Milton Gunzburg
Encyclopedia
Milton Lowell Gunzburg was an American
journalist and screenwriter. Gunzburg developed the Natural Vision stereoscopic
3-D
system.
and Columbia University
, Gunzburg became a Hollywood scriptwriter at Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) Studio in the 1940s before abandoning the business to focus on the development of 3D filming in the 1950s. While watching footage of home movies which he had filmed in 3D, he was inspired to pursue the development of a new 3D technique for the film industry. Along with his brother Julian, a Beverly Hills ophthalmologist, and cinematographer Friend Baker, he developed the Natural Vision 3D film system in 1951, attracting the attentions of Arch Oboler
who used it in his film Bwana Devil
. Although the film was a critical disaster, it was an enormous commercial success. Natural Vision was then used to film House of Wax
with Vincent Price and The Charge at Feather River
. In 1972 Gunzburg sued Warner Bros.
regarding both films claiming that he had not been paid according to his contract. The success of Natural Vision led to a lucrative contract with Polaroid
wherein Gunzburg maintained exclusive rights for a year to sell the special glasses required to view the 3D films.
They had two daughters, Kathie and Lisa.
In retirement, Gunzburg wrote many editorials for the Los Angeles Times, many of them dealing with ways to make Los Angeles freeways easier and safer to navigate.
Gunzburg died of cancer in Beverly Hills, California
in 1991.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
journalist and screenwriter. Gunzburg developed the Natural Vision stereoscopic
Stereoscopy
Stereoscopy refers to a technique for creating or enhancing the illusion of depth in an image by presenting two offset images separately to the left and right eye of the viewer. Both of these 2-D offset images are then combined in the brain to give the perception of 3-D depth...
3-D
3-D film
A 3-D film or S3D film is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception...
system.
Career
After pursuing his education at UCLAUniversity of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
and Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, Gunzburg became a Hollywood scriptwriter at Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM) Studio in the 1940s before abandoning the business to focus on the development of 3D filming in the 1950s. While watching footage of home movies which he had filmed in 3D, he was inspired to pursue the development of a new 3D technique for the film industry. Along with his brother Julian, a Beverly Hills ophthalmologist, and cinematographer Friend Baker, he developed the Natural Vision 3D film system in 1951, attracting the attentions of Arch Oboler
Arch Oboler
Arch Oboler was an American actor, playwright, screenwriter, novelist, producer, and director who was active in radio, films, theater, and television. He generated much attention with his radio scripts, particularly the horror series Lights Out, and his work in radio remains the outstanding period...
who used it in his film Bwana Devil
Bwana Devil
Bwana Devil is a 1952 drama based on the true story of the Tsavo maneaters. It was written, directed, and produced by Arch Oboler, and is considered the first color, American 3-D feature. It started the 3-D boom in the U.S. film making industry from 1952 to 1954...
. Although the film was a critical disaster, it was an enormous commercial success. Natural Vision was then used to film House of Wax
House of Wax (1953 film)
House of Wax is a 1953 American horror film starring Vincent Price. It is a remake of Warners' Mystery of the Wax Museum without the comic relief featured in the earlier film, and was directed by André de Toth...
with Vincent Price and The Charge at Feather River
The Charge at Feather River
The Charge at Feather River is a 1953 Western film directed by Gordon Douglas, was originally released in 3D with lots of arrows, lances, and other weapons flying directly at the audience in several scenes....
. In 1972 Gunzburg sued Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
regarding both films claiming that he had not been paid according to his contract. The success of Natural Vision led to a lucrative contract with Polaroid
Polaroid Corporation
Polaroid Corporation is an American-based international consumer electronics and eyewear company, originally founded in 1937 by Edwin H. Land. It is most famous for its instant film cameras, which reached the market in 1948, and continued to be the company's flagship product line until the February...
wherein Gunzburg maintained exclusive rights for a year to sell the special glasses required to view the 3D films.
Personal life
Gunzburg married Vera Berch, daughter of Arden Farms founders Samuel and Rose Berch, in 1940.They had two daughters, Kathie and Lisa.
In retirement, Gunzburg wrote many editorials for the Los Angeles Times, many of them dealing with ways to make Los Angeles freeways easier and safer to navigate.
Gunzburg died of cancer in Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills, California
Beverly Hills is an affluent city located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. With a population of 34,109 at the 2010 census, up from 33,784 as of the 2000 census, it is home to numerous Hollywood celebrities. Beverly Hills and the neighboring city of West Hollywood are together...
in 1991.