posted 01-24-2019 12:09 PM                    

quote: Michael Coate/In70mm.com

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Showcase Presentations in Austin

A Chronology of Large Format and Roadshow Exhibition, 1957-Present

Compiled by Michael Coate

A work in progress...

What follows is a chronology of (1) 5-perf 70-millimeter and (2) roadshow presentations in Austin, Texas, from 1957.

Part 1: The Cinemas

The capital city of Texas’ 70mm-equipped cinemas are/were…

Americana
Arbor
Barton Creek
Fox
Great Hills
Highland 10
Highland Mall Twin
Lincoln
Paramount
Ritz / Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
Southpark

The cinemas will be described in greater detail in a forthcoming revision.)

Part 2: The Presentations

This is primarily a title-based chronology. The project focuses on the exhibition of films and thus the photography processes and print particulars of the featured titles (O-neg source, inter-neg source, blow-up, pillarboxed, letterboxed, Dolby A, Dolby SR, split surround, digital sound, etc.) have not been cited except in cases of notable firsts. (Much of these tech details can be found elsewhere on this website.)

(Cinerama and horizontal VistaVision presentations qualify for this project, as well, though no evidence could be found Austin played any of these presentation types.)

The majority of the titles featured in this chronology showcased some flavor of high-quality magnetic stereophonic sound (four-track for 35mm, six-track for 70mm). The 70mm prints issued from the mid-1970s typically were encoded with Dolby Noise Reduction and often included “baby boom” low-frequency enhancement and, occasionally, split surrounds. Most recently-struck 70mm prints featured digital sound (DTS aka Datasat).

This draft excludes IMAX and other Special Venue presentations. (Such details might be added in a forthcoming revision.)

The roadshows (i.e. reserved-seat engagements) are listed in bold. Roadshows, much like a stage show, featured reserved seating, increased admission price (and sold in advance), were shown an average of only ten times per week, and often included an overture, intermission, entr’acte and/or exit music. Souvenir program booklets were typically sold, as well. (Pre-1950s era roadshow releases have not been cited in this work.)

Sneak preview, test screenings, premieres, and other pre-release screenings have not been included except in cases where such a screening was publicly promoted and included presentation notations in the advertising.

m/o = a move-over engagement (i.e. a continuation of a booking from another cinema)

YYYY-MM-DD … TITLE … Cinema (duration in weeks) [notes or projection process if other than 70mm]

1957-03-22 … THE TEN COMMANDMENTS … State (5) [35mm]
1957-12-25 … AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS … State (3) [35mm]

1960-07-29 … BEN-HUR … Varsity (10) [35mm]

1965-09-02 … MY FAIR LADY … Varsity (10) [35mm]
1965-12-24 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC … Varsity (22) [35mm]

1966-09-21 … DOCTOR ZHIVAGO … Americana (13)

1967-05-02 … ULYSSES … Paramount (3 days) [35mm]
1967-07-19 … THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE … Varsity (12) [35mm]

1968-02-07 … GONE WITH THE WIND … Americana (12)
1968-06-19 … CAMELOT … Americana (8) [35mm]
1968-08-14 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Americana (13)

1969-03-19 … WAR AND PEACE: PART I … Varsity (1) [35mm]
1969-03-26 … THE LION IN WINTER … Americana (7) [35mm]
1969-03-26 … WAR AND PEACE: PART II … Varsity (1) [35mm]
1969-06-25 … OLIVER! … Americana (8) [35mm]
1969-08-20 … FUNNY GIRL … Americana (8) [35mm]
1969-12-23 … PAINT YOUR WAGON … Americana (10) [35mm]

1970-05-06 … GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS … Americana (3)
1970-05-27 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Americana (3)
1970-06-17 … HELLO, DOLLY! … Americana (6)

1971-03-24 … RYAN’S DAUGHTER … Americana (6)
1971-06-23 … SONG OF NORWAY … Americana (3)

1972-12-13 … GONE WITH THE WIND … Americana (1)

