Judy Garland's ruby slippers from The Wizard Of Oz have a new home at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, thanks to Leonardo DiCaprio.

The iconic shoes were sold at auction by collector Debbie Reynolds last year and now Academy officials have revealed DiCaprio led a group of 'angel donors' whose gifts to the Academy Foundation enabled the purchase.

Bob Iger, president and CEO of the Walt Disney Co. and chairman of the capital campaign for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, says, "The ruby slippers occupy an extraordinary place in the hearts of movie audiences the world over. This i...

The actual ruby slippers Judy Garland clicked together to send her character Dorothy back to Kansas in The Wizard Of Oz are to be auctioned off in December.

Replicas and stunt shoes have been sold off in the past, but now bosses at California auction house Profiles in History have acquired the most famous footwear in Hollywood.

The slippers will be the highlight lot at the three-day Icons of Hollywood auction, which will take place from December 15-17.

A spokeswoman for the auction house says, "There are four pairs of screen-used ruby slippers known to have survived the 70 years since th...

Iconic screen siren Marilyn Monroe was still the toast of Hollywood on Saturday after her iconic white dress from The Seven Year Itch sold for an astonishing $4.6 million at auction.

"Singin' In The Rain" legend Debbie Reynolds put the movie memorabilia she has collected during her career under the hammer in California, and film fans flocked to the sale to try and buy a piece of Hollywood history.

And it was Monroe who was still the big star turn at the sale when her buyers bidded big for her most famous on-screen outfits.

The white dress, which famously blew up as the star stood over a ...

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" songwriter Hugh Martin has died. He was 96.

Martin is best known for composing the score to the 1944 musical Meet Me In St. Louis, in which Judy Garland famously performs the song that became a seasonal classic. Martin and songwriting partner Ralph Blane received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for writing the film's "The Trolley Song."

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Oscar nominee James Franco is in talks to replace Robert Downey, Jr. as the wonderful wizard in upcoming Disney movie Oz: The Great And Powerful.

The 127 Hours star has emerged as the new favorite to head up Sam Raimi's Wizard of Oz prequel, which is based on L. Frank Baum's classic books.

The film will be set before Judy Garland's original 1939 movie and focuses on an illusionist who flees a travelling circus in a hot air balloon, which is caught up in a tornado and swept to the land of Oz.

Downey, Jr. walked away from the movie last month and Disney bosses had reportedly approached J...

Robert Downey, Jr. has dropped out of upcoming Disney movie Oz The Great And Powerful and movie bosses are reportedly in talks with Johnny Depp to replace him as the wonderful wizard.

The Iron Man star had signed up to take on the lead role in the upcoming Wizard Of Oz prequel, which is based on L. Frank Baum's classic books and will be set before Judy Garland's original 1939 movie.

The film, which will be directed by Spider-Man's Sam Raimi, focuses on an illusionist who flees a travelling circus in a hot air balloon, which is caught up in a tornado and swept to the land of Oz.

The ac...

Production on an upcoming biopic of Judy Garland, starring Anne Hathaway, has been pushed back to allow the actress and movie executives extra time to deal with the "sensitive project".

The Devil Wears Prada star last year signed on to play the Wizard of Oz legend in a big screen adaptation of biographer Gerald Clarke's 2001 book Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland.

Work on the movie has yet to begin and Hathaway reveals production may not start until late 2012 - to make sure the film correctly portrays Garland's life story.

Speaking on BBC Radio Four's Front Row radio show, the actres...

The Christmas season is upon us. That means holiday specials abound! Here’s a roundup of the classic – and the new – TV material coming soon to help you celebrate the holidays.

Here are some highlights for the holiday season. All times are Eastern. Watch your local listings, as many of these specials will air more than once, and on more than one channel.

‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ – ABC, Nov. 25, 8 PM

In this classic holiday special, Charlie Brown must juggle obligations between family and friends – namely, Peppermint Patty, who is set on spending her holiday with Chuck. Watch...

British director Ronald Neame has died at the age of 99 after failing to recover from a fall.

The Poseidon Adventure filmmaker passed away at a Los Angeles hospital on Wednesday, his friend Peter Bowes has confirmed.

Born in London to photographer Elwin Neame and actress Ivy Close, Neame began his career in the film industry as a messenger boy at the U.K.'s famous Elstree Studios, where he first met acclaimed director Alfred Hitchcock.

He became an assistant cameraman on Hitchcock's 1929 movie Blackmail, before working as a cinematographer on 1933 musical comedy Happy.

He turned to dire...

The celebrity curse of drug addiction, alcohol abuse, and self-destruction has played a major role in the lives of many in Hollywood since its creation. More and more stars are dying from their addictions and it remains extremely puzzling as to why some are able to escape the dangers of superstardom and others continue to fall victim to it. This is nothing new, as celebrity icons of the past such as Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland were at the top of the entertainment world and ended up losing their lives due to their personal struggles. Countless celebrities have taken the trip to rehab, ha...

