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Matthew Allsopp

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The Boots
 

Harrison Ford was a carpenter before he hit it big in Hollywood. His shoes of choice were orthopedic ankle boots known as Alden 405s. Alden has been making boots since the early 20th Century in the United States. When production on Raiders began, the costume called for Redwings to be worn on Indy's feet. Ford, who had become a big fan of the Alden boots in his carpenter days, opted to use those instead.

click to enlarge
The Alden boots, purchased in 2001,
from the late Fritz.

Ford and allegedly the production team on Indiana Jones, purchased all of their Alden boots through a man named Fritz at Frederick's Shoes in Sherman Oaks, California. Ford had purchased his other pairs there from Fritz. Up until a few years ago, Fritz was still sizing and selling Alden boots to customers from the same shop in Sherman Oaks. Sadly, Fritz and his wife were tragically killed a few years ago while on their morning walk when a vehicle hit them, allegedly accidentally, and fled the scene.

(Author's Note: I had the distinct pleasure of knowing Fritz briefly before he was killed. He was a fine fellow and one of the kindest men I have ever met. I was able to purchase my Alden boots from him about a year before his death. He will be missed. - MF)

click to enlargeclick to enlarge
Indy's Alden boots in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The Alden 405 boots, used in all three Indiana Jones film, can still be acquired at www.aldenshoes.com. Specific sizing is important and the exact color of the current boot changes every year it seems. While Indy's were a weathered deep brown, Alden 405 boots have since come in brick red and pumpkin orange and are currently more of a truer brown.

 

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