<<< The longest running pictures I recall (though I don’t have the actual records) at the Joy were “South Pacific” … “Around the World in 80 Days” … and “Oklahoma!” >>>
None of those films played their lengthy first-run New Orleans “roadshow” engagements at the Joy; they all opened at the Panorama.
<<< The theatre was split in two in the early-1980’s making it a twin cinema >>>
Not correct. This theater was a twin in 1975 when “Jaws” played there. I’m not sure when the place was twinned, but it definitely took place before the 1980s.
The Winston-Salem first-run engagement of the original “Star Wars” was not at the Thruway; it was at Parkview Twin. Perhaps, Chip, you’re recalling seeing it at Thruway during one of its many re-releases.
<<< *Opened as the Rivergate Twin by Martin Theatres in 1983. In 1985 it was remodeled and became a six screen. Then in 1987 two more screens were added and it became the Rivergate 8. Carmike took over operations in 1985 and is still operating the theatre. * >>>
I’m not sure those dates or screen-count timeline is correct. Can someone please clarify or double-check reliable sources?
I ask because I have notes and newspaper ads indicating “Jaws” ran here in 1975 in what was at least a 4-screener, and that the place was at least a 6-screener in 1984 for “Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom.”
Also, I believe Carmike took over operations of Martin in 1982, not 1985.
< ABC was followed by Plitt Theatres in 1973, Cineplex Odeon in 1986 >
Wrong again, Chuck! Per research from the Ocala Star-Banner, Plitt ownership began in 1978; Cineplex Odeon in 1987. At least you got the grand-opening and multiplexing dates right.
Also, “Springs 1 & 2” ought to be added as an alternate/former theater name since it was a twin for a four-year period.
“Star Wars” enjoyed a 46-week run here during 1977-78. Amazing considering it was not an area exclusive. (It played a concurrent Daytona Beach booking at Bellair Plaza.)
< It was also the theatre I saw Star Wars at for the first time, first showing. I wish I knew what date that was, as I know the theatre did not show it on May 25th, opening day, but later. >
The San Diego first-run of the original “Star Wars” was at Valley Circle, where it played exclusively for 57 weeks. Perhaps you saw it at the Clairemont during one of its many re-issues.
< The Clairemont Theatre held a special place in my life as well. I grew up in Clairemont. In fact, the first movie I ever saw was at that theatre. I was four years old, and the movie was The Sound of Music, which played a whole year at that threatre. >
The Clairemont is not the San Diego theater where the year-plus engagement of “The Sound Of Music” played. That would be the Loma. Perhaps you saw it at the Clairemont during one of its re-issues.
The person who claimed in the intro at the top of the page that the Cine Capri opened with “Butterfield 8” is confusing this theater with the Kachina, which opened with “Butterfield 8” in 1960. The Cine Capri opened in 1966 with “The Agony And The Ecstasy.”
I’ve always liked Lawrence Kasdan’s work (especially “Body Heat” and “Silverado”), but I’m not sure he deserves the credit for “Empire’s” greatness. After all, he was one of three writers who worked on the project, essentially polishing what George Lucas and Leigh Brackett had already written.
If you think “Empire” is great — and if you do not wish to give Lucas any credit — then perhaps much of the credit ought to go to director Irvin Kershner, or to the unsung “Star Wars” hero, producer Gary Kurtz. Think about it…Kurtz worked on the two films in the series everyone agrees were great, and he did not work on any of the ones that sucked.
“The Sound Of Music” opened its Augusta roadshow engagement at Daniel Village on September 23, 1965. (I do not have its closing date but know it ran at least three months.) The engagement opened, as others have pointed out, before National Hills was built.
As to whether the Daniel Village run was 35mm or 70mm, well…if Daniel Village was equipped only for 35mm presentation, then the answer is obvious. Note, however, that the roadshow newspaper advertisements for “The Sound Of Music” generally did not cite any references to presentation type other than a vague “Produced in Todd-AO” notation. Theaters running the film in 70mm retained the Todd-AO credit, while theaters running a 35mm print were asked to use ads without the Todd-AO credit.
If the Daniel Village run was 35mm, was it at least in stereo? Initially, 20th Century-Fox required all theaters booking “The Sound Of Music” to have at least stereo sound playback capability. I’m not sure, but wouldn’t be surprised if Fox relaxed that policy as the film got more and more successful and its release broadened into smaller markets.
*I worked as relief projectionist when "Fiddler on the Roof" played as a hard ticket roadshow engagement day and date with the Syosset. I can't recall the date, I remember "Fiddler" opened at the Rivoli in November 1971, however I think it opened on Long Island later in 1972, perhaps someone remembers the date. *
The Five Towns roadshow run of “Fiddler On The Roof” began on June 21, 1972, the same date on which UA also opened it in Paramus, Upper Montclair and Woodbury. The original NYC run, at the Rivoli, opened seven months earlier. This, to my knowledge, was the only time a film had five simultaneous NYC area runs of the same film as a hard ticket roadshow attraction.
