1983’s “Twilight Zone: The Movie” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago today (June 24, 1983).
The Steven Spielberg/John Landis-produced anthology based on the classic Rod Serling television series debuted at number four on over 1,200 screens & remained in the top ten through mid-July, grossing just shy of $30 million in North America & finishing its run as the 22nd highest-grossing film of 1983.
The film was marred by the tragic death of actor Vic Morrow and two young children during the filming of the segment directed by Landis & led to industry-wide changes in procedures and safety standards.
I never saw “Twilight Zone” all the way through at the Woodbridge back in the day but can remember sticking my head in the theater where it was playing for quick 5-minute glimpses while waiting for other movies that summer.
1983’s “Superman III” opened at the SCP III in 70mm 40 years ago this weekend (June 17, 1983).
Starring Christopher Reeve, Annette O'Toole & Richard Pryor, the highly anticipated sequel debuted at number one on over 1,700 screens but ultimately didn’t find the success of the previous two films, grossing just shy of $60 million in North America & finishing its run as the 12th highest-grossing film of 1983.
Looks like the Woodbridge is again “temporarily closed,” the second time since the re-opening last fall. I’ve reached out to the Woodbridge Village Association & will post any updates.
Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning 1993 adaptation of Michael Crichton’s “Jurassic Park” opened at the Big Newport 30 years ago today (June 11, 1993).
Starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern & Jeff Goldblum, the “dinosaurs run amok” adventure debuted at number one on over 2,400 screens grossing a then-record $50 million its opening weekend. It would surpass $100 million in a then-record nine days & remain on at least 1,000 screens until late September, eventually netting $357 million in North America (then second all-time behind Spielberg’s “E.T.”) during its initial 70-week run & finishing as the highest-grossing film of 1993.
The film would win Oscars for Best Sound, Sound Effects Editing & Visual Effects & pave the way for modern motion-picture computer-generated imagery (CGI) into the 21st century, with one historian commenting the film “heralded a revolution in movies as profound as the coming of sound in 1927.”
I saw “Jurassic Park” at the Big Newport that first Friday night on the big screen with a full crowd & consider it one of my most memorable experiences there, right next to “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Batman” & “Star Wars Episode 1.”
1983’s “Octopussy” & “Trading Places” both opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago today (June 10, 1983).
Each debuted on over 1,300 screens with the latest Roger Moore entry in the Bond franchise just edging out the Eddie Murphy/Dan Aykroyd comedy that first week.
However, while both grossed over $60 million, it was “Trading Places” that proved the bigger hit, netting north of $90 million and finishing as the 4th highest-grossing film of 1983 (“Octopussy” finished 6th).
John Badham’s “other” 1983 techno-thriller “WarGames” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (June 3, 1983).
Starring Matthew Broderick, Ally Sheedy & Dabney Coleman, the film debuted at number three on 843 screens & remained in the top ten through the end of July. But unlike Badham’s “Blue Thunder,” “WarGames” proved more enduring, maintaining its theater count throughout the entire summer, grossing just north of $74 million in North America & finishing as the 5th highest-grossing film of 1983.
40 years ago today (June 3, 1983), the 70mm print of “Return of the Jedi” was temporarily moved from the Centre to the Regency Theater after historic flood waters inundated State Street. “Jedi” returned to the Centre on June 17th. For the complete story, visit Starwarsatthemovies.com.
Renny Harlin’s 1993 action-thriller “Cliffhanger” opened at the Big Newport in 70mm 30 years today (May 28, 1993).
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Michael Rooker & John Lithgow, the “Die Hard on a Mountain” adventure debuted at number one on over 2,300 screens & remained in the top 10 through early July, grossing just north of $84 million in North America & finishing its run as the 10th highest-grossing film of 1993.
1983’s “Return of the Jedi” opened at the Town Center in 70mm 40 years ago today (May 25, 1983).
Starring Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher & Harrison Ford, George Lucas' finale to his Star Wars Trilogy debuted at number one on over 1,000 screens, netting a then-record $45 million its opening week, and remained in the top ten through late September, grossing just north of $250 million in North America and finishing its run as the highest-grossing film of 1983.
I saw Jedi opening day at the Town Center as a 12-year-old. My mom let me skip school that day so she could take a buddy and me to the 9:30 AM show. Hardly anyone in the theater that morning, it was like our own private screening. I got a program and settled in for the last great event film of my childhood.
John Badham’s 1983 techno-thriller “Blue Thunder” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (May 13, 1983).
