Rare Piece of Film History Being Auctioned at the Metro Entertainment Complex

A Unique Piece of Memorabilia from the “Wizard of Oz” Will Be Auctioned Halloween Weekend to Benefit the Harold Arlen Foundation.

Jacksonville, FL – Metro Entertainment Complex is celebrating Halloween this year by commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the “Wizard of Oz” and its Oscar winning song “Over the Rainbow”, with a one of a kind, custom collectible piece created exclusively for the Metro by Harold Arlen Foundation. The piece features a rare, limited edition lithograph of the original manuscript of “Over the Rainbow”, signed by composer Harold Arlen, and five frames of celluloid from an authentic film reel of the iconic classic. This important piece is beautifully framed and memorializes Judy Garland and “The Number One Song in Film History” (according to AFI). The piece is approximately 24” high and 36” wide and will be on display at the Metro this weekend and next weekend. The silent auction will close at midnight on Sunday, November 1, 2009 during the Metro’s Masquerade Ball. The event will also celebrate the appointment of Jerry Rosenberg, owner of the Metro Entertainment Complex, to the advisory board of the Harold Arlen Foundation.

All proceeds from the auction will benefit the Harold Arlen Foundation. The composer of “Over the Rainbow”, Harold Arlen, wrote some of the greatest hits from the 1930’s and 1940’s, including the entire score of the iconic film and other songs such as “Get Happy”, “Stormy Weather”, “It’s Only a Paper Moon”, “I’ve Got the World on a String” and “Last Night When We Were Young”. The Harold Arlen Foundation is committed to preserving and strengthening the life of the American Pop Standard by educating, inspiring, and enriching the community with the music and music history of Harold Arlen. The Harold Arlen Foundation will keep alive and relevant, this indigenous American musical art form.

The weekend festivities will start on Friday night with the Follow the Yellow Brick Road Halloween Kick-off Party. Never before aired footage of Judy Garland’s make up test during the filming of the “Wizard of Oz” will be shown. The event continues on Saturday night with the Welcome to Oz Halloween Bash with $1000 cash and prizes. The weekend closes with the Metro’s 17th Annual Masquerade Ball. The silent auction for the collectable item will end at midnight on Sunday, but the event will continue late into the evening.

The Metro is located at 2929 Plum Street in downtown Jacksonville. For more information, please contact the Metro Entertainment Complex at (904) 388-8719 (904) 388-8719 or visit the website www.metrojax.com.

Judyth Piazza chats Meinhardt Raabe Wizard of Oz (Click here to listen to audio)

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