This Is Cinerama

During my childhood in Western New York I remember visiting a  "movie attraction" at a local amusement park. It boasted a "realistic experience" of riding a roller coaster and flying.

Curious, we decided to check it out. I recall a circular theater that was standing room only. In front of each row were bars that you could hold onto in case you lost your balance.

As the movie started, I was amazed at just how real it felt. So realistic in fact, that I succumbed to motion sickness and left rather pale and queasy. 

The movie I watched so many years ago was the 1950's sensation, "This Is Cinerama".

The technology was revolutionary in its day.

You see, during the late 1940's and early 1950's television was gaining popularity and movie theaters were suffering.Cinemas were losing as much as 40% of their audiences and many were closing down all across the United States.

To try and win back movie goers, the film industry strived to make the big screen, bigger than ever.

The first of the widescreen experiments was Cinerama.

Three 35mm cameras would shoot the scene. Then three projectors would beam the final films side by side on a huge 90 foot curved screen.

The curved shape gave a 3D effect by using the movie goers peripheral vision.

Lastly, stereophonic speakers were placed behind the screen and around the cinema. It gave an amazing realistic effect.

The movie "This Is Cinerama" was the launching film for this new and exciting process.

It was released in 1952, grossed over 20 million dollars and ran for over three years.

Today, there are still a few Cinerama theaters that survived. There is one in Hollywood  Seattle, Dayton, Ohio and Bradford, England. 

                                                 Pacific Cinerama Hollywood

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Rachel Davies Google+ March 31st, 2013