Judy Garland's Kids To Reunite At Oscars

Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft will reunite onstage at the Academy Awards on Sunday for a tribute to the 75th anniversary of the release of the Wizard Of Oz.

Minnelli, Garland's daughter by her second husband, director Vincente Minnelli, is a legendary actress and singer in her own right — she won a best actress Oscar, for Cabaret (1972). The two Lufts' father was Garland's third husband and manager, Sid Luft. Lorna is also an actor-singer, while Joey has heretofore chosen to keep his life private for the most part. Garland's three children haven't always gotten along, but they are said to be on good terms these days and enthusiastic about this opportunity to celebrate their beloved mother in such a high-profile way. THR is told that specifics of what the commemoration will entail have not yet been locked down.

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Opening Bid: $100,000

From Invaluable Auctions:

Bert Lahr “Cowardly Lion” prop “Witch Remover” from The Wizard of Oz. (MGM, 1939) This instantly recognizable prop is wielded by the Cowardly Lion as he, Dorothy, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow enter the Haunted Forest and read the sign aloud stating, “Haunted Forest…Witches Castle one mile…I’d turn back if I were you.” So visually important is this scene that M-G-M chose the image of this sequence for one of their eight promotional lobby cards. This vintage hand pump exterminator sprayer is constructed of steel and wood measuring 32.5 in. long x 8.25 in. wide. Painted gray with red trim and “WITCH REMOVER” by hand on both sides along the cylinder. Exhibits usual wear with general paint loss and scuffing. An iconic and exceedingly rare prop from this cinematic masterpiece. Provenance: Christie’s East, New York, May 24, 2000, lot 156. $100,000 - $150,000.

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