News

‘The Wizard of Oz’ Cowardly Lion Costume Goes Up for Auction

Updated

11 years ago

November 25, 2014

Ray Bolger (1904-1987), US actor, Jack Haley (1897-1979), US actor, Judy Garland (1922-1969), US actress and singer, and Bert Lahr (1895-1967), US actor and comedian, all in costume as they dance along the yellow brick road in a publicity still from the film, 'The Wizard of Oz', 1939. The musical, adapted from the novel by L Frank Baum (1856-1919) and directed by Victor Fleming (1889-1949), starred Bolger as the 'Scarecrow', Haley as the 'Tin Man', Garland as 'Dorthy Gale', and Lahr as the 'Cowardly Lion'. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

"What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage!"

The original Cowardly Lion costume that actor Burt Lahr wore in The Wizard of Oz is set to hit the auction block today.

But fans of the hit 1939 film should be prepared to pay a lot for this piece of movie history!

According to the Associated Press, a secondary lion costume used in the film recently sold at auction for about $1 million.

the wizard of oz

Jack Haley, Burt Lahr, Judy Garland and Ray Bolger.

The outfit will be sold with other classic Hollywood items in NYC by Bonhams as a part of the “TCM Presents: There’s No Place Like Hollywood" auction.

Other notable items up for sale include a Dorothy "test" dress and pinafore from 'The Wizard of Oz,' Sam’s piano from 'Casablanca,' Clark Gable’s riding jacket from 'Gone With the Wind' and a Marilyn Monroe saloon gown from the 1954 film 'River of No Return.'