“2001: A Space Odyssey” played on Jan. 30 of this year a 40th anniversary one-night-only engagement that I forgot to include on the list. Also regarding “2001,” the 1977 re-issue engagement’s premiere date should read July 20 (not the 17th).
I thought I should add that while researching the Cinerama presentations in Washington, DC, I could find no booking details for Cinerama presentations of the following films, suggesting they were never commercially screened in the DC market:
HOLIDAY IN SPAIN (1960/61, 3-strip Cinerama)
THE BEST OF CINERAMA (1962, 3-strip Cinerama)
RUSSIAN ADVENTURE (1966, 70mm)
Some other details I left off the original post:
“Krakatoa, East Of Java” played its reserved-seat run at the L'ENFANT. I left the film off the list due to the L'ENFANT not being recognized as an official Cinerama venue and because the film was promoted as “Super 70mm” rather than “in Cinerama.”
Washington, DC was the sixth market to have a theater equipped for Cinerama presentations. (New York, Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia were the first five.)
The UPTOWN played a two-week re-issue run of “Windjammer” in autumn 1971. Its presentation format was not promoted.
“2001: A Space Odyssey” has had at least six return runs at the UPTOWN. Typically, these were shown in and promoted as 70mm. I left them off the list due to the lack of any “In Cinerama” blurbs in their advertising.
The CANTON CORNERS TWIN in Marietta was actually the first Atlanta area theater to have a Dolby Stereo presentation of “Star Wars.” Their engagement began November 24, 1977, four weeks before the BUFORD HIGHWAY TWIN began their run.
San Francisco was the eighth market to equip a theater for Cinerama presentations. (Cinerama installations made ahead of San Francisco were New York, Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Pittsburgh.)
A Cinerama film that never commercially screened in San Francisco was the 3-strip travelogue compilation film “The Best Of Cinerama” (1962). “Custer Of The West” (1968) played only as a 35mm general release. Additionally, no booking details could be found for the 1973 re-issue of “This Is Cinerama.”
“Krakatoa, East Of Java” (1969) played an engagement promoted as “Super 70mm” in the Golden Gate Penthouse. (Only presentations in the main, downstairs auditorium of the Golden Gate were promoted “in Cinerama,” and “2001: A Space Odyssey” was playing there during the 11-week “Krakatoa” booking.)
Following its 73-week run in the Golden Gate’s main auditorium, “2001: A Space Odyssey” played an additional 15 weeks in the Golden Gate Penthouse.
San Francisco was among the handful of markets that did play “Holiday In Spain.” The film was a re-edited, converted-to-3-strip, re-issue version of “Scent Of Mystery,” which received limited U.S. playdates in 70mm & Smell-O-Vision in 1960, San Francisco not among them.
Here are some additional details I left off the original posting.
Chicago was the 4th city in the world to equip a theater for Cinerama exhibition (New York, Detroit and Los Angeles were the first three).
“Russian Adventure” (1966), which had its world premiere engagement in Chicago, was a compilation of footage from Soviet-produced Kinopanorama films.
“Custer Of The West” (1967/68), which played as a 70mm-Cinerama roadshow in selected U.S. cities, played in Chicago only as a 35mm general release.
“Scent Of Mystery,” which was converted to 3-strip format and re-titled “Holiday In Spain” (1961) for selected bookings, played its world premiere engagement in Chicago in 1960 under its original title and in its original 70mm format.
Here are some bits of trivia regarding the history of Cinerama presentations in New York that I left out of the original posting.
The 123-week engagement of “This Is Cinerama” is the longest-running engagement in the history of New York City.
The Soviet films (“Great Is My Country” and “The Enchanted Mirror”) were shown by special permission of the Ministry of Culture of the USSR in conjunction with the Soviet Exhibition of Science, Technology and Culture which took place at the New York Colisuem. The Soviet films were shown on a continuous performance basis, unlike the other Cinerama films which ran on a reserved-seat basis. Initially, “Great Is My Country” was promoted as being shown in “Cinepanorama,” but that trade name was quickly abandoned and replaced with “Kinopanorama.”
The American premiere of “How The West Was Won” had originally been planned to be held in New York, but a newspaper strike led its distributor, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, to delay the New York opening and instead premiere the film in Los Angeles. (Newspaper advertising at the time was considered integral to the promotion of a roadshow film and the selling in advance of reserved-seat tickets.)
“Custer Of The West” (1967/68), which played as a 70mm-Cinerama roadshow in selected U.S. cities, played in New York City only as a 35mm general release.
“Scent Of Mystery” (1960) which was converted to 3-strip format and re-titled “Holiday In Spain” (1961) for selected bookings, played in New York City under its original title and in its original 70mm format.
“The Hallelujah Trail” opened in Los Angeles on June 23, 1965 without a formal premiere event. However, 12 days prior, United Artists hosted a press preview event which some press reports described as the film’s world premiere. When the film opened in New York on June 30, a week after opening in L.A., another gala event was held which was promoted as the World Premiere. (Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but that’s how it happened!)
“2001: A Space Odyssey” was the final film to play the storied Loew’s Capitol (AKA Loew’s Cinerama) before its demolition.
I thought I should add that while researching the Cinerama presentations in Houston, I could find no booking details for the following Cinerama films, suggesting they were never commercially screened in Houston:
SEARCH FOR PARADISE (1957, 3-strip Cinerama)
HOLIDAY IN SPAIN (1960/61, 3-strip Cinerama)
THE BEST OF CINERAMA (1962, 3-strip Cinerama)
MEDITERRANEAN HOLIDAY (1962/64, 70mm)
RUSSIAN ADVENTURE (1966, 70mm)
Also worth mentioning is that Houston was among the handful of markets that did show CUSTER OF THE WEST (1968; see list) as a reserved-seat Cinerama (70mm) presentation. Most Cinerama markets (including all of the major markets previously featured in this series) showed CUSTER only as a 35mm general release.
The suggestions for posting the Cinerama details for other markets is encouraging. I can state that, yes, there will be more to come, but in the spirit of creating anticipation, I would prefer not to reveal in advance which markets will be featured.
Recently saw ZODIAC which featured a few scenes at what I believe was the Northpoint theatre (interior and exterior). Is this the same? Did the film makers shoot on site, or did they use a theatre-double? -- posted by jbryan on Mar 4, 2007
The outside of the Northpoint in Zodiac is close to what it looks like today and not back in 1971 when Dirty Harry came out. -- posted by ppr on Mar 8, 2007 at 3:43pm
Seeing the Northpoint Theatre, San Francisco, prominently featured in ZODIAC recently brought back lots of happy memories for me. -- posted by WayneBeau on Mar 10, 2007 at 3:52pm
One problem: “Dirty Harry” did not play at NORTHPOINT!
I believe the “Zodiac” filmmakers confused NORTHPOINT with the LOEW’S on Market Street. (“Dirty Harry” world premiered at LOEW’S on 12/21/1971, and then opened citywide the following day there as well as at CINEMA 21 and MISSION DRIVE-IN.)
What follows is a filmography of the bookings for San Francisco’s Northpoint Theatre from its grand opening in 1967 through its 1997 closure. Not included are test screenings, sneak-preview screenings, midnight screenings, premieres and other private events. The dates represent the first day of commercial release. The duration of the engagements has been provided, and, where known, the presentation format has also been provided. (No format notation implies a standard 35mm/monaural sound presentation.)