*Five Towns, although we received a mag/optical print, played it in 35mm optical mono.*
Why? Was Five Towns not equipped for magnetic playback?
I saw “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” during the summer of 1980 at a military theater in Germany. I recall hating it (at the time). I found it boring and thought the costumes looked like pajamas. Of course, at the time, I was (unfairly) comparing it to the more exciting and fun “Star Wars.”
I saw “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” again in 1981 at the Barstow Twin as a double feature with “Dragonslayer.”
I saw “Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan” opening day and loved it because it was everything “ST:TMP” wasn’t.
Well, for starters, DaveNewton, I possess a list of all of the first-run bookings of “Star Wars,” complete with starting date, theater name, number of weeks it played, projection format, etc. So, for those Cinema Treasures readers who haven’t been able to put two and two together, this is how I’m able to call up so much precise info on that film in my comment postings here.
To answer your question specifically, simply reference microfilm of Atlanta area newspapers and you’ll see that “Star Wars” didn’t open in the Atlanta area until the date I cited in my previous post.
(“Star Wars” actually opened in the Atlanta market on a Wednesday [June 29]; the July 1 date I previously cited represented the Friday of the film’s first week.)
It may be difficult to believe that a popular movie such as “Star Wars” took as long as it did to get to a market the size of Atlanta…but that’s how the biz worked back then for some films. Except for a mid-June opening in Fort Oglethorpe (a Georgia/Tennessee border city arguably a part of the Chattanooga market), no theater in Georgia played “Star Wars” until its sixth week of release.
The Cinema 75’s 25-week first-run engagement of “Star Wars” began the week of July 1, 1977. Long story short, DaveNewton: you could not have seen “Star Wars” here in early June.
<<< The longest running pictures I recall (though I don’t have the actual records) at the Joy were “South Pacific” … “Around the World in 80 Days” … and “Oklahoma!” >>>
None of those films played their lengthy first-run New Orleans “roadshow” engagements at the Joy; they all opened at the Panorama.
Was this theater always a two-screener, or was it built as a single and later twinned?
<<< The theatre was split in two in the early-1980’s making it a twin cinema >>>
Not correct. This theater was a twin in 1975 when “Jaws” played there. I’m not sure when the place was twinned, but it definitely took place before the 1980s.
The Winston-Salem first-run engagement of the original “Star Wars” was not at the Thruway; it was at Parkview Twin. Perhaps, Chip, you’re recalling seeing it at Thruway during one of its many re-releases.
Thanks, Al!
<<< *Opened as the Rivergate Twin by Martin Theatres in 1983. In 1985 it was remodeled and became a six screen. Then in 1987 two more screens were added and it became the Rivergate 8. Carmike took over operations in 1985 and is still operating the theatre. * >>>
I’m not sure those dates or screen-count timeline is correct. Can someone please clarify or double-check reliable sources?
I ask because I have notes and newspaper ads indicating “Jaws” ran here in 1975 in what was at least a 4-screener, and that the place was at least a 6-screener in 1984 for “Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom.”
Also, I believe Carmike took over operations of Martin in 1982, not 1985.
< ABC was followed by Plitt Theatres in 1973, Cineplex Odeon in 1986 >
Wrong again, Chuck! Per research from the Ocala Star-Banner, Plitt ownership began in 1978; Cineplex Odeon in 1987. At least you got the grand-opening and multiplexing dates right.
Also, “Springs 1 & 2” ought to be added as an alternate/former theater name since it was a twin for a four-year period.
In what year did the Miracle get twinned?
“Star Wars” enjoyed a 46-week run here during 1977-78. Amazing considering it was not an area exclusive. (It played a concurrent Daytona Beach booking at Bellair Plaza.)
< It was also the theatre I saw Star Wars at for the first time, first showing. I wish I knew what date that was, as I know the theatre did not show it on May 25th, opening day, but later. >
The San Diego first-run of the original “Star Wars” was at Valley Circle, where it played exclusively for 57 weeks. Perhaps you saw it at the Clairemont during one of its many re-issues.
< The Clairemont Theatre held a special place in my life as well. I grew up in Clairemont. In fact, the first movie I ever saw was at that theatre. I was four years old, and the movie was The Sound of Music, which played a whole year at that threatre. >
The Clairemont is not the San Diego theater where the year-plus engagement of “The Sound Of Music” played. That would be the Loma. Perhaps you saw it at the Clairemont during one of its re-issues.
“Platoon” was a 35mm presentation.
Yes, Valley Plaza resembled Anaheim’s Century 21…and San Bernardino’s Inland…and San Diego’s Cinema 21.
Paul…Here’s another date typo: I think “The Sound Of Music” should be 10/18/67, not 9/18. (Surely, “Music” didn’t open two days before “Hawaii”!)
