Remembering Cinerama (Part VI)

posted by Coate on October 10, 2008 at 8:15 am

REMEMBERING CINERAMA
Part VI: Los Angeles

The following is Part Six in a series of retrospectives on Cinerama, the legendary motion picture process that kicked off the widescreen revolution. The series will not describe in detail the particulars of what the system was or how it worked, as extensive coverage of such is accessible in numerous books and websites. Instead, the series focuses on providing an historical overview of a less-accessible aspect of the Cinerama story: how, when and where Cinerama and its clones were exhibited in selected markets since every region was treated differently. As well, the articles serve to provide nostalgia to those who experienced Cinerama when it was new and to highlight the movie palaces in which these memorable events took place.

Part I: New York City
Part II: Chicago
Part III: San Francisco
Part IV: Houston
Part V: Washington, D.C.

And now, Part VI: Cinerama Presentations in Los Angeles!

THIS IS CINERAMA
Theater: Warner Hollywood
Premiere: April 29, 1953 (West Coast Premiere)
Engagement Duration: 133 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Promotional Hype: “The Biggest Thing That Ever Stunned A Theatre Audience!”

CINERAMA HOLIDAY
Theater: Warner Hollywood
Premiere: November 14, 1955
Duration: 81 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “It’s Every Holiday You Ever Dreamed Of…Come True!”

SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD
Theater: Warner Hollywood
Premiere: June 5, 1957
Duration: 69 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “Your Tickets Are The Magic Keys That Unlock A World Of Adventure Such As You Have Never Experienced!”

WINDJAMMER
Theater: Grauman’s Chinese
Premiere: April 8, 1958 (World Premiere)
Duration: 37 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinemiracle
Hype: “Cinemiracle…Must Be Seen…To Be Believed!”

WINDJAMMER (Move-over from Chinese)
Theater: Fox
Premiere: December 25, 1958
Duration: 15 (52) weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinemiracle
Hype: “The Giant Wall-to-Wall Screen Comes Alive!!!”

SOUTH SEAS ADVENTURE
Theater: Warner Hollywood
Premiere: October 1, 1958 (West Coast Premiere)
Duration: 71 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “You Live A Thousand Wondrous Excitements In The New Cinerama Adventure!”

SEARCH FOR PARADISE
Theater: Warner Hollywood
Premiere: February 11, 1960
Duration: 38 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “Far Beyond The Limits Of Human Imagination!”

THIS IS CINERAMA (Return Engagement)
Theater: Warner Hollywood
Premiere: November 2, 1960
Duration: 22 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “The Astounding Attraction That Revolutionized The Entertainment World”

CINERAMA HOLIDAY (Return Engagement)
Theater: Warner Hollywood
Premiere: April 4, 1961
Duration: 7 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “It’s Every Holiday You Ever Dreamed Of…Come True!”

SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD (Return Engagement)
Theater: Warner Hollywood
Premiere: May 23, 1961
Duration: 16 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “Your Tickets Are The Magic Keys That Unlock A World Of Adventure Such As You Have Never Experienced!”

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM
Theater: Warner Hollywood
Premiere: August 7, 1962 (West Coast Premiere)
Duration: 28 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “The First Dramatic Film In Fabulous Cinerama!”

HOW THE WEST WAS WON
Theater: Warner Hollywood
Premiere: February 20, 1963 (American Premiere)
Duration: 93 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “The Great Dramatic Motion Picture That Puts You In Every Scene!”

IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: November 7, 1963 (World Premiere)
Duration: 67 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “The Biggest Entertainment Ever To Rock The Cinerama Screen With Laughter!”

THIS IS CINERAMA (Return Engagement)
Theater: Century Drive-In
Premiere: April 17, 1964
Duration: 3 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “The First Presentation Of Cinerama In A Drive-In Theatre…See Cinerama On The Newest, Largest, Most Spectacular Screen Anywhere In The World!”

SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD (Return Engagement)
Theater: Century Drive-In
Premiere: May 6, 1964
Duration: 5 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: None

SOUTH SEAS ADVENTURE (Return Engagement)
Theater: Century Drive-In
Premiere: June 10, 1964
Duration: 3 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: None

CIRCUS WORLD
Theater: Warner Hollywood
Premiere: December 18, 1964
Duration: 16 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Cinerama Surrounds You With The Greatest Thrill-Packed Story Ever Filmed!”

THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: February 17, 1965 (West Coast Premiere)
Duration: 43 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: None

MEDITERRANEAN HOLIDAY
Theater: Warner Hollywood
Premiere: April 9, 1965
Duration: 11 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Cinerama Has Thrilled You With THIS IS CINERAMA, SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD, CINERAMA HOLIDAY, SOUTH SEAS ADVENTURE. And Now Thrill To The New Cinerama: MEDITERRANEAN HOLIDAY”

THE HALLELUJAH TRAIL
Theater: Warner Hollywood
Premiere: June 23, 1965 (West Coast Premiere*)
Engagement: 26 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Now Cinerama Sends Burt Lancaster, Lee Remick, Jim Hutton, Pamela Tiffin And YOU Roaring With Laughter And Adventure Down The Hallelujah Trail.”

