[Drew Salzan]

I recently purchased these DVD's and was surprised to see that they were in widescreen. I recall seeing these titles at the Film Forum in NYC a way back and recall that they were shown in the old OAR (1.37:1). What gives? Is it possible that the projectionist was out to lunch or what? Someone please clarify.

[John Whittle]

Well, Solid Gold is 1956 and It Should is 1954. Generally 1953 is the cross-over or mixed up time when things were 3-d
scope, and various aspect ratios of 1.75, 1.66 and 1.85.

In 1954 the picture could have been shown either way depending on marketing (remember it was the studio system not the director/dp then). Of course Born Yesterday is 1.37 since it's 1951 and before the explosion.

I would guess that when you saw these before they might have been 16mm prints which were rarely shown in 1.85.

John

[Drew Salzan]

The Film Forum only shows 35mm prints.

[John Whittle]

Well if the Film Forum only runs 35mm prints, then I'd say the projectionist put in the wrong plate and back up lens.

I ran Solid Gold last night after reading your post and it looks fine in 1.85, nice transfer and nice to have the closing in color (something lost on tv for years).

Don't have the other title, but will put it on my "waiting list"

John