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quote:
June 19:
SUPERMAN II
Anamorphic Blow-Up / Six-Track Dolby Stereo
DC/Salkind/Warner Bros.
“The Adventure Continues”
Hollywood: [Mann] Chinese (shown on two screens) (Megasound)
Westwood Village: [Mann] Village (Megasound)
Includes West Coast Premiere on June 2 (Samuel Goldwyn)
Expanded Release on July 1
Newport Beach: [Edwards] Newport (move-over from Chinese; opened in 35mm on June 19)
Expanded Release on July 17
Orange: [Syufy] Cinedome (opened in 35mm on June 19)
Additional 70mm Engagements
Hollywood: [Mann] Vogue (Aug. 21)
West Los Angeles: [Pacific] Picwood (Sep. 4)
Bakersfield: [UA] Movies 6 (Nov. 6)
[70mm Trailer: “So Fine”]
[Also see 1982 re-issue entry]
quote: Mark LensenmayerThat was one of the better theaters around the Chicago area... With McClurg Court downtown being the best. I saw both Superman 1 there and Alien at Woodfield. McClurg was the better of the two though. Sadly both are now gone. There are few decent theaters left in the world!
Saw SUPERMAN I at Woodfield in Chicago.
quote:Dave, what's with all the "Circle R's"? You makin' fun of one of my former employers? You know, the one who liked to write (ad nauseam) about all that DTS®, Essential Resource® and Holosonic Sound™ crap.
I'm "pretty sure"® I saw Superman II in 70mm at the Big Newport. "I could be wrong"®.
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It has been 1433 days since the last post.
quote: Jonathan GoeldnerSuperman: The Movie was originally mixed for 5.1 split surround, but the original 70mm prints didn't use the split surround mix just baby boom and mono surround instead.
I thought the first commercial split surround mix was 'Apocalypse Now' in '79, what's the story here?
It has been 1650 days since the last post.
quote: Louis BornwasserI think you are confusing "Superman" (1978) with "Superman II" (1981), Louis. The original movie's world premiere was held at the Kennedy Center.
I did the Superman world premiere at the Uptown; standard Dolby 70mm.
quote: Steve Guttag
I'd think that split surround would have been advertised for that one.
quote: Sam D. ChavezGuys, the split-surround format was never advertised in newspaper display ads. The only time I came across a split-surround mention in advertising was in a text-based exhibitor ad in Los Angeles for one of the "Indiana Jones" sequels. Photographic evidence of theater marquees hasn't revealed any split-surround mention either.
I don't believe Superman was advertised with stereo surrounds as it was still in R & D.
quote: Michael CoateI gotta say you're being a bit difficult here. You ask for information and then denigrate the people who provide it if it's not 100% accurate to your standards. It might help if you gave a clue as to what you are looking for. And you are the one who used the term "commercial" which would lead one to believe you're looking for evidence and you mine ads for info better than anyone.
In the case of "Apocalypse Now," one of the early ads announcing advance ticket sales included a quote from Coppola mentioning the sound being "a unique Dolby 6-track Quintaphonic System coming from speakers specially installed in the theatre." But once the movie opened, the most-common ads for the 70mm engagements simply featured the then-standard Dolby Stereo logo with "70mm Six-Track" underneath in surprisingly tiny print.
As far as I know, the guys at Dolby never came up with a trade name or logo to differentiate the split-surround format from their other 70mm formats. So, in this instance, suggesting I "check the ads" isn't going to get me the answer I am seeking.
quote: Sam D. ChavezDifficult? How so? I simply wish to confirm if the general public was ever able to experience a split-surround presentation of "Superman."
I gotta say you're being a bit difficult here. You ask for information and then denigrate the people who provide it if it's not 100% accurate to your standards. It might help if you gave a clue as to what you are looking for. And you are the one who used the term "commercial" which would lead one to believe you're looking for evidence and you mine ads for info better than anyone.
It has been 584 days since the last post.
quote:
“Superman”: The 70mm Engagements
Compiled by Michael Coate
The following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter presentations of “Superman” in North America. The film’s 70mm prints consisted of full-frame imagery blown up from anamorphic 35mm photography. The audio was Six-Track Dolby Stereo (“A” encoded “baby boom” format with a slit-surround playback option*).
“Superman” was among eight first-run films released in 1978 with 70mm prints for selected engagements. The Alexander Salkind production and Warner Bros. release — directed by Richard Donner and starring Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman and Christopher Reeve — opened December 15th.
