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ABOUT THIS ARTICLE: This
article documents the installation of the CinemaScope picture
format at the Roxy. Until the early 1950s, most movies had an
image area that was nearly square in shape. In answer to the
growing threat of TV, the movie industry came up with the CinemaScope
process, which made the picture much wider than that available
on a TV screen. The process is deceptively simple: The secret
is in the lenses used in filming and projection of the pictures.
During filming, the image is compressed horizontally, so that
it can fit into the same size film as before. Then, during projection,
the image is uncompressed, resulting in a gloriously wide picture
that was the talk of the town in those days.
As amazing as this development
was, the theatre owners couldn't resist making it sound just
a little better yet, by claiming that CinemaScope had "three
dimensional" properties. This of course, was just not true.
However, the format that caused such a stir in 1953 is still
in use today, and around half of the movies we present are shown
in the CinemaScope format.
An extensive
remodeling program is now in progress at the Roxy Theatre in
Forsyth, operated by Faust & Wolke. Carl H. Anderson of the
Harvey Theatre Construction Co. of San Francisco, Calif., is
in charge of the work which is being performed by the contracting
firm of Brockelhurst & Morrison of this city.
Work started on Tuesday morning.
The first project is the removal of the iron pillars which held
up the balcony, and replacing them with an over-head steel beam.
The iron posts obstruct the view of patrons in the rows of seats
in the sections at the rear of the theatre.
The concession stand, now in
the lobby of the theatre, will be removed to the foyer, where
a modern booth will be installed in the center of the foyer,
by removing the last two rows of seats in the center section.
The big project, however, will
be the complete remodeling of the front or stage end of the theatre,
in preparation for the installation of a wide panoramic screen,
which will be 30 feet wide and 16 feet high - just about twice
the width of the present theatre screen, which is 14 x 16 feet.
This screen, when installed, will accommodate regular motion
pictures, as now projected, and also the new Cinemascope method
of projection, wherein the illusion of three dimensions, height,
width and depth will be realistically placed before the audience
without the use of colored glasses or anything other than normal
vision. It is the last word in the new three dimension method
of presenting motion pictures - the same method as was employed
at the initial and phenomenal showing of "The Robe,"
which has been widely acclaimed the world over. Two and one half
times as much subject matter is projected on the new wide screens
as is seen on the ordinary movie screen. Incidentally "The
Robe" will be presented by the Roxy late next spring.
The lens used in Cinemascope
projection on the wide panoramic screen are in very short supply
at the present time, but are on order, and the installation will
be made at the earliest possible moment.
The management of the Roxy
theatre is to be commended and complimented in their effort to
provide Forsyth and community the very best and latest in motion
picture entertainment. No expense is being spared to make the
installation in the Roxy among the best in the state and theatre
goers may be assured of a continuation of the latest and best
in screen entertainment.
The remodeling work at the
theatre will be completed in about three weeks time, but operation
of the theatre will continue on schedule with as little inconvenience
to patrons as possible under the circumstances.
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