The Todd-AO system was developed in answer to Cinerama, attempting to create a very high quality image and sound system without using three seperate films or the need for three synchronized projectors. The increased resolution was achieved by filming on 65mm stock and converting to 70mm for the release print. The extra 5mm held the six channel soundtrack. The new lenses developed for the specially made Todd-AO camera by the American Optical Company provided a basic wide angle (128 degree) normal lense, as well as 64, 48 and 37 degree lenses. The projector was considered "universal" in that it projected any of eight motion picture formats in use in their day. The screen is deeply curved, creating an illusion of depth.

Today's film industry has moved completely away from 70mm, using anamorphic lenses to compress the wider image onto 35mm film. The screens are flat, and although wide screen images have become common, none of them have the depth, the clarity, and the realism of the earlier wide-screen systems.

The above graphic has been scanned from the Official Program printed for the original release of "Oklahoma".