Showcase Presentations in St. Louis
A Chronology of Large Format and Roadshow Exhibition, 1954-Present
Compiled by Michael Coate
Part 1: The Cinemas
These St. Louis area 70mm-equipped cinemas are listed alphabetically by locale and will be described in greater detail in a future revision.
BELLEVILLE (Illinois)
B.A.C. Cinema
CHESTERFIELD (Missouri)
Clarkson
ELLISVILLE (Missouri)
Ellisville
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS (Illinois)
St. Clair
FLORISSANT (Missouri)
270 Drive-In
HAZELWOOD (Missouri)
Village
JENNINGS (Missouri)
North Drive-In
MOLINE ACRES (Missouri)
Lewis & Clark
RICHMOND HEIGHTS (Missouri)
Esquire
ST. ANN (Missouri)
Northwest Square
St. Ann
ST. CHARLES (Missouri)
St. Charles
ST. LOUIS (Missouri)
Ambassador
Cinerama
Crestwood
Mid-City
Pageant
St. Louis
Stadium
SAPPINGTON (Missouri)
Ronnies
Ronnies Drive-In
SHREWSBURY (Missouri)
Kenrick
SUNSET HILLS (Missouri)
Mark Twain
Part 2: The Engagements
Roadshows (i.e. reserved-seat engagements) are listed with an asterisk following their title. (Pre-1954 roadshows have not been included in this project.)
IMAX and other special venue presentations have not been included (though they might be added in a future revision).
YYYY-MM-DD TITLE Cinema (duration in weeks) [projection process if other than 70mm or notes]
1954-02-10 THIS IS CINERAMA* Ambassador (54) [Cinerama]
1955-02-21 CINERAMA HOLIDAY* Ambassador (61) [Cinerama]
1956-04-26 SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD* Ambassador (76) [Cinerama]
1957-02-21 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS* St. Louis (13) [35mm]
1957-06-04 AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS* Esquire (29) [35mm]
1957-10-09 SEARCH FOR PARADISE* Ambassador (26) [Cinerama]
1957-12-25 RAINTREE COUNTY* Esquire (11) [35mm]
1958-03-12 THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI* Esquire (12) [35mm]
1958-04-06 THIS IS CINERAMA Ambassador (9) [Cinerama]
1958-04-16 SOUTH PACIFIC* Pageant (45)
1958-08-13 WINDJAMMER* Ambassador (11) [Cinerama]
1958-10-29 SOUTH SEAS ADVENTURE* Ambassador (17) [Cinerama]
1959-02-26 AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS Pageant (7)
1959-06-12 SLEEPING BEAUTY Pageant (14)
1959-10-16 THE BIG FISHERMAN Pageant (5)
1959-12-25 SOLOMON AND SHEBA Esquire (6)
1960-03-11 PORGY AND BESS* Esquire (4)
1960-05-18 CAN-CAN* Ambassador (9)
1960-05-26 BEN-HUR* Mid-City (27)
1960-12-22 SPARTACUS* Esquire (15)
1961-04-11 EXODUS* Esquire (12)
1961-12-21 KING OF KINGS* Esquire (8)
1962-03-01 WEST SIDE STORY* Mid-City (17)
1962-04-13 OKLAHOMA! Pageant (7)
1962-11-08 THE LONGEST DAY* Ambassador (20) [35mm]
1962-12-21 MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY* Esquire (14)
1963-01-10 THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM* Cinerama (13) [Cinerama]
1963-03-29 LAWRENCE OF ARABIA* Ambassador (12)
1963-04-11 HOW THE WEST WAS WON* Cinerama (44) [Cinerama]
1963-06-13 MADAME Mid-City (1)
1963-06-26 CLEOPATRA* Ambassador (24)
1964-02-20 ITS A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD* Cinerama (37) [Cinerama]
1964-11-05 CIRCUS WORLD* Cinerama (19) [Cinerama]
1965-01-21 MY FAIR LADY* Ambassador (36)
1965-03-16 THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD* Cinerama (34) [Cinerama]
1965-03-31 THE SOUND OF MUSIC* St. Louis (83)
1965-04-07 BECKET Ronnies Drive-In (1)
1965-09-29 THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES* Ambassador (12)
1965-11-10 THE HALLELUJAH TRAIL* Cinerama (6) [Cinerama]
1965-12-22 BATTLE OF THE BULGE* Cinerama (14) [Cinerama]
1965-12-25 THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY* Ambassador (10)
1966-03-29 DOCTOR ZHIVAGO* Ambassador (44)
1966-04-01 RUSSIAN ADVENTURE* Cinerama (12) [Cinerama]
1966-06-23 KHARTOUM* Cinerama (18) [Cinerama]
1966-10-26 HAWAII* Cinerama (34) [35mm]
1966-11-02 THE SOUND OF MUSIC* Ellisville (16)
1966-11-02 THE SOUND OF MUSIC* Lewis & Clark (12)
1967-02-01 THE BIBLE* Ambassador (16)
1967-03-22 A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS* Shady Oak (21) [35mm]
1967-05-02 ULYSSES* Mid-City (3 days) [35mm]