Northpoint Theatre
2290 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
RE = Re-Issue/Return Engagement
MO = Move-over (i.e. continuation of an engagement from another theatre)
06.28.1967 … THE DIRTY DOZEN (9 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
08.31.1967 … POINT BLANK (6 weeks)
10.11.1967 … REFLECTIONS IN A GOLDEN EYE (9 weeks)
12.15.1967 … THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE (MO, 3 weeks)
01.03.1968 … THE BIGGEST BUNDLE OF THEM ALL (2 weeks)
01.17.1968 … WAIT UNTIL DARK (MO, 7 weeks)
03.06.1968 … THE POWER / THE VISIT (2 weeks)
03.20.1968 … A MATTER OF INNOCENCE (2 weeks)
04.03.1968 … SWEET NOVEMBER (3 weeks)
04.24.1968 … DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE TRAVELING SALESLADY? (1 week)
05.01.1968 … UP THE JUNCTION (2 weeks)
05.15.1968 … TREASURE OF SAN GENNARO (2 weeks)
05.29.1968 … A DANDY IN ASPIC (4 weeks)
06.27.1968 … PETULIA (8 weeks)
08.21.1968 … WITH SIX YOU GET EGGROLL (3 weeks)
09.11.1968 … RACHEL, RACHEL (10 weeks)
11.20.1968 … GONE WITH THE WIND (RE/MO, 5 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
12.25.1968 … THE STALKING MOON (4 weeks)
01.22.1969 … BUONA SERA, MRS. CAMPBELL (2 weeks)
02.07.1969 … JOANNA (4 weeks)
03.05.1969 … HELL IN THE PACIFIC (5 weeks)
04.09.1969 … HANNIBAL BROOKS (2 weeks)
04.23.1969 … BLOW-UP / THE LOVED ONE (RE, 2 weeks)
05.07.1969 … WHERE IT’S AT (2 weeks)
05.21.1969 … A FINE PAIR (2 weeks)
06.04.1969 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
06.11.1969 … THE MAD ROOM (1 week)
06.18.1969 … THE GREAT ESCAPE / THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (RE, 1 week)
06.25.1969 … THE GREAT BANK ROBBERY (3 weeks)
07.16.1969 … MIDNIGHT COWBOY (22 weeks)
12.17.1969 … JOHN AND MARY (9 weeks)
02.18.1970 … GAILY, GAILY (2 weeks)
03.04.1970 … THE APRIL FOOLS / ME, NATALIE (1 week)
03.11.1970 … A NICE GIRL LIKE ME / PRETTY POISON (1 week)
03.19.1970 … THE BOYS IN THE BAND (9 weeks)
05.20.1970 … SUPPOSE THEY GAVE A WAR AND NOBODY CAME (5 weeks)
06.24.1970 … THE HAWAIIANS (3 weeks)
07.15.1970 … PATTON (MO, 6 weeks)
08.26.1970 … HELLO-GOODBYE (1 week)
09.02.1970 … MOVE (6 weeks)
10.16.1970 … DIARY OF A MAD HOUSEWIFE (10 weeks)
12.25.1970 … I LOVE MY…WIFE (2 weeks)
01.06.1971 … I LOVE MY…WIFE / ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS (5 weeks)
02.10.1971 … LITTLE BIG MAN (15 weeks)
05.28.1971 … RED SKY AT MORNING (3 weeks)
06.18.1971 … WOODSTOCK (RE, 2 weeks, Stereo)
06.30.1971 … KLUTE (6 weeks)
08.13.1971 … THE PANIC IN NEEDLE PARK (4 weeks)
09.10.1971 … BANANAS / YELLOW SUBMARINE (RE, 1 week)
09.17.1971 … PATTON / MAS*H (RE, 1 week)
09.24.1971 … THE GREAT WHITE HOPE / JOHN AND MARY (RE, 1 week)
09.29.1971 … THE TOUCH (1 week)
10.06.1971 … THE TOUCH / THE STATUE (3 weeks)
10.27.1971 … T.R.BASKIN (1 week)
11.03.1971 … T.R.BASKIN / A NEW LEAF (3 weeks)
11.24.1971 … DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
12.01.1971 … GONE WITH THE WIND (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
12.08.1971 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
12.15.1971 … RYAN’S DAUGHTER (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
12.22.1971 … STRAW DOGS (8 weeks)
02.16.1972 … CABARET (19 weeks)
06.28.1972 … PORTNOY’S COMPLAINT (6 weeks)
08.09.1972 … THE NEW CENTURIONS (10 weeks)
10.20.1972 … BAD COMPANY (1 week)
10.27.1972 … BAD COMPANY / FRIENDS (1 week)
11.03.1972 … YOU’LL LIKE MY MOTHER (2 weeks)
11.17.1972 … LIMBO (1 week)
11.22.1972 … CABARET / THE BOY FRIEND (RE, 1 week)
11.29.1972 … CABARET / THE STERILE CUCKOO (RE, 1 week)
12.06.1972 … THE MEPHISTO WALTZ (1 week)
12.13.1972 … THE MEPHISTO WALTZ / THE OTHER (1 week)
12.21.1972 … 1776 (4 weeks)
01.17.1973 … LADY SINGS THE BLUES / PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM (RE, 1 week)
01.26.1973 … THEIR GENTLE SEX (2 weeks)
02.07.1973 … DELIVERANCE (MO, 4 weeks)
03.09.1973 … LOST HORIZON (14 weeks)
06.13.1973 … LOST HORIZON / ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS (1 week)
06.20.1973 … LOST HORIZON / LOVE STORY (3 weeks)
07.11.1973 … EMPEROR OF THE NORTH (3 weeks)
08.01.1973 … EMPEROR OF THE NORTH / THE HOT ROCK (3 weeks)
08.22.1973 … LADY ICE (1 week)
08.29.1973 … NIGHT WATCH (1 week)
09.07.1973 … NIGHT WATCH / Z (1 week)
09.12.1973 … LITTLE BIG MAN / A MAN CALLED HORSE (RE, 1 week)
09.21.1973 … JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (MO, 2 weeks, Stereo)
10.05.1973 … JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR / PETE ‘N’ TILLIE (2 weeks, Stereo)
10.19.1973 … HAROLD AND MAUDE / FRIENDS (RE, 1 week)
10.24.1973 … THE WAY WE WERE (9 weeks)
12.26.1973 … THE EXORCIST (26 weeks)
06.26.1974 … THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT! (14 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
10.02.1974 … LADIES & GENTLEMEN, THE ROLLING STONES (4 weeks, Quadraphonic Sound)
11.01.1974 … THE SAVAGE IS LOOSE (2 weeks)
11.15.1974 … EARTHQUAKE (23 weeks, Sensurround)
04.25.1975 … TOMMY (10 weeks, Quintaphonic Sound)
07.02.1975 … NASHVILLE (14 weeks, Stereo)
10.08.1975 … 3 DAYS OF THE CONDOR (11 weeks)
12.25.1975 … BARRY LYNDON (15 weeks)
04.09.1976 … ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN (10 weeks)
06.18.1976 … MIDWAY (11 weeks, Sensurround)
09.03.1976 … GONE WITH THE WIND (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
09.10.1976 … JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (RE, 3 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
10.01.1976 … CAMELOT (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
10.13.1976 … MARATHON MAN (10 weeks)
12.25.1976 … A STAR IS BORN (13 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
03.25.1977 … SLAP SHOT (9 weeks)
05.27.1977 … FANTASTIC ANIMATION FESTIVAL (3 weeks)
06.17.1977 … EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC (5 weeks)
07.20.1977 … THE GRATEFUL DEAD (2 weeks, Stereo)
08.05.1977 … MacARTHUR (11 weeks)
10.21.1977 … DAMNATION ALLEY (9 weeks, Sound 360)
12.21.1977 … THE GOODBYE GIRL (16 weeks)
02.13.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION (14 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.21.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (28 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12.05.1980 … FLASH GORDON (10 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.13.1981 … THE COMPETITION (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.20.1981 … DIVINE MADNESS (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
03.27.1981 … SLEEPING BEAUTY (RE, 3 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
04.17.1981 … LION OF THE DESERT (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.22.1981 … THE FOUR SEASONS (5 weeks)
06.26.1981 … THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.24.1981 … EYE OF THE NEEDLE (5 weeks)
08.28.1981 … COMIN' AT YA! (5 weeks, 3-D, Dolby Stereo)
10.02.1981 … THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT’S WOMAN (11 weeks)
12.18.1981 … PENNIES FROM HEAVEN (5 weeks)
01.22.1982 … WINDWALKER (2 weeks)
02.05.1982 … APOCALYPSE NOW (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
02.19.1982 … SHOOT THE MOON (7 weeks)
04.09.1982 … FANTASIA (RE, 8 weeks, Stereo)
06.04.1982 … POLTERGEIST (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07.23.1982 … THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS (9 weeks, Stereo)
09.24.1982 … YES, GEORGIO (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.15.1982 … TRON (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.22.1982 … JINXED (4 weeks)
11.17.1982 … APOCALYPSE NOW (RE, 3 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12.10.1982 … VICTOR/VICTORIA (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
12.17.1982 … STILL OF THE NIGHT (2 weeks)
12.29.1982 … GANDHI (19 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
05.13.1983 … BLUE THUNDER (6 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
06.24.1983 … YELLOWBEARD (2 weeks)
07.08.1983 … GANDHI (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07.15.1983 … TENDER MERCIES (MO, 1 week)
07.22.1983 … CLASS (3 weeks)
08.12.1983 … FLASHDANCE (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.26.1983 … A STAR IS BORN (RE, 4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.23.1983 … FLASHDANCE (MO/RE, 4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.21.1983 … THE RIGHT STUFF (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12.09.1983 … CHRISTINE (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.28.1983 … THE RIGHT STUFF (RE, 9 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
03.02.1984 … AGAINST ALL ODDS (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.06.1984 … MOSCOW ON THE HUDSON (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.08.1984 … GHOST BUSTERS (19 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.19.1984 … THE RAZOR’S EDGE (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.16.1984 … STOP MAKING SENSE (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.14.1984 … STARMAN (8 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
02.08.1985 … FANTASIA (RE, 3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.01.1985 … THE SURE THING (4 weeks)
03.29.1985 … THE SLUGGER’S WIFE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.12.1985 … THE KILLING FIELDS (RE, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.26.1985 … JUST ONE OF THE GUYS (3 weeks)
05.17.1985 … THE COTTON CLUB (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
05.24.1985 … RETURN OF THE JEDI (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
06.07.1985 … PERFECT (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.10.1985 … SILVERADO (5 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08.16.1985 … YEAR OF THE DRAGON (6 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09.27.1985 … EAST OF EDEN / REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (RE, 1 week)
10.04.1985 … JAGGED EDGE (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.06.1985 … WHITE NIGHTS (8 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
01.31.1986 … YOUNGBLOOD (2 weeks)
02.14.1986 … QUICKSILVER (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.14.1986 … CROSSROADS (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.18.1986 … BACK TO THE FUTURE (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
05.02.1986 … JO JO DANCER, YOUR LIFE IS CALLING (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.23.1986 … POLTERGEIST II: THE OTHER SIDE (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.20.1986 … THE KARATE KID PART II (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.15.1986 … ARMED AND DANGEROUS (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.05.1986 … FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR / LEGAL EAGLES (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
09.12.1986 … HANNAH AND HER SISTERS (RE, 1 week)
09.19.1986 … WHERE THE RIVER RUNS BLACK (3 weeks)
10.10.1986 … THAT’S LIFE! (3 weeks)
10.31.1986 … RUNNING SCARED (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11.07.1986 … TOUGH GUYS (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.21.1986 … 52 PICK-UP (MO, 1 week)