1973-05-09 … LAST TANGO IN PARIS … Texas (13) [35mm]

1974-05-29 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC … Americana (2)
1974-10-02 … GONE WITH THE WIND … Americana (3)
1974-10-23 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Americana (3)

1975-08-22 … ROLLERBALL … Americana (6)
1975-10-03 … GONE WITH THE WIND … Fox (2) [MGM’s Fabulous Four]
1975-10-17 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Fox (1) [MGM’s Fabulous Four]

1976-10-22 … GONE WITH THE WIND … Americana (2)
1976-10-30 … THE RETURN OF A MAN CALLED HORSE … Americana (midnight)
1976-11-05 … THE RETURN OF A MAN CALLED HORSE … Americana (3)

1977-10-07 … CAMELOT … Fox (1)
1977-10-14 … PATTON … Fox (1)

1978-09-08 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC … Fox (4)
1978-11-17 … GREASE … Americana (3) [first 70mm-Dolby in Austin]

1979-11-02 … ALIEN … Americana (1)

1980-05-21 … THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK … Americana (30)

1981-05-01 … ALTERED STATES … Americana (2)
1981-06-12 … RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK … Fox (27) [70mm from Week #4]

1982-03-19 … QUEST FOR FIRE … Americana (7)
1982-06-04 … STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN … Highland Mall (8)
1982-06-18 … ANNIE … Americana (18)

1983-02-11 … LET’S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER … Fox (2)
1983-05-25 … RETURN OF THE JEDI … Highland Mall (25)
1983-06-03 … WARGAMES … Americana (11)
1983-09-30 … BRAINSTORM … Fox (6)

1984-05-23 … INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM … Fox (11)
1984-06-01 … STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK … Americana (9)
1984-12-07 … 2010 … Americana (8)
1984-12-14 … DUNE … Southpark (9)
1984-12-14 … STARMAN … Fox (8)
1984-12-14 … STARMAN … Southpark (9)

1985-03-29 … RETURN OF THE JEDI … Americana (3)
1985-07-06 … SILVERADO … Fox (sneak preview)
1985-07-10 … SILVERADO … Arbor (12)
1985-07-10 … SILVERADO … Fox (7)
1985-11-27 … ROCKY IV … Lincoln (9)
1985-12-04 … YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES … Americana (8)
1985-12-04 … YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES … Arbor (7)
1985-12-20 … OUT OF AFRICA … Southpark (20)

1986-01-11 … STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN … Arbor (2 days)
1986-01-18 … STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK … Arbor (2 days)
1986-05-10 … TOP GUN … Americana (sneak preview)
1986-05-16 … TOP GUN … Americana (10)
1986-05-16 … TOP GUN … Arbor (25)
1986-07-18 … ALIENS … Arbor (12)
1986-08-01 … HOWARD THE DUCK … Arbor (3)
1986-11-26 … STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME … Americana (7)
1986-11-26 … STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME … Arbor (11)

1987-01-16 … THE MISSION… Arbor (8)
1987-06-03 … THE UNTOUCHABLES… Arbor (9)
1987-08-05 … STAKEOUT… Arbor (9)

1988-01-08 … CRY FREEDOM… Arbor (2)
1988-01-15 … GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM… Arbor (12)
1988-05-20 … WILLOW … Lincoln (6) [70mm from Week #6]
1988-06-10 … THE PRESIDIO … Arbor (5)

1989-04-14 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Arbor (4) [first 70mm-Dolby SR in Austin]
1989-05-24 … INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE … Arbor (9)
1989-08-09 … THE ABYSS … Arbor (8)
1989-10-27 … BATMAN … Highland Mall (3)
1989-11-17 … LETHAL WEAPON 2 … Highland Mall (3)
1989-12-08 … THE ABYSS … Highland Mall (2)
1989-12-22 … INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE … Highland Mall (3)

