different stuff from throughout our country's history. The ONLY thing I remember seeing on the train is Dorothy's dress from "The Wizard of Oz". Strange how things like that--magical things like that--will resonate with you and everything else fades away.

Very cool.

I'd never heard of the Freedom Train. Here's a good article: http://www.freedomtrain.org/american-freedom-train-home.htm

The American Freedom Train (AFT) was a 26-car train led by one of three enormous steam engines restored just for the occasion. Over a 21 month period from April 1, 1975 to December 31, 1976 more than 7 million Americans visited the train during its tour of all 48 contiguous states. Tens of millions more stood trackside to see it go by. It was by far the greatest event on rails since the end of the steam era, and the uniquely magnificent vehicle that brought America's Bicentennial celebration to the people.

Monster_A_GoGo · « **Reply #20 on:** September 06, 2015, 12:56:41 AM »

Quote from: Neo on September 01, 2015, 06:28:48 PM

I'd never heard of the Freedom Train. Here's a good article: http://www.freedomtrain.org/american-freedom-train-home.htm

Zowie, Neo, thanks for finding that. After reading the article I still do NOT remember seeing any of the things mentioned aside from Judy Garland's OZ dress...with the possible exception of moon rocks (Hmm...). Ha! It was a neat thing, as I recall. I'm just sorry it was wasted on the "kid" me and not the "adult" me.

Cheers!

erik1925 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 02, 2018, 05:25:51 PM »

A clip discussing the restoration & conservation of the Lion costume, long before it went up for auction in 2014.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/PoU2PSf4eIU" target="_blank" class="new_win">https://www.youtube.com/v/PoU2PSf4eIU</a>

News:

Author Topic: Lion Costume from WIZ OF OZ (Read 20781 times)

Mirosae