BATTLE OF THE BULGE
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: December 16, 1965 (World Premiere)
Duration: 27 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “The Super Action Show In Super Cinerama”

RUSSIAN ADVENTURE
Theater: Warner Hollywood
Premiere: May 3, 1966
Duration: 13 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Here…There…Everywhere…As Far As The Eye Can See! The Most Incredible Adventure Of All!”

KHARTOUM
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: June 23, 1966
Duration: 24 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Where The Nile Divides…Their Mighty Conflict Begins!”

GRAND PRIX
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: December 22, 1966 (West Coast Premiere)
Duration: 44 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Cinerama Sweeps You Into A Drama Of Speed And Spectacle!”

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Theater: Warner Hollywood
Premiere: April 4, 1968 (West Coast Premiere)
Duration: 80 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “An Epic Drama Of Adventure And Exploration!”

ICE STATION ZEBRA
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: October 23, 1968 (World Premiere)
Duration: 29 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Ice Station Zebra…remember the name, your life may depend on it!”

KRAKATOA, EAST OF JAVA
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: May 14, 1969 (American Premiere)
Duration: 23 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “The New Cinerama Hurls You Into The Incredible Day That Shook The Earth To Its Core!”

RE-ISSUES & SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Theater: Egyptian
Premiere: September 30, 1970
Duration: 7 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “On Our Giant 70ft. Dimension 150 Screen! Your Last Chance To See 2001. Presented in 70mm Dimension 150 with 8 Track Stereo (32 surround speakers)”

THIS IS CINERAMA
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: February 15, 1973 (World Re-Premiere)
Duration: 14 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “THIS IS CINERAMA Is Back To Entertain A Whole New Generation”

THIS IS CINERAMA (Move-over from Cinerama Dome)
Theater: Fox Wilshire
Premiere: May 23, 1973
Duration: 3 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “THIS IS CINERAMA is now at its new home”

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: July 24, 1974
Duration: 5 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Exactly As Presented In Cinerama And Stereo Sound”

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Theater: Egyptian
Premiere: October 2, 1974
Duration: 3 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “The Ultimate Trip! In 70mm Dimension 150 And Stereophonic Sound!”

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: July 17, 1977
Duration: 5 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Before STAR WARS There Was…And There Always Will Be 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY…Now In Cinerama, 70mm & 6-Track Stereophonic Sound”

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: November 4, 1988
Duration: 2 days**
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Cinerama Dome Celebrates 25 Years Of Motion Picture History”

THIS IS CINERAMA
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: November 6, 1988
Duration: 2 days***
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Cinerama Dome Celebrates 25 Years Of Motion Picture History”

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: May 15, 1992
Duration: 2 days****
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Experience The Wonder Of These Great Film Classics On The Giant Cinerama Dome Curved Screen”

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: March 19, 1993
Duration: 1 week
Format: 70mm
Hype: “25th Anniversary, 7 Day Engagement”

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: November 10, 1995
Duration: 1 week
Format: 70mm
Hype: “New 70mm Print! Limited One Week Engagement”

THIS IS CINERAMA
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: October 4, 2002
Duration: 2 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “Thrill to the 3-projector presentation that made this the #1 movie of 1952!”

HOW THE WEST WAS WON
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: September 12, 2003
Duration: 2 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “Exclusive Los Angeles Engagement Presented In Its Original 3-Strip Cinerama Process”

IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: October 16, 2003
Duration: 4 days
Format: 70mm
Hype: “In the fall of 1963, two icons were born: the Cinerama Dome and Stanley Kramer’s IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD. This October 17-19, our historic Cinerama Dome will showcase a 40th anniversary Special Edition print presented in 70mm and, for the first time, in digital sound with the legendary intermission and ‘police calls’ voiced by Spencer Tracy and William Demarest.”

THIS IS CINERAMA
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: October 21, 2004
Duration: 2 days
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “Back By Popular Demand. Original Three Projector Presentation. Seven Track Magnetic Stereophonic Sound”

HOW THE WEST WAS WON
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: October 28, 2005
Duration: 1 week
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “Exclusive Engagement In Its Original 3-Strip Cinerama Process”

2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: September 5, 2008
Duration: 1 day
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Cinerama’s Two Most Popular Epics Return For Very Special Limited Engagements. For those that have never seen them on the giant Cinerama screen, And for those that will never forget!”

HOW THE WEST WAS WON
Theater: Cinerama Dome
Premiere: September 7, 2008
Duration: 1 day
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “Cinerama’s Two Most Popular Epics Return For Very Special Limited Engagements. For those that have never seen them on the giant Cinerama screen, And for those that will never forget!”

