War of the Noses (1960)

On this day in Hollywood Gone Wild, Elizabeth Taylor helps stink up Chicago by showing up on Jan. 6 for the debut of “Smell-o-Vision” in the movie “Scent of Mystery.” The brainchild of her late husband, Mike Todd, the process promised to give movie audiences something they can’t get from the boob tube but always wanted. Because who doesn’t watch the boxing match in “Rocky” or the farting-around-the-campfire scene in “Blazing Saddles” and think, “Boy, I wish I had that in my nose!”

“Smell-o-Vision” made the miracle that possible with a machine that would release scents such as fresh-baked bread, perfume and oranges through tubes run into the seats.

In “Scent of Mystery,” Denholm Elliot discovers that an heiress (Taylor, in an uncredited cameo) was going to be murdered while vacationing in Spain. With the help of a graying, plump Peter Lorre, Elliot races across Spain to thwart the plot, allowing ample opportunities to put “Smell-o-Vision” to use, pumping out the scent of wine, brandy, perfume and fresh-baked bread.

“Scent” was a family affair. After Todd died in a plane crash in 1958, his son, Mike Todd Jr., carried on with the project, forming a company with Taylor to produce it. The movie soundtrack contained two songs by her then-husband, Eddie Fisher.

Alas, the movie’s promotional line ? “First they moved (1895)! Then they talked (1927)! Now they smell!” ? proved prophetic. “Scent” opened in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago to critical reviews. While reviewers complained about the slow-as-molasses plot, theater-goers objected the hissing noise from the hoses. Those in the balcony were bugged that they received their olfactory clues several seconds after the triggering image appeared on-screen.

While “Smell-o-Vision” failed, the idea lingered on like, well, a bad smell. In 1981, John Waters produced “Polyester,” whose “Odorama” scratch-and-sniff cards entertained audiences with the scent of pizza, glue, grass and feces.

BONUS: Chicago photographer Art Shay shows some snaps from Liz Taylor appearance at the “Scent of Mystery” premier and tells about the time he slept with her.

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