PAGE 4
THE MICHIGAN DAILY
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, .1955
PAE4TEMIHGNDIL UDY"FBUR 7 . 195
ONLY PICTORIAL VALUES:
Wide Screens Pose Definite Problems
By ERNEST THEODOSSIN
IN 1952, when Cinerama made its
first appearance, there were
few who foresaw the far-reaching
effects it would have upon the
motion picture industry. But some
two and a half years later, Holly-
wood has found technical inno-
vations an immediate answer to
its financial problems; the lean
box-office years are ended.
Cinerama has proved useful
largely as a travelogue medium.
However, other improvisations up-
on the large screen have gained
great popu ,rity. CinemaScope,
wide-screen, Vista-Vision and Su-
perscope are all variations of Cin-
erama.
What all of these devices have
in common is their vastness, a
vastness which was at first ar-
resting, but which since has made
apparent its limitations. The in-
timacy which fil once had-
and which was their chief advan-
tage over the legitimate stage -
is now gone.
THEATERS have installed giant
sreens and showal ofther
presentations on them. This means
that a standard-sized film is en-
larged and the tops and bottoms
of the frames removed from vi-
sion. With old films, where cine-
matographers planned pictorial
design for a full frame, the result
is often disastrous.
Fred Astaire was seen dancing
without feet in "Bandwagon." Vi-
vien Leigh had no forehead or
chin in "Gone With the Wind"
closeups; heads had a mysterious
way of disappearing in "Notori-
ous.'
This difficulty has largely dis-
appeared, films being photograph-
ed with wide-screen projection in
mind. But confining action to the
middle of the frame has added
nothing, made movement limited.
WITH REAL wide-screen films
-motion pictures especially
photographed for projection on a
large screen-the hugeness has
few advantages.
A film such as "The Robe,"
where cheap, inexpensive decor is
used, appears much more lavish
and oppulent. But beyond this black and white In coror. But the "Brigadoon," with familiar Gene
there is little more. scenic designer went to such ex- Kelly choreography, tried very
Probably the most glaring dif- tremes to make everything either hard to make use of the pas de
ficulty is that closeups are almost black or white, and the staging was deux. But Cyd Charisse, who seem-
obsolete on the big screen. One so painfully stilted, that the gen- ed determined to fill up every inch
face can only fill the center of the eral effect was one of completely of screen, performed endless ara-
screen; and then there are yards boring drabness. besques and several times just lay-
and yards of empty spaces on the Other CinemaScope dramas down upon the ground.
sides. have been either spectacles with
Another problem is that visual dozens of dancing girls and thous- PERHAPS THE best Cinema-
adjustment is more difficult with ands of extras or outdoor films in Scope musical had been "Sev-
cuttings from one scene to anoth- which acres and acres of moun- en Brides for Seven Brothers."
er. This means sustained drama- tam scenery serve as a backdrop Here too the "big six" came into
tic scenes where camera flexibility for action, play with six dancing brides and
is almost impossible. One studio, Twentieth-Century six dancing brothers.
Fox, is employing the "big six" Th "Lnsm Poea L-
ERHAPS THE best dramatic atar system to fill its CinemaScope The "Lonesome Polecat La-
presentation thus far in Cine- screen. "How to Marry a Million- ent," essentially a song, employ-
maScope has been "A Star Is aire," "Three Coins in the Foun- ed choreographed movements to
Born," where Director George Cu- tain," and "Woman's World" all give a sense of action and fill the
kor utilized only portions of the used the "big six." Three perform- screen's confines. MGM has an
screen for action, darkening the ers work nicely in closeup shots "ounced another musical for the
rest. , and six just cover the screen well
In "A Star Is Born," Cukor also in long shots where they walk to- temcan othondforever without
employed the wide-screen to best gether with linked arms.
advantage in projecting mood and In addition to the pictorial ex-
tone. The opening scene at the HOWEVER, MOST recent ser- pansion of films, there has also
Shriner's Benefit caught the audi- ous efforts - and all foreign been the audio expansion. Stereo-
ence up in the swirl of thronging films - have been done for stan- phonic Sound, the major multiple-
crowds, bright lights, and scream- dard-sized screen: "Sabrina," "On sound system in use, has only sel-
ing spectators. the Waterfront," "Gate of Hell," dom been effective. Most of the
Exploding flash bulbs, a pre- "The Caine Mutiny," "Romeo and time the noise is so deafening as
dominance of heavy color bathing, Juliet," "Country Girl," "Bridges to literally blast one out of his
generally in dark primary colors, at Toko-Ri" seat.
and a heavily orchestrated back- In the musical idiom Cinema- Whatever developments occur in
ground in Stereophonic Sound Scope is a great nuisance. One the wide-screen film technique
gave the complete illusion of a singer gets lost on the big screen; will have to be rather drastic if
crowded theater. Here the bigness and hundreds of dancers are need- CinemaScope and its brothers and
of the screen was used to engulf ed to supply a moving background sisters are to remain. The popular-
the viewer; but such effects are for dancers and singers. ity of spectacles will undoubtedly
difficult to achieve and have been "There's No Business Like Show diminish within the next few
only rarely attempted. Business" went back to the 1930's years; and producers will be faced
for inspiration, with hundreds of With presenting a really serious
'TRACK OF the Cat" was an dancers executing precision acro- CinemaScope drama. At present,
experiment in photographing batic movements. such a prospect is very disturbing.
STRAIGHT-LINED SUiTS,
T INY H AT S and
F EMININE BLOUSES PR EDICT ED
,4K;; ... ;:.
. . : .. y;:t'
,
rr
'?h
, ....
y
We've the most interesting
selection of man tailored
flattering suits and pretty
feminine blouses - that
can be found - Suits of
100 % wool tweeds - and
solid colors many with
matching blouses and lin-
ings priced from 39.95 -
Boxy and fitted suits, too
of linens and rayons
- from 22.95 ... Sizes
from 7.
c
A perfect s u i t e r. This
blouse above of nylon tricot
- beautifully trimmed in
nylon lace at 3.95
Other nylon and dacron
blouse beauties from 5.95
at Main Shop.
Chic cottons at our Cam-
pus Toggery from 3.95.
.r.
'; .,
.
'+w. y
.,, .t
S
'r,{:; I
' .v
'":: 1
' r
v
+' %2
f"
R
M.
1{
t'J:
: l.
f:
lli
os
v?,I
j
;ti
f:
Yv:'
:
7
At left, pert box-jacket suit styled
of all wool tweed with smart velvet
collar at 39.95.
Tiny pill-box and straw braid is 6,95.
SUITS - THIRD - THE FASHION FLOOR
DOWNTOWN.
ON FOREST off South U.
our CAMPUS TOGGERY - 1111 South U.
fNn-.. .r {r scar°%i v Ci" " 4 F's s. r
f,_Q,;}Y S y ,r rrhi.s ; 41rj.Yn.h. .e,." "rrb, .... v..." "" . r 4 ' 4 " .. .. + i°%'t +r h