A decide halted Catholic College’s public sale of a costume worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz amid a courtroom battle over possession of the garment, WTOP reported.
United States District Courtroom Decide Paul Gardephe ordered Catholic College and public sale home Bonhams to not do something with the costume till the case is heard between the college and the household of the Reverend Gilbert Hartke, the late priest who served as Catholic’s longtime drama director. Father Hartke’s household claims that actress Mercedes McCambridge gave him the costume as a private reward after he helped her battle substance abuse; Catholic College mentioned the costume was offered to Father Hartke in his official capability as a drama professor, and it due to this fact belongs to the college.
Amin Al-Sarraf, an lawyer for Catholic College, cited a 1973 article in The Washington Post, which states that Father Hartke wished the costume displayed on the theater on campus, WTOP reported. “The college’s place is that the allegations within the lawsuit haven’t any foundation in legislation or truth as a result of Catholic College is the rightful proprietor of the costume and Father Hartke’s property doesn’t have a property curiosity in it,” Al-Sarraf informed WTOP.
Tony Lehman, a relative of Father Hartke, informed WTOP that the household is “miffed” at how Catholic College is dealing with the lawsuit. “They’re simply mischaracterizing what that is all about, and that this was a present to Gilbert,” Lehman mentioned.