11.26.1986 … NUTCRACKER (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.05.1986 … TOP GUN (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12.19.1986 … MARLENE (2 weeks)
12.30.1986 … PLATOON (19 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.15.1987 … ISHTAR (7 weeks)
07.01.1987 … STRAIGHT TO HELL (3 weeks)
07.24.1987 … LA BAMBA (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.28.1987 … THE BIG EASY (6 weeks)
10.09.1987 … SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.20.1987 … SIGN ‘O’ THE TIMES (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.09.1987 … THE LAST EMPEROR (16 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
04.01.1988 … BILOXI BLUES (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.22.1988 … A TIME OF DESTINY (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.06.1988 … SHAKEDOWN (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.27.1988 … CALL ME (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
06.03.1988 … THE LAST EMPEROR (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
06.17.1988 … THE GREAT OUTDOORS (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.08.1988 … PHANTASM II (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.20.1988 … MIDNIGHT RUN (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.12.1988 … THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST (10 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.21.1988 … GORILLAS IN THE MIST (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.04.1988 … THEY LIVE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.18.1988 … THE LAND BEFORE TIME (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.09.1988 … TWINS (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
01.27.1989 … PHYSICAL EVIDENCE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.10.1989 … DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
02.17.1989 … TRUE BELIEVER (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.17.1989 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (RE, 17 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo SR)
07.12.1989 … WHEN HARRY MET SALLY… (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.15.1989 … SEA OF LOVE (10 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.22.1989 … BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
01.05.1990 … BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.09.1990 … BAD INFLUENCE (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.30.1990 … OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.11.1990 … TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.27.1990 … THE GUARDIAN (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.18.1990 … BIRD ON A WIRE (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.29.1990 … GHOST DAD (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.13.1990 … GHOST DAD / JETSONS: THE MOVIE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
07.20.1990 … PRETTY WOMAN (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
07.27.1990 … PROBLEM CHILD (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.24.1990 … DARKMAN (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.14.1990 … POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.26.1990 … SIBLING RIVALRY (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.23.1990 … WHITE PALACE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11.30.1990 … MARKED FOR DEATH (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
12.07.1990 … MEMPHIS BELLE (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.20.1990 … AWAKENINGS (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.08.1991 … SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY (11 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.26.1991 … A KISS BEFORE DYING (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.17.1991 … MANNEQUIN TWO: ON THE MOVE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.31.1991 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
06.07.1991 … CITY SLICKERS (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.02.1991 … RETURN TO THE BLUE LAGOON (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.16.1991 … CITY SLICKERS (RE, 5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.20.1991 … ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES (MO, 3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.11.1991 … THE TAKING OF BEVERLY HILLS (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.25.1991 … BARTON FINK (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11.01.1991 … YEAR OF THE GUN (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.15.1991 … SHATTERED (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11.22.1991 … FRANKIE & JOHNNY (MO, 5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.25.1991 … THE PRINCE OF TIDES (17 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.24.1992 … YEAR OF THE COMET (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.08.1992 … CASABLANCA (RE/MO, 2 weeks)
05.22.1992 … FRIED GREEN TOMATOES (MO, 3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.12.1992 … HOUSESITTER (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.01.1992 … A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.28.1992 … HONEYMOON IN VEGAS (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.23.1992 … MR. SATURDAY NIGHT (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.23.1992 … SNEAKERS (MO, 3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.13.1992 … BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
01.15.1993 … BODY OF EVIDENCE (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.05.1993 … LORENZO’S OIL (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
02.12.1993 … GROUNDHOG DAY (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.16.1993 … THE CRYING GAME (MO, 3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.07.1993 … DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.18.1993 … LAST ACTION HERO (3 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07.09.1993 … IN THE LINE OF FIRE (11 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09.24.1993 … THE AGE OF INNOCENCE (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.24.1993 … JOSH AND S.A.M. (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
12.03.1993 … JOSH AND S.A.M. / MALICE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
12.10.1993 … GERONIMO: AN AMERICAN LEGEND (5 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
01.14.1994 … IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER (10 weeks, DTS Stereo)
03.25.1994 … SCHINDLER’S LIST (MO, 5 weeks, DTS Stereo)
04.29.1994 … FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.17.1994 … WOLF (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.19.1994 … BLANKMAN (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.02.1994 … FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
09.09.1994 … A GOOD MAN IN AFRICA (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.23.1994 … THE CLIENT (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
09.30.1994 … CORRINA, CORRINA (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
10.07.1994 … THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.04.1994 … THE WAR (6 weeks, DTS Stereo)
12.16.1994 … STARGATE (MO, 1 week, DTS Stereo)
12.25.1994 … READY TO WEAR (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.03.1995 … BEFORE SUNRISE (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.24.1995 … THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (RE, 3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.17.1995 … MURIEL’S WEDDING (10 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.26.1995 … DON JUAN DE MARCO (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
06.02.1995 … THE GLASS SHIELD (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.16.1995 … MY FAMILY, MI FAMILIA (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.30.1995 … APOLLO 13 (8 weeks, DTS Stereo)
08.25.1995 … WATERWORLD (MO, 2 weeks, DTS Stereo)
09.08.1995 … TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR (4 weeks, DTS Stereo)
10.06.1995 … HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT (6 weeks, DTS Stereo)
11.17.1995 … THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT (12 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.09.1996 … BEAUTIFUL GIRLS (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.29.1996 … FARGO (11 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.14.1996 … THE CABLE GUY (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.19.1996 … THE FRIGHTENERS (4 weeks, DTS Stereo)
08.16.1996 … ERASER (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
08.23.1996 … SOLO (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.06.1996 … THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
09.13.1996 … THE TRIGGER EFFECT (MO, weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.27.1996 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo SR)
10.04.1996 … TOMMY / THE DOORS (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo/70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.11.1996 … APOCALYPSE NOW (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.18.1996 … THE WILD BUNCH (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
10.25.1996 … MY FAIR LADY (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11.01.1996 … THE LAST EMPEROR (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11.08.1996 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo SR)
11.15.1996 … BOUND (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11.22.1996 … THE ENGLISH PATIENT (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
01.10.1997 … THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.14.1997 … TOUCH (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.28.1997 … THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT (RE, 3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.21.1997 … LIAR LIAR (9 weeks, DTS Stereo)
05.23.1997 … THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK (9 weeks, DTS)
07.21.1997 … theater closed
Compiled by Michael Coate
The information contained in this article was referenced from microfilm of Variety and the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper.
Tickets go on sale Sep. 17 for AFI NIGHT AT THE MOVIES. The Oct. 1 event is scheduled to feature the following films with celebrity introductions:
THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING (presented by Sean Connery)
AMERICAN BEAUTY (Annette Bening)
ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (Jim Carrey)
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY (Cameron Diaz)
THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (Jodie Foster)
TOOTSIE (Dustin Hoffman)
THE APARTMENT (Shirley MacLaine)
THE JERK (Steve Martin)
WEST SIDE STORY (Rita Moreno)
AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY (Mike Myers)
THE MATRIX (Keannu Reeves)
GLORY (Denzel Washington)
The following is what played at SOUTHTOWN from September 1978 (where the previous list ended) through autumn 1980, at which time the theater closed for remodeling and re-emerged a twin in early 1981.
