MovieChat Forums > The Robe (1953) Discussion > impact of cinemascope on this film

impact of cinemascope on this film

posted 16 years ago by stacy_peeps
4 replies | jump to latest

Although 'How to Marry a Millionaire' was the first film to be shot in widescreen, or cinemascope, this was the first to be relesed. How do you think this affcts/ is utilised in the film?

For instance, in 'How to Marry a Millionaire', instead of having a leading couple, they have chosen three leading ladies, to make use of the extra space on-screen. From the way the furniture is arranged, to the use of panoramic landscape shots, everything visual is about making the most of the wider screen.

Has anyone had any similar observations about 'The Robe'?

[–] bgoleary-1 15 years ago

Actually "The Robe" was the first to go before the CinemaScope Cameras. Filming of "How to Marry a Millionaire" started a few weeks later. However filming of HTMAM was completed first because it was a shorter movie involving much simpler sets. Shooting of The Robe also complicated by the fact that they were shooting two versions, one in CinemaScope and the other one a standard version (aspect ratio 1.37:1). Both movies were released on the dates that Twentieth Century-Fox had announced months in advance, while both were still before the cameras.

Although these movies were the first CinemaScope movies, they were not the first widescreen movies. "This is Cinerama" was released in 1952 and Paramount's "Shane" (aspect ratio of 1.66:1 which was 21% wider than standard screen) was released earler in 1953. Of course with an aspect ratio of 2.55:1 the early CinemaScope movies were signicantly wider, but they still were not the first widescreen movies.

[–] brislack 11 years ago

I remember the vivid impact cinemascope had on the viewing experience. I saw it in the full cinemascope version, with multiple sound tracks, in a big cinema in Brighton, Sussex, England. I always remember it as the first cinemascope film although bloggers here seem to disagree.

On that showing, I was sitting in 'The Gods' (two balconies up for the cheaper seats) and was blown away by the whole experience. I could 'hear' the orchestra in the pit, angels singing behind me and actors seemingly speaking from their location on the huge, curved, screen. Wow!

The film itself was typical of the time, with a 'religious' overtone. But the actors were all excellent in their parts. Maybe now, in more cynical times, it would not stand up to scrutiny.

CINEMASCOPE COME BACK!

Bri

[–] cwente2 11 years ago

"Maybe now, in more cynical times, it would not stand up to scrutiny."

Depends on who's doing the scrutinizing (even as it did then).

Btw, The Robe was the first film released in Cinemascope, though How to Marry a Millionaire was the first film shot in the process. Fox thought that The Robe was the more important, serious picture with which to introduce the new wide-screen format to the movie-going public.

[–] Lonixcap 13 years ago

There's no equivalent of Marilyn Monroe in The Robe.

She was born for CinemaScope.