Starring Roy Scheider, Daniel Stern & Malcom McDowell, the film opened at number one on over 1,500 screens & remained in the top ten through late June, finishing its run as the 16th highest-grossing film of ‘83 with a domestic take just north of $42 million.
Badham would have an even bigger hit a few weeks later with “WarGames.”
The 1983 adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (April 29, 1983).
Starring Jason Robards, Pam Grier and Jonathan Pryce, the October-set, Disney-produced dark fantasy debuted at number two on over 800 screens but failed to find an audience in a crowded spring field and was bumped out of theaters within a month, grossing under $10 million against a $20 million budget.
Despite its box office failure, the film did win the Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film and has developed a cult following over the years, featuring one of composer James Horner’s most beloved early scores. I still screen it every October, where it belongs.
Adrian Lyne’s hit 1983 dance drama “Flashdance” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (April 15, 1983).
Starring Jennifer Beals & Michael Nouri, the film opened at number two on over 1,000 screens and remained in the top ten through late July (re-entering it for the month of September) and finished its run as the third highest-grossing film of 1983 with a domestic take just north of $90 million.
Today “Flashdance” is mostly remembered for its top-selling soundtrack, including the Oscar-winning number-one song “Flashdance…What a Feeling” by Irene Cara.
Also opening at the Woodbridge the same weekend: “Lone Wolf McQuade,” starring Chuck Norris & David Carradine.
Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s coming-of-age classic “The Outsiders” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (March 25, 1983).
Starring Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio and a bevy of up-and-coming young stars (including Rob Lowe, Diane Lane & Tom Cruise) the film opened at number two on over 800 screens (increasing to over 1,000 by early April) and remained in the top ten through early May, finishing with a domestic take just south of $26 million.
Also opening at the Woodbridge the same week: “The Black Stallion Returns” & “Max Dugan Returns.”
The 1983 romantic adventure “High Road to China” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (March 18, 1983).
Starring Tom Selleck (in his first headlining feature film), Bess Armstrong & Wilford Brimley, the film debuted at number one on over 1,500 screens, knocking “Tootsie” out of the top spot after 13 weeks, and remained in the top ten until mid-April, finishing its domestic run with a take just north of $28 million.
Not a big hit, but an entertaining film with a wonderful score by John Barry.
The 1983 comedy “The Sting II” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (February 18, 1983).
Starring Jackie Gleason, Mac Davis & Teri Garr, the quasi-sequel to the Oscar-winning 1973 original debuted at number three on over 1,200 screens (the largest roll-out of the new year) but didn’t find the success of its predecessor, grossing just $6 million during its initial run before leaving theaters in early March.
It did receive a lone Oscar nomination, however, for Best Adaptation Score (Lalo Schifrin).
Harold Ramis' beloved 1993 romantic comedy “Groundhog Day” opened at Hutton Center 30 years ago today (Feb. 12, 1993).
Starring Bill Murray & Andie MacDowell, the film debuted at number one on 1,640 screens and remained in the top ten for the next two months, finishing its initial domestic run with a take just shy of $70 million.
Just heard about the pending closure. Granted the movie-exhibition business has taken a big hit since the pandemic, but the news is still a bit of a shock as this now leaves only the three-screen Regency South Coast Village & eight-screen Starlight Triangle Square Cinemas left in a city (including the Santa Ana portion of the South Coast Metro area) that at one time had the most theaters/screens in Orange County.
I guess if anything it will help increase the traffic for the remaining two theaters and hopefully keep them afloat for a while.
According to the OC Register, Cineworld (Regal’s parent company) will begin to reject leases starting Feb. 15.
Barry Levinson’s 1987 comedy “Good Morning, Vietnam” opened at the Town Center in 70mm 35 years ago today (Jan. 15, 1988).
Starring Robin Williams (in his first Oscar-nominated role), the film took over the top spot from “Three Men and a Baby” after expanding from three to 785 screens and remained number one for the next eight weeks, netting just shy of $124 million in North America and finishing its run as the fourth highest-grossing film of 1987.
I saw “Good Morning, Vietnam” at the Town Center opening weekend with a full crowd and marveled at Williams' performance, one that would pave the way to three more Oscar-nominated roles in the next 10 years.
James Cameron’s Oscar-winning 1997 historical epic “Titanic” opened at the Mann Village in 70mm 25 years ago this weekend (Dec. 19, 1997).