09.08.1978 … GREASE
09.15.1978 … GREASE
09.22.1978 … GREASE
09.29.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
10.06.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
10.13.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
10.20.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
10.27.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
11.03.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
11.10.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
11.17.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
11.24.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
12.01.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
12.08.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
12.15.1978 … SUPERMAN
12.22.1978 … SUPERMAN
12.29.1978 … SUPERMAN
01.05.1979 … SUPERMAN
01.12.1979 … SUPERMAN
01.19.1979 … SUPERMAN
01.26.1979 … SUPERMAN
02.02.1979 … SUPERMAN
02.09.1979 … SUPERMAN
02.16.1979 … SUPERMAN
02.23.1979 … SUPERMAN
03.02.1979 … SUPERMAN
03.09.1979 … SUPERMAN
03.16.1979 … SUPERMAN
03.23.1979 … SUPERMAN
03.30.1979 … SUPERMAN
04.06.1979 … SUPERMAN
04.13.1979 … SUPERMAN
04.20.1979 … SUPERMAN
04.27.1979 … SUPERMAN
05.04.1979 … SUPERMAN
05.11.1979 … SUPERMAN
05.18.1979 … SUPERMAN
05.25.1979 … HAIR
06.01.1979 … HAIR
06.08.1979 … HAIR
06.15.1979 … HAIR
06.22.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
06.29.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
07.06.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
07.13.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
07.20.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
07.27.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
08.03.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
08.10.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
08.17.1979 … MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI
08.24.1979 … MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI
08.31.1979 … MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI
09.07.1979 … MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI
09.14.1979 … MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI
09.21.1979 … MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI
09.28.1979 … THE AMERICAN SUCCESS COMPANY
10.05.1979 … THE AMERICAN SUCCESS COMPANY
10.12.1979 … TILL I NEED GLASSES
10.19.1979 … AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
10.26.1979 … AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
11.02.1979 … AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
11.09.1979 … AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
11.16.1979 … AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
11.23.1979 … AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
11.30.1979 … AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
12.07.1979 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
12.14.1979 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
12.21.1979 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
12.28.1979 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
01.04.1980 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
01.11.1980 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
01.18.1980 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
01.25.1980 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
02.01.1980 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
02.08.1980 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
02.15.1980 … FOOLIN’ AROUND
02.22.1980 … FOOLIN’ AROUND
02.29.1980 … FOOLIN’ AROUND
03.07.1980 … FOOLIN’ AROUND
03.14.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
03.21.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
03.28.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
04.04.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
04.11.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
04.18.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
04.25.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
05.02.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
05.09.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
05.16.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
05.21.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
05.30.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
06.06.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
06.13.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
06.20.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
06.27.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
07.04.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
07.11.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
07.18.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
07.25.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
08.01.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
08.08.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
08.15.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
08.22.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
08.29.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
09.05.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
09.12.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
09.19.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
09.26.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
10.03.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
10.10.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
10.17.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
10.24.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
10.31.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
11.07.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
11.14.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
11.21.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
11.28.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
12.05.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
12.12.1980 … Closed for remodeling
Their reporte[r] agreed with me, go forward another year, I know what I saw, as did their reporter...... And I never said it was during the 'original' release. Just that is where I saw it, as did many others. -- posted by budyboy100
Budyboy100:
“Star Wars” was re-released during mid-August 1979…and it did not play at SOUTHTOWN. The SOUTHTOWN during the few weeks of that re-release, per the Tribune and Variety microfilm, was showing “More American Graffiti.”
The thing that you and the newspaper reporter seem to have in common is that you’re both misremembering where you think you saw the original “Star Wars.” Considering my research has shown the original “Star Wars” movie did not play at SOUTHTOWN during 1977, 1978, or 1979, and considering both “Star Wars” sequels did play at SOUTHTOWN for several months in 1980 and 1983 makes me think you are simply confusing “Star Wars” with “The Empire Strikes Back” or “Return Of The Jedi.”
I worked at this theater during the early 1990s while a student at nearby Cal State Long Beach.
Screen #1 had somewhere in the 500-600 range of seats. Screen #2 was almost as large. Screens 1 and 2 had a large center section of seats and two smaller side sections. The screens widened for proper scope presentation. Screen #1 was equipped with 70mm projection and Dolby Stereo. (“Hoffa” in late 1992-early 1993 was the theater’s last 70mm presentation.)
Screens 3-6 were rather small with a center aisle and two small sections of seats. The screens were common width that were reduced in height for scope presentations (i.e. not the preferred technique). The audio, as I remember it, was mono.
The theater competed for bookings with the AMC Marina Pacifica located a block away.
The last time I was in the Dome’s projection booth was two years ago. At the time, they were using a single film projector with a platter . The booth also was equipped with a DLP projector. Photos from that visit were posted on the Fans of Showmanship website (registration required to access images).
Here’s a list of some (most? all?) of the drive-ins known or believed to have had 70mm projection capability.
100 TWIN DRIVE-IN â€" Fridley, MN
270 DRIVE-IN â€" Florissant, MO
CENTURY DRIVE-IN â€" Inglewood, CA
CINEMA 70 DRIVE-IN â€" Oklahoma City, OK
CRANSTON AUTO PARK â€" Cranston, RI
EAST DRIVE-IN â€" Aurora, CO
EDGEMERE DRIVE-IN â€" Shrewsbury, MA
FAIRGROUNDS DRIVE-IN â€" Pittsburgh, PA
FIESTA DRIVE-IN â€" Columbus, MS
FOUNTAIN VALLEY DRIVE-IN â€" Fountain Valley, CA
FRANCE AVENUE DRIVE-IN â€" Bloomington, MN
I-290 DRIVE-IN â€" Tonawanda, NY
KAILUA DRIVE-IN â€" Honolulu, HI
MAPLE LEAF DRIVE-IN â€" Maplewood, MN
MIDWAY DRIVE-IN â€" San Diego, CA
MIRACLE MILE DRIVE-IN â€" Pontiac, MI
NORTH DRIVE-IN â€" St. Louis, MO
NORTH STAR DRIVE-IN â€" Denver, CO
PACIFIC DRIVE-IN â€" San Diego, CA
RANCHO DRIVE-IN â€" San Diego, CA
RONNIE’S DRIVE-IN â€" Sappington, MO
ROUND UP DRIVE-IN â€" Phoenix, AZ
SOUTHPARK DRIVE-IN â€" Louisville, KY
SUNNYSIDE DRIVE-IN â€" Fresno, CA
SUNSET DRIVE-IN â€" Las Vegas, NV
SUPER 20 DRIVE-IN â€" Dubuque, IA
THUNDERBIRD DRIVE-IN â€" Atlanta, GA
TIGER DRIVE-IN â€" Slidell, LA
TWIN DRIVE-IN â€" Cincinnati, OH
WESTGATE DRIVE-IN â€" Metarie, LA
WHITE HORSE PIKE DRIVE-IN â€" Lawnside, NJ
YOUNG STREET DRIVE-IN â€" Tonawanda, NY
The original “Star Wars” movie did not play in very many drive-ins during its initial run, but those in which it did tended to be just as outrageously successful as the indoor-theater bookings. The movie’s San Francisco Bay Area drive-in engagements included:
Part V: Washington, D.C.
Part VI: Los Angeles
Part III: San Francisco
Part IV: Houston
Part V: Washington, D.C.
Part VI: Los Angeles
Part IV: Houston
Part V: Washington, D.C.
Part VI: Los Angeles
Part VI: Los Angeles
“2001: A Space Odyssey” played on Jan. 30 of this year a 40th anniversary one-night-only engagement that I forgot to include on the list. Also regarding “2001,” the 1977 re-issue engagement’s premiere date should read July 20 (not the 17th).
Didn’t “Gandhi” (1982) premiere in India ahead its release in the United States?
I thought I should add that while researching the Cinerama presentations in Washington, DC, I could find no booking details for Cinerama presentations of the following films, suggesting they were never commercially screened in the DC market:
HOLIDAY IN SPAIN (1960/61, 3-strip Cinerama)
THE BEST OF CINERAMA (1962, 3-strip Cinerama)
RUSSIAN ADVENTURE (1966, 70mm)
Some other details I left off the original post:
“Krakatoa, East Of Java” played its reserved-seat run at the L'ENFANT. I left the film off the list due to the L'ENFANT not being recognized as an official Cinerama venue and because the film was promoted as “Super 70mm” rather than “in Cinerama.”
