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==*Silver Shoes V.S Ruby Slippers*==
 
==*Silver Shoes V.S Ruby Slippers*==
 
The '''Silver Shoes''' (also called ''Silver Slippers'') are fictional charmed items from the magical [[Land of Oz]]. Their first and only appearance is in [[L. Frank Baum]]'s first Oz book titled '[[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]]', originally published over one hundred years ago in 1900. Despite this fact and due to the popularity of the classic MGM film of 1939 starring 16 year old [[Judy Garland]] as the 12 year old [[Dorothy Gale]], most people are brainwashed into believing the shoes Dorothy wears while skipping down the [[Yellow Brick Road]], are of sparkling red rubies adorned with girly bows. But in Baum's book the shoes are infact not red at all, but made of solid metallic silver with sharp pointed toes.
 
The '''Silver Shoes''' (also called ''Silver Slippers'') are fictional charmed items from the magical [[Land of Oz]]. Their first and only appearance is in [[L. Frank Baum]]'s first Oz book titled '[[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]]', originally published over one hundred years ago in 1900. Despite this fact and due to the popularity of the classic MGM film of 1939 starring 16 year old [[Judy Garland]] as the 12 year old [[Dorothy Gale]], most people are brainwashed into believing the shoes Dorothy wears while skipping down the [[Yellow Brick Road]], are of sparkling red rubies adorned with girly bows. But in Baum's book the shoes are infact not red at all, but made of solid metallic silver with sharp pointed toes.
  +
[[File:Victoria-beckham-silver-shoes-1.jpg|thumb|Silver Shoes, like the ones described in L. Frank Baum's book.]]
 
 
In the book, even though these shoes are described as if constructed of real solid hard silver, due to being magic shoes in a magic realm, they are flexible, comfortable and easy to move in. They can never wear-out and are accustomed to alter their size to perfectly fit the owner at the time they wear them. The only thing the [[Ruby Slippers]] and the Silver Shoes both have in common is that in both versions they first were the property of the [[Wicked Witch of the East]] in Oz, and it's magic can only work by clicking the heels together exactly three times in a row.
 
In the book, even though these shoes are described as if constructed of real solid hard silver, due to being magic shoes in a magic realm, they are flexible, comfortable and easy to move in. They can never wear-out and are accustomed to alter their size to perfectly fit the owner at the time they wear them. The only thing the [[Ruby Slippers]] and the Silver Shoes both have in common is that in both versions they first were the property of the [[Wicked Witch of the East]] in Oz, and it's magic can only work by clicking the heels together exactly three times in a row.
   

Revision as of 07:12, 18 August 2014

*Silver Shoes With Pointed Toes*

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It landed on a Wicked Witch, in a middle of a ditch! (1900)

"Dorothy looked in the direction the woman pointed her wand at, and she gave a little cry of fright. There, indeed, just under the corner of the great beam the farmhouse rested on, two stocking feet were visible, and sticking up out from under the house. Shod in real Silver Shoes with pointed toes! "
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)
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Two stocking feet were sticking out, shod in Silver Shoes with pointed toes.

"A Kansas cyclone she was brought, now wearing Magic Slippers she does trot, down the winding yellow road, to the Emerald City she shall go. And with her dog so small and true, Munchkins hope she fairs well yes they do. To see the Wizard from yonder glen, please wish her luck till jouneys end. "
The Wizard of Oz Musical Play.

*Silver Shoes V.S Ruby Slippers*

The Silver Shoes (also called Silver Slippers) are fictional charmed items from the magical Land of Oz. Their first and only appearance is in L. Frank Baum's first Oz book titled 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', originally published over one hundred years ago in 1900. Despite this fact and due to the popularity of the classic MGM film of 1939 starring 16 year old Judy Garland as the 12 year old Dorothy Gale, most people are brainwashed into believing the shoes Dorothy wears while skipping down the Yellow Brick Road, are of sparkling red rubies adorned with girly bows. But in Baum's book the shoes are infact not red at all, but made of solid metallic silver with sharp pointed toes.

Victoria-beckham-silver-shoes-1

Silver Shoes, like the ones described in L. Frank Baum's book.

In the book, even though these shoes are described as if constructed of real solid hard silver, due to being magic shoes in a magic realm, they are flexible, comfortable and easy to move in. They can never wear-out and are accustomed to alter their size to perfectly fit the owner at the time they wear them. The only thing the Ruby Slippers and the Silver Shoes both have in common is that in both versions they first were the property of the Wicked Witch of the East in Oz, and it's magic can only work by clicking the heels together exactly three times in a row.

Three Times A Charm...

