Cinerama

" Cinerama " is a 1952 by the same company developed, extreme wide-screen film format with an aspect ratio of 2,685:1 During the recording and in the projection are three synchronously running 35 - mm film cameras, each equipped with a 27 mm fixed focus optics Kodak, and corresponding projectors needed. The frame rate was initially 26 frames per second, later 24 The word Cinerama came about through a composition of the two words Cinema and Panorama.

Cinerama technology

In addition for the sound and the synchronization of the three projectors in the cinema came a fourth device used, the 35mm magnetic film plays with seven tracks. The film step measures six hole spacing. With multiple microphones recorded sound is ultimately rendered as a magnetic film with the original eight, later six tracks across six groups of speakers in the cinema hall. A distinction is made between center, left, right, half left, half right and surroundings. This was the first magnetic surround sound movie sound.

The image is projected onto a 146 ° curved screen, which consists of many individual vertical segments ( Louvered Screen) exists. When similar later film format Cinemiracle the projectors throw in the field indirectly through crosses ( mirrors) to the canvas (left projector: right screen area and an average projector: center; projector right: left screen area).

The motion picture has the size of 20 to 8 meters. The screen is on a circle whose radius corresponds to the projection distance. The seats are arranged as far as possible in a square, which is about at the county center. This Cinerama worked, five technicians had to work simultaneously: On any motion picture projector sat a projectionist, a fourth was a runner, and a sound engineer regulated the channels. Image and Tonkopie were distributed to each coil for about a half of the program. During the break, we rewound the first half. For the approximately 15-minute breaks an extra pause music composed for many films that can be heard in part on the particular soundtrack recordings.

In the curved screen made ​​the two main problems of Cinerama. First, the reflected light brightens from the sides to the center and secondly the joints between frames can be seen as vertical stripes. Remedy was sought with the so-called Louvered screen, which is not a closed surface, but consists of hundreds of one -inch-wide strips tear-resistant plastic, which are stretched vertically in a strong frame. Each strip can be directed to the longitudinal axis. The joints were brought to the disappearance of so-called " Gigolos ". These are jagged Blechstreifchen that are set in electromagnetic vibration when the image window in the projector to blur the edge of light. ( Projectors turned outward, laterally reversed copy clamped ) As soon then the lateral fields not directly, but projected via mirrors were, the system was given the name Cinemiracle. A " Miracle Screen" appears later on cinemascope on again, but not consisting of strips.

The performance of the Cinerama films was a major success in the years 1952 to 1963. Specially Cinerama theaters were around the world, especially in Europe, built with huge screens of up to 30 × 10 meters. Back then it was an overwhelming experience, nestled amongst the curved screens and with up to 7 - channel magnetic ( Kinopanorama up to 9 - channel magnetic ) to sit and go to " world travel ". The production and also the List the movies in theaters was very time-consuming and ultimately expensive. Efforts were made in addition to fill the big screen only with the help of a projector.

More wide-screen formats

Under Mike Todd (then husband of Elizabeth Taylor) was developed " Todd - AO" method ( AO = American Optical ( Company) ) in exchange for the Cinerama. With it produces musical movie Oklahoma! (1955 ) of 70 -mm film was shown only by a projector and was thus much cheaper. The angle decreased to 128 degrees. The multi-channel Magnettonspur was now applied directly to the 70 - mm film.

The Cinerama Company followed this procedure in later films (It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World, 1963) under the title Super Cinerama. The format of Super - Cinerama has, however, nothing to do except for the name part with the conventional Cinerama process. It is one of the many names of the 70 -mm format ( "one- lens projection "), which was particularly well suited to be shown without a pronounced edge distortion on the large curved Cinerama screens.

However, almost sculptural space depth of the former three projection lenses of the Cinerama films went with it lost something. In the USSR the Kinopanorama process was developed in return for Cinerama in 1956.

Cinerama Theatre

In Switzerland, there was a single, the former Apollo Cinerama Stauffacher place in Zurich ( canvas size 20 × 9 meters). After failures, particularly by the complex technology and related disorders, the projectors were replaced by the then newly developed legendary and later Oscar-winning "Philips DP 70 ", which also could also play 35 - mm film. The now umkopierten on the Todd - AO films could be introduced with considerably less effort and virtually trouble free. In Apollo, there was a long time associated with light effects cinema organ.

