In the original Frank L. Baum story, Dorothy’s slippers are silver. So why are they ruby in The Wizard of Oz movie? The color was changed to show off the wonders of Technicolor, first used in MGM’s 1939 movie classic. Screenwriter Noel Langley is credited with the idea. The shoes began as white silk pumps, dyed red, and overlaid with burgundy sequined organza. Two weeks before filming began, costume designer Adrian added butterfly-shaped leather bows with rectangular, red-glass jewels and dark red bugle beads, outlined by red glass rhinestones set in silver. Orange felt was glued to the soles to deaden the sound of Judy Garland dancing down the Yellow Brick Road. Read more about the making of the movie in A Brain. A Heart. The Nerve. (see NOVELS).