Washington, DC was the sixth market to have a theater equipped for Cinerama presentations. (New York, Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia were the first five.)
The UPTOWN played a two-week re-issue run of “Windjammer” in autumn 1971. Its presentation format was not promoted.
“2001: A Space Odyssey” has had at least six return runs at the UPTOWN. Typically, these were shown in and promoted as 70mm. I left them off the list due to the lack of any “In Cinerama” blurbs in their advertising.
The CANTON CORNERS TWIN in Marietta was actually the first Atlanta area theater to have a Dolby Stereo presentation of “Star Wars.” Their engagement began November 24, 1977, four weeks before the BUFORD HIGHWAY TWIN began their run.
A few more details…
San Francisco was the eighth market to equip a theater for Cinerama presentations. (Cinerama installations made ahead of San Francisco were New York, Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and Pittsburgh.)
A Cinerama film that never commercially screened in San Francisco was the 3-strip travelogue compilation film “The Best Of Cinerama” (1962). “Custer Of The West” (1968) played only as a 35mm general release. Additionally, no booking details could be found for the 1973 re-issue of “This Is Cinerama.”
“Krakatoa, East Of Java” (1969) played an engagement promoted as “Super 70mm” in the Golden Gate Penthouse. (Only presentations in the main, downstairs auditorium of the Golden Gate were promoted “in Cinerama,” and “2001: A Space Odyssey” was playing there during the 11-week “Krakatoa” booking.)
Following its 73-week run in the Golden Gate’s main auditorium, “2001: A Space Odyssey” played an additional 15 weeks in the Golden Gate Penthouse.
San Francisco was among the handful of markets that did play “Holiday In Spain.” The film was a re-edited, converted-to-3-strip, re-issue version of “Scent Of Mystery,” which received limited U.S. playdates in 70mm & Smell-O-Vision in 1960, San Francisco not among them.
Here are some additional details I left off the original posting.
Chicago was the 4th city in the world to equip a theater for Cinerama exhibition (New York, Detroit and Los Angeles were the first three).
“Russian Adventure” (1966), which had its world premiere engagement in Chicago, was a compilation of footage from Soviet-produced Kinopanorama films.
“Custer Of The West” (1967/68), which played as a 70mm-Cinerama roadshow in selected U.S. cities, played in Chicago only as a 35mm general release.
“Scent Of Mystery,” which was converted to 3-strip format and re-titled “Holiday In Spain” (1961) for selected bookings, played its world premiere engagement in Chicago in 1960 under its original title and in its original 70mm format.
Here are some bits of trivia regarding the history of Cinerama presentations in New York that I left out of the original posting.
The 123-week engagement of “This Is Cinerama” is the longest-running engagement in the history of New York City.
The Soviet films (“Great Is My Country” and “The Enchanted Mirror”) were shown by special permission of the Ministry of Culture of the USSR in conjunction with the Soviet Exhibition of Science, Technology and Culture which took place at the New York Colisuem. The Soviet films were shown on a continuous performance basis, unlike the other Cinerama films which ran on a reserved-seat basis. Initially, “Great Is My Country” was promoted as being shown in “Cinepanorama,” but that trade name was quickly abandoned and replaced with “Kinopanorama.”
The American premiere of “How The West Was Won” had originally been planned to be held in New York, but a newspaper strike led its distributor, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, to delay the New York opening and instead premiere the film in Los Angeles. (Newspaper advertising at the time was considered integral to the promotion of a roadshow film and the selling in advance of reserved-seat tickets.)
“Custer Of The West” (1967/68), which played as a 70mm-Cinerama roadshow in selected U.S. cities, played in New York City only as a 35mm general release.
“Scent Of Mystery” (1960) which was converted to 3-strip format and re-titled “Holiday In Spain” (1961) for selected bookings, played in New York City under its original title and in its original 70mm format.
“The Hallelujah Trail” opened in Los Angeles on June 23, 1965 without a formal premiere event. However, 12 days prior, United Artists hosted a press preview event which some press reports described as the film’s world premiere. When the film opened in New York on June 30, a week after opening in L.A., another gala event was held which was promoted as the World Premiere. (Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but that’s how it happened!)
“2001: A Space Odyssey” was the final film to play the storied Loew’s Capitol (AKA Loew’s Cinerama) before its demolition.
Part II: Chicago
Part III: San Francisco
Part IV: Houston
I thought I should add that while researching the Cinerama presentations in Houston, I could find no booking details for the following Cinerama films, suggesting they were never commercially screened in Houston:
SEARCH FOR PARADISE (1957, 3-strip Cinerama)
HOLIDAY IN SPAIN (1960/61, 3-strip Cinerama)
THE BEST OF CINERAMA (1962, 3-strip Cinerama)
MEDITERRANEAN HOLIDAY (1962/64, 70mm)
RUSSIAN ADVENTURE (1966, 70mm)
Also worth mentioning is that Houston was among the handful of markets that did show CUSTER OF THE WEST (1968; see list) as a reserved-seat Cinerama (70mm) presentation. Most Cinerama markets (including all of the major markets previously featured in this series) showed CUSTER only as a 35mm general release.
The suggestions for posting the Cinerama details for other markets is encouraging. I can state that, yes, there will be more to come, but in the spirit of creating anticipation, I would prefer not to reveal in advance which markets will be featured.
One problem: “Dirty Harry” did not play at NORTHPOINT!
I believe the “Zodiac” filmmakers confused NORTHPOINT with the LOEW’S on Market Street. (“Dirty Harry” world premiered at LOEW’S on 12/21/1971, and then opened citywide the following day there as well as at CINEMA 21 and MISSION DRIVE-IN.)
THE NORTHPOINT, 1967-1997
What follows is a filmography of the bookings for San Francisco’s Northpoint Theatre from its grand opening in 1967 through its 1997 closure. Not included are test screenings, sneak-preview screenings, midnight screenings, premieres and other private events. The dates represent the first day of commercial release. The duration of the engagements has been provided, and, where known, the presentation format has also been provided. (No format notation implies a standard 35mm/monaural sound presentation.)
