Wizard of Oz Fact #76: The Emerald City Was Mostly Green Lighting

Although the Emerald City appears to be made of shimmering green glass and gemstones, much of its iconic look came from clever lighting rather than elaborate set construction. The art department used green gels over powerful studio lights to bathe the sets in a glowing emerald hue. This approach allowed the filmmakers to create a fantastical cityscape without building expensive, highly detailed structures.
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Source: Reader’s Digest