Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: so how many 70mm capable screens ARE there currently?

This is topic so how many 70mm capable screens ARE there currently? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 07-21-2012, 04:22 PM:

I know that this website/listing is out of date:

http://www.redballoon.net/current70mmus.html

but with the rumor that 'The Master' getting an exclusive 70mm run at the Westwood Village Theater in West LA come this Fall - it is even feasible for the Weinstein Co. to strike up more than one 70mm print for the select few theaters that could actually present the film as such:

"The classic Village Theatre, in the Westwood Village/west Los Angeles area of L.A. is reported to be in view as a site for a 70mm run of the new film from Paul Thomas Anderson (PT Anderson), "The Master". Although the Village hasn't run a 70mm print for many years, a 70mm conversion kit for their venerable Norelco/Philips DP70 has been tracked down, and, pending final decisions and arrangements, it seems likely that L.A. will have its first commercial engagement of a new movie, presented "in the splendor of 70mm" in many years (last known previous one was "Hamlet", back in December 1996)'"

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 07-21-2012, 04:40 PM:

5/70 is not Large Format. Moving to FHF.

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 07-21-2012, 04:50 PM:

sorry... and thanks.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 07-21-2012, 04:53 PM:

As keeper of the list referenced above (which was started in 1997--when more 70mm houses existed--and which has been added/modified since), I can say that "70mm capable house" can mean one of several things:

- able to show a 70mm print if it arrived today, with no additional equipment or service needed

- able to show a 70mm print with minimal service or additional equipment (might need a mag A-chain or 70mm DTS readers, or maybe a platter conversion kit)

- has some 70mm-capable equipment (e.g. projector head(s)), but would need other significant equipment installed (e.g. magnetic sound) in order to play a 70mm print; this is often the case in theatres that might have upgraded their sound systems, but which have not necessarily included magnetic sound capability in the new system

Also, lots of theatres can play a format 42 print, but few can properly play a format 40 print without buying additional equipment.

Anyway, I would say that relatively few theatres could play a 70mm magnetic print if it arrived today. The ones that come to mind are the AFI Silver, the Egyptian, the Aero, and possibly the Cinerama Dome, the Seattle Cinerama, Cinestudio, the Ziegfeld, Radio City, the Castro and maybe a few others.

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 07-21-2012, 06:10 PM:

Honolulu at one time had ten active theatres capable of playing 70mm films but one of them do not count because it now uses a 70mm system from one of the house that had it (Royal) after it had shut down. The theatre is Consolidated's Kahala #1 - the large auditorium and last I heard, the equipment is still there and the theatre is part of a active eight theatre complex. As I had mentioned the other week on another thread, one or two of the theatres at the kahala is used as an art house. All of Honolulu's other 70mm theatres have all shut down years ago.

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 07-21-2012, 06:29 PM:

it's not a commercial theater but the Museum of the Moving Image (in Astoria NY) has a 70mm projector.

Posted by Aaron Garman (Member # 1653) on 07-21-2012, 06:42 PM:

Can the Chinese, El Capitan, or even the Loewe's Auditorium at the Lincoln Square 13 do it?

AJG

Posted by Richard May (Member # 2627) on 07-21-2012, 06:54 PM:

Radio City Music Hall can run all 35/70 mag formats.

Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 07-21-2012, 06:56 PM:

Was this press release only referring to movies originating on 65mm shooting stock? If not, there are some ommissions. TITANIC played in 1997 at both the Chinese and Villager in Westwood in December, 1997.

Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 07-21-2012, 10:33 PM:

^ oh sorry here's the link (from in70mm.com)

http://www.in70mm.com/library/rumour/index.htm

it sounds like the story is referring to 65mm shot films, not 'blowups'.

Posted by Thomas Hauerslev (Member # 566) on 07-21-2012, 11:44 PM:

I'm sure there are more 70mm cinemas here and there, but on this page: http://www.in70mm.com/now_showing/index.htm I have listed the cinemas which actually DOES show 70mm occasionally

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 07-22-2012, 12:15 AM:

Is it me or is your "Now Showing in 70mm" bit more active this year than in recent past? It seems like not just the AFI is running more 70mm but so are the other popular 70mm venues.

Posted by Thomas Hauerslev (Member # 566) on 07-22-2012, 12:39 AM:

It's as normal as ever - there are always more 70mm going on during the summer. People are very kind to send me the dates, which I add, and the list "comes alive".

If you hear about 70mm shows, just send me an e-mail, and I will be happy to add it to the list.

Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 09-11-2012, 10:32 PM:

West L.A.'s LANDMARK Theatre has installed 70mm in their Theatre #7 for THE MASTER which opens this Friday (Sept 14). This theatre has recently gone all digital, removing their 35mm equipment. Even more strangely, the complex opened with Sony 4K's in almost every screen, large and small, but they were rearely used, as 35mm was the preferred format here. But now that they are all digital, they are not using the Sony's, but a combination of 2K and 4K DLPs.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 09-12-2012, 12:39 AM:

quote: Paul Linfesty
But now that they are all digital, they are not using the Sony's, but a combination of 2K and 4K DLPs.

Prob found out how expensive it will be to operate SONY units compared to DLP units in the long haul.

Looks like Chris Nolan's push to play "DKR" in 15/70mm is starting a trend to return 70mm presentations to the big screen, where it rightfully belongs ... where digital doesn't belong.

Boise's Egyptian Theatre contains two Simplex XL 35/70mm projectors for dual film format presentations....and manual changeover operation.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-12-2012, 02:11 AM:

quote: Adam Martin
5/70 is not Large Format.

I never understood the logic behind this, if there is any. But I imagine it's along the same lines of "You can't review movies out on video in the Movie Review forum".

Posted by Edward Havens (Member # 4715) on 09-12-2012, 02:30 AM:

quote: Jonathan Goeldner
I know that this website/listing is out of date

Now only out of date, but just plain bad information on a number of theatres.

The Bridge Cinema De Lux hasn't been that in almost two years (it's the Rave 18 now), and doesn't have a 19th screen. The IMAX house is #12.
They have the former Plitt/Cineplex Century Plaza listed twice, once in Century City and once in Los Angeles... and with different information in each listing. They also have the Bruin, the Crest and the Village in Westwood listed twice (Los Angeels and Westwood).
The Chelsea Cinemas in New York City definitely has nine screens, not eight.
The Sutton Twin in New York is closed and demolished (not listed here).
Also have the Village VII listed twice, with different information listed in each listing.

And those are just the ones I've been to/worked at and remember.

Posted by Brian Guckian (Member # 1678) on 09-12-2012, 06:39 AM:

Great work, Edward, and doubtless those who compile this information always welcome updates and corrections from interested observers [beer]

Posted by Joseph L. Kleiman (Member # 3097) on 09-12-2012, 06:59 PM:

Regarding Adam's comment that 70mm is not large format, it depends who you talk to. The giant screen community considers large format to be 8/70,10/70, or 15/70. Some, like myself, extend the definition to specialty anamorphic formats like 8/35 VistaVision and 3-strip Cinerama. However, AMPAAS, the AFI, and on occasion SMPTE, consider 5/70 as a large format.

Posted by Chris Slycord (Member # 4239) on 09-12-2012, 07:22 PM:

Adam's comment, though, was that for the purposes of these forums that 5/70 isn't a large format (since he is one of the website admins). [Smile]

Posted by Jock Blakley (Member # 6552) on 09-12-2012, 07:39 PM:

It's sad to go through the list and see all the changes that have often been for the worse.

Going through the section for Australia just off the top of my head:

The Cremorne Orpheum in NSW has allegedly closed, although I'm not sure if it's distinct from the Hayden Orpheum in Cremorne which has not closed. Either way neither screen 70mm anymore.

The Capitol in Melbourne has closed and is now used as a lecture theatre for RMIT University.

Hoyts Chadstone went all-digital a few months back; Cinema 5 had its Victoria 8 removed.

Hoyts Cinema Centre in Melbourne has closed; Hoyts relocated their operations to Melbourne Central but I'm unsure if 70mm capability went with it.

Palace Trak in Melbourne has closed.

Village City Centre in Melbourne closed (IIRC when Village moved to Crown Casino in Southbank).

Two missing from the list:

The Edge Cinema in Katoomba NSW has 70mm capability (or at least had it in December 2011 when they played and didn't take the best care of ALIENS).

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne also has 70mm capability, although I'm unsure of whether it's in both cinemas or just the larger one.

We at the Astor in Melbourne of course retain our full 70mm capability, including capacity for DTS 70. We currently hold the only regular 70mm screenings in Australia, and ACMI and Edge are to the best of my knowledge the only other venues that show 70mm even rarely.

Oh, and it's probably obvious, but the Hayden Orpheum is quite definitely no longer "currently screening the only existing 70mm print of Baraka" considering that there's at least two extant 70mm prints of BARAKA, and the only one in Australia is kept for the exclusive use of the Astor.

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 09-12-2012, 10:12 PM:

I'd say that anything larger than either the standard flat/scope 4-perf 35mm should be considered large format because, well, it's obviously larger than the norm. Anything larger than the norm would be "large format" by definition.

Posted by Edward Havens (Member # 4715) on 09-12-2012, 11:53 PM:

I've got some old Cineplex Odeon documents from the late 1990s with all the capabilities of all the LA/SF/PHO hardtops. Once I find those, I'll email snorwood with all the corrections I can.

