Cinemascope
Nunnally Johnson's static camerwork has already been noted here. But, there is another issue: Cinemascope, specifically early Cinemascope. It was only in its second or so year. And, the lenses were in their infancy.
You can especially tell here. The warping of the image at the edges. Subjects are utterly squeezed when they appear on the sides of the screen. And, when there is panning, there is that bizarre funhouse-mirror effect, where the image warps, from the center being in proper proportion, and the edges squeezing what you see.
Johnson not realizing that issue only makes it worse by allowing people to populate the edges of the screen for entire scenes.