Essentially all sound films (up to 1953) were at an aspect ratio of 1.37:1 (aka "The Academy Standard Ratio.") Prior to the advent of sound, the ratio was slightly less (1.33:1). This ratio, also known as 4:3, is today's common TV ratio.
So where did 2.35:1 originate? With the television boom in the early 50's, the film industry experienced a drastic decline in ticket sales. With many previous Hollywood productions easily adapting into the 4:3 TV format, the public was staying at home to watch movies. In order to get people out of their living rooms and back into the theaters, 20th Century Fox developed a new "supersized" format which audiences couldn't experience on the "small screen."
This invention was the CinemaScope image which was photographed on a standard 35mm film with an Anamorphic Lens. When the image was projected in the theather, through another anamorphic lens, it produced an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 which was two and a half times the size of the conventional TV screen.
Developed by Professor Henri Chretien, 20th Century Fox released the first "CinemaScope" film (The Robe) in September 1953. Since its introduction, variations of the "widescreen" format have been introduced - noted by the modification on the "scope" term; coined by film companies from all corners of the globe.
Below, is a listing of the various spin-off "scope" formats. All formats are in 2.35:1 unless otherwise noted.
NOTE - Not many spot the difference (outside of projectionists and film technicians) but the ratio was enlarged by .05 back in the seventies. While the correct ratio is 2.4:1 (even 2.39:1), the "old 2.35:1" seems to have just stuck.
• AgaScope (a form of CinemaScope from Sweden and Hungary)
• AgaScope (a form of CinemaScope from Sweden and Hungary)
• ArriScope (a form of CinemaScope from the Arriflex Camera Corp.)
• ArriVision (2.35:1 in 3-D)
• Cinepanoramic (a form of CinemaScope from France)
• CinemaScope (some early titles were 2.66:1 and 2:55:1)
• CinemaScope 55 (a form of CinemaScope using 55mm film)
• Cinerama (2.6:1 to 2.8:1)
• Cinescope (a form of CinemaScope from Italy)
• Colorscope (various ratios used under this umbrella name)
• Cromoscope (a form of Techniscope)
• Daiescope (a form of CinemaScope from Japan)
• Dimension 150 (2.2:1)
• Duo-Vision (2.35:1 in split-screen)
• Dyaliscope (a form of CinemaScope from France)
• Euroscope (a form of CinemaScope)
• Franscope (a form of CinemaScope from France)
• Grandeur (2:1 approximately)
• Grandscope (a form of CinemaScope from Japan)
• Hammerscope (a form of CinemaScope from England)
• J-D-C Scope
• Megascope (a form of CinemaScope from England)
• Metroscope (1.66:1 to 2:1)
• MGM Camera 65 (2.75:1)
• Natural Vision (2:1 approximately)
• Naturama (a form of CinemaScope)
• Nikkatsu Scope (a form of CinemaScope from Japan)
• Panascope (2:1)
• Panavision (pre-1971: 2.35:1 / post-1971: 2.4:1)
• Panavision Super 70 (2.35:1 for 35mm prints, 2.2:1 for 70mm)
• Panoramic(a) (a form of CinemaScope form Italy)
• Realife (2.1 approximately)
• Regalscope (a form of CinemaScope)
• RKO-Scope (a form of Superscope 235)
• Scanoscope (a form of CinemaScope)
• Shawscope (a form of CinemaScope from Hong Kong)
• Sovscope (a form of CinemaScope from the U.S.S.R.)
• Space-Vision (2.35:1 in 3-D)
• Spectrascope (a form of CinemaScope)
• Superama (a form of Superscope 235)
• SuperCinescope (a form of CinemaScope from Italy)
• Superpanorama 70 (2.2:1 in 70mm; a form of Todd-AO from Europe)
• Super Panavision 70 (2.35 for 35mm prints; 2.2:1 for 70mm)
• Superscope (2:1)
• Superscope 235
• Super Technirama 70 (2.2:1 in 70mm)
• Super Techniscope (1.85:1 to 2.35:1; a variable process - same as Super 35)
• Super 35 (1.85:1 to 2.35:1; a variable screen-size process)
• SuperTotalscope (a form of CinemaScope from Italy)
• System 35 (1.85:1 to 2:35:1; a variable process - same as Super 35)
• Technirama
• Techniscope
• Technovision
• Todd-AO (2.2:1)
• Todd-AO 35
• Toeiscope (a form of CinemaScope from Japan)
• Tohoscope (a form of CinemaScope from Japan)
• Totalscope (a form of CinemaScope from Italy)
• Totalvision (a form of CinemaScope from Italy)
• Ultra Panavision 70 (2.75:1)
• Ultrascope (a form of CinemaScope from Germany)
• Vistarama (a form of CinemaScope)
• Vistascope (a form of Superscope)
• VistaVision (ranges from 1.66:2 to 2:1; a variable ratio)
• Vitascope (2:1 approximately)
• WarnerScope (a form of CinemaScope)
• Warwickscope (a form of CinemaScope from England)
source: Wide-Screen Glossary article from "Maltin's Movie and Video Guide"
Please return to THIRD MILLENNIUM entertainment