The Evolution of Technicolor: From the First Process to Feature Films

Technicolor is a name synonymous with vibrant and vivid color films, but its journey began much before the era of feature-length movies. The origins of Technicolor date back to the early 20th century, evolving through multiple processes before reaching its zenith in feature films. This article delves into the early history of Technicolor, its various processes, and how it revolutionized the film industry with its use in feature films.

Early Beginnings and the First Film

The concept of Technicolor began to take shape in 1916, although the specific title of the first film to use the process remains elusive. The Technicolor Corporation developed multiple processes, including Process 1, Process 2, Process 3, and Process 4, which were used for cameras, film stock, processing, and projection. This complexity makes it challenging to pinpoint the exact first film. However, it's known that Process 4, which was more advanced, made its debut in the 1930s.

Flowers and Trees (1932), a Disney cartoon, is often cited as the first film shot with Process 4 and a Process 4 camera. This milestone marked the beginning of Technicolor's impact on the film industry, setting the stage for its further development and usage.

The Ultimate Three-Strip Process

The Technicolor Corporation steadily refined its methods, ultimately developing the “three-strip dye transfer” version of Technicolor, which became the ultimate process. This method, also introduced around 1932, revolutionized color film production. The process was first utilized in the short cartoon Flowers and Trees, created by Walt Disney, which received its release in 1933.

Exclusive Contract and Nature Photography

Walt Disney was so impressed with the color quality achieved with the new three-strip Technicolor process that he negotiated an exclusive contract with Technicolor. This allowed Disney to be the only cartoon producer permitted to use the process for a period of three years. Later, Disney's nature photographers used a special low-contrast, 16mm Kodachrome film, which was ideal for printing, to produce films that were then printed on 35mm Technicolor stock.

The First Feature-Length Film in Three-Strip Technicolor

The transition from short cartoons to feature-length films with three-strip Technicolor came in 1935 when Becky Sharp was released. This film was notable for being the first feature-length movie to be entirely shot in three-strip Technicolor, although it was filmed entirely indoors in a studio setting. The first feature-length movie to be filmed largely outdoors in three-strip Technicolor was The Trail of the Lonesome Pine in 1936. These films marked a significant milestone in the history of Technicolor's usage.

Late Usage and Reintroduction

By around 1955, three-strip Technicolor was largely replaced by Eastman Color, a more readily available option. However, higher-quality film stock, such as 65mm film with frames three times the area of standard 35mm film, was reintroduced for select films. For example, the musical Oklahoma! (1955) and the adventure film Around the World in 80 Days (1956) were shot on 70mm Todd-AO, with the 65mm Eastman color negative lovingly printed by Technicolor.

Credits and Recognition

When films were shot on 65mm or 70mm stock, Technicolor often received special credit in the title sequence. A notable example is Oklahoma! and Around the World in 80 Days, both of which prominently featured Technicolor in their credits.