The Miracle of Todd-AO
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This article first appeared in |
| Written by: Louis de Rochemont III | Issue 53 - June 1998 |
 1MAIN TITLE: On a lighted theatre marquee we see full screen THE MIRACLE OF TODD-AO 2 AN A-BOARD IN THEATRE LOBBY on which we read Produced in Todd-AO for Magna Theatre Corp. System Created by American Optical Company. From this, the camera pulls back and we see more of the theatre lobby. People are entering the theatre, walking past the camera. NARRATOR Todd-AO is the revolutionary process whose new screen, new sound, new projectors, new method of photography let you become a participant in every scene. One person goes across - blocking out the screen. CUT TO: |
Further in 70mm reading: |
 3The back of one of the technicians, who is walking away from the camera, revealing the TODD-AO CAMERA ROOM. Here we see the Todd-AO camera equipment. Against one wall there is a rack for the lenses. Near this we can see a drawing of a crosssection of the human eye. There is also a model of the Todd-AO theatre. On the walls are poster-size photo-murals showing the camera mounted on different rigs -- sled, automobile, airplane -- for the test reels. There may also be some "Oklahoma!" posters around. There are two men checking over the equipment. Our camera will follow the men examine the equipment on which they are working. Their actions will illustrate points made by the narrator. NARRATOR Todd-AO´s deeply curved screen and the miracle of the wide-angle lenses, seeing what the eye can see, provide realism and intimacy by using the very principles by which we all see. |
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 4A SOUND STAGE, the camera surrounded by lights has been set up to photograph an orchestra. The microphones and booms of the Todd-AO sound system are in place. NARRATOR The excitement of participating in the action on the screen is hightened by the Todd-AO six track sound system. This provides sound with the full fidelity and tonal values you hear in real life -- giving you the impression of sitting in the center of a great concert hall. Our camera will cover various phases of the recording procedure -- tape running through, mixer needles, etc., -- and WE WILL HEAR a brief part of the music in full Todd-AO sound. |
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 5EXT. NEAR OCEAN PARK ROLLER-COASTER. A crew is unloading the picture and sound equipment, to set up for the test sequences. NARRATOR Todd-AO´s unlimited possibilities for realism and participation were to be clearly established through a series of action tests. |
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 6WILD SLATE FOR OCEAN PARK ROLLER-COASTER, NARRATOR (this may run into start of roller-coaster run) Rigging the camera on a roller-coaster would be test number one. 7 ROLLER-COASTER RUN. CUT TO: |
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 8WILD SLATE FOR FLIGHT ACROSS GRAND TETONS. NARRATOR Mounted in the nose of a B-24, the Todd-AO camera sets out to capture some of the greatest beauty of America: The towering Grand Tetons of Wyoming, Snake River and Yellowstone National Park. 9 FLIGHT ACROSS GRAND TETONS, ETC. CUT TO: |
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 10WILD SLATE STARTING SUN VALLEY SEQUENCE. NARRATOR Sun Valley, Idaho, in the range of the Sawtooth Mountains. Spring skiing provides an unusual opportunity to test the mobility of the Todd-AO camera. 11 SPRING SKIING SEQUENCE AT SUN VALLEY. CUT TO: |
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 12WILD SLATE STARTING SAN FRANCISCO MOTORCYCLE CHASE NARRATOR With the help of San Francisco's Police Department, the Todd-AO camera follows a motorcycle patrol. 13 SAN FRANCISCO MOTORCYCLE CHASE. After the crash, CUT TO: |
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 14A MONTAGE OF "OKLAHOMA!" MARQUEES, flashing brilliantly in the night. NARRATOR Todd-AO's intense feeling of realism and its possibilities for intimacy and emotional participation convinced Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein that this was the medium in which to present on the screen their American classic, "Oklahoma!". They were sure that a story could be told by this camera, and told better than any other camera in the world. Thus the miracle of Todd-AO brings you the magic of Rodgers and Hammerstein. FADE OUT: No end-title. |
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