NOTES, TRIVIA & ITEMS OF SIGNIFICANCE

• “The Hallelujah Trail” opened in Los Angeles on June 23, 1965 without a formal premiere event. Twelve days prior, however, the film’s distributor, 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.

** Shown three times during the Dome’s 25th anniversary retrospective (Nov. 3-17, 1988)

*** Shown three times during the Dome’s 25th anniversary retrospective (Nov. 3-17, 1988)

**** Shown May 15 & 16, 1992 during the Dome’s 7-Day 70mm Film Festival, which also included “West Side Story” and “Oklahoma!”

Los Angeles was the third market to have a theater equipped for Cinerama presentations. (New York and Detroit were the first two.)

The Los Angeles booking sequence of the travelogues differed from the sequence in which they were produced and originally shown in their New York City world premiere engagements.

The Warner Hollywood Theater booked non-Cinerama, non-reserved-seat 35mm attractions from September 1961 through August 1962.

No details could be found for “The Best Of Cinerama” (1962), suggesting it never commercially screened in the Los Angeles area.

“Custer Of The West” (1967), which played as a 70mm-Cinerama roadshow in selected U.S. cities, played in Los Angeles only as a 35mm general release.

“Scent Of Mystery,” which was converted to 3-strip format and re-titled “Holiday In Spain” for selected bookings, played in Los Angeles under its original title and in its original 70mm format.

The Fox Theater in Hollywood where “Windjammer” played its move-over run is easily confused with another Hollywood theater which operated under the same Fox name during a different timeframe. The Fox Theater where “Windjammer” played was located at 6126 Hollywood Blvd. It originally operated as the Music Box before becoming the Fox. After operating as the Fox, it was known as the Pix, the Henry Fonda, and, today, The Music Box @ Fonda. The other theater that used the Fox name beginning in the late-1960s was located at 6508 Hollywood Blvd. and had previously operated as the Iris Theater.

The U.S. premiere of “How The West Was Won” had originally been planned to be held in New York, but a newspaper strike led its distributor, MGM, 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 of reserved-seat tickets in advance.)

“It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World” was the debut attraction of the Cinerma Dome when it premiered in November 1963.

The Century Drive-In, located in Inglewood, was the first of only a few drive-in theaters to be equipped to show 3-strip Cinerama.

Two months after its premiere, “Khartoum” was re-titled “The Battle For Khartoum.”

During the 1968-69 engagement of “2001: A Space Odyssey,” ownership of the Warner Hollywood Theater changed hands from Stanley-Warner to Pacific Theatres, at which time the name of the venue was changed to the Hollywood Pacific. In 1978, the theater was divided into three screens. It still exists today, but is closed.

Following its engagement at the Warner Hollywood/Hollywood Pacific, “2001: A Space Odyssey” continued at the Beverly Hills Theater (sans “In Cinerama” promotion) where it played 23 weeks, bringing the film’s exclusive Los Angeles reserved-seat engagement to 103 weeks (the longest run of the film in the U.S.).

“2001: A Space Odyssey” and “This Is Cinerama” played Cinerama-promoted roadshow engagements at the Cinedome in Orange. Arguably a part of greater Los Angeles, Orange County was at the time in the early stages of being considered by the industry a distinct, first-run market. These Cinerama engagments have been left off this list to avoid any confusion or clutter, though I thought them worth mentioning here. (“2001” premiered Oct. 14, 1969 and played 27 weeks; “This Is Cinerama” premiered July 18, 1973.)

“Windjammer” played the Cinerama Dome in a 1973 re-issue in a non-multi-panel 35mm presentation.

The Cinerama Dome currently is one of three theaters in the world equipped to show movies in the 3-strip Cinerama format. (The other two venues are the Cinerama in Seattle and the National Media Museum in Bradford, England.)

In addition to the commercial theaters mentioned in this article, non-commercial venues in Los Angeles equipped for 3-strip Cinerama projection included the Forum (not to be confused with the concert & sports venue located in Inglewood) during the 1960s & ‘70s and Crest National Labs during the 2000s.

The recent interest in Cinerama owes a debt of gratitude to John Harvey, a professional, career projectionist who, during the 1990s, helped revive the process at Pictureville in Bradford, England and later in his Dayton, Ohio home (!) as well as at Dayton’s New Neon Movies.

[i]Compiled by Michael Coate

Sources: Los Angeles Times and Variety[/i]

(Thanks to lumierefel for providing the photo.)

Theaters in this post

• Century Drive-In
• Cinedome Theatres
• Cinerama Hollywood
• Egyptian Theatre
• Fonda Theatre
• Pacific 1-2-3
• Pictureville Cinema
• Saban Theatre
• SIFF Cinema Downtown
• TCL Chinese Theatre
• Warner Beverly Hills Theatre