1967-05-24 THE TAMING OF THE SHREW* Stadium (12) [35mm]
1967-05-25 THE SAND PEBBLES* Ambassador (22) [35mm]
1967-06-14 THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE* Crestwood (21) [35mm]
1967-06-22 GRAND PRIX* Cinerama (19) [Cinerama]
1967-10-19 THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE* Esquire (6) [35mm]
1967-10-25 GONE WITH THE WIND* Ambassador (33)
1967-11-01 FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD* Cinerama (12)
1967-12-20 CAMELOT* Esquire (23)
1968-01-25 CUSTER OF THE WEST* Cinerama (8) [Cinerama]
1968-03-20 HALF A SIXPENCE* Cinerama (6) [35mm]
1968-05-01 DOCTOR ZHIVAGO* Cinerama (4)
1968-05-29 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY* Cinerama (29) [Cinerama]
1968-06-12 DOCTOR DOLITTLE* Ambassador (8)
1968-08-28 GONE WITH THE WIND Mark Twain (13)
1968-12-18 THE LION IN WINTER* Brentwood (34) [35mm]
1968-12-18 THE SHOES OF THE FISHERMAN* Ambassador (10) [35mm]
1968-12-18 STAR!* Cinerama (15)
1968-12-19 FUNNY GIRL* Northland (27) [35mm]
1968-12-19 FUNNY GIRL* South County (23) [35mm]
1968-12-20 CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG* Esquire (10)
1969-03-26 BEN-HUR* Ambassador (9)
1969-04-02 ICE STATION ZEBRA* Cinerama (12) [Cinerama]
1969-04-25 WAR AND PEACE PART I* Hi-Pointe (1) [35mm]
1969-05-02 WAR AND PEACE PART II* Hi-Pointe (1) [35mm]
1969-05-09 WAR AND PEACE PART I* Hi-Pointe (1) [35mm]
1969-05-16 WAR AND PEACE PART II* Hi-Pointe (1) [35mm]
1969-05-28 SWEET CHARITY* Ambassador (6)
1969-06-19 OLIVER!* Creve Coeur (27)
1969-06-25 KRAKATOA, EAST OF JAVA Cinerama (13) [Cinerama]
1969-06-27 FUNNY GIRL* Kirkwood (17) [35mm]
1969-09-24 CAMELOT Cinerama (1)
1969-10-24 WAR AND PEACE PART I* Kirkwood (1) [35mm]
1969-10-31 WAR AND PEACE PART II* Kirkwood (1) [35mm]
1969-11-07 WAR AND PEACE PART I* Kirkwood (1) [35mm]
1969-11-12 PAINT YOUR WAGON* Cinerama (16)
1969-11-14 WAR AND PEACE PART II* Kirkwood (1) [35mm]
1969-12-17 HELLO, DOLLY!* Ambassador (33)
1970-02-11 GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS* Creve Coeur (6) [35mm]
1970-03-04 PATTON* Cinerama (31)
1970-10-21 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY Cinerama (9)
1970-12-22 SONG OF NORWAY* Esquire (11)
1971-04-06 RYANS DAUGHTER Cinerama (23)
1971-12-14 FIDDLER ON THE ROOF* Cinerama (39) [35mm]
1972-12-13 YOUNG WINSTON* Kirkwood (13) [35mm]
1972-12-14 MAN OF LA MANCHA* Cinerama (13) [35mm]
1973-03-16 THE SOUND OF MUSIC Cinerama (11)
1973-05-16 LAST TANGO IN PARIS* Fine Arts (25) [35mm]
1973-05-23 CAMELOT Esquire (4)
1973-06-13 THIS IS CINERAMA Cinerama (5)
1974-08-28 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY Esquire (5)
1975-10-08 GONE WITH THE WIND Esquire (2)
1976-08-25 THE RETURN OF A MAN CALLED HORSE Esquire (5)
1976-09-04 THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH Mark Twain (midnight)
1976-09-29 GONE WITH THE WIND Esquire (3)
1977-12-14 CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND B.A.C.
1977-12-23 STAR WARS Creve Coeur (25)
1978-12-15 SUPERMAN B.A.C. [70mm from Week #2]
1979-04-06 ALIEN Creve Coeur (sneak preview)
1979-05-18 DAYS OF HEAVEN Mark Twain (1)
1979-05-25 ALIEN Creve Coeur (18)
1979-06-22 ALIEN B.A.C. (8)
1979-10-19 SLEEPING BEAUTY Creve Coeur (3)
1980-05-21 THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK B.A.C. (14)
1980-05-21 THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Creve Coeur (30)
1981-01-30 ALTERED STATES Esquire (sneak preview)
1981-02-06 ALTERED STATES Esquire (5) [Megasound]
1981-05-22 OUTLAND Esquire (6)
1982-03-05 QUEST FOR FIRE Esquire (7)
1982-06-18 ANNIE Creve Coeur (15)
1983-01-21 GANDHI Creve Coeur (16)
1983-05-25 RETURN OF THE JEDI Esquire (17)
1983-05-25 RETURN OF THE JEDI Village (29)
1983-07-15 STAYING ALIVE Creve Coeur (5)
1983-09-23 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY Creve Coeur (1)
1983-09-30 BRAINSTORM Creve Coeur (6)
1983-09-30 BRAINSTORM Mark Twain (6)
1983-10-15 THE RIGHT STUFF Esquire (sneak preview)
1983-10-21 THE RIGHT STUFF Esquire (11)
1984-05-23 INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM B.A.C.