Northpoint Theatre
2290 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
Ownership:
ABC Theatres of California, 1967-1974
Plitt Theatres, 1974-1987
Plitt Theatres & Cineplex Odeon, 1987-1988
Cineplex Odeon, 1988-1997
RE = Re-Issue/Return Engagement
MO = Move-over (i.e. continuation of an engagement from another theatre)
06.28.1967 … THE DIRTY DOZEN (9 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
08.31.1967 … POINT BLANK (6 weeks)
10.11.1967 … REFLECTIONS IN A GOLDEN EYE (9 weeks)
12.15.1967 … THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE (MO, 3 weeks)
01.03.1968 … THE BIGGEST BUNDLE OF THEM ALL (2 weeks)
01.17.1968 … WAIT UNTIL DARK (MO, 7 weeks)
03.06.1968 … THE POWER / THE VISIT (2 weeks)
03.20.1968 … A MATTER OF INNOCENCE (2 weeks)
04.03.1968 … SWEET NOVEMBER (3 weeks)
04.24.1968 … DID YOU HEAR THE ONE ABOUT THE TRAVELING SALESLADY? (1 week)
05.01.1968 … UP THE JUNCTION (2 weeks)
05.15.1968 … TREASURE OF SAN GENNARO (2 weeks)
05.29.1968 … A DANDY IN ASPIC (4 weeks)
06.27.1968 … PETULIA (8 weeks)
08.21.1968 … WITH SIX YOU GET EGGROLL (3 weeks)
09.11.1968 … RACHEL, RACHEL (10 weeks)
11.20.1968 … GONE WITH THE WIND (RE/MO, 5 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
12.25.1968 … THE STALKING MOON (4 weeks)
01.22.1969 … BUONA SERA, MRS. CAMPBELL (2 weeks)
02.07.1969 … JOANNA (4 weeks)
03.05.1969 … HELL IN THE PACIFIC (5 weeks)
04.09.1969 … HANNIBAL BROOKS (2 weeks)
04.23.1969 … BLOW-UP / THE LOVED ONE (RE, 2 weeks)
05.07.1969 … WHERE IT’S AT (2 weeks)
05.21.1969 … A FINE PAIR (2 weeks)
06.04.1969 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
06.11.1969 … THE MAD ROOM (1 week)
06.18.1969 … THE GREAT ESCAPE / THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR (RE, 1 week)
06.25.1969 … THE GREAT BANK ROBBERY (3 weeks)
07.16.1969 … MIDNIGHT COWBOY (22 weeks)
12.17.1969 … JOHN AND MARY (9 weeks)
02.18.1970 … GAILY, GAILY (2 weeks)
03.04.1970 … THE APRIL FOOLS / ME, NATALIE (1 week)
03.11.1970 … A NICE GIRL LIKE ME / PRETTY POISON (1 week)
03.19.1970 … THE BOYS IN THE BAND (9 weeks)
05.20.1970 … SUPPOSE THEY GAVE A WAR AND NOBODY CAME (5 weeks)
06.24.1970 … THE HAWAIIANS (3 weeks)
07.15.1970 … PATTON (MO, 6 weeks)
08.26.1970 … HELLO-GOODBYE (1 week)
09.02.1970 … MOVE (6 weeks)
10.16.1970 … DIARY OF A MAD HOUSEWIFE (10 weeks)
12.25.1970 … I LOVE MY…WIFE (2 weeks)
01.06.1971 … I LOVE MY…WIFE / ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS (5 weeks)
02.10.1971 … LITTLE BIG MAN (15 weeks)
05.28.1971 … RED SKY AT MORNING (3 weeks)
06.18.1971 … WOODSTOCK (RE, 2 weeks, Stereo)
06.30.1971 … KLUTE (6 weeks)
08.13.1971 … THE PANIC IN NEEDLE PARK (4 weeks)
09.10.1971 … BANANAS / YELLOW SUBMARINE (RE, 1 week)
09.17.1971 … PATTON / MAS*H (RE, 1 week)
09.24.1971 … THE GREAT WHITE HOPE / JOHN AND MARY (RE, 1 week)
09.29.1971 … THE TOUCH (1 week)
10.06.1971 … THE TOUCH / THE STATUE (3 weeks)
10.27.1971 … T.R.BASKIN (1 week)
11.03.1971 … T.R.BASKIN / A NEW LEAF (3 weeks)
11.24.1971 … DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
12.01.1971 … GONE WITH THE WIND (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
12.08.1971 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
12.15.1971 … RYAN’S DAUGHTER (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
12.22.1971 … STRAW DOGS (8 weeks)
02.16.1972 … CABARET (19 weeks)
06.28.1972 … PORTNOY’S COMPLAINT (6 weeks)
08.09.1972 … THE NEW CENTURIONS (10 weeks)
10.20.1972 … BAD COMPANY (1 week)
10.27.1972 … BAD COMPANY / FRIENDS (1 week)
11.03.1972 … YOU’LL LIKE MY MOTHER (2 weeks)
11.17.1972 … LIMBO (1 week)
11.22.1972 … CABARET / THE BOY FRIEND (RE, 1 week)
11.29.1972 … CABARET / THE STERILE CUCKOO (RE, 1 week)
12.06.1972 … THE MEPHISTO WALTZ (1 week)
12.13.1972 … THE MEPHISTO WALTZ / THE OTHER (1 week)
12.21.1972 … 1776 (4 weeks)
01.17.1973 … LADY SINGS THE BLUES / PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM (RE, 1 week)
01.26.1973 … THEIR GENTLE SEX (2 weeks)
02.07.1973 … DELIVERANCE (MO, 4 weeks)
03.09.1973 … LOST HORIZON (14 weeks)
06.13.1973 … LOST HORIZON / ANNE OF THE THOUSAND DAYS (1 week)
06.20.1973 … LOST HORIZON / LOVE STORY (3 weeks)
07.11.1973 … EMPEROR OF THE NORTH (3 weeks)
08.01.1973 … EMPEROR OF THE NORTH / THE HOT ROCK (3 weeks)
08.22.1973 … LADY ICE (1 week)
08.29.1973 … NIGHT WATCH (1 week)
09.07.1973 … NIGHT WATCH / Z (1 week)
09.12.1973 … LITTLE BIG MAN / A MAN CALLED HORSE (RE, 1 week)
09.21.1973 … JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (MO, 2 weeks, Stereo)
10.05.1973 … JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR / PETE ‘N’ TILLIE (2 weeks, Stereo)
10.19.1973 … HAROLD AND MAUDE / FRIENDS (RE, 1 week)
10.24.1973 … THE WAY WE WERE (9 weeks)
12.26.1973 … THE EXORCIST (26 weeks)
06.26.1974 … THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT! (14 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
10.02.1974 … LADIES & GENTLEMEN, THE ROLLING STONES (4 weeks, Quadraphonic Sound)
11.01.1974 … THE SAVAGE IS LOOSE (2 weeks)
11.15.1974 … EARTHQUAKE (23 weeks, Sensurround)
04.25.1975 … TOMMY (10 weeks, Quintaphonic Sound)
07.02.1975 … NASHVILLE (14 weeks, Stereo)
10.08.1975 … 3 DAYS OF THE CONDOR (11 weeks)
12.25.1975 … BARRY LYNDON (15 weeks)
04.09.1976 … ALL THE PRESIDENT’S MEN (10 weeks)
06.18.1976 … MIDWAY (11 weeks, Sensurround)
09.03.1976 … GONE WITH THE WIND (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
09.10.1976 … JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (RE, 3 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
10.01.1976 … CAMELOT (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
10.13.1976 … MARATHON MAN (10 weeks)
12.25.1976 … A STAR IS BORN (13 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
03.25.1977 … SLAP SHOT (9 weeks)
05.27.1977 … FANTASTIC ANIMATION FESTIVAL (3 weeks)
06.17.1977 … EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC (5 weeks)
07.20.1977 … THE GRATEFUL DEAD (2 weeks, Stereo)
08.05.1977 … MacARTHUR (11 weeks)
10.21.1977 … DAMNATION ALLEY (9 weeks, Sound 360)
12.21.1977 … THE GOODBYE GIRL (16 weeks)
04.12.1978 … AN UNMARRIED WOMAN (7 weeks)
06.02.1978 … CAPRICORN ONE (7 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
07.21.1978 … SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND (11 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.06.1978 … BLOODBROTHERS (2 weeks)
10.18.1978 … CAMELOT (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
10.26.1978 … DERSU UZALA (1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
11.03.1978 … THE WIZ (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.15.1978 … SUPERMAN (23 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
05.25.1979 … ALIEN (17 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09.21.1979 … APOCALYPSE NOW (12 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12.14.1979 … 1941 (9 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
02.13.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION (14 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.21.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (28 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12.05.1980 … FLASH GORDON (10 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.13.1981 … THE COMPETITION (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.20.1981 … DIVINE MADNESS (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
03.27.1981 … SLEEPING BEAUTY (RE, 3 weeks, 70mm-Stereo)
04.17.1981 … LION OF THE DESERT (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.22.1981 … THE FOUR SEASONS (5 weeks)
06.26.1981 … THE GREAT MUPPET CAPER (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.24.1981 … EYE OF THE NEEDLE (5 weeks)
08.28.1981 … COMIN' AT YA! (5 weeks, 3-D, Dolby Stereo)
10.02.1981 … THE FRENCH LIEUTENANT’S WOMAN (11 weeks)
12.18.1981 … PENNIES FROM HEAVEN (5 weeks)
01.22.1982 … WINDWALKER (2 weeks)
02.05.1982 … APOCALYPSE NOW (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
02.19.1982 … SHOOT THE MOON (7 weeks)
04.09.1982 … FANTASIA (RE, 8 weeks, Stereo)
06.04.1982 … POLTERGEIST (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07.23.1982 … THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS (9 weeks, Stereo)
09.24.1982 … YES, GEORGIO (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.15.1982 … TRON (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.22.1982 … JINXED (4 weeks)
11.17.1982 … APOCALYPSE NOW (RE, 3 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12.10.1982 … VICTOR/VICTORIA (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
12.17.1982 … STILL OF THE NIGHT (2 weeks)
12.29.1982 … GANDHI (19 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
05.13.1983 … BLUE THUNDER (6 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
06.24.1983 … YELLOWBEARD (2 weeks)
07.08.1983 … GANDHI (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07.15.1983 … TENDER MERCIES (MO, 1 week)
07.22.1983 … CLASS (3 weeks)
08.12.1983 … FLASHDANCE (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.26.1983 … A STAR IS BORN (RE, 4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.23.1983 … FLASHDANCE (MO/RE, 4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.21.1983 … THE RIGHT STUFF (7 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12.09.1983 … CHRISTINE (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.28.1983 … THE RIGHT STUFF (RE, 9 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
03.02.1984 … AGAINST ALL ODDS (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.06.1984 … MOSCOW ON THE HUDSON (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.08.1984 … GHOST BUSTERS (19 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.19.1984 … THE RAZOR’S EDGE (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.16.1984 … STOP MAKING SENSE (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.14.1984 … STARMAN (8 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
02.08.1985 … FANTASIA (RE, 3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.01.1985 … THE SURE THING (4 weeks)
03.29.1985 … THE SLUGGER’S WIFE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.12.1985 … THE KILLING FIELDS (RE, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.26.1985 … JUST ONE OF THE GUYS (3 weeks)
05.17.1985 … THE COTTON CLUB (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
05.24.1985 … RETURN OF THE JEDI (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
06.07.1985 … PERFECT (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.10.1985 … SILVERADO (5 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
08.16.1985 … YEAR OF THE DRAGON (6 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09.27.1985 … EAST OF EDEN / REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (RE, 1 week)
10.04.1985 … JAGGED EDGE (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.06.1985 … WHITE NIGHTS (8 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
01.31.1986 … YOUNGBLOOD (2 weeks)
02.14.1986 … QUICKSILVER (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.14.1986 … CROSSROADS (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.18.1986 … BACK TO THE FUTURE (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
