CinemaScope Films in Harrisburg

An unusual collective movie magazine ad for the first six CinemaScope films released by 20th Century-Fox, 1953-1954.

CinemaScope was the first viable commercial wide-screen process developed by 20th in 1953. It was Fox's answer to 3-D and one of the tag lines was "You see it without glasses." The patented process was eventually leased to other studios (MGM and Warner Bros.) though many other wide-screen processes - SuperScope, VistaVision, etc. - were also developed.

CinemaScope also introduced stereophonic sound to the masses, but most only in first-run theaters that had been converted to the new 4-channel sound system.

THE ROBE opened at the State Theatre in Harrisburg with much ceremony. HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE opened at the Senate which, however, lacked the space for the huge curved screen that had been installed at the much larger State. Both theaters had impressive new stereo sound systems.

Both theaters also continued to provide the first Harrisburg runs of ensuing Fox 'Scope pictures.

Newspaper Ad: The ADVENTURES of HAJJI BABA (1954) Harrisburg, PA.

One of the lesser-known early CinemaScope productions.
There was a title song (sung by Nat "King" Cole):
"Hajji, Hajji, Hajji, Hajji,
Hajji Baba, Hajji Baba.
He was always in love.
In love,
In love......."
Song & Score by Dimitri Tiomkin. Lyrics by Ned Washington (as I recall).

CINERAMA

CinemaScope was also an off-shoot of Cinerama, an even grander process, which, however, required three cameras to photograph and three projectors to screen. It also required the virtual renovation of any theater showing Cinerama films and so they were only screened in large cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Washington. etc. CinemaScope required only one projector with a special anamorphic lens. 

By the era of 2001 A SPACE ODESSEY there was a Cinerama theater in the Colonial Park Plaze shopping mall outside of Harrisburg.

Note: There is still a Cinerama theater in Hollywood.
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