“Spectacular size and complete focus across the screen,” announced a promotional advertisement in 1954. “The ultimate in film presentation that will thrill all your senses and touch all your emotions. VistaVision!”
Developed by Paramount Pictures 70 years ago, the cinematic format tempted
audiences to experience bolder, higher-resolution images in the movie theater. The process was invented by changing how the negative was fed through the camera. Instead of the celluloid strip running vertically – think of a film still with four sprocket holes on each side – the negative was fed horizontally, with eight sprocket holes on the top and bottom. Such as this:
The larger format yielded a richer, more detailed image.