The charm inside of the Silver Shoes, hold a very strong enchantment. They can automatically take it's wearer wherever they wish to go by knocking the heels together three times and commanding the pair to immediately teleport them to their desired destination from point A to point B.

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Dorothy learns the secret powers of her charmed Silver Shoes.

  • Also, note that the 1939 Ruby Slippers worn by Judy Garland are a much more powerful pair compared to the silver ones in the book. The Ruby Slippers can never be taken off unless through death and can even send volts of painful electricity to shock anyone who tries to touch or steal the pair. This happened when the Wicked Witch reached for them while Dorothy was imprisoned in her castle. Also, in Disney's 1985 Cult Classic Return to Oz, when the Ruby Slippers fell into the hands of the infamous Nome King, he was able to kidnap the Scarecrow, conquer the Emerald City, destroy the Yellow Brick Road and turn everyone in Oz to cold hard stone. Thus leaving Oz and it's inhabitants in a state of apocalyptic ruins. Once the Nome King is defeated, the shoes are finally retrieved by Dorothy, who uses the pairs' power to restore everything to normal again and bring the people of Oz back to life. And even stripping the movie's Villain named Princess Mombi, of her powers.
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The Power of the Ruby Slippers.

However, in Baum's story nothing of the sort is ever mentioned in the 1900 book. The Silver Shoes only have the power of teleportation. Once the heels are knocked against each other three solid times and then given directions on call; the shoes will take three fast steps so sudden that the wearer will travel in the wink of an eye to their destination in exactly three seconds no matter the distance.

In Baum's Original 1900 Book:

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...

"While Dorothy and the Good Witch of the North were speaking, suddenly they both heard one of the Munchkins, who had been standing silently by, give a loud shout and pointed to the corner of the farmhouse where the Wicked Witch had been lying under. "What is it?" asked the little old woman, and looked, and began to laugh. The feet of the dead Witch had disappeared entirely, and nothing was left but the Silver Shoes. "She was so old," explained the Witch of the North, that she dried up quickly in the sun. That is the end of her. But the Silver Shoes are yours, and you shall have them to wear." She reached down and picked up the shoes, and after shaking the dust out of them handed them to Dorothy. "The Witch of the East was proud of those Silver Shoes," said one of the Munchkins, "and there is some charm connected with them; but what it is we never knew. "
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)
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All that was left of the Wicked Witch was her magical Silver Shoes.

The Silver Shoes are the first magical item to be brought into the Oz adventure and are the first that are placed into the plot of the story. However, many other charmed items are mentioned throughout the original oz book such as the Golden Cap and in Baum's Oz sequel books he introduces the magic Powder of Life and Princess Ozma's Magic Picture.

"Dorothy looked down at her feet and noticed how old and worn out her leather boots were. "They surely will never do for a long journey, Toto," she said. And Toto looked up into her face with his little black eyes and wagged his tail to show he knew what she meant. At that moment Dorothy saw lying on the table the Silver Shoes that had belonged to the Wicked Witch of the East. "I wonder if they will fit me," she said to Toto. "They would be just the thing to take a long walk in, for they could not wear out." She took off her old leather shoes and tried on the silver ones, which fitted her as well as if they had been made for her. "
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)

Oz History: The Silver Shoes With Pointed Toes...

"There were several roads near by, but it did not take her long to find the one paved with yellow bricks. Within a short time she was walking briskly toward the Emerald City, her silver shoes tinkling merrily on the hard, yellow road-bed. The sun shone bright and the birds sang sweetly, and Dorothy did not feel nearly so bad as you might think a little girl would who had been suddenly whisked away from her own country and set down in the midst of a strange land. "
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)


The Silver Shoes from Oz were originally the property and prized possession of the Wicked Witch of the East. The Wicked Witch was proud of her Silver Shoes because these shoes were not just any old regular pair, but a charmed pair. A pair of which held a mysterious power inside of them that also helped her conquer the Eastern quadrant in the magical Land of Oz known as the Munchkin Country. During her Wicked reign she made the majority of the Munchkin people who lived in the east her slaves, imprisoning them tightly in her bondage. And she forced them all to work for her night and day for many years.

As fate would have it, the Wicked Witch of the East was accidentally killed by a flying farmhouse that had fallen from out of the sky after being swept up in a Kansas cyclone. When the house came crashing down it landed in the very heart of Munchkinland and right on top of the Wicked Witch, squashing and killed her instantly.

The farmhouse that had killed the Wicked old Witch, happened to also have passengers aloft, a little girl named Dorothy Gale and her little pet dog she called Toto. The Munchkins and their dear friend, the Good Witch of the North gladly welcomed her to Oz and thought she was a great sorceress. To thank and reward her for freeing them from many years of bondage the Munchkins gave Dorothy the magic Silver Shoes as a gift.