1990-02-23 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Highland Mall (1)
1990-06-15 … DICK TRACY … Arbor (8)
1990-07-03 … DIE HARD 2 … Arbor (11)
1990-07-03 … DIE HARD 2 … Highland (9)
1990-07-18 … ARACHNOPHOBIA … Barton Creek (12)

1991-11-15 … AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS … Arbor (1)
1991-11-22 … THE TEN COMMANDMENTS … Arbor (1)
1991-11-29 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Arbor (1)

1992-05-16 … FAR AND AWAY … Highland (sneak preview)
1992-05-22 … FAR AND AWAY … Arbor (8)
1992-05-22 … FAR AND AWAY … Highland (11)
1992-07-31 … HOWARDS END … Arbor (8)
1992-12-25 … HOFFA … Arbor (4)
1992-12-25 … HOFFA … Highland (4)

1993-11-05 … THE REMAINS OF THE DAY … Arbor (8)

1996-11-15 … VERTIGO … Arbor (4) [first 70mm-DTS in Austin]

1999-07-11 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount (2 days)
1999-07-25 … GANDHI … Paramount
1999-08-01 … SUPERMAN … Paramount
1999-08-15 … OKLAHOMA! … Paramount
1999-08-22 … HAMLET … Paramount
1999-11-21 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount

2000-06-30 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC … Paramount (4 days)
2000-07-05 … MOUNTAINS OF THE MOON … Paramount (2 days)
2000-07-07 … PINK FLOYD: THE WALL … Paramount (2 days)
2000-07-09 … THE LAST EMPEROR … Paramount (2 days)
2000-07-11 … TOTAL RECALL … Paramount (2 days)
2000-07-13 … THE UNTOUCHABLES … Paramount (2 days)
2000-07-15 … TOP GUN … Paramount (2 days)
2000-07-17 … ALTERED STATES … Paramount (2 days)
2000-07-19 … THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER … Paramount (2 days)
2000-07-21 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount (2 days)
2000-09-07 … SPARTACUS … Paramount (3 days)

2001-08-28 … GHOSTBUSTERS … Paramount (2 days)
2001-08-30 … SPARTACUS … Paramount (2 days)

2002-01-16 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Paramount (1)
2002-08-27 … BARAKA … Paramount
2002-08-28 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Paramount
2002-08-29 … BARAKA … Paramount
2002-08-30 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Paramount

2003-01-16 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount (1)
2003-01-23 … BARAKA … Paramount (3 days)
2003-08-29 … LORD JIM … Paramount (2 days)
2003-11-21 … IT’S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD … Paramount (5 days)

2004-01-27 … PATTON … Paramount
2004-01-28 … HELLO, DOLLY! … Paramount
2004-01-29 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount
2004-01-31 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount
2004-01-31 … PATTON … Paramount
2004-02-01 … HELLO, DOLLY! … Paramount
2004-02-20 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount (2 days)
2004-05-25 … PLAYTIME … Paramount (3 days)
2004-08-24 … THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES … Paramount (2 days)
2004-09-24 … BARAKA … Paramount (2 days)

2005-08-25 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Paramount (2 days)
2005-08-27 … DOCTOR DOLITTLE … Paramount (2 days)
2005-08-27 … THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY … Paramount (2 days)
2005-09-01 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount (2 days)

2006-07-06 … PATTON … Paramount (2 days)
2006-08-05 … IT’S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD … Paramount (3 days)
2006-08-05 … PLAYTIME … Paramount (3 days)
2006-08-29 … VERTIGO … Paramount
2006-09-01 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount (2 days)
2006-??-?? … BARAKA … Paramount
2006-??-?? … THE SOUND OF MUSIC … Paramount

2007-08-24 … TRON … Paramount (2 days)
2007-09-01 … CLEOPATRA … Paramount (2 days)

2008-08-22 … BARAKA … Paramount (3 days)
2008-08-23 … VERTIGO … Paramount (2 days)
2008-08-26 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Paramount (3 days)