The cinema with the largest curved fixed - installed wide screen in the world (32 × 13 meters, 120 degrees of curvature ) was located in Berlin. These were at the Royal Palace in the Europa Center. For comparison, the Cooper Cinerama Theatre in Denver had a screen size of 32 × 11.5 meters, and the screen of the Cinerama MIR Theatre in Moscow was 31 × 11.5 meters tall. In London, the canvas of the Casino Cinerama theater at that time was 19.5 × 7 feet tall - this world premiere on November 1, 1962 by " How the West Was Won ". The largest wide screen (no IMAX ) of the country ( England ) had and has probably even today the Odeon Marble Arch with 23 × 9 meters. The Berlin Royal Palace was demolished in the fall of 2006 to make room for a Saturn store. There were still there three projection booths, but 3- lens Cinerama films were already no longer shown there. The cinema was on 10 August 1965 with the performance of the super - Cinerama movie " The Greatest Story Ever Told " ( The Greatest Story Ever Told, 1965) opened.

The first Todd -AO cinema in Europe was built in Germany. These were at the Savoy Cinema at Hamburg stone dam. The official opening took place on 14 March 1957. The opening film was then, however, "only" a normal cinemascope 35mm color film " Red Dust " ( The Brave One). The demonstration movie "The Miracle of Todd - AO" but was at that time ( 20 × 8.5 meters ) already shown on the large curved screen in the accompanying program. The cinema existed since 1998 only as a "ghost cinema ". In the foyer was a bargain oriental market. Since 14 August 2008, the " Savoy " movie is played back. The Hamburg municipal cinemas "Metropolis" (formerly Dammtorstrasse ) uses the " Savoy " initially for about 3 years as an exile.

This was opened in 1959 in Hamburg Grindelwald movie theater had after conversion in 1963 a screen size of 27 × 10 meters. There, at that time also 3 -lane Cinerama films were shown, for example, on February 1, 1963, the Germany premiere of How the West Was Won. For later conversion work, the large curved screen was replaced by a smaller flat screen (20 × 11 meters). The cinema was closed on 31 March 2008 to make way for a housing settlement.

Furthermore, there were several " walking Cinerama ". These were around huge inflatable halls or tents, in which the films were shown. They became known in England and in France under the name " Itinerama ".

On the occasion of the International Horticultural Exhibition (IGA ) in Hamburg was from 26 April to 13 October 1963, the Holy Spirit box Cinerama cinema tent. On display was the Cinemiracle production Windjammer.

1964, the first Cinerama Drive-In Theatre ( Auto-Kino ) in Inglewood ( California ) was opened, the Century Drive -In Theatre. It at that time had a screen size of no less than 54 × 18.8 meters. In the 1980s, it was demolished.

Other venues for 3 -lane Cinerama films in Germany were once:

• Aachen: Eden Palace
• Augsburg: Rex (?)
• Berlin: Capitol (first Cinerama theater in Germany - Premiere of "This is Cinerama " on April 29, 1959 later total reconstruction of the theater ) ( Cinemiracle ) * Sports Palace ( multi-purpose hall, screen size then 24 × 10 meters) ( Cinemiracle ) *
• Bonn: Universe
• Braunschweig: Kaiserhof ( screen size 13.6 × 6.2 meters) ( Cinemiracle ) *
• Bremen: Regina ( canvas size 20 x 8 meters) ( Cinemiracle ) *
• Duisburg: U.T. Palace
• Dusseldorf Tonhalle ( canvas size according to hearsay 24 × 10 meters) ( Cinemiracle ) *
• Food: EUR Palais ( Canvas Size 26 x 11.8 meters), Grugahalle ( multi-purpose hall, screen size here at that time huge 33 × 13 meters) ( Cinemiracle ) *
• Frankfurt: Light Games movie palace
• Hamburg: Cinerama movie theater Grindelwald ( canvas size 27 × 10 meters) ( here Germany premiere of " The West Was Won " on February 1, 1963), UFA -Palast am Gaensemarkt ( screen size 17.5 × 8.2 meters ) ( Cinemiracle ) *
• Hanover: Gloria Palace ( canvas size 13 x 6.1 meters ) ( Cinemiracle ) *
• Karlsruhe: City ( screen size 12.7 × 5.8 meters) ( Cinemiracle ) *
• Koblenz: Residence
• Cologne: Residence
• Mannheim: Scala movie theater ( screen size 16.6 × 7.8 meters ) ( Cinemiracle ) *
• Munich: City Palace, Royal Palace ( screen size 16.4 × 8.3 meters) ( Cinemiracle ) * ( here Germany premiere of " Windjammer " on July 15, 1958)
• Münster: Fürstenhof ( Cinemiracle ) *, Münsterlandhalle ( Multipurpose Hall )
• Nuremberg: Delphi Film Theatre
• Siegen: Siegerlandhalle ( Multipurpose Hall )
• Stuttgart: Atrium ( canvas size 14 × 6.3 meters) ( Cinemiracle ) *
• Wiesbaden: Rhein- Main-Halle ( Multipurpose Hall )
• Neu-Ulm: Central Film Theatre (up to 1969) *