Robert Downey Jr. is reportedly set to team up with director Sam Mendes to bring the Wizard Of Oz back to life.

The original 1939 movie, starring Judy Garland, became a cinematic classic, while another film based on L. Frank Baum's books, Return To Oz, was released by Disney in 1985.

Now, movie-makers are preparing to return to the Emerald City on the big screen in a new picture about the wonderful wizard, titled Oz The Great and Powerful. The film will be a prequel to the Garland movie, based on Baum's work, and will tell the story of a young circus magician who ends up ruler of the ma...

Russell Crowe and Beyonce have emerged as the frontrunners for the lead roles in a remake of classic movie A Star Is Born.

Robert Downey Jr. was attached to the male lead at one point, but now it seems the Gladiator star has taken his place.

Crowe is the new favorite to play an aging, alcoholic musician who mentors and falls in love with a younger female star.

The film was a big screen hit in the 1930s and it has already been reworked twice, with Judy Garland and James Mason in 1957 and Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson in 1976.

Nick Cassavettes is onboard to direct the fi...

On Christmas Day a brand new musical hits the theaters, titled "Nine," and it got Starpulse thinking about the musical genre. The hits on Broadway always keep people wanting more, and over the years musicals have been beloved on the big screen as well. They've won Oscars, attracted huge movie stars, and everyone loves a good dance routine. Here's a look at the best movie musicals in no particular order.

"The Sound of Music," made in 1965, is an Academy Award winning movie and one of the most successful film musicals of all time. After being adjusted for inflation, it is rumored the movi...

David Bowie's The Rise & Fall Of Ziggy Stardust & The Spiders From Mars has topped a new list of the gayest albums ever recorded.

The 1972 classic beat out eponymous 1980s albums from The Smiths, Tracy Chapman and the Indigo Girls to top the new countdown in gay magazine Out.

The top 10 also features Judy Garland's live album Judy At Carnegie Hall, The Smiths' The Queen Is Dead, Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Madonna's Immaculate Collection and She's So Unusual by Cyndi Lauper, who was among the judges.

- Click here for more David Bowie pictures -

Image ©PR Photo...

Movie legend Judy Garland has been named the top female gay icon of all time in a new online poll. The late Hollywood star was voted above celebrities including Kylie Minogue and Madonna, who were named second and third respectively, and another film icon, Marilyn Monroe, who came in sixth place.

Meanwhile Elton John was awarded the title for the top male gay icon in the survey by OnePoll.com.

The Rocket Man was placed above late Queen star Freddie Mercury, British actor Stephen Fry, and Faith hit-maker George Michael, as well as playwright Oscar Wilde, who rounded out the top five....

Affectionately referred to by Elton John as "the greatest songwriter on the planet" and praised by The New York Times for his "genuine originality," Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation. He is the son of folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, and brother of Martha Wainwright but Rufus has achieved his success by carving out his own singular sound in the worlds of rock, opera, theater, dance and film.

Wainwright has released six albums and two DVDs to date, and has appeared on numerous soundtracks an...

Dakota Fanning is tipped to star in a sequel to The Wizard Of Oz, according to reports. The 15 year old star of Charlotte's Web and War Of The Worlds is set to take the lead in a follow-up to the classic 1939 movie that shot Judy Garland to fame.

The film's producer, Basil Iwanyk, says, "It will be set in the present day and feature Dorothy's granddaughter."

The original film - based on L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" - won a number of awards including the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Co-producer Todd McFarlane adds, "You've still got Doro...

Katie Holmes wowed viewers last night with her sexy tribute to Judy Garland's "Get Happy" on So You Think You Can Dance last night. Video after the break.

Holmes pranced around in an all-black outfit including a fedora, nylons, and skin-tight shorts - similar to what Garland wore in the 1950s musical Summer Stock.

Garland's son, Joey Luft, told Usmagazine.com: "I bet Judy Garland's giving [Katie] a standing ovation in heaven."

Nigel Lythgoe, judge/executive of the show, said to the mag: "She put herself out there and she didn't have to do that, so I'm very delighted in her perform...

Katie Holmes has teamed up with Hairspray director Adam Shankman and reality TV guru Nigel Lythgoe to launch a dance scholarship fund.

The Hollywood actress, who is set to appear on Lythgoe's show So You Think You Can Dance later this month, has joined forces with the pair and Dancing With The Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba to set up the Dizzy Feet Foundation.

The scholarship organization gives underprivileged youngsters the opportunity to take part in dance programs and win grants to enroll in accredited dance studios, reports Daily Variety.

Holmes says, "I think it's important f...

Anne Hathaway is terrified about taking on the role of iconic singer Judy Garland - branding herself "insane" for agreeing to play the late star in a biopic.

The Bride Wars actress will play the Wizard of Oz legend in a big screen adaptation of biographer Gerald Clarke's 2001 book "Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland."

And despite showing off her song-and-dance skills during a musical medley with Hugh Jackman at the Oscars in February, Hathaway still isn't sure she has the talents to do the part justice.