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the film opened at number one on over 2,600 screens and held the top spot for the next 14 weeks, increasing its theater count every seven days during that period while averaging an astonishing $30 million a week.
It would finish its juggernaut initial 41-week run in October of ‘98 with a domestic gross just shy of $601 million to become the then-highest-grossing film of all time. It also became the first film to gross over $1 billion worldwide.
“Titanic” garnered 14 Oscar nominations and went on to win 11, including Best Picture and Best Director for Cameron.
I saw “Titanic” at the Village opening weekend with a full crowd and remember waiting in a line that snaked around Westwood. I sat in the balcony and marveled at the theater before me. Sadly I haven’t returned since.
Sydney Pollack’s beloved, Oscar-winning 1982 comedy “Tootsie” opened at the Town Center 40 years ago today (Dec. 17, 1982).
Starring Dustin Hoffman, Teri Garr & Jessica Lange, the film opened at number one on 943 screens and held the top spot for the next 12 weeks, remaining in the top ten until mid-June of ‘83. It would gross over $177 million in North America (becoming Columbia Pictures’ biggest domestic hit ever at that time) & finish its run as the second highest-grossing film of 1982.
“Tootsie” was nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture, but ultimately would just win one for Best Supporting Actress (Lange).
40 years later I still marvel at its great ensemble cast, script & direction and with no disrespect to Sir Ben Kingsley who won Best Actor for “Gandhi” that year, have always felt Hoffman deserved an Oscar for his performance.
Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning 1977 classic “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” began a 42-week stint in 70mm at the Mann South Coast Plaza 45 years ago today (Dec. 14, 1977).
Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillion & Francois Truffaut, the film opened at number one, expanding to 270 screens nationwide after a month-long exclusive booking in LA & NY, and along with the debut of “Saturday Night Fever” dethroned “Star Wars” after months at the top spot.
I saw it at the SCP III (in the big theater) during those first few weeks of release as a 7-year-old and have been a fan of it & John Williams' unforgettable score ever since.
1983’s “Twilight Zone: The Movie” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago today (June 24, 1983).
The Steven Spielberg/John Landis-produced anthology based on the classic Rod Serling television series debuted at number four on over 1,200 screens & remained in the top ten through mid-July, grossing just shy of $30 million in North America & finishing its run as the 22nd highest-grossing film of 1983.
The film was marred by the tragic death of actor Vic Morrow and two young children during the filming of the segment directed by Landis & led to industry-wide changes in procedures and safety standards.
I never saw “Twilight Zone” all the way through at the Woodbridge back in the day but can remember sticking my head in the theater where it was playing for quick 5-minute glimpses while waiting for other movies that summer.
1983’s “Superman III” opened at the SCP III in 70mm 40 years ago this weekend (June 17, 1983).
Starring Christopher Reeve, Annette O'Toole & Richard Pryor, the highly anticipated sequel debuted at number one on over 1,700 screens but ultimately didn’t find the success of the previous two films, grossing just shy of $60 million in North America & finishing its run as the 12th highest-grossing film of 1983.
The Woodbridge has resumed operation after briefly closing yesterday due to a plumbing issue. Please change status to “open.”
Looks like the Woodbridge is again “temporarily closed,” the second time since the re-opening last fall. I’ve reached out to the Woodbridge Village Association & will post any updates.
Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning 1993 adaptation of Michael Crichton’s “Jurassic Park” opened at the Big Newport 30 years ago today (June 11, 1993).
Starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern & Jeff Goldblum, the “dinosaurs run amok” adventure debuted at number one on over 2,400 screens grossing a then-record $50 million its opening weekend. It would surpass $100 million in a then-record nine days & remain on at least 1,000 screens until late September, eventually netting $357 million in North America (then second all-time behind Spielberg’s “E.T.”) during its initial 70-week run & finishing as the highest-grossing film of 1993.
The film would win Oscars for Best Sound, Sound Effects Editing & Visual Effects & pave the way for modern motion-picture computer-generated imagery (CGI) into the 21st century, with one historian commenting the film “heralded a revolution in movies as profound as the coming of sound in 1927.”
I saw “Jurassic Park” at the Big Newport that first Friday night on the big screen with a full crowd & consider it one of my most memorable experiences there, right next to “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Batman” & “Star Wars Episode 1.”
1983’s “Octopussy” & “Trading Places” both opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago today (June 10, 1983).
Each debuted on over 1,300 screens with the latest Roger Moore entry in the Bond franchise just edging out the Eddie Murphy/Dan Aykroyd comedy that first week.
