How Technicolor changed movies

Summary

This video dives into the real history of Technicolor, dispelling myths surrounding its iconic use in *The Wizard of Oz*. It clarifies that *Oz* was far from the first Technicolor film and explains how the complex three-strip process worked, shaping the look of movies in the 20th century. From set designs painted sepia to the blazing lights required by heavy cameras, Technicolor's technical challenges were immense. The video's creator also discusses key figures like Natalie Kalmus, whose artistic influence was significant. Overall, it highlights how Technicolor revolutionized filmmaking and left a lasting impact.

Takeaways

• 🎥 The Wizard of Oz was not the first Technicolor movie; Technicolor had a long history before it.
• 🖌️ Technicolor's founders, Herbert Kalmus, Daniel Frost Comstock, and W. Burton Wescott, introduced it in 1914, starting with a red-green process.
• 🌈 The Technicolor process expanded to include blue in 1932, with Disney's *Flowers and Trees* showcasing the new three-color system.
• 📽️ Filming in Technicolor was a highly complex process involving splitting light into red, blue, and green negatives, then using complementary dyes to create the final image.
• 🔦 The sepia-toned Kansas scene in *The Wizard of Oz* wasn’t filmed in black and white; it was painted sepia to transition smoothly to Technicolor Oz.
• 📷 Technicolor cameras were large and required intense lighting, making sets extremely hot and creating challenges for sound recording.
• 👗 Dorothy's iconic blue dress scene involved a body double in sepia makeup, with Judy Garland stepping in mid-shot for the Technicolor reveal.
• 👠 The ruby slippers were originally silver in the *Wizard of Oz* script but changed to ruby to fully showcase Technicolor’s capabilities.
• 🎨 Natalie Kalmus, Technicolor co-founder’s wife, played a key role in advising directors on color usage, influencing the look of over 300 films.
• 📊 Technicolor’s complex process gave it a competitive edge until cheaper alternatives like Eastman Color took over in the 1950s, though its vibrant legacy remains in older films.

Q & A

What are the common misconceptions about the Technicolor process in *The Wizard of Oz*?

One misconception is that *The Wizard of Oz* was the first movie to use Technicolor, which is not true. Technicolor had been around for decades, with earlier movies like *Flowers and Trees* (1932) and *La Cucaracha* (1934) using the process. Another misconception is that the Kansas scene transitions from black and white to color, but the set was actually painted in sepia tones.

Who were the key figures behind the invention of Technicolor?

The key figures behind Technicolor were Herbert Kalmus, Daniel Frost Comstock, and W. Burton Wescott. They founded the company in 1914, with Kalmus and Comstock having met at MIT.

What was the original Technicolor process, and how did it evolve?

The original Technicolor process merged red and green to create an image, which worked relatively well but lacked blue. In 1932, Technicolor introduced a third strip for blue, enabling the creation of a full-color image. This was showcased in Disney's *Flowers and Trees*.

What role did the Technicolor camera play in making *The Wizard of Oz*?

The Technicolor camera used for *The Wizard of Oz* was a large, heavy machine that ran three strips of film through a prism to capture the red, green, and blue channels. It required intense lighting, often causing the set to reach temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why was the Kansas farmhouse set painted in sepia tones?

The Kansas farmhouse set was painted in sepia tones so the same Technicolor process could be used for both the sepia-toned Kansas scenes and the bright, colorful Oz scenes. This was due to Technicolor's limitations at the time.

How did Technicolor shape the look and feel of films during the 20th century?

Technicolor shaped the look of films by influencing not just the technical color process but also artistic decisions. Directors adjusted the cyan, magenta, and yellow dyes to achieve specific looks, and the intense lighting and complex dye transfer process created deep, saturated colors.

What was the significance of the ruby slippers in *The Wizard of Oz*?

The ruby slippers were originally silver in the script, but they were changed to red to showcase Technicolor's vibrant hues, especially against the yellow brick road. This decision was made mid-production to better exploit Technicolor’s capabilities.

Who was Natalie Kalmus, and what was her influence on Technicolor films?

Natalie Kalmus, the ex-wife of Technicolor co-founder Herbert Kalmus, had over 300 film credits where she advised on Technicolor productions. Her influence extended to aesthetic choices in films, and she was known for her strict control over how color was used on set.

Why did studios continue using Technicolor despite the availability of alternatives?

Studios continued using Technicolor because it was a reliable system that produced vibrant, durable colors. It also didn’t require special equipment for theaters to show Technicolor films. Technicolor maintained a competitive advantage until cheaper alternatives like Eastman Color emerged in the 1950s.

How does the legacy of Technicolor continue to impact films today?

Technicolor's legacy persists through its influence on film aesthetics, particularly in the vibrant look of classic films. Although the original Technicolor process is no longer in use, its dye transfer prints remain vibrant. Modern filmmakers and colorists still draw inspiration from the color palettes and techniques developed during the Technicolor era.