REMEMBERING CINERAMA
Part VII: Atlanta
The following is Part Seven in a series of retrospectives on Cinerama, the legendary motion picture process that kicked off the widescreen revolution. The series will not describe in detail the particulars of what the system was or how it worked, as extensive coverage of such is accessible in numerous books and websites. Instead, the series focuses on providing an historical overview of a less-accessible aspect of the Cinerama story: a film-by-film breakdown of how, when and where Cinerama and its clones were exhibited in selected markets since every region was treated differently. As well, the articles serve to provide nostalgia to those who experienced Cinerama when it was new and to highlight the movie palaces in which these memorable events took place.
Part I: New York
Part II: Chicago
Part III: San Francisco
Part IV: Houston
Part V: Washington, D.C.
Part VI: Los Angeles
And now...Part VII: Cinerama Presentations in Atlanta!
THIS IS CINERAMA
Theater: Roxy
Premiere: April 2, 1956
Engagement Duration: 30 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Promotional Hype: “Now that you’ve seen all the others get set for the biggest REALLY NEW entertainment event of the century!”
CINERAMA HOLIDAY
Theater: Roxy
Premiere: October 29, 1956
Duration: 25 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “It’s every holiday you’ve ever dreamed of come true!”
SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD
Theater: Roxy
Premiere: April 21, 1957
Duration: 7 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “The New, The 3rd Cinerama Presentation Takes You On An Adventure To The Four Corners Of The Globe...To Astound You With The Marvels Of The Universe!”
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE BROTHERS GRIMM
Theater: Martin Cinerama
Premiere: October 3, 1962
Duration: 14 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “The First Dramatic Film In Fabulous Cinerama. And You Are Part Of Every Wonderful Scene!”
WINDJAMMER
Theater: Martin Cinerama
Premiere: January 10, 1963
Duration: 9 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “Georgia Premiere! The New Cinerama Presentation! Too Exciting To Describe!”
HOW THE WEST WAS WON
Theater: Martin Cinerama
Premiere: March 15, 1963
Duration: 30 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “The Great Dramatic Motion Picture That Puts You In Every Scene!”
THE BEST OF CINERAMA
Theater: Martin Cinerama
Premiere: October 11, 1963
Duration: 8 weeks
Format: 3-Strip Cinerama
Hype: “For The First Time Cinerama’s Greatest Thrills Together In One Breathtaking Entertainment!”
IT’S A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD
Theater: Martin Cinerama
Premiere: December 18, 1963
Duration: 23 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “The Biggest Entertainment Ever To Rock The Cinerama Screen With Laughter!”
CIRCUS WORLD
Theater: Martin Cinerama
Premiere: June 26, 1964
Duration: 13 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Cinerama Surrounds You With The Greatest Thrill-Packed Story Ever Filmed!”
THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD
Theater: Georgia Cinerama
Premiere: April 14, 1965
Duration: 15 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: None
THE HALLELUJAH TRAIL
Theater: Georgia Cinerama
Premiere: July 29, 1965
Duration: 9 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Cinerama Sends You Roaring With Laughter And Adventure Down That Wide, Wonderful, Fun-Trail!”
MEDITERRANEAN HOLIDAY
Theater: Georgia Cinerama
Premiere: October 1, 1965
Duration: 5 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Only Cinerama Can Take You On The Most Wonderful Holiday You Ever Had”
BATTLE OF THE BULGE
Theater: Georgia Cinerama
Premiere: December 22, 1965
Duration: 14 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Super Cinerama Turns The Screen Into The Mightiest Battleground Ever!”
RUSSIAN ADVENTURE
Theater: Georgia Cinerama
Premiere: April 1, 1966
Duration: 6 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “This Is The Ultimate In Cinerama. This Is The Last Word In Truly Incredible Adventure!”
GRAND PRIX
Theater: Georgia Cinerama
Premiere: February 1, 1967
Duration: 23 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Cinerama Sweeps You Into A Drama Of Speed And Spectacle!”
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Theater: Martin Cinerama
Premiere: May 29, 1968
Duration: 22 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “An Epic Drama Of Adventure And Exploration!”
ICE STATION ZEBRA
Theater: Georgia Cinerama
Premiere: November 14, 1968
Duration: 12 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “Ice Station Zebra...remember the name, your life may depend on it!”
KRAKATOA, EAST OF JAVA
Theater: Georgia Cinerama
Premiere: July 18, 1969
Duration: 6 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “The New Super Cinerama Hurls You Into The Most Cataclysmic Event In Man’s History!”
THIS IS CINERAMA (Re-Issue)
Theater: Atlanta
Premiere: April 27, 1973
Duration: 4 weeks
Format: 70mm
Hype: “THIS IS CINERAMA Is Back To Entertain A Whole New Generation”
NEVER SHOWN IN CINERAMA
SEARCH FOR PARADISE
SOUTH SEAS ADVENTURE
HOLIDAY IN SPAIN
KHARTOUM (general release at LENOX SQUARE in autumn 1966)
CUSTER OF THE WEST (general release)
Compiled by Michael Coate
Source: The Atlanta Constitution and Variety. Special thanks to Stan Malone.