The MISSION VALLEY and CARDINAL are absent from the list of 70mm presentations included in this retrospective article on RETURN OF THE JEDI, suggesting JEDI was shown in Raleigh in 35mm.
The person who claimed in the intro at the top of the page that the Cine Capri opened with “Butterfield 8” is confusing this theater with the Kachina, which opened with “Butterfield 8” in 1960. The Cine Capri opened in 1966 with “The Agony And The Ecstasy.”
The Kachina’s grand opening was on November 10, 1960. The debut attraction was “Butterfield 8.” The initial operator was Harry L. Nace Theatres.
I’ve always liked Lawrence Kasdan’s work (especially “Body Heat” and “Silverado”), but I’m not sure he deserves the credit for “Empire’s” greatness. After all, he was one of three writers who worked on the project, essentially polishing what George Lucas and Leigh Brackett had already written.
If you think “Empire” is great — and if you do not wish to give Lucas any credit — then perhaps much of the credit ought to go to director Irvin Kershner, or to the unsung “Star Wars” hero, producer Gary Kurtz. Think about it…Kurtz worked on the two films in the series everyone agrees were great, and he did not work on any of the ones that sucked.
Bill, Mark, et al… To clarify, Seattle had the fifth longest run of “2001” in North America.
1) Toronto, 127 weeks (Glendale)
2) Los Angeles, 103 weeks (Warner Hollywood + Beverly Hills moveover)
3) San Francisco, 88 weeks (Golden Gate + Penthouse moveover)
4) San Jose, 88 weeks (Century 21)
5) Seattle, 77 weeks (Cinerama)
I was thinking the same thing, JodarMovieFan. I have an “Empire” anniversary piece planned for posting here on the 21st of May.
“The Sound Of Music” opened its Augusta roadshow engagement at Daniel Village on September 23, 1965. (I do not have its closing date but know it ran at least three months.) The engagement opened, as others have pointed out, before National Hills was built.
As to whether the Daniel Village run was 35mm or 70mm, well…if Daniel Village was equipped only for 35mm presentation, then the answer is obvious. Note, however, that the roadshow newspaper advertisements for “The Sound Of Music” generally did not cite any references to presentation type other than a vague “Produced in Todd-AO” notation. Theaters running the film in 70mm retained the Todd-AO credit, while theaters running a 35mm print were asked to use ads without the Todd-AO credit.
If the Daniel Village run was 35mm, was it at least in stereo? Initially, 20th Century-Fox required all theaters booking “The Sound Of Music” to have at least stereo sound playback capability. I’m not sure, but wouldn’t be surprised if Fox relaxed that policy as the film got more and more successful and its release broadened into smaller markets.
raysson… The correct U.S. release dates for “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” and “The Black Hole” were Dec. 7 and 21, respectively.
The Five Towns roadshow run of “Fiddler On The Roof” began on June 21, 1972, the same date on which UA also opened it in Paramus, Upper Montclair and Woodbury. The original NYC run, at the Rivoli, opened seven months earlier. This, to my knowledge, was the only time a film had five simultaneous NYC area runs of the same film as a hard ticket roadshow attraction.
Why? Was Five Towns not equipped for magnetic playback?
I saw “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” during the summer of 1980 at a military theater in Germany. I recall hating it (at the time). I found it boring and thought the costumes looked like pajamas. Of course, at the time, I was (unfairly) comparing it to the more exciting and fun “Star Wars.”
I saw “Star Trek: The Motion Picture” again in 1981 at the Barstow Twin as a double feature with “Dragonslayer.”
I saw “Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan” opening day and loved it because it was everything “ST:TMP” wasn’t.
Well, for starters, DaveNewton, I possess a list of all of the first-run bookings of “Star Wars,” complete with starting date, theater name, number of weeks it played, projection format, etc. So, for those Cinema Treasures readers who haven’t been able to put two and two together, this is how I’m able to call up so much precise info on that film in my comment postings here.
To answer your question specifically, simply reference microfilm of Atlanta area newspapers and you’ll see that “Star Wars” didn’t open in the Atlanta area until the date I cited in my previous post.
(“Star Wars” actually opened in the Atlanta market on a Wednesday [June 29]; the July 1 date I previously cited represented the Friday of the film’s first week.)
It may be difficult to believe that a popular movie such as “Star Wars” took as long as it did to get to a market the size of Atlanta…but that’s how the biz worked back then for some films. Except for a mid-June opening in Fort Oglethorpe (a Georgia/Tennessee border city arguably a part of the Chattanooga market), no theater in Georgia played “Star Wars” until its sixth week of release.
The Cinema 75’s 25-week first-run engagement of “Star Wars” began the week of July 1, 1977. Long story short, DaveNewton: you could not have seen “Star Wars” here in early June.