Posted by Jim Henk (Member # 3628) on 09-13-2012, 04:05 AM:

I do remember in the 80's being dispatched once in a while out to an Edwards multiplex in Alhambra (CA) and ran plattered 70mm in one of the houses. Simplex, if memory serves... That was fun. I have *no* idea if it's still there.

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 09-14-2012, 01:36 PM:

MASS MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) in North Adams has two Century JJs in manual C/O. Looking at their site they don't seem to have an on-going film program, but that doesn't mean they nixed the projection booth.

The whole projection system serves two theatres -- one indoor and another outdoor with a fancy restaurant with tables facing the screen. The projectors were on big dollys in the booth so the whole system could be turned round and aimed at either the ports for the indoor theatre or the ports for the outdoor theatre, which were on opposite walls.

Everything interfaced with two imbilicals -- unplug one imbilical, turn the projectors around and face them at the opposite theatre, slide the dolly into registration pins in the floor and plug everything into the other theatre's imbilicle and you were ready to do. In the case of rain, the audience sould be moved from the outdoor to the indoor and the projectors moved with the whole changeover accomplished and ready to hit the screen in under 20min.

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 09-14-2012, 09:39 PM:

Jim , Edward's Alhambra Place is gone. And yes it was a Simplex 35/70. They had a Norelco AA in the Temple City till the operator cut part of his finger off and they then put in a Simplex 35/70.

Posted by Paul Linfesty (Member # 214) on 09-14-2012, 09:47 PM:

Interestingly, the Landmark's website had stated that THE MASTER was playing in Digital and 70mm, now it states that it is playing in Digital and 35mm.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-15-2012, 12:56 AM:

Maybe they trashed the print. [Confused]

Posted by Jim Henk (Member # 3628) on 09-15-2012, 02:46 AM:

quote: Bill Gabel
They had a Norelco AA in the Temple City till the operator cut part of his finger off and they then put in a Simplex 35/70.

He *WHAT*?????

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 09-15-2012, 10:56 AM:

I'd bet OSHA was involved in that decision. No warning labels on the gate maybe?

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 09-15-2012, 02:15 PM:

Yes , Jim the old finger cur off in the projector trick. He was a Local-150 man. That guy was a hoarder in the booth too.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 09-15-2012, 08:58 PM:

So, how is a Simplex any safer than a Norelco? Is there really anything particularly unsafe about either?

BTW, thanks for everyone who is sending me updates for the 70mm theatre list. Keep them coming!

Posted by Jim Henk (Member # 3628) on 09-15-2012, 09:48 PM:

He refused to divulge where the convoy was headed, so it laughed maniacally, and took one of his fingers. Bwaa-haa-haaaaaa!!!

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 09-16-2012, 02:01 PM:

Posted by Frank Angel (Member # 248) on 09-22-2012, 04:37 PM:

OSHA LOVES those kinds of signs...it fixes everything.

Posted by Martin Brooks (Member # 1269) on 09-28-2012, 07:54 PM:

There at least three 70mm prints in NYC: The Ziegfeld, Loews Lincoln Square, and the Village East. There might be a fourth, but I forgot where.

I saw this today at the Ziegfeld in NYC in 70mm and from beginning to end, the print was filled with positive dirt: black speckles. It's only been playing for a week. I figure I was at the 30th or 31st show. You'd think the film was 20 years old for all the dirt.

The film was plattered, which surprised me because it looks to me like the Ziegfeld booth still has two film projectors. I don't know whether the problems with this print happened in the lab or whether it was mishandled at the Ziegfeld. Maybe it fell off the platters and they had to wind the whole thing off the floor or something. There were no scratches (well..there was one emulsion scratch, but it only lasted for a split second), but plenty of dirt.

In many shots, there was a strange horizontal darker strip at the bottom of the screen. At first I thought there was something going on with the projection glass masking, but it didn't happen in every shot.

Also, this looked to me like it was 1.85, not the normal 2.2:1.

The 65mm photography was frequently beautiful, but if this is the best they can do presenting it, I'd rather see it digitally.

Posted by Victor Liorentas (Member # 5272) on 09-28-2012, 08:16 PM:

That's the problem! So few pros to come in and save the presentation! Not for free anyway...
This is assuming the damage was done at the theater level and not the lab.

Posted by Jim Henk (Member # 3628) on 09-28-2012, 08:54 PM:

Geez...! How much would it cost them to use a film cleaner and FilmGuard?

*I* even have one of those for 35 and for 70, and I'm not even a theatre!

Posted by Matthew Gress (Member # 6853) on 10-15-2012, 04:35 PM:

I just finished a three-week run of "The Master" in 70mm! Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, MA.