Not quite sure whether there but only 70 -mm films were shown (?) - (* ) Here we also showed the Cinemiracle movie Windjammer.

Today, 3- strip Cinerama films in Europe only in a cinema on a large curved screen ( 15.6 × 5.9 meters, curvature 146 degrees) shown and indeed particularly once a year in March for the Widescreen Film Festival in Bradford (England). There is a very nice and technically equipped to the highest level cinema called Pictureville. It belongs to the National Museum of media. Once a month, for those interested, a restored version of the first Cinerama film This is Cinerama (1952 ) is presented here in addition.

Worldwide, there are only three movie theaters in which 3 -lane Cinerama films can be shown. The other two theaters are the Cinerama Dome in Los Angeles ( screen size 26.2 × 9.7 meters) and Seattle's Martin Cinerama Theatre ( Screen size 27.4 × 9 meters).

Movies

The films " The West Was Won " ( How the West Was Won, 1962) and " The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm " ( Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm, 1962) at that time were the only three -lane Cinerama movies with real action. All the others were so-called travelogues ( travelogues, provided partly with small plot lines ). They were later implemented in a complex process into 70 - mm format ( from Three Carry one). In the 35 - mm format they were also to be seen on television.

Also the Cinemiracle film " Windjammer " (1958) was copied in the 1960s in Europe in the CinemaScope format. This was however only a mono optical sound copy.

Cinerama Film List (3- streaky )

• This Is Cinerama (1952 ), premiere on September 30, 1952 in New York at the New York Broadway Theatre ( screen size here then 19 × 7 meters), later start, the 1970s, sometimes even listed as 70 mm Cinerama film again. The Daily News commented on the event saying: " Since the discovery of penicillin, there was no greater sensation in New York as the Cinerama". The Germany premiere took place on 30 April 1959 in Berlin at the Capitol Theatre on Rosa Luxemburg Platz instead.
• Cinerama Holiday ( 1955)
• Seven Wonders of the World ( 1956)
• Search for Paradise (1957 )
• South Seas Adventure ( 1958)
• Great is my Country (1958), also: Pokoriteli morya ( b ), strana moya Shyroka rodnaya ( a) or dtsch Title: " Wide is our country," the first 3- streaky Kinopanorama film, awarded to the Brussels World Fair ( EXPO ) 1958 premiere on 28 February 1958 at the specially built ME Cinerama Theatre in Moscow.
• Windjammer (1958), the first and only Cinemiracle film, later as a Cinerama film listed (without mirror )
• The Enchanted Mirror ( 1959), also: Volshevnoye zerkalo ( a), 3 - streaky Kinopanorama movie
• Naughty Curves (1959 ), also: Vallatud ( Ohtlikud ) kurvid ( b ), Opasniye povoroty ( a), 3 - streaky Kinopanorama movie
• Renault Dauphine (1959 ), 3- streaky commercial short film
• One Hour of unexpected Travels by Helicopter (1960), also: Chas neozkhidannykh puteshestviy v polyote na vvertolyote ( a), 3 - streaky Kinopanorama movie
• Fourth Programme of panoramic film: Circus Performance and On the Red Square (1961 ), also: Chetvyortaya programma panoramikh filmov: Tsirkovoye predstavvleniye e Na Krasnoy ploshchadyu ( a), 3 - streaky Kinopanorama movie
• To the Antarctic for the Whales (1961 ), also: V antarktiku za kitami ( a), 3 - streaky Kinopanorama movie
• Amazing Hunting (1962), also: Udivitelinaya okhota ( a), 3 - streaky Kinopanorama movie
• The Volga flows on (1962), also: techit Volga ( a), 3 - streaky Kinopanorama movie
• Turns Dangerous (1962), also: Opasniye Povoroty ( a), first dramatic 3- streaky Kinopanorama movie
• Holiday in Spain (1962), also:, isolated implemented Scent of Mystery, Todd - AO 70 in 3- strip Cinerama
• How the West Was Won ( 1962), and later in 70 mm Cinerama movie copied
• The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm ( 1962), and later in 70 mm Cinerama movie copied
• Best of Cinerama, engl: Cinerama World Parade ( 1963)
• Winter Etudes, (1963 ), also: Zymnie etudiye ( a), 3 - streaky Kinopanorama movie
• To Be Alive! (1964 ), documentation short film (18 min) listed the New York World Fair 1964/65, Oscar winner 1966, copied for the award in 70 mm Cinerama film
• Cinerama 's Russian Adventure (1966 ), 3- streaky Kinopanorama film, and later in 70 mm Cinerama movie copied
• The Bounty (1995 ), 3- streaky, rotated in Australia, Kinopanorama Documentation Short Film ( 14 min) by John Steven Lasher, shown in Bradford on 15 March 1995
• In the Picture (2012 ), 3- streaky, rotated in America short film to mark the 60th anniversary of CINERAMA by David Strohmaier. It is the first new CINERAMA film for 50 years.