However, while both grossed over $60 million, it was “Trading Places” that proved the bigger hit, netting north of $90 million and finishing as the 4th highest-grossing film of 1983 (“Octopussy” finished 6th).
John Badham’s “other” 1983 techno-thriller “WarGames” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (June 3, 1983).
Starring Matthew Broderick, Ally Sheedy & Dabney Coleman, the film debuted at number three on 843 screens & remained in the top ten through the end of July. But unlike Badham’s “Blue Thunder,” “WarGames” proved more enduring, maintaining its theater count throughout the entire summer, grossing just north of $74 million in North America & finishing as the 5th highest-grossing film of 1983.
40 years ago today (June 3, 1983), the 70mm print of “Return of the Jedi” was temporarily moved from the Centre to the Regency Theater after historic flood waters inundated State Street. “Jedi” returned to the Centre on June 17th. For the complete story, visit Starwarsatthemovies.com.
Renny Harlin’s 1993 action-thriller “Cliffhanger” opened at the Big Newport in 70mm 30 years today (May 28, 1993).
Starring Sylvester Stallone, Michael Rooker & John Lithgow, the “Die Hard on a Mountain” adventure debuted at number one on over 2,300 screens & remained in the top 10 through early July, grossing just north of $84 million in North America & finishing its run as the 10th highest-grossing film of 1993.
1983’s “Return of the Jedi” opened at the Town Center in 70mm 40 years ago today (May 25, 1983).
Starring Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher & Harrison Ford, George Lucas' finale to his Star Wars Trilogy debuted at number one on over 1,000 screens, netting a then-record $45 million its opening week, and remained in the top ten through late September, grossing just north of $250 million in North America and finishing its run as the highest-grossing film of 1983.
I saw Jedi opening day at the Town Center as a 12-year-old. My mom let me skip school that day so she could take a buddy and me to the 9:30 AM show. Hardly anyone in the theater that morning, it was like our own private screening. I got a program and settled in for the last great event film of my childhood.
John Badham’s 1983 techno-thriller “Blue Thunder” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (May 13, 1983).
Starring Roy Scheider, Daniel Stern & Malcom McDowell, the film opened at number one on over 1,500 screens & remained in the top ten through late June, finishing its run as the 16th highest-grossing film of ‘83 with a domestic take just north of $42 million.
Badham would have an even bigger hit a few weeks later with “WarGames.”
The 1983 adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (April 29, 1983).
Starring Jason Robards, Pam Grier and Jonathan Pryce, the October-set, Disney-produced dark fantasy debuted at number two on over 800 screens but failed to find an audience in a crowded spring field and was bumped out of theaters within a month, grossing under $10 million against a $20 million budget.
Despite its box office failure, the film did win the Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film and has developed a cult following over the years, featuring one of composer James Horner’s most beloved early scores. I still screen it every October, where it belongs.
Adrian Lyne’s hit 1983 dance drama “Flashdance” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (April 15, 1983).
Starring Jennifer Beals & Michael Nouri, the film opened at number two on over 1,000 screens and remained in the top ten through late July (re-entering it for the month of September) and finished its run as the third highest-grossing film of 1983 with a domestic take just north of $90 million.
Today “Flashdance” is mostly remembered for its top-selling soundtrack, including the Oscar-winning number-one song “Flashdance…What a Feeling” by Irene Cara.
Also opening at the Woodbridge the same weekend: “Lone Wolf McQuade,” starring Chuck Norris & David Carradine.
Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s coming-of-age classic “The Outsiders” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (March 25, 1983).
Starring Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio and a bevy of up-and-coming young stars (including Rob Lowe, Diane Lane & Tom Cruise) the film opened at number two on over 800 screens (increasing to over 1,000 by early April) and remained in the top ten through early May, finishing with a domestic take just south of $26 million.
Also opening at the Woodbridge the same week: “The Black Stallion Returns” & “Max Dugan Returns.”
The 1983 romantic adventure “High Road to China” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (March 18, 1983).
Starring Tom Selleck (in his first headlining feature film), Bess Armstrong & Wilford Brimley, the film debuted at number one on over 1,500 screens, knocking “Tootsie” out of the top spot after 13 weeks, and remained in the top ten until mid-April, finishing its domestic run with a take just north of $28 million.
Not a big hit, but an entertaining film with a wonderful score by John Barry.
The 1983 comedy “The Sting II” opened at the Woodbridge 40 years ago this weekend (February 18, 1983).