05.02.1986 … JO JO DANCER, YOUR LIFE IS CALLING (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.23.1986 … POLTERGEIST II: THE OTHER SIDE (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.20.1986 … THE KARATE KID PART II (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.15.1986 … ARMED AND DANGEROUS (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.05.1986 … FLIGHT OF THE NAVIGATOR / LEGAL EAGLES (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
09.12.1986 … HANNAH AND HER SISTERS (RE, 1 week)
09.19.1986 … WHERE THE RIVER RUNS BLACK (3 weeks)
10.10.1986 … THAT’S LIFE! (3 weeks)
10.31.1986 … RUNNING SCARED (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11.07.1986 … TOUGH GUYS (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.21.1986 … 52 PICK-UP (MO, 1 week)
11.26.1986 … NUTCRACKER (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.05.1986 … TOP GUN (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
12.19.1986 … MARLENE (2 weeks)
12.30.1986 … PLATOON (19 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.15.1987 … ISHTAR (7 weeks)
07.01.1987 … STRAIGHT TO HELL (3 weeks)
07.24.1987 … LA BAMBA (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.28.1987 … THE BIG EASY (6 weeks)
10.09.1987 … SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.20.1987 … SIGN ‘O’ THE TIMES (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.09.1987 … THE LAST EMPEROR (16 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
04.01.1988 … BILOXI BLUES (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.22.1988 … A TIME OF DESTINY (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.06.1988 … SHAKEDOWN (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.27.1988 … CALL ME (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
06.03.1988 … THE LAST EMPEROR (RE, 2 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
06.17.1988 … THE GREAT OUTDOORS (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.08.1988 … PHANTASM II (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.20.1988 … MIDNIGHT RUN (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.12.1988 … THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST (10 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.21.1988 … GORILLAS IN THE MIST (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.04.1988 … THEY LIVE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.18.1988 … THE LAND BEFORE TIME (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.09.1988 … TWINS (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
01.27.1989 … PHYSICAL EVIDENCE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.10.1989 … DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
02.17.1989 … TRUE BELIEVER (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.17.1989 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (RE, 17 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo SR)
07.12.1989 … WHEN HARRY MET SALLY… (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.15.1989 … SEA OF LOVE (10 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.22.1989 … BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
01.05.1990 … BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.09.1990 … BAD INFLUENCE (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.30.1990 … OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.11.1990 … TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.27.1990 … THE GUARDIAN (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.18.1990 … BIRD ON A WIRE (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.29.1990 … GHOST DAD (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.13.1990 … GHOST DAD / JETSONS: THE MOVIE (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
07.20.1990 … PRETTY WOMAN (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
07.27.1990 … PROBLEM CHILD (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.24.1990 … DARKMAN (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.14.1990 … POSTCARDS FROM THE EDGE (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.26.1990 … SIBLING RIVALRY (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.23.1990 … WHITE PALACE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11.30.1990 … MARKED FOR DEATH (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
12.07.1990 … MEMPHIS BELLE (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.20.1990 … AWAKENINGS (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.08.1991 … SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY (11 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.26.1991 … A KISS BEFORE DYING (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.17.1991 … MANNEQUIN TWO: ON THE MOVE (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.31.1991 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
06.07.1991 … CITY SLICKERS (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.02.1991 … RETURN TO THE BLUE LAGOON (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.16.1991 … CITY SLICKERS (RE, 5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.20.1991 … ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES (MO, 3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.11.1991 … THE TAKING OF BEVERLY HILLS (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.25.1991 … BARTON FINK (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11.01.1991 … YEAR OF THE GUN (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.15.1991 … SHATTERED (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11.22.1991 … FRANKIE & JOHNNY (MO, 5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
12.25.1991 … THE PRINCE OF TIDES (17 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.24.1992 … YEAR OF THE COMET (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.08.1992 … CASABLANCA (RE/MO, 2 weeks)
05.22.1992 … FRIED GREEN TOMATOES (MO, 3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.12.1992 … HOUSESITTER (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.01.1992 … A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN (8 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.28.1992 … HONEYMOON IN VEGAS (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.23.1992 … MR. SATURDAY NIGHT (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
10.23.1992 … SNEAKERS (MO, 3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.13.1992 … BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
01.15.1993 … BODY OF EVIDENCE (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.05.1993 … LORENZO’S OIL (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
02.12.1993 … GROUNDHOG DAY (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
04.16.1993 … THE CRYING GAME (MO, 3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.07.1993 … DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.18.1993 … LAST ACTION HERO (3 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
07.09.1993 … IN THE LINE OF FIRE (11 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
09.24.1993 … THE AGE OF INNOCENCE (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.24.1993 … JOSH AND S.A.M. (1 week, Dolby Stereo)
12.03.1993 … JOSH AND S.A.M. / MALICE (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
12.10.1993 … GERONIMO: AN AMERICAN LEGEND (5 weeks, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
01.14.1994 … IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER (10 weeks, DTS Stereo)
03.25.1994 … SCHINDLER’S LIST (MO, 5 weeks, DTS Stereo)
04.29.1994 … FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.17.1994 … WOLF (9 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
08.19.1994 … BLANKMAN (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.02.1994 … FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL (RE, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
09.09.1994 … A GOOD MAN IN AFRICA (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.23.1994 … THE CLIENT (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
09.30.1994 … CORRINA, CORRINA (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
10.07.1994 … THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (4 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
11.04.1994 … THE WAR (6 weeks, DTS Stereo)
12.16.1994 … STARGATE (MO, 1 week, DTS Stereo)
12.25.1994 … READY TO WEAR (6 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.03.1995 … BEFORE SUNRISE (3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.24.1995 … THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (RE, 3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.17.1995 … MURIEL’S WEDDING (10 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
05.26.1995 … DON JUAN DE MARCO (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
06.02.1995 … THE GLASS SHIELD (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.16.1995 … MY FAMILY, MI FAMILIA (MO, 2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.30.1995 … APOLLO 13 (8 weeks, DTS Stereo)
08.25.1995 … WATERWORLD (MO, 2 weeks, DTS Stereo)
09.08.1995 … TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR (4 weeks, DTS Stereo)
10.06.1995 … HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT (6 weeks, DTS Stereo)
11.17.1995 … THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT (12 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.09.1996 … BEAUTIFUL GIRLS (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.29.1996 … FARGO (11 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
06.14.1996 … THE CABLE GUY (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
07.19.1996 … THE FRIGHTENERS (4 weeks, DTS Stereo)
08.16.1996 … ERASER (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
08.23.1996 … SOLO (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.06.1996 … THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
09.13.1996 … THE TRIGGER EFFECT (MO, weeks, Dolby Stereo)
09.27.1996 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo SR)
10.04.1996 … TOMMY / THE DOORS (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo/70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.11.1996 … APOCALYPSE NOW (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
10.18.1996 … THE WILD BUNCH (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Stereo)
10.25.1996 … MY FAIR LADY (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11.01.1996 … THE LAST EMPEROR (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo)
11.08.1996 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (RE, 1 week, 70mm-Dolby Stereo SR)
11.15.1996 … BOUND (MO, 1 week, Dolby Stereo)
11.22.1996 … THE ENGLISH PATIENT (7 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
01.10.1997 … THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT (5 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.14.1997 … TOUCH (2 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
02.28.1997 … THE PEOPLE VS. LARRY FLYNT (RE, 3 weeks, Dolby Stereo)
03.21.1997 … LIAR LIAR (9 weeks, DTS Stereo)
05.23.1997 … THE LOST WORLD: JURASSIC PARK (9 weeks, DTS)
07.21.1997 … theater closed
Compiled by Michael Coate
The information contained in this article was referenced from microfilm of Variety and the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper.
