are the sweaty shirts the "ruby slippers of our times..."

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 12:51pm

A potentially inflamatory topic, to be sure ... but the comment from the man who paid over 100 thousand dollars for the Heath/Jake shirts has dubbed them thusly. I suppose if one harbors a serious trove of gay iconography and artifacts -- and fancies himself a self-appointed arbiter of gay culture - and one has such a disposable income -- one can be as lofty in anthropological ruminations as one wants.

But only time will tell, right?

Forget the BROKEBACK backlash debates a moment. It used to be that only time passing -- in the Enya sense -- created such iconography in any arena (like Travolta's suit in SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, a coupla decades later). Now, in our ever fickle society, ever IMPATIENT culture, we can't wait to ascribe value to everything immediately. Before the Oscars, yet, in 12 weeks since the film's release, he's found these shirts museum worthy?

[zepka102]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 12:54pm

show a picture of the shirts to random people... how many do you think would recognize them?

this movie hasn't been out that long and only time will tell, but i find the comment to be a little crazy. if they were to be the "ruby slippers of our times," i think more people would be able to recognize them by now.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 12:56pm

I certainly don't regret spending ten grand on the plastic bag from AMERICAN BEAUTY.

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 12:57pm

Mmm...I personally doubt it. What makes those shoes so compelling, at least in my opinion, is the power they wield in the film. They have the power to take Dorothy back home with a mere click of the heel. I think that speaks to everyone in some capacity or another--who doesn't want an item that will immediately take them to a place they find comforting and familiar?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 1:00pm

LOL, Blue Wizard.

Personally, I always regretted not betting on Laurence Luckinbill's pipe from BOYS IN THE BAND.

[zepka102]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 1:00pm

and come on, it's Wizard of Oz... i think that speaks for itself. in 50 years do you think we'll be able to say Brokeback Mountain and get the same affect as Oz? i kinda doubt it. yeah, it was a good movie that will always be remembered, but i doubt even close to the extent of The Wizard of Oz.

[camerangel]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 1:01pm

Not only that but the ruby slippers are very matter of fact. If I were to got buy a pair of shoes and cover them in red glitter the general population will automatically associate them as *a knock off* of the ruby slippers. Red glitter shoes will forever be associated with the wizard of oz, however a pair of flannel shirts is just that.. flannel shirts..

[children&art]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 1:07pm

i'm looking at these shirts now, hanging in my closet one intertwined with the other, and i aint really thinkin bout no "wizard of oz" although i am thinkin of me and my "friend of dorothy".

i wish i knew how to quit you broadwayworld.com message board!

[cheezedoodle]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 1:09pm

I think Harry Potter's wand may be closer to the Ruby Slippers than the shirts. Those shirts have no iconic value except to a very small group of individuals - and then it's more fetish value than iconic. lol.

[DG]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 1:10pm

God forgive where my mind went with the term 'Harry Potter's wand'.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 2:12pm

It says something about the times. The Ruby Slippers are part of our childhood that gives them a magical appeal to everyone who grew up watching that film. Not just the Judy fans and homos. There is a reason they are one of the most visited items in the Smithsonian.

However, since the MGM auction and the arrival of E-Bay, any movie prop or costume these days has a POTENTIAL to become valuable. Those shirts are worth SOMETHING to SOMEONE. These things are more of an investment…the buyer is hoping that in 20 years somebody will pay much more for them.

Collecting has become a business instead of passion, partly because of the Ruby Slippers.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 4:30pm

I think it just depends. Do I think it's the ruby slippers of our time? No.

I think that Mark's shirt from RENT is a better example of the ruby slippers.. I don't think I'll ever forget what shirt he wears during La Vie Boheme.

[camerangel]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 4:37pm

I think that Mark's shirt from RENT is a better example of the ruby slippers.. I don't think I'll ever forget what shirt he wears during La Vie Boheme.

Ok I had to laugh at this.. I'm sorry.. As I drown in a sea of fangirls wearing knock off Mark scarves.. I think I'm just in RENT overload.

Now are you refering to the movie version or the stage production. Cuz in the stage production he's the only character without a single costume change..

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 4:55pm

I think that Mark's shirt from RENT is a better example of the ruby slippers.. I don't think I'll ever forget what shirt he wears during La Vie Boheme.

Hmmm. Sometimes a single post comes along that really makes you think. Hmmm...

[jimmirae]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 4:56pm

Honey, the "Ruby Slippers" of our times are condoms, don't let anyone fool ya.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 6:32pm

People like this have more weight in their wallet than in their brains. Just enjoy the movie for what it is, dammit.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 7:00pm

yes. now someone please drop a house on their wearers...uh, i mean their owner.