Starring Jackie Gleason, Mac Davis & Teri Garr, the quasi-sequel to the Oscar-winning 1973 original debuted at number three on over 1,200 screens (the largest roll-out of the new year) but didn’t find the success of its predecessor, grossing just $6 million during its initial run before leaving theaters in early March.
It did receive a lone Oscar nomination, however, for Best Adaptation Score (Lalo Schifrin).
Harold Ramis' beloved 1993 romantic comedy “Groundhog Day” opened at Hutton Center 30 years ago today (Feb. 12, 1993).
Starring Bill Murray & Andie MacDowell, the film debuted at number one on 1,640 screens and remained in the top ten for the next two months, finishing its initial domestic run with a take just shy of $70 million.
Michael Wadleigh’s Oscar-winning 1970 documentary “Woodstock” returned to the Dome for a one-week stint 40 years ago this weekend (January 28, 1983).
Just heard about the pending closure. Granted the movie-exhibition business has taken a big hit since the pandemic, but the news is still a bit of a shock as this now leaves only the three-screen Regency South Coast Village & eight-screen Starlight Triangle Square Cinemas left in a city (including the Santa Ana portion of the South Coast Metro area) that at one time had the most theaters/screens in Orange County.
I guess if anything it will help increase the traffic for the remaining two theaters and hopefully keep them afloat for a while.
According to the OC Register, Cineworld (Regal’s parent company) will begin to reject leases starting Feb. 15.
Barry Levinson’s 1987 comedy “Good Morning, Vietnam” opened at the Town Center in 70mm 35 years ago today (Jan. 15, 1988).
Starring Robin Williams (in his first Oscar-nominated role), the film took over the top spot from “Three Men and a Baby” after expanding from three to 785 screens and remained number one for the next eight weeks, netting just shy of $124 million in North America and finishing its run as the fourth highest-grossing film of 1987.
I saw “Good Morning, Vietnam” at the Town Center opening weekend with a full crowd and marveled at Williams' performance, one that would pave the way to three more Oscar-nominated roles in the next 10 years.
James Cameron’s Oscar-winning 1997 historical epic “Titanic” opened at the Mann Village in 70mm 25 years ago this weekend (Dec. 19, 1997).
Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the film opened at number one on over 2,600 screens and held the top spot for the next 14 weeks, increasing its theater count every seven days during that period while averaging an astonishing $30 million a week.
It would finish its juggernaut initial 41-week run in October of ‘98 with a domestic gross just shy of $601 million to become the then-highest-grossing film of all time. It also became the first film to gross over $1 billion worldwide.
“Titanic” garnered 14 Oscar nominations and went on to win 11, including Best Picture and Best Director for Cameron.
I saw “Titanic” at the Village opening weekend with a full crowd and remember waiting in a line that snaked around Westwood. I sat in the balcony and marveled at the theater before me. Sadly I haven’t returned since.
davidcoppock: Just a big patch of green grass now.
Sydney Pollack’s beloved, Oscar-winning 1982 comedy “Tootsie” opened at the Town Center 40 years ago today (Dec. 17, 1982).
Starring Dustin Hoffman, Teri Garr & Jessica Lange, the film opened at number one on 943 screens and held the top spot for the next 12 weeks, remaining in the top ten until mid-June of ‘83. It would gross over $177 million in North America (becoming Columbia Pictures’ biggest domestic hit ever at that time) & finish its run as the second highest-grossing film of 1982.
“Tootsie” was nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture, but ultimately would just win one for Best Supporting Actress (Lange).
40 years later I still marvel at its great ensemble cast, script & direction and with no disrespect to Sir Ben Kingsley who won Best Actor for “Gandhi” that year, have always felt Hoffman deserved an Oscar for his performance.
Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning 1977 classic “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” began a 42-week stint in 70mm at the Mann South Coast Plaza 45 years ago today (Dec. 14, 1977).
Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillion & Francois Truffaut, the film opened at number one, expanding to 270 screens nationwide after a month-long exclusive booking in LA & NY, and along with the debut of “Saturday Night Fever” dethroned “Star Wars” after months at the top spot.
I saw it at the SCP III (in the big theater) during those first few weeks of release as a 7-year-old and have been a fan of it & John Williams' unforgettable score ever since.
Oliver Stone’s Oscar-winning “Greed is Good” drama “Wall Street” opened at the Uni 35 years ago today (Dec. 11, 1987).