1953 was a pivotal year for 20th Century Fox. Under the leadership of Spyros Skouras, the studio underwent a series of changes that would shape its future for decades to come.
CinemaScope and the Rise of Widescreen
One of the most significant developments of 1953 was the introduction of CinemaScope, a new widescreen format that would revolutionize the movie-going experience. Developed by Henri Chrétien and licensed to 20th Century Fox, CinemaScope created a wider and more immersive viewing experience than had been possible before.
The first film to be released in CinemaScope was “The Robe,” directed by Henry Koster and starring Richard Burton, Victor Mature, and Jean Simmons. The film was a critical and commercial success, and helped to establish CinemaScope as the dominant widescreen format of the 1950s.
Color and the Golden Age of the Musical
Another major trend in 1953 was the increasing use of color in films. Color had been used sparingly in films up to that point, but 20th Century Fox took a bold step in releasing several major films in color in 1953, including “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” and “How to Marry a Millionaire.”
These films were huge box office successes and helped to usher in the Golden Age of the Hollywood musical. Color musicals became a staple of 20th Century Fox’s output during the 1950s and 1960s, with films such as “Oklahoma!” (1955), “The King and I” (1956), and “Cleopatra” (1963) becoming some of the studio’s most iconic productions.
Television and the Decline of the Studio System
1953 also saw the rise of television as a major competitor to the film industry. The number of people who owned television sets skyrocketed in the early 1950s, and this led to a decline in movie attendance.
In response to this challenge, 20th Century Fox began to invest in television production. The studio launched its first television series, “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” in 1955, and it went on to become one of the most popular shows of the decade.
Financial Difficulties and the Sale of the Studio
Despite its successes in CinemaScope, color, and television, 20th Century Fox faced financial difficulties in the late 1950s. The studio had invested heavily in these new technologies, and it was struggling to recoup its investments.
In 1956, 20th Century Fox was sold to a group of investors led by Darryl F. Zanuck. Zanuck had been the head of production at 20th Century Fox from 1933 to 1956, and he returned to the studio with plans to revive its fortunes.
Legacy of 20th Century Fox 1953
1953 was a year of transition and innovation for 20th Century Fox. The studio’s adoption of CinemaScope and color, its investment in television, and its eventual sale to new owners would have a lasting impact on the history of the film industry.
- Introduction of CinemaScope – A new widescreen format that created a wider and more immersive viewing experience.
- Increased use of color in films – Color films became a staple of 20th Century Fox’s output during the 1950s and 1960s.
- Investment in television production – 20th Century Fox launched its first television series, “The Adventures of Robin Hood,” in 1955.
- Sale of the studio to Darryl F. Zanuck – Zanuck returned to the studio in 1956 with plans to revive its fortunes.
- CinemaScope became the dominant widescreen format of the 1950s.
- Color films became more popular and helped to usher in the Golden Age of the Hollywood musical.
- Television became a major competitor to the film industry.
- 20th Century Fox’s financial difficulties led to its sale to new owners.
| Film | Director | Stars |
|---|---|---|
| The Robe | Henry Koster | Richard Burton, Victor Mature, Jean Simmons |
| Gentlemen Prefer Blondes | Howard Hawks | Jane Russell, Marilyn Monroe |
| How to Marry a Millionaire | Jean Negulesco | Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, Lauren Bacall |
| The President’s Lady | Henry Levin | Susan Hayward, John Lund |
| Titanic | Jean Negulesco | Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Wagner |
| Show | Genre | Stars |
|---|---|---|
| The Adventures of Robin Hood | Adventure | Richard Greene |
| My Friend Flicka | Family | Gene Evans |
| The Millionaire | Drama | Marvin Miller |
| The 20th Century Fox Hour | Anthology | Various |
| The Ed Sullivan Show | Variety | Ed Sullivan |
| Fiscal Year | Revenue | Net Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1953 | $118.4 million | $10.2 million |
| Market Segment | Share |
|---|---|
| Box office revenue | 15% |
| Television ratings | 10% |
- Use CinemaScope to create a wider and more immersive viewing experience.
- Use color to enhance the mood and atmosphere of your films.
- Experiment with different lighting techniques to create dramatic effects.
- Pay attention to the composition of your shots to create visually appealing images.
- Work closely with your director to achieve the desired look and feel for your film.
- Write a script. This is the foundation of your film, and it will determine everything else that comes after it.
- Develop a storyboard. This will help you to visualize your film and plan out the shots you need.
- Secure funding. This is essential for any film production, no matter how small.
- Cast your actors. This is a crucial step, as the right actors can make or break your film.
- Shoot your film. This is the most time-consuming and challenging part of the process, but it’s also the most rewarding.
- Edit your film. This is where you put all of the pieces together and create the final version of your film.
- Market your film. This is essential for getting your film seen by audiences.
- Filmmaking is a powerful way to tell stories and communicate ideas.
- Filmmaking can be a lucrative career.
- Filmmaking can be a lot of fun!