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Silver Shoes!

Soon after her arrival in Oz, Dorothy set out to find a way back to her homeland. As it was believed that the only one powerful enough to send her back was the land's most powerful figure known as the great Wizard who lived in the Emerald City of Oz. Dorothy embarked on a quest as she followed the Yellow Brick Road which lead all the way to the city and on her journey she wore her new Silver Shoes.

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Oz's Silver Shoes on Dorothy's feet in ABC's popular TV series Once Upon A Time.

After having many adventures throughout the land and meeting a Scarecrow, Tin woodman and a Cowardly Lion, Dorothy finally reached the Emerald City and spoke with the Wizard with her new friends. And that's how Dorothy then encountered another Wicked Witch. This Witch was known as the Wicked Witch of the West. And Dorothy had to Kill her if she wanted the Wizard to send her back to Kansas again. The Witch ruled over the Western quadrant of Oz known as the Winkie Country. She also had enslaved the Winkie people to work for her night and day just like the Wicked Witch of the East had once done to the Munchkins before Dorothy came.

After being captured by the Witch's Winged Monkeys, Dorothy and Toto were imprisoned in the Wicked Witch's castle. And once the Witch saw the Silver Shoes Dorothy was wearing she thought up of a Wicked plan to trick Dorothy and steal the magic shoes from the girl to gain more power. However, the Witch's plans to retrieve the shoes backfired because in defense, Dorothy threw a bucket of water at the Witch who was allergic. Thus, ultimately killing her as she melted away. Dorothy became a hero to the people of Oz, and was praised for riding all of Oz from it's most vile Wicked Witches. But even after the Wicked Witches were both dead, Dorothy was still unaware of the charm the magic Silver Shoes possessed.

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A Silver Shoe & the melted Wicked Witch of the West after she failed to steal one from Dorothy who melted her away.

Successfully defeating the Witch, Dorothy and her friends made it back to the Emerald City. There they discovered the shocking truth about Oz's ruler. They all found out that the Wizard was a phony illusionist and humbug named Oscar Diggs. The Wizard promised to find a way to take Dorothy home to Kansas if they kept his secret safe and the group agreed to keep Oscars true identity a secret. The Wizard made a plan to leave Oz in his hot-air balloon with Dorothy, but when the balloon departed Toto ran after a kitten to chase it and Dorothy was left far behind as the balloon floated up into the sky and into the clouds.

So Dorothy, along with her friends eventually ventured out seeking the beautiful Sorceress named Glinda, the Good Witch of the South. Glinda lived in a ruby palace and ruled fairly over the Southern quadrant, the Quadlings of Oz. As Dorothy was desperately hoping she could help her find a way home, as Glinda was her last resort and chance of salvation. It is here when Dorothy finally learns how to use the shoes' powers.

How Glinda Grants Dorothy's Wish...

"The Silver Shoes," said the Good Witch, "have wonderful powers. And one of the most curious things about them is that they can carry you to any place in the world in three steps, and each step will be made in the wink of an eye. All you have to do is to knock the heels together three times and command the shoes to carry you wherever you wish to go. "
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)
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The Silver Shoes allow Dorothy and Toto to return to Kansas again at last!

Luckily, Glinda the Good kindly explained the magic of the Silver Shoes and the charm held inside of them in exchange for the magic Golden Cap that Dorothy was wearing that belonged to the Witch of the West. Glinda told Dorothy how it worked and how to use it, which was to knock the heels together three times and command them to take her wherever she wished to go in the world.

"Dorothy took Toto solemnly in her arms, and saying goodbye to her dear friends one last time, she clapped the heels of the Silver Shoes together three times, saying "Take me Home to Aunt Em!" Instantly she was whirling through the air so swiftly that all she could see or feel was the wind whistling past her. The Silver Shoes took but three steps and stopped so suddenly that Dorothy rolled over several times on what felt like grass..."
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)

Dorothy followed the instructions and she and Toto were sent home again to Kansas at last.

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Dorothy and Toto find themselves Home in Kansas again! 1900

  • The Silver Shoes, however, fell off of her feet on the magic flight back and were lost forever in the middle of a Deadly Desert.
"At length however, Dorothy sat up to see where she exactly was, "Good Gracious!" She cried. For she was back home, and sitting in a broad field on the grassy Kansas praries-Dorothy was finally home again. "
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)
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Home Again!