2009-01-21 … WEST SIDE STORY … Paramount
2009-08-28 … THE BIBLE … Paramount (3 days)
2009-08-29 … STAR! … Paramount (2 days)
2009-09-10 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount (3 days)

2010-08-15 … VERTIGO … Paramount (2 days)
2010-08-17 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Paramount (2 days)
2010-08-19 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount (2 days)

2011-08-23 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Paramount (2 days)
2011-08-25 … INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE … Paramount (2 days)
2011-08-27 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount (2 days) [70mm Week]

2012-08-21 … SPARTACUS … Paramount (2 days)
2012-08-23 … LAST ACTION HERO … Paramount
2012-08-24 … WEST SIDE STORY … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (1)
2012-08-26 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Paramount
2012-08-26 … CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG … Paramount
2012-08-31 … INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (1)
2012-09-07 … BARAKA … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (1)
2012-09-14 … GHOSTBUSTERS … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (1)
2012-09-21 … THE MASTER … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (5)
2012-11-03 … CLEOPATRA … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (2 days)
2012-11-24 … PLAYTIME … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (2 days)
2012-12-01 … PLAYTIME … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (2 days)
2012-12-08 … LIFEFORCE … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (2 days)
2012-12-09 … APOCALYPSE NOW … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (2 days)
2012-12-12 … APOCALYPSE NOW … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz

2013-01-26 … THE UNTOUCHABLES … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (3 days)
2013-08-23 … WEST SIDE STORY … Paramount
2013-08-27 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Paramount (2 days)

2014-07-?? … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount
2014-08-?? … INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE … Paramount
2014-08-?? … IT’S A MAD, MAD, MAD, MAD WORLD … Paramount
2014-08-?? … SPARTACUS … Paramount
2014-11-04 … INTERSTELLAR … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (?)

2015-01-09 … INHERENT VICE … Paramount (?)
2015-08-25 … VERTIGO … Paramount (2 days)
2015-08-27 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Paramount (2 days)
2015-08-29 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount (2 days)
2015-12-25 … THE HATEFUL EIGHT … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (?)

2016-07-09 … THE UNTOUCHABLES … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (2 days)
2016-08-24 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Paramount
2016-08-?? … INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE … Paramount
2016-08-?? … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount

2017-07-20 … DUNKIRK … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (5)
2017-08-16 … VERTIGO … Paramount (2 days)
2017-08-17 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Paramount (2 days)
2017-08-19 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount (2 days)
2017-10-30 … THE THING … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
2017-11-15 … JUSTICE LEAGUE … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
2017-12-25 … PHANTOM THREAD … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz

2018-02-10 … LAST ACTION HERO … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
2018-03-19 … HOWARD THE DUCK … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
2018-03-26 … BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
2018-03-28 … READY PLAYER ONE … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz
2018-04-18 … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz (2 days)
2018-08-?? … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Paramount
2018-08-?? … LAWRENCE OF ARABIA … Paramount
2018-08-?? … INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE … Paramount
2018-09-?? … GHOSTBUSTERS … Alamo Drafthouse Ritz

Note that some of the titles included in this listing were presented in 35mm (or, recently, DCP) during the latter week(s) of their engagement due to print damage and the distributor’s unwillingness to supply a 70mm replacement print or because the booking was moved to a non-70mm-equipped 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, any 35mm (or DCP) portion of the engagement has been included in the duration figure.

Also, regarding roadshow presentations, the reserved-seat policy, in some instances, was relaxed during the summer and/or latter weeks of the run. Any non-roadshow portion of such an engagement has been included in the duration figure.

References: Various issues of Boxoffice, Austin American-Statesman, The Austin Statesman, and Variety; plus projection and sound system trade advertisements and Dolby sound system installation records.

Special Thanks: John Stewart.

If you believe this article contains any errors or omissions, please consider emailing the author or editor.

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