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The Wizard of Oz’s iconic hourglass prop has sold for $495,000 at a recent auction, reflecting the importance of the film over 80 years later.
The Wicked Witch of the West’s iconic hourglass prop from The Wizard of Oz has been sold at a recent auction for almost half a million dollars. The 1939 classic fantasy musical was one of the first feature-length films to have color, with the green Wicked Witch becoming memorable for her cackling laugh and flying monkey army. After capturing Dorothy, the Witch shows her an hourglass that counts down how much longer her friends — the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion — have to save her, and hourglass remains an important item throughout her captivity.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Heritage Auctions has sold the iconic The Wizard of Oz hourglass prop for $495,000. Multiple hourglasses were made for the movie, however the one that was recently auctioned off was used in a climactic scene of the film as Dorothy and her friends attempt to run away. The wood and papier-mâché prop features hand-blown glass, every element of the hourglass a testament to the level of dedication associated with bringing the film to life.
Why The Wizard of Oz Is Still Iconic Today
The iconic hourglass prop’s major auction price tag reflects the popularity of The Wizard of Oz long after its release, as well as the importance it holds in film history. While it was not the first color film to be projected on the big screen, The Wizard of Oz‘s whimsical world and fantasy tropes make it a memorable color film from a time when most movies were black and white. Dorothy’s adventure in the magical land of Oz can resonate with both children and adults alike, which is why the film’s critical acclaim upon release has not let up since.
The simplicity of The Wizard of Oz‘s story as a journey to find the titular Wizard is made even more notable because of the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, all of whom hope the Wizard can help make each of them better people in their own eyes. What makes their journey so memorable is the final realization that, all along, the attributes they sought to embody were within them the whole time. This overarching theme of self-determination makes The Wizard of Oz a classic tale about the subject, embodied by memorable characters whose perseverance in the face of evil proves they always had a brain, a heart, and courage.
The classic nature of The Wizard of Oz, its characters, and its themes underscore how the film has been able to stand the test of time and remain popular with audiences. Despite being only one of many hourglass props used in the film, the Wicked Witch’s hourglass selling for so much money is another indication of how well the movie has cemented itself as an icon of film history. With the prospect of more projects within the world of The Wizard of Oz coming out in the future, it will be interesting to see how the memory of the original movie is carried into the future.
Source: THR
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