Week 16- Cinemascope

Using a 2 to 1 anamorphic lens, this process which Fox called Cinemascope, delivered a 2.35 aspect ratio using traditional 4 perf 35mm film, that is once you make allotments for the numerous tracks of sound. CinemaScope first saw use in the 1953 film: “The Robe” which went on to become a massive hit.

CinemaScope was a winner. The anamorphic lens, which had some technical issues, was much easier to shoot with than Cinerama and it didn’t require nearly the capital investment on the theater’s part to project. All the major studios switched over to CinemaScope, all but one, the studio started the race to widescreen – Paramount.
Although better than masking, CinemaScope didn’t solve the grain problem – at least not to Paramount’s satisfaction. So Paramount developed their own system – “VistaVision”.
Although better than masking, CinemaScope didn’t solve the grain problem – at least not to Paramount’s satisfaction. So Paramount developed their own system – “VistaVision”.

VistaVision took traditional 35mm film and turned it on its side – literally – recording images that were 8 perforations wide for an aspect ratio of 1.85. The release prints would be then print back in the regular orientation – with much smaller visible grain