This was CINERAMA

Before CinemaScope and IMAX, there was Cinerama, the legendary and now sadly defunct wide-screen motion picture format. On September 30, 1952, the first Cinerama movie, This is Cinerama premiered at the Broadway Theater in New York City. It was an instant sensation and played continuously at the same theater for 122 weeks . 

In celebration of Cinerama's 60th birthday, here are two articles which will put this great achievement in motion picture history and technology into perspective.

The Wayward Charms of Cinerama by David Bordwell

This is Cinerama by Bruce Handy via Vanity Fair

There is also a wonderful feature-length documentary called Cinerama Adventure, which was produced and directed by David Strohmaier in 2002 and was recently show on Turner Classic Movies. The documentary, which is now available on DVD, details the history of Cinerama and how it forever changed the way we watch movies. This film is a must-see. You can find out more about Strohmaier's film and his efforts to preserve Cinerama for future generations to enjoy at cineramaadventure.com.