Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Memorable film(s) released on Nov. 19th

This is topic Memorable film(s) released on Nov. 19th in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Michael Coate (Member # 757) on 11-19-2011, 06:16 PM:

Released on this day in 1980...

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 11-19-2011, 09:09 PM:

We never ran this one since it turned into such a flop, even though it was filmed in Montana. At the time it was being filmed, I went out with a girl who was an extra in it, which is my best memory about this particular movie!

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 11-19-2011, 10:22 PM:

...and Transamerica told UA .. "goodbye, it was nice knowing yas"

Posted by James Westbrook (Member # 3690) on 11-20-2011, 01:58 AM:

We didn't open it until Feburary or March of 1981, after the movie had been edited down before UA released it wider.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 11-20-2011, 04:36 AM:

The last film ever to have Kris Kristofferson above the title.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 11-20-2011, 01:08 PM:

I also remember a "Come to this movie...if you don't like it, we'll give you your money back!" ad campaign. Nothing could save it, apparently!

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 11-20-2011, 02:58 PM:

Somewhere I have a scan of the New York Times review of Heaven's Gate. It was pretty scathing. If I remember correctly, the movie had just one showing at Cinema One in Manhattan (the press screening) and then was replaced with a print of Apocalypse Now. I'm not even sure if the original cut was ever publicly shown in theaters during the time of its debut.

Posted by Michael Coate (Member # 757) on 11-21-2011, 05:41 PM:

Heaven's Gate was advertised in the NYC area papers for a full week. UA's Apocalypse Now was advertised as its replacement from 11/26/80. Some trade coverage and the making-of book claim it played at Cinema II for three days. I wonder what a patron would've been told by a box-office attendant if they had showed up on, say, 11/24 or 25?

The engagements in Los Angeles and Toronto were cancelled. The film had been planned as a platformed, roadshow-type deal in the initial weeks of its release, much like Cimino's previous film (The Deer Hunter) had been handled.