• (a ) Russian title, (b) Estonian title

According to the journal " Wonders of Cinematography ", issue Nr.1/94, to even the film Mutiny on the Bounty (1962), filmed in Ultra Panavision 70, then only in France, Belgium and the Netherlands in a Cinerama 3- strip have been shown version.

In France, it is loud hearsay La Fayette from the film (1965, filmed in Super Technirama 70) have also given a 3-Stripes performance.

Super - Cinerama 70 - mm films

• The Story ( Chronicle) of the Flaming Years ( 1961), also: Povest plamennykh let - Sovscope 70, presented at the film festival in Cannes in 1961, the first Russian 70 - mm film, was isolated in Russia in 3- strip Cinerama listed film
• It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963 ) A totally, totally crazy world - Ultra Panavision 70
• Circus World (1964 ), also: The Magnificent Showman - Super Technirama 70
• Golden Head, The ( 1964), also: Millie goes to Budapest - Super Technirama 70, listed only in Europe
• Mediterranean Holiday ( 1962), also: Flying Clipper - MCS -70, presented as Super Cinerama 70 mm film
• Battle of the Bulge (1965 ) - Ultra Panavision 70
• The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965 ) - Ultra Panavision 70
• The Hallelujah Trail (1965 ) - Ultra Panavision 70
• La Fayette (1965 ) - Super Technirama 70, listed only in Europe
• The Black Tulip ( 1965) - MCS -70, presented as Super Cinerama 70 - mm film, only listed in Europe
• Grand Prix (1966 ) - Super Panavision 70
• Khartoum (1966 ) - Ultra Panavision 70
• Custer of the West ( 1967) - Super Technirama 70
• 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968 ) - Super Panavision 70
• Ice Station Zebra ( 1968) - Super Panavision 70
• Krakatoa, East of Java ( 1969) - Todd - AO, presented as Super Cinerama 70 mm film
• Song of Norway (1970 ) - Super Panavision 70
• The Last Valley ( 1971) The Last Valley - Todd - AO, presented as Super Cinerama 70 mm film

The films " Run Run Joe" ( Joe Arrivano e Margherito ) in 1974, filmed in Todd- AO 35, and "The Great Waltz" in 1972, filmed in Panavision ( 35 mm), were in England once " promoted " as Cinerama films. In reality it was only about 70 mm magnifications.

Literature / Film Documentation

• Joachim Polzer (eds.): Wonders of Cinematography - Contributions to a cultural history of film technology. 2nd edition 1995. " This is Cinerama ". Publisher of DGFK Berlin.
• Robert E. Carr and RM Hayes: Wide Screen Movies. A History of Wide Gauge Filmmaking. McFarland & Company, Inc. - 1988 ISBN 0-89950-242-3.
• David Strohmaier made ​​2002 a movie titled " Cinerama Adventure" at. It involves a 93 -minute documentary, a completely Call original and unique documentary about the mother of all widescreen systems - namely the " Cinerama Adventure ". In 2007 he was shown in Bradford to the film festival. With the publication of the DVD " The West Was Won " in October 2008, the documentary was first released as an additional film. In addition to the Blu- Ray was released edition of " The West Was Won " additional " Smilebox " version, the first attempt on their home TV to clarify the " wraparound effect" of Cinerama.