The film’s world premiere was held December 10th at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. As well, several regional premieres took place between the 11th and 14th.
The duration of the engagements, measured in weeks played, has been included for some entries in parenthesis following the cinema name.
Note that some of the presentations included in this listing may have been presented in 35mm during the latter weeks of engagement due to print damage and the distributor’s unwillingness to supply a 70mm replacement print or because the booking was moved to a smaller, 35mm-only auditorium within a multiplex. As well, the reverse is true whereas several bookings began with a 35mm print because the lab was unable to complete the 70mm print order in time for an opening-day delivery or the exhibitor negotiated a mid-run switch to 70mm. In these cases, the 35mm portion of the engagement has been included in the duration figure.
*It should be noted that other than the Northpoint in San Francisco it is undetermined which cinema(s) during the original first-run release played “Superman” in a split-surround presentation since (1) the split-surround portion of the presentation was considered a test and not promoted, and (2) the split-surround decoding equipment had not yet been made available; a prototype of the SA-5 surround adapter for use with the Dolby CP100 was manufactured for the cinema(s) in which the test presentations were held.
CALIFORNIA
Costa Mesa — Mann’s South Coast Plaza Triplex (27 weeks) [70mm from Week #3]
Los Angeles (Hollywood) — Mann’s Chinese (22)
Los Angeles (Westwood Village) — Mann’s National (17)
Los Angeles (Woodland Hills) — UA’s Warner Center 6-plex (26) [70mm from Week #3]
San Diego — Mann’s Cinema 21 (7) [70mm from Week #2]
San Francisco — Plitt’s Northpoint (23) [70mm from Week #2]
San Jose — Mann’s Town & Country (25) [70mm from Week #7]
COLORADO
Denver — Mann’s Century 21 (?) [70mm from Week #2]
ILLINOIS
Belleville — BAC’s Cinema (?) [70mm from Week #2]
Calumet City — Plitt’s River Oaks 4-plex (21) [70mm from Week #11]
Chicago — Plitt’s Esquire (12) [70mm from Week #3]
Northbrook — Center’s Edens Twin (16) [70mm from Week #3]
Oak Brook — Plitt’s Oakbrook (21) [70mm from Week #3]
Schaumburg — Plitt’s Woodfield 4-plex (20) [70mm from Week #3]
KENTUCKY
Louisville — Redstone’s Showcase 8-plex (22) [70mm from Week #12]
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston — Sack’s Cinema 57 Twin (13) [70mm from Week #4]
MICHIGAN
Livonia — Nicholas George’s Mai Kai (23) [70mm from Week #3]
Southfield — Nicholas George’s Americana 4-plex (23) [70mm from Week #3]
MINNESOTA
Bloomington — General Cinema’s Southtown (23) [70mm from Week #3]
Brooklyn Center — Plitt’s Brookdale (23) [70mm from Week #3]
NEW YORK
New York — Cinema 5’s Murray Hill (16)
New York — Loews’ Astor Plaza (16)
New York — Loews’ Orpheum Twin (17)
OREGON
Beaverton — Luxury Theatres’ Westgate Triplex (23) [70mm from Week #2]
Portland — Luxury Theatres’ Eastgate Triplex (23) [70mm from Week #2]
TEXAS
Dallas — General Cinema’s Northpark West Twin (21) [70mm from Week #6]
SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS & SCREENINGS
1979-01-26 … Washington, DC — Circle’s Embassy Circle (19)
1979-04-04 … New York, NY — Moss’ Criterion (7)
1979-05-25 … San Francisco, CA — Blumenfeld’s Royal
1979-07-13 … Seattle, WA — Seven Gables’ Crest 70 (3)
1979-07-25 … Philadelphia, PA — Parkwood Manor (2)
1979-09-26 … Philadelphia, PA — Parkwood Manor (1)
1980-06-27 … New York, NY — Loews’ State Twin (3)
1981-01-15 … Toronto, ON — Cinesphere (4 days) [70mm fest]
1981-03-19 … Toronto, ON — Cinesphere (11 days) [70mm fest]
1981-09-18 … Montreal, QC — United’s York (3)
1981-11-20 … Ottawa, ON — National Arts Centre Opera (2 days)
1982-01-27 … Toronto, ON — Cinesphere (5 days) [70mm fest]
1983-01-19 … Toronto, ON — Cinesphere (5 days) [70mm fest]
1992-07-17 … Los Angeles (Miracle Mile), CA — LACMA’s Bing [70mm fest]
1992-08-19 … Los Angeles (Miracle Mile), CA — Four Star (1) [70mm fest; w/“T2”]
1992-10-11 … Los Angeles (Century City), CA — AMC’s Century 14-plex [retro fest]
1992-10-15 … Los Angeles (Century City), CA — AMC’s Century 14-plex [retro fest]
1999-09-03 … Los Angeles (Westwood Village), CA — Mann’s Plaza (midnight; 3 days)
2008-04-18 … Seattle, WA — Cinerama (1)
The information in this article has been principally referenced from film industry trade publications, regional newspaper promotion and Dolby Labs’ records, with thanks to Sam D. Chavez, Bill Kretzel and Vince Young.