Tickets go on sale Sep. 17 for AFI NIGHT AT THE MOVIES. The Oct. 1 event is scheduled to feature the following films with celebrity introductions:
THE MAN WHO WOULD BE KING (presented by Sean Connery)
AMERICAN BEAUTY (Annette Bening)
ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND (Jim Carrey)
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY (Cameron Diaz)
THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (Jodie Foster)
TOOTSIE (Dustin Hoffman)
THE APARTMENT (Shirley MacLaine)
THE JERK (Steve Martin)
WEST SIDE STORY (Rita Moreno)
AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY (Mike Myers)
THE MATRIX (Keannu Reeves)
GLORY (Denzel Washington)
Budyboy100:
The following is what played at SOUTHTOWN from September 1978 (where the previous list ended) through autumn 1980, at which time the theater closed for remodeling and re-emerged a twin in early 1981.
09.08.1978 … GREASE
09.15.1978 … GREASE
09.22.1978 … GREASE
09.29.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
10.06.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
10.13.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
10.20.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
10.27.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
11.03.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
11.10.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
11.17.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
11.24.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
12.01.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
12.08.1978 … DEATH ON THE NILE
12.15.1978 … SUPERMAN
12.22.1978 … SUPERMAN
12.29.1978 … SUPERMAN
01.05.1979 … SUPERMAN
01.12.1979 … SUPERMAN
01.19.1979 … SUPERMAN
01.26.1979 … SUPERMAN
02.02.1979 … SUPERMAN
02.09.1979 … SUPERMAN
02.16.1979 … SUPERMAN
02.23.1979 … SUPERMAN
03.02.1979 … SUPERMAN
03.09.1979 … SUPERMAN
03.16.1979 … SUPERMAN
03.23.1979 … SUPERMAN
03.30.1979 … SUPERMAN
04.06.1979 … SUPERMAN
04.13.1979 … SUPERMAN
04.20.1979 … SUPERMAN
04.27.1979 … SUPERMAN
05.04.1979 … SUPERMAN
05.11.1979 … SUPERMAN
05.18.1979 … SUPERMAN
05.25.1979 … HAIR
06.01.1979 … HAIR
06.08.1979 … HAIR
06.15.1979 … HAIR
06.22.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
06.29.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
07.06.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
07.13.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
07.20.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
07.27.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
08.03.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
08.10.1979 … THE MAIN EVENT
08.17.1979 … MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI
08.24.1979 … MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI
08.31.1979 … MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI
09.07.1979 … MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI
09.14.1979 … MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI
09.21.1979 … MORE AMERICAN GRAFFITI
09.28.1979 … THE AMERICAN SUCCESS COMPANY
10.05.1979 … THE AMERICAN SUCCESS COMPANY
10.12.1979 … TILL I NEED GLASSES
10.19.1979 … AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
10.26.1979 … AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
11.02.1979 … AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
11.09.1979 … AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
11.16.1979 … AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
11.23.1979 … AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
11.30.1979 … AND JUSTICE FOR ALL
12.07.1979 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
12.14.1979 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
12.21.1979 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
12.28.1979 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
01.04.1980 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
01.11.1980 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
01.18.1980 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
01.25.1980 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
02.01.1980 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
02.08.1980 … STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE
02.15.1980 … FOOLIN’ AROUND
02.22.1980 … FOOLIN’ AROUND
02.29.1980 … FOOLIN’ AROUND
03.07.1980 … FOOLIN’ AROUND
03.14.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
03.21.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
03.28.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
04.04.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
04.11.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
04.18.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
04.25.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
05.02.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
05.09.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
05.16.1980 … THE BLACK STALLION
05.21.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
05.30.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
06.06.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
06.13.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
06.20.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
06.27.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
07.04.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
07.11.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
07.18.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
07.25.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
08.01.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
08.08.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
08.15.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
08.22.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
08.29.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
09.05.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
09.12.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
09.19.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
09.26.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
10.03.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
10.10.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
10.17.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
10.24.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
10.31.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
11.07.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
11.14.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
11.21.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
11.28.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
12.05.1980 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
12.12.1980 … Closed for remodeling
Sources: Variety and the Minneapolis Tribune
In addition to “Hamlet,” this theater ran 70mm presentations of “Howards End” during 1992 and “Lawrence Of Arabia” in 1997.
See: 70mm in New York
Budyboy100:
“Star Wars” was re-released during mid-August 1979…and it did not play at SOUTHTOWN. The SOUTHTOWN during the few weeks of that re-release, per the Tribune and Variety microfilm, was showing “More American Graffiti.”
The thing that you and the newspaper reporter seem to have in common is that you’re both misremembering where you think you saw the original “Star Wars.” Considering my research has shown the original “Star Wars” movie did not play at SOUTHTOWN during 1977, 1978, or 1979, and considering both “Star Wars” sequels did play at SOUTHTOWN for several months in 1980 and 1983 makes me think you are simply confusing “Star Wars” with “The Empire Strikes Back” or “Return Of The Jedi.”
I worked at this theater during the early 1990s while a student at nearby Cal State Long Beach.
Screen #1 had somewhere in the 500-600 range of seats. Screen #2 was almost as large. Screens 1 and 2 had a large center section of seats and two smaller side sections. The screens widened for proper scope presentation. Screen #1 was equipped with 70mm projection and Dolby Stereo. (“Hoffa” in late 1992-early 1993 was the theater’s last 70mm presentation.)
Screens 3-6 were rather small with a center aisle and two small sections of seats. The screens were common width that were reduced in height for scope presentations (i.e. not the preferred technique). The audio, as I remember it, was mono.
The theater competed for bookings with the AMC Marina Pacifica located a block away.
The last time I was in the Dome’s projection booth was two years ago. At the time, they were using a single film projector with a platter . The booth also was equipped with a DLP projector. Photos from that visit were posted on the Fans of Showmanship website (registration required to access images).
“Star Wars” had a six-week run here during June-July 1977.
Here’s a list of some (most? all?) of the drive-ins known or believed to have had 70mm projection capability.
100 TWIN DRIVE-IN â€" Fridley, MN
270 DRIVE-IN â€" Florissant, MO
CENTURY DRIVE-IN â€" Inglewood, CA
CINEMA 70 DRIVE-IN â€" Oklahoma City, OK
CRANSTON AUTO PARK â€" Cranston, RI
EAST DRIVE-IN â€" Aurora, CO
EDGEMERE DRIVE-IN â€" Shrewsbury, MA
FAIRGROUNDS DRIVE-IN â€" Pittsburgh, PA
FIESTA DRIVE-IN â€" Columbus, MS
FOUNTAIN VALLEY DRIVE-IN â€" Fountain Valley, CA
FRANCE AVENUE DRIVE-IN â€" Bloomington, MN
I-290 DRIVE-IN â€" Tonawanda, NY
KAILUA DRIVE-IN â€" Honolulu, HI
MAPLE LEAF DRIVE-IN â€" Maplewood, MN
MIDWAY DRIVE-IN â€" San Diego, CA
MIRACLE MILE DRIVE-IN â€" Pontiac, MI
NORTH DRIVE-IN â€" St. Louis, MO
NORTH STAR DRIVE-IN â€" Denver, CO
PACIFIC DRIVE-IN â€" San Diego, CA
RANCHO DRIVE-IN â€" San Diego, CA
RONNIE’S DRIVE-IN â€" Sappington, MO
ROUND UP DRIVE-IN â€" Phoenix, AZ
SOUTHPARK DRIVE-IN â€" Louisville, KY
SUNNYSIDE DRIVE-IN â€" Fresno, CA
SUNSET DRIVE-IN â€" Las Vegas, NV
SUPER 20 DRIVE-IN â€" Dubuque, IA
THUNDERBIRD DRIVE-IN â€" Atlanta, GA
TIGER DRIVE-IN â€" Slidell, LA
TWIN DRIVE-IN â€" Cincinnati, OH
WESTGATE DRIVE-IN â€" Metarie, LA
WHITE HORSE PIKE DRIVE-IN â€" Lawnside, NJ
YOUNG STREET DRIVE-IN â€" Tonawanda, NY
The original “Star Wars” movie did not play in very many drive-ins during its initial run, but those in which it did tended to be just as outrageously successful as the indoor-theater bookings. The movie’s San Francisco Bay Area drive-in engagements included:
Campbell â€" Winchester Drive-In (opened 06.22.1977; 34 weeks)
Concord â€" Concord Auto Movies (opened 06.22.1977; 26 weeks)
Daly City â€" Geneva Drive-In (opened 06.22.1977; 18 weeks)
Mountain View â€" Moffett Drive-In (opened 08.10.1977; 19 weeks)
Oakland â€" Coliseum Drive-In (opened 06.22.1977; 18 weeks)
I’ve not done the research to verify, but I suspect that those runs of “Star Wars” may be a record for duration at those drive-ins.