This is particularly noticeable in old movies shot with an Academy Aperture. Many producers use titles against nondescript back-grounds and choose type that looks well condensed or squeezed. Another method is to optically print in a decorative border on the top and bottom of the frame to fill the entire scanned area. The modern cinematographer shooting either a theatrical film or a film for television simply composes for the particular medium. But there is no way of knowing where or how a picture will be used later.
Most theatrical films wind up on television.
Many television pictures are released to theaters. The optical cinematographer and the telecine operator should be given the greatest image area available to work with. To reduce the aspect ratio dilemma, an aspect ratio that is closer to the framing of any composed film would be desirable. If the producer wants to preserve the aspect ratio, then only a small portion is letterboxed on the left and right sides of the picture. Again, if the producer wants to preserve the aspect ratio, then only a small portion would be letterboxed on the top and bottom and the aspect ratio is preserved.