You’ve probably heard about “glorious Technicolor” before. But Technicolor wasn’t just a groundbreaking technology — it was a powerful corporate influence in Hollywood and created an aesthetic that shaped the look of the 20th century.
Phil Edwards was a senior producer for the Vox video team.
Technicolor still exists today, but at its zenith, it was an inescapable part of the visual landscape. From Gone With The Wind to The Wizard of Oz, it shaped how our movies look. But, as the above video shows, that influence stretched far beyond technological trends.
If you want to learn more about Technicolor, visit The George Eastman Museum or Barbara Flueckiger’s fascinating website, which catalogs the many competing color technologies that emerged in the 1900s. Technicolor made the greatest impact, thanks to its revolutionary technology, staunch advocates like Technicolor supervisor Natalie Kalmus, and a look that was inimitable for decades.
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