Additional 70mm prints were screened internationally but have not been accounted for in this article.
If you believe this article contains any errors or omissions, please consider emailing the author or editor.
quote: Martin BrooksLemme guess: You got an experience seeing one of the "Superman" sequels mixed up with the original and then deleted your comment before I pointed out the mistaken recollection?
Deleted
quote:Superman III: The 70mm Engagements
“Superman II”: The 70mm Engagements
Compiled by Michael Coate
“The adventure continues.”
The following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter presentations of “Superman II” in North America. These were full-frame prints blown up from anamorphic 35mm photography. The audio was Six-Track Dolby Stereo (“A” encoded “baby boom” format with a slit-surround playback option).
“Superman II” was among eight first-run films released in 1981 with 70mm prints for selected engagements. The Alexander Salkind production and Warner Bros. release was directed by Richard Donner (uncredited) and Richard Lester and starred Gene Hackman and Christopher Reeve.
“Superman II” opened in late 1980 and early 1981 in several countries throughout the world. The North American premiere was held May 31st, 1981, at the Uptown in Washington, DC. The public release in North America commenced June 19th.
The duration of the engagements, measured in weeks played, has been included for some entries in parenthesis following the cinema name.
Note that some of the presentations included in this listing may have been presented in 35mm during the latter weeks of engagement due to print damage and the distributor’s unwillingness to supply a 70mm replacement print or because the booking was moved to a smaller, 35mm-only auditorium within a multiplex. As well, the reverse may have been true in some cases whereas a booking began with a 35mm print because the lab was unable to complete the 70mm print order in time for an opening-day delivery or the exhibitor negotiated a mid-run switch to 70mm. In these cases, the 35mm portion of the engagement has been included in the duration figure.
CALIFORNIA
Bakersfield — UA’s Movies 6-plex (24 weeks) [70mm from Week #21]
Los Angeles — Mann’s Chinese Triplex (#1: 9) [Megasound]
Los Angeles — Mann’s Chinese Triplex (#2: 2) [Megasound]
Los Angeles — Mann’s Village (9) [Megasound]
Newport Beach — Edwards’ Newport Twin (9) [70mm from Week #3]
Orange — Syufy’s Cinedome 6-plex (13) [70mm from Week #5]
San Jose — Syufy’s Century 22 Triplex (#1)
San Jose — Syufy’s Century 22 Triplex (#2)
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Washington — Circle’s Uptown (15)
HAWAII
Honolulu — Consolidated’s Waikiki Twin (9)
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston — Sack’s Cinema 57 Twin (10)
NEW JERSEY
Totowa — UA’s Cinema 46 Triplex (6)
NEW YORK
New York — Cinema 5’s Murray Hill (14)
New York — RKO Century’s Cinerama Twin (14)
VIRGINIA
Springfield — General Cinema’s Springfield Mall 6-plex (14)
SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS & SCREENINGS
1981-08-21 … Los Angeles, CA — Mann’s Vogue (1)
1981-09-04 … Los Angeles, CA — Pacific’s Picwood (4)
1981-10-23 … Salt Lake City, UT — Plitt’s Crossroads Triplex (2)
1981-11-25 … Cleveland, OH — Colony (1)
1982-02-10 … Toronto, ON — Cinesphere (5 days) [70mm fest]
1982-03-29 … Ottawa, ON — National Arts Centre Opera
1982-10-08 … Los Angeles, CA — Pacific’s Cinerama Dome (2)
1982-10-22 … Los Angeles, CA — Plitt’s Century Plaza Twin (2)
1982-10-22 … Pasadena, CA — SRO’s Hastings (1)
1982-10-22 … Tucson, AZ — Plitt’s Foothills 4-plex (1)
1982-10-29 … Los Angeles, CA — Mann’s Hollywood (1) [w/“Tron”]
1982-10-29 … Philadelphia, PA — Budco’s Regency Twin (1)
1982-10-29 … Seattle, WA — SRO’s Music Box (2) [w/“Firefox”]
1982-11-12 … Lynnwood, WA — SRO’s Grand Alderwood 5-plex (4) [w/“Firefox”]
1983-01-26 … Toronto, ON — Cinesphere (5 days) [70mm fest]
The information in this article has been principally referenced from film industry trade publications, regional newspaper promotion and Dolby Labs’ records, with thanks to Bill Kretzel, Paul Linfesty and J. Thomas.
