Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: 70mm interlock: Has it ever been done?

This is topic 70mm interlock: Has it ever been done? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=006214

Posted by Christopher Seo (Member # 7) on 05-26-2004, 06:59 PM:

Basically, what the question says. Has a 70mm print ever been interlocked between two (or more) auditoriums in a multiplex situation? I don't see why it would be any more difficult than a 35mm interlock, except that perhaps the twists and turns would have to be a little more gentle.

A few reasons I can think of why this would not have been done: most multiplexes would not have more than one 70mm-capable screen; screens likely to be equipped with 70mm would all be very large, such that interlocking them would create too many seats for a given show; and possible restrictions by paranoid distributors to protect an enormously more expensive print (i.e., mag-striped).

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-26-2004, 07:02 PM:

I did it one time to move Titanic from Cinema I to Cinema II at Northpark in Dallas.

Posted by Christopher Seo (Member # 7) on 05-26-2004, 07:05 PM:

Was it an actual show, or just to move the print? Did you actually run the print through the projectors or just from one platter to the other?

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 05-26-2004, 07:41 PM:

Yes the show was ran, but not to a paying audience. Cinema I was being presented "one last time" for the staff who had been busting their humps for the last several months and Cinema II was being presented to tune the sound as best as could be achieved for that film. A number of people were bouncing back and forth to hear the difference between the two auditoriums. Needless to say, Cinema I got the phenomenal two thumbs up vote from everyone. Nobody was impressed with the sound in Cinema II when comparing it to Cinema I, although I thought that it was the best that room had ever sounded, given the equipment.

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 05-26-2004, 07:56 PM:

The cost of the print is the major restriction. Theatre chains would have to pay for the print if your damage it. Back when the movie "Adventures in Babysitting" came out. The Cineplex Theatre at Universal Studios in Universal City, CA, opened the movie in 70MM and within the first few days the Local 150 operator scratched the entire print, by misthreading. Cineplex had to pay for the whole print ($40,000). Pacific Theatres would have an extra projectionist on duty when 70MM was booked into their houses.

Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 05-26-2004, 09:07 PM:

The Famous Players Yorkdale ran Stakeout in 70mm on an interlock that was 100' around 2 corners for about 3 weeks with no problems

Posted by Mike Babb (Member # 1379) on 05-26-2004, 09:15 PM:

We were interlocking Rocky IV and Top Gun back when they were released. Two houses, Christie platters, JJs and Showman 2 automation.

Posted by John Walsh (Member # 168) on 05-26-2004, 09:20 PM:

I live pretty close to New York, but never heard it being done. Because of the cost, most people are not that brave!

It's a sad comment on the studios to think there was a time when a film like Adventures in Babysitting would be released in 70mm, but today, nothing is, not even the Star Wars, LOTRs, etc.

Posted by Brian D. Whitish (Member # 825) on 05-26-2004, 09:26 PM:

At the lovely(har)Rose Moyer in Portland our company ran Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom in 70mm interlocked. The run was at least 75 feet. Ran on the Orange ORC platters. I think the projectors were Simplex 35/70 but it might have been Century JJs. Its been awhile.

Posted by Peter Kerchinsky (Member # 1098) on 05-27-2004, 04:02 AM:

The projectionist I work with ran 70MM interlock at the Crest Cinemas in Seattle. They ran Close Encounters and Raiders of the Lost Ark. I worked that theatre some years later and believe me I cannot fiqure out to this day how the hell they got the film to run around corners. The two booths were quite a distance from each other, but apparently it worked.

Posted by Bob Koch (Member # 1062) on 05-28-2004, 08:57 PM:

Looking at this question: I`m certainly glad I`m as old as I am.