The advent of television in the mid-20th century posed a significant challenge to the American cinema industry. To recapture audience attention and offer a theatrical experience television couldn’t replicate, filmmakers and technologists embarked on a series of innovative experiments.
One of the earliest and most ambitious of these was Cinerama, launched in 1952. This pioneering system utilized three synchronized projectors to display an image on a vast, deeply curved screen. Coupled with multi-track surround sound, Cinerama offered an unprecedented aspect ratio of 2.59:1, engulfing viewers in a truly immersive visual spectacle. Audiences were captivated, and Cinerama quickly gained popularity as a groundbreaking cinematic experience.
However, the technical complexity of Cinerama made it an expensive endeavor for both production and exhibition. The industry sought more practical widescreen solutions. CinemaScope emerged in 1953, followed by Todd-AO in 1955. Crucially, both CinemaScope and Todd-AO streamlined projection by using single projectors, making widescreen more accessible to theaters.
CinemaScope employed a clever technique of “squeezing” widescreen images onto standard 35mm film. During projection, a special lens would then expand the image laterally to fill the widescreen. Todd-AO, in contrast, opted for a wider 70mm film format to achieve its expansive image. By the close of the 1950s, these advancements had fundamentally reshaped cinema screens, establishing aspect ratios of 2.35:1 and 1.66:1 as industry norms. Stereo sound, experimented with in the 1940s, also became integral to this enhanced widescreen cinematic experience.
Further innovation led to specialized large-screen systems using 70mm film, with IMAX proving to be the most enduring success. As of 2020, IMAX boasts over 1,500 screens worldwide. Initially known for films specifically produced in its unique 2D or 3D formats, IMAX theaters have expanded their repertoire to include digitally remastered mainstream feature films, often enhanced with additional scenes or 3D effects for an even more captivating viewing experience.