Additional 70mm prints were screened internationally but have not been accounted for in this article.
If you believe this article contains any errors or omissions, please consider emailing the author or editor.
quote:
“Superman III”: The 70mm Engagements
Compiled by Michael Coate
The following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter presentations of “Superman III” in North America. The film’s 70mm prints consisted of full-frame imagery blown up from anamorphic 35mm photography. The audio was Six-Track Dolby Stereo (“A” encoded “baby boom” format).
“Superman III” was among thirteen first-run films released in 1983 with 70mm prints for selected engagements. The Alexander Salkind production and Warner Bros. release — directed by Richard Lester and starring Christopher Reeve and Richard Pryor — opened June 17th.
The duration of the engagements, measured in weeks played, has been included for some entries in parenthesis following the cinema name.
Note that some of the presentations included in this listing may have been presented in 35mm during the latter weeks of engagement due to print damage and the distributor’s unwillingness to supply a 70mm replacement print or because the booking was moved to a smaller, 35mm-only auditorium within a multiplex. As well, the reverse may have been true in some cases whereas a booking began with a 35mm print because the lab was unable to complete the 70mm print order in time for an opening-day delivery or the exhibitor negotiated a mid-run format switch to 70mm. In these cases, the 35mm portion of the engagement has been included in the duration figure.
ALBERTA
Calgary — Famous Players’ Chinook (7 weeks)
Edmonton — Famous Players’ Paramount (4)
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Burnaby — Famous Players’ Lougheed Mall Triplex (5)
Vancouver — Famous Players’ Stanley (7)
CALIFORNIA
Costa Mesa — Edwards’ South Coast Plaza Triplex (6)
Los Angeles — Mann’s Chinese Triplex (5)
Los Angeles — Mann’s Village (4)
Orange — Syufy’s City Center Twin (6)
San Jose — Syufy’s Century 22 Triplex
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Washington — Circle’s Uptown (4)
KENTUCKY
Louisville — Redstone’s Showcase 9-plex (8)
MANITOBA
Winnipeg — Famous Players’ Metropolitan (4)
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston — Sack’s Cinema 57 Twin (6)
NEW JERSEY
Paramus — RKO Century’s Route 17 Twin (6)
Totowa — UA’s Cinema 46 Triplex (6)
NEW YORK
New York — Cinema 5’s Murray Hill (8)
New York — Moss’ Criterion Center 6-plex (9)
Syosset — UA’s Syosset (6)
ONTARIO
Ottawa — Famous Players’ Nelson (8)
Toronto — Famous Players’ Hollywood Twin (4)
Toronto — Famous Players’ Palace Triplex (6)
QUEBEC
Montreal — United’s Palace 6-plex (9)
SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS
1983-07-15 … Winnipeg, MB — Famous Players’ Northstar Twin (3)
1983-07-29 … Temple City, CA — Edwards’ Temple 4-plex (3) [w/“WarGames”]
1983-09-16 … Montclair, CA — SRO’s Montclair Triplex (7) [w/“WarGames”]
1983-11-04 … Riverside, CA — Sanborn’s Canyon Crest 9-plex (5) [w/“WarGames”]
1983-12-26 … Toronto, ON — Cinesphere (1) [70mm fest]
The information in this article has been principally referenced from film industry trade publications, regional newspaper promotion and Dolby Labs’ records, with thanks to Bill Kretzel.
Additional 70mm prints were screened internationally but have not been accounted for in this article.
If you believe this article contains any errors or omissions, please consider emailing the author or editor.
quote: Michael CoateNo, I realized that I was responding to a years old post and that someone else answered the question.
Lemme guess: You got an experience seeing one of the "Superman" sequels mixed up with the original and then deleted your comment before I pointed out the mistaken recollection?