You're very kind Scott, thank you!
This film has not been seen in widescreen for nearly sixty years. Major kudos to Ned Price and his staff at Warner Bros. for trusting the documentation and presenting these early widescreen films in the correct aspect ratio.
Wonderful review, Richard!
MGM went 100% widescreen on May 4, 1953 and this began filming nearly six months later on October 19.
1.75:1 is the correct aspect ratio.
http://www.3dfilmarchive.com/the-first-year-of-widescreen