The Lion Costume, worn by Bert Lahr in The Wizard of Oz movie, has been reunited with the ruby slippers Judy Garland wore as Dorothy in the classic film for the Icons of Hollywood sale at Profiles in History in California, scheduled for 15 and 16 December. The costume was made from the real hide of Lion and was preserved with top-most care.
The Wizard of Oz's Cowardly Lion costume set to fetch $3 million at The Profiles in History's Icons of Hollywood sales
This costume was worn when the Cowardly Lion first meets Dorothy on the Yellow Brick Road and sings If I Only Had the Nerve… Just like the ruby slippers we offer in the same auction that Dorothy wore when she clicked her heels together and returned to Kansas, this Cowardly Lion costume is very special because it was worn in some of the most magical moments of the film. It is one of only two known costumes worn by Bert Lahr, said Joe Maddalena, who runs the dealership ‘Profiles in History’ that is organising a large sale of memorabilia called Icons of Hollywood, where the lion costume will be one of the prize lots.
The original costume had a mask that was molded to the actor, the late Bert Lahr, who wore it in the movie. The Cowardly Lion’s original make-up did not survive the test of time so Bert’s son Herbert Lahr allowed the museum team to mold his face for the closest resemblance. Optical-quality glass eyes, metal whiskers and acrylic teeth add further realism to a newly sculpted head.
Profiles in History’s two-day auction will be held on December 15th and 16th at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills. Other memorabilia up for grabs will include Bela Lugosi’s cape from Dracula (expected to fetch $1,500,000 – $2,000,000,) the DeLorean from Back to the Future III ($400,000 – $600,000,) Marilyn Monroe’s wedding ring from her marriage to Joe DiMaggio ($300,000 – $500,000) and a Marilyn Monroe painting by Earl Moran ($70,000 – $90,000).
The Wizard of Oz's Cowardly Lion costume set to fetch $3 million at The Profiles in History's Icons of Hollywood sales
Bert Lahr screen-worn Cowardly Lion costume from The Wizard of Oz