She tells the New York Daily News, "I think I'm either naive or insane t...

Paul Newman has been 'outed' from beyond the grave by Marlon Brando, according to writer Darwin Porter's scandalous new book on the late movie legend.

Porter interviewed Brando about Newman before the acting great died in 2004 - and he was stunned with what the heavyweight star let slip. In his book, "Paul Newman: The Man Behind The Baby Blues," he quotes Brando as saying, "He never fooled me. Paul Newman had just as many on-location affairs as the rest of us, and he was just as bisexual as I was. But, where I was always getting caught with my pants down, he managed to do it in the dar...

Anne Hathaway looks wonderful in all of her magazine pictures, especially when you consider that she's sporting more weight on her shoulders than most actors in Hollywood today. That's because she will play Judy Garland in a bio-picture based on the controversial book by Gerald Clark.

Hathaway is, of course, perfect for the role. Never mind that she can't quite copy the kind of 4-year-old face that became trademark Garland. That's one of those remarkable traits that can't be duplicated. She still has the pouting lips, the miraculous smile, and the charming singing voice. Her face might...

Hannah Montana: The Movie director Peter Chelsom has compared Miley Cyrus to screen legend Judy Garland - insisting he was "blown away" the first time he saw the teen superstar.

The filmmaker is at the helm of Cyrus' first movie gig in the role of phenomenally popular kids' show heroine Hannah Montana.

And Chelsom admits he saw the 16-year-old's potential long before they worked together - recalling an appearance on Oprah Winfrey's talk show which left him speechless.

He tells E! Online, "I was blown away. I just thought, you know there is no way this girl shouldn't be ranked...

With the countless amounts of songs floating around out there, and with more and more artists allowing American Idol to use their music, why are some of the show's contestants content to trot out the same old songs that have already been done to death? And why do some Idol hopefuls insist on choosing songs that are all wrong for their vocal range or style?

According to the judges, song selection is half the battle. You could have the voice of an angel, but if you're treating Simon and the gang to "Unbreak My Heart" for the millionth time, chances are they won't be jumping out of their...

On October 14, 2008 Sony BMG Masterworks released Kristin Chenoweth's new Christmas CD A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas. For her third album, Chenoweth covers a wide range of Christmas songs from "Christmas Island," popularized by The Andrew's Sisters to Kristin's personal favorite "Come On Ring Those Bells."

Recorded at Capitol Recording Studio's legendary Studios A & B where Sinatra, Judy Garland and Nat King Cole all etched their Christmas standards, A Lovely Way To Spend Christmas is an eclectic combination of full orchestral arrangements, along with big band, a bit of tropical isla...

Sometimes one just ain't enough.

That's a line, okay an amended line, from the rarest of rock treats - the duet. Everyone loves when two pop icons team up for a single. It's just like those rare occasions when two solo wrestlers join forces for a super tag-team.

Just like its brethren in the WWE the results for pop duets are often much less than the sum of their parts. Still, each duet holds a special spot, or two, in the minds of music fans.

So it's easy to say that all duets are overrated isn't it? Well, that would be the case if it weren't for the fact that so many gr...

Soccer stud Cristiano Ronaldo has toppled Kylie Minogue as Britain's top gay icon. The Manchester United and Portugal star landed ahead of Minogue and actress Judy Garland on the new list compiled by website GayGolddiggers.uk.com.

More than 3,000 gay men were polled for the survey.

The new top five are:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

2. Kylie Minogue

3. Judy Garland

4. Elton John

5. Liza Minnelli

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)

There are some movies that live forever in the minds of humanity generation after generation. They span decades, continents, and cross racial and gender divides. What creates that certain magic is intangible, but it inevitably involves the memorable quotes that make their way into pop culture and every day speech.

These quotes have a universal quality, whether humorous or tragic, and they take you back to that exact moment in the film when Marlon Brando screams into the air or Humphrey Bogart gently touches Ingrid Bergman's chin. These iconic moments are not only remembered but consta...

"Too cheesy," "not relevant," "extremely cabaret" and "terrible vocals" were common criticisms heard from the south end of the judging table this past week on "American Idol." Aside from Paula Abdul's over-the-top compliments and Randy Jackson's on-the-fence opinions, Simon Cowell's take on week one completely highlighted the show.

This year, it seems that Simon is determined to find the right singer to advance into the music industry. And why shouldn't he? A professional needs to be able to handle the rigmarole of the music industry. But often times, Simon loses his focus. Just h...

It's common for female singers to cite Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland as their influences, but it's quite a rare occurrence to encounter a woman who can take the songs of such legends and make them her own.

In her 26-year career, Linda Eder has far surpassed the role of admirer and has taken on Carnegie Hall, the Gershwin theater, and nearly all the stages of Broadway to become recognized as one of the great contemporary solo voices. Rhino Records applauds the Broadway great with a career-spanning, single-disc collection of her work. Linda Eder: Greatest Hits will be available Janu...