In the series ... "I REMEMBER THE ROCKAWAYS"... Stevie S. Stevens writes about
"This Is Cinerama"

  
THIS IS CINERAMA - Probably the very first advertising postcard heralding a new and revolutionary motion picture process - this roller coaster scene was drawn in charcoal by artist Alexander Leydenfrost and "depicts the breathtaking (opening) scene which engulfs an eager audience in ' This Is Cinerama,' first production in a new multi-dimensional motion picture medium."
 

The original roller coaster scenes for this motion picture were originally shot in Rockaway's Playland in Rockaway Beach sometime before the beginning of the summer season of 1950. The original prints were taken in black and white - and were later on "colorized" for inclusion into the movie. The producers and director of the film were so impressed with the work done on the "coaster shoot" they made certain to include those scenes at the very beginning of the movie.

The new process was invented by Fred Waller, a Brooklyn native who, in 1937, was the head of Paramount Pictures special-effects department. The technique is loosely based on an illusion derived out of natural prospective - what you might see out of the corner of your eye. Waller actually created what came to be known as "peripheral vision" technique. What this means is a "three-projection" process: -a central projector shoots the vision onto a large screen; another projector located to the right side of the central unit projects another image onto the left side of the screen and then a third projector located on the left side shoots an additional image to the right side of the screen. Although it sounds complicated, basically what is being described is a "crossover-shoot" technique which gives a total and overall reflection of a single image - or group of images.

The new movie had its debut at the New York Broadway Theatre on the evening of September 30th, 1952. The theater had been revised to include a new and overpowering 75-foot viewing screen as well as three separate and giant projection booths. Critic reviews were mixed - even though the movie was later nominated for a series of Academy Awards - primarily for the innovative "new" concept of "Stereo-Surround Sound."

The movie "This Is Cinerama" was issued to theaters in 35 mm format and was never available for viewing on VHS or Beta video tape, nor is it currently available on DVD. It is assumed that ownership of the film fell into public domain in 1980, some 28 years after copyright filing.

The message side of the postcard above, which was mailed from Manhattan, NYC on September 1st of 1953 reads: "I was in Cinerama" - "P.S. - You too, can be in Cinerama ... mail your check and self-addressed stamped envelope to: Warner Theatre, Broadway & 47th St., N. Y." The rates for evenings (8:40 exc Fri.) - Friday 7:30 + 10:30 pm - Sat & Sun (5 pm) - Sat (11:40 pm) - seating at $2.80, $2.40, and $1.80 per person. Matinees: Mon. to Thurs. at $1.80 and $1.20 per person and Saturday and Sunday Matinees (2 pm) cost $2.40 and $1.80.

email: steviesstevens@cs.com