Silver Shoes -a Novel by Paul Miles Schneider

  • FOR OVER A CENTURY PEOPLE HAVE THOUGHT OF THE WIZARD OF OZ AS A MERE FAIRY TALE. BUT DONALD GARDNER IS ABOUT TO LEARN THE STORY OF OZ IS TRUE!-Silver Shoes synopsis.
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Lost Silver Shoes.

When Donald Gardner's parents tell him they'll be taking an exciting road trip through Kansas, he openly cringes. He is sure it will be a boring summer vacation. But at one of their final roadside stops on the way home, they are approached by a poor woman offering to sell a curious item—an antique shoe made out of solid silver. While Donald's mother is initially reluctant, she is ultimately smitten with the shoe and buys it.

Donald is skeptical that the shoe is anything more than a relic, but when the new school year starts, he brings it in for show-and-tell, attempting to impress his classmates. His friends liken it to something out of The Wizard of Oz, and his teacher agrees the idea is not far-fetched considering author L. Frank Baum wrote about “silver shoes,” not ruby slippers, which were strictly in the movie. Yet when he accepts a dare from his two best buddies to try it on, frightening and incredible things begin to happen. Strange animals cry out in the night. Dark, shadowy shapes lurk in distant corners. Scratching sounds are heard just outside his bedroom window. And when he meets George Clarke, a reclusive man who has been in hiding and on the run for many years, Donald finds out there is a lot more to Baum's story than he thinks, and comes to discover that the Silver Shoe's are the same pair that a little farm girl named Dorothy wore during a fateful trip to another dimension known as Oz over one hundred years ago.

Join Donald as he unravels Baum's earth-shattering secret in …"SILVER SHOES!"

The Wizard of Oz 1939

In the 1939 film starring Judy Garland, the Slippers are changed from silver to Ruby-Red. This was infamously done to take advantage of new Technicolor in movie pictures in that specific era in Hollywood. See Ruby Slippers for more information.

Gregory Maguire's Wicked Book 1995

In Gregory Maguire's world of Oz, he cleverly pays homage to both the 1939 film and Baum's original envision by making them both silver and ruby.

In Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, the shoes change colors depending on the lighting. They can appear to be silver, ruby or even blue. It is revealed that Frex created them out of glass beads and Glinda enchanted them. In the musical stage version, they are silver at first but later on turn red due to a spell of Elphaba's that helps Nessarose walk.

Russian Slippers

In Alexander Melentyevich Volkov's The Wizard of the Emerald City, the shoes are the source of Elly's (his version of Dorothy) protection instead of the Good Witch's kiss. She is therefore attacked by an ogre when removing them, and afterward wears them even when she sleeps. They aren't taken from the Witch's feet, but rather brought by Toto from her dwelling (a dark cave). This was possibly done to avert the problem of a person wearing them to be impossible to harm, since in that book the hurricane was created by the Witch to destroy mankind, and redirected upon her by the Good Witch of the North, who suffered no ill effects for harming her. It is said she only wore them on very special occasions. They are lost just like in Baum's book.

The Wiz 1978

In this funky African-American musical version of Oz, in both Broadway play and Motown film, Dorothy's Shoes are kept Silver like in the original book.

Return to Oz 1985

In Walt Disney's film Return to Oz, Dorothy's slippers are kept Ruby. After falling into the Deadly Desert when Dorothy first returned home to Kansas, they are recovered by the Nome King, who uses their powers to invade Oz, conquer the Emerald City, kidnap the King Scarecrow and turn the Ozians to cold hard stone with the help of the vain Princess Mombi. Oz was the neighboring land next to his Nome Mountain who stole his emeralds to build the Emerald City.

The Muppets Wizard of Oz 2005

Dorothy's magic shoes are kept Silver in this made for TV movie and are made by Designer manolo.

Syfy's Tinman mini series 2009

The spirit of Dorothy Gale, aka The first Slipper, meets her great granddaughter, 'D.G.', in a black and white portal dimension to give her an Emerald Charm that will help her throughout her journey in the Outer Zone aka Oz. The spirit of Dorothy resembles the Dorothy from the 1939 film, yet wears Silver Slippers upon her feet in this version instead of Ruby.

Dorothy & the Witches of Oz 2011

In this version, a grown up Dorothy and inspiring children's Author, wears Silver Shoes as she remembers that her Dreams of Oz, are not Dreams after all, but a long line of suppressed memories from real adventures in Oz.

ABC's Once Upon A Time Oz Episode: 2014

In the popular TV show 'Once Upon A Time', the characters from Oz are brought into the plot of the story. The Silver Shoes also make an appearance.

Legends of Oz, Dorothy's Return 2014

In this CGI sequel to the Oz stories, Dorothy Gale's shoes remain Silver in the comic prequel that starts at the end of the first story when the Witch is melted by Dorothy.

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