Page 19 - RD_March_2013.pdf

Frequently referred to as "IB Technicolor", or
"IB Tech" by collectors the "IB" refers to the
process of " imbibition " or dye transfer printing.

Technicolor prints were not printed
photographically, but used a printing process
involving dyes, similar to that used for color
magazine reproductions.

Left: Two color Technicolor red-orange image.
Green-blue image has faded completely.
Colleen Moore - IRENE (1926)

Three color Technicolor was filmed by a special camera running three separate black and white
negatives, each recording one of the primary colors as seen through color filters. In printing the
release print, the three negatives were used to make a relief matrix, which was used to 'print’
the appropriate color onto the final print.
An "IB Tech." print can usually be distinguished by its bright sharp colors and a sound track of
either silver/gray or blue.
Technicolor prints were produced in
35mm, 16mm and 8mm formats. 70mm
was never printed in Technicolor.
The process was discontinued in the
1970's (It has been suggested that STAR
WARS (1976) was the only Dolby Stereo
film to have been released in IB
Technicolor).
Good condition prints are much sought
after by collectors. From a collectors'
perspective, it is important to realise that
it's the print that is important. The
presence of the wording 'Color by
Technicolor' in the titles, should not be
taken as indicative of the print necessarily
being 'genuine' Technicolor.
Many of the films originally released in
Technicolor have been re-issued or
reprinted onto less stable color stock,
even some onto black and white film for
early B&W TV release.
The converse can also apply: a print might
say "color by DeLuxe" (see later), but the
actual print may have been made by
Above: Technicolor at its best - Betty Hutton - Technicolor.
Annie Get Your Gun (MGM 1950)