IMDB show's this film's Original Aspect Ratio to be 1:66 :1 (Single-strip 3-D version) and 1:85 : 1 (Dual-strip 3-D version) yet, despite spending the money for extra features on the DVD (documentary and audio-commentary), Universal's DVD presentation of the film is in 1:33 : 1 - anyone have any idea why?
"I don't use a pen: I write with a goose quill dipped in venom!"---W. Lydecker
In those days, many, if not most post 1953 films (after Cinemascope) were filmed "Open-matted" with 35mm film, meaning the theatrical presentation could be masked (via aperture framing) to approximate from 1:37 to 1 ratio to more cinematic 1:66 or 1:85 to 1 ratio. If you mask "Creature" and the sequels on a 16 X 9 monitor, the presentation is way better and cinematically appropriate (check out the Main Titles and the headroom in scenes.) Other titles were "hard-matted" meaning they MUST be in 1:66 or wider ratios because the extra screen info filmed was not mean to be seen (mics appearing, or other intrusive props).
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