Smell-O-Vision, a quirky invention designed to add the sense of smell to the film-watching experience, is one of cinema history’s more peculiar chapters. The idea of combining smell with moving images had been tossed around as early as the 1920s, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that Smell-O-Vision made its grand debut. The technology was developed by Swiss inventor Hans Laube, and it aimed to synchronize scents with specific moments in a movie, allowing audiences to "smell" what they saw on screen. The concept was intriguing, but its execution left much to be desired.
The one and only major film to use Smell-O-Vision was "Scent of Mystery" in 1960, produced by Mike Todd Jr., son of the legendary showman Mike Todd. This film was meant to dazzle audiences with its innovative use of smell, introducing scents through a system that piped different aromas into the theater at key points during the movie. Audiences could supposedly smell things like pipe smoke, perfume, or even wine. Unfortunately, technical difficulties arose. The smells often arrived late or not at all, creating confusion rather than enhancing the cinematic experience.
The failure of Smell-O-Vision was partly due to the poor synchronization of smells with the visuals, but also because the scents lingered too long, creating an unpleasant mix of odors. Critics of "Scent of Mystery" were not kind, calling it a gimmick that detracted from the storytelling rather than enhancing it. Despite the film’s commercial failure and the ridicule Smell-O-Vision endured, it has remained a curious footnote in cinema history.
The concept wasn’t entirely abandoned, however. Over the years, variations of smell-based movie experiences have popped up. In 1981, John Waters used a simpler version called "Odorama" for his film Polyester, where audiences scratched and sniffed cards at designated moments. More recently, theme parks and special attractions have incorporated scents to enhance immersive experiences, proving that the idea of using smell to complement visual media still has appeal.
In today’s world of advanced virtual reality (VR) and 4D cinemas, the concept of engaging multiple senses during a movie or event is more sophisticated than ever. While Smell-O-Vision’s execution in the 1960s was ultimately a flop, its ambition and novelty paved the way for the multisensory experiences that are now part of modern entertainment. As film and technology continue to evolve, it’s clear that cinema pioneers like Hans Laube were ahead of their time, even if Smell-O-Vision wasn’t the success they had hoped for.
➱ Fun facts: The film was later re-released in Cinerama under the title "Holiday in Spain" without Smell-O-Vision. In 2012, the film was restored, reconstructed and re-released by David Strohmaier. In 2015, a version complete with reconstructed scents was presented at screenings in Los Angeles, Denmark and England.
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Smell o vision lmfao
hilarious blast from the past. great article guys