1984-05-23 INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM Clarkson (19)
1984-05-23 INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM Creve Coeur (12)
1984-06-08 GHOSTBUSTERS Mark Twain (17)
1984-12-07 2010 Clarkson (8)
1984-12-07 2010 Kenrick (9)
1984-12-14 DUNE Mark Twain (6)
1984-12-14 STARMAN Kenrick (8)
1984-12-21 2010 Creve Coeur (7)
1985-06-21 COCOON Esquire (16)
1985-06-21 RETURN TO OZ Creve Coeur (4)
1985-06-21 RETURN TO OZ Kenrick (4)
1985-07-10 SILVERADO Mark Twain (4)
1985-07-19 THE BLACK CAULDRON Clarkson (sneak preview)
1985-07-19 THE BLACK CAULDRON Kenrick (sneak preview)
1985-07-24 THE BLACK CAULDRON Clarkson (5)
1985-07-24 THE BLACK CAULDRON Kenrick (8)
1985-12-04 YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES Creve Coeur (8)
1986-05-10 TOP GUN B.A.C. (sneak preview)
1986-05-10 TOP GUN Clarkson (sneak preview)
1986-05-16 TOP GUN B.A.C. (9)
1986-05-16 TOP GUN Clarkson (23)
1986-07-18 ALIENS B.A.C.
1986-07-18 ALIENS Esquire (12)
1986-11-26 STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME Kenrick (15)
1986-12-25 THE MISSION Esquire (8)
1987-06-03 THE UNTOUCHABLES Kenrick (18)
1987-07-01 INNERSPACE Northwest Square (5)
1987-07-15 ALIENS St. Charles (2 days) [cinema Grand Opening screenings]
1987-07-17 THE UNTOUCHABLES St. Charles (6)
1987-08-05 STAKEOUT Creve Coeur (13)
1987-08-05 STAKEOUT Kenrick (16)
1987-08-28 APOCALYPSE NOW Northwest Square (1)
1987-12-11 EMPIRE OF THE SUN Esquire (9)
1988-02-19 CRY FREEDOM Creve Coeur (5)
1988-05-20 WILLOW Kenrick (7)
1988-07-15 DIE HARD Esquire (12)
1989-05-24 INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE Clarkson (10)
1989-05-24 INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE Kenrick (12)
1989-06-22 BATMAN Esquire (8)
1989-06-30 LAWRENCE OF ARABIA Creve Coeur (8)
1990-06-15 DICK TRACY Clarkson (7)
1990-06-15 DICK TRACY Kenrick (8)
1990-06-15 DICK TRACY Northwest Square (14)
1990-06-15 GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH Esquire (7)
1990-07-06 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS Creve Coeur (2)
1990-07-18 ARACHNOPHOBIA Kenrick (13)
1991-01-18 AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS Creve Coeur (1)
1991-01-25 THATS ENTERTAINMENT! Creve Coeur (1)
1991-02-01 OKLAHOMA! Creve Coeur (1)
1991-02-08 FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Creve Coeur (1)
1991-02-15 THE SOUND OF MUSIC Creve Coeur (1)
1991-02-22 WEST SIDE STORY Creve Coeur (1)
1991-03-01 LAWRENCE OF ARABIA Creve Coeur (1)
1991-03-08 BEN-HUR Creve Coeur (1)
1992-05-09 FAR AND AWAY Esquire (sneak preview)
1992-05-09 FAR AND AWAY Kenrick (sneak preview)
1992-05-16 FAR AND AWAY Clarkson (sneak preview)
1992-05-16 FAR AND AWAY Esquire (sneak preview)
1992-05-16 FAR AND AWAY Kenrick (sneak preview)
1992-05-16 FAR AND AWAY St. Clair (sneak preview)
1992-05-22 FAR AND AWAY Clarkson (6)
1992-05-22 FAR AND AWAY Esquire (6)
1992-05-22 FAR AND AWAY Kenrick (8)
1992-05-22 FAR AND AWAY Northwest Square (11) [70mm from Week #3]
1992-05-22 FAR AND AWAY St. Clair (6)
1992-12-25 HOFFA Esquire (5)
1993-06-17 LAST ACTION HERO Kenrick (4)
2015-12-25 THE HATEFUL EIGHT Ronnies (8)
2017-07-21 DUNKIRK Ronnies
References: Various issues of Boxoffice, Belleville News Democrat, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Variety; Dolby sound system installation records; and projector and sound system trade advertisements.
Special Thanks: Jerry Alexander, Bill Huelbig and Chris Utley.
If you believe this article contains any errors or omissions, please consider emailing the author or editor.