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70mm in Rochester, NY?
posted by
Jim Barg
on
March 21, 2011 at 2:30 pm
I’m trying to research 70mm engagements in my hometown with the help of the info posted by Michael Coate and Bill Kallay on in70mm and From Script to DVD. Mike has also asked me to help with his Cinerama project and that info should be posted within a few weeks.
Mainly what I’m looking for is information on any possible 70mm engagements in the late 80s/early 90s, as the local newspapers stopped advertising sound systems (Dolby/stereo/70mm) in their film ads around 1989. Before then, most 70mm runs were prominently mentioned in the Democrat & Chronicle/Times-Union. (At least that’s what the microfilm says…)
As far as I know, there was a 70mm run of “The Untouchables” in June 1987 and then not another one until “Dick Tracy” in 1990.
Any info on other 70mm runs is also welcome (mainly the 70s and mid-80s, as I’ve researched most of the 1960s roadshow runs). Memories are, of course, appreciated. Thanks!
Comments (7)
I’ve researched most of the 60s runs (my info goes up until 1970, which is as far as I’ve gotten with the Democrat & Chronicle’s microfilm), and a handful of the ‘80s blow-up runs (picking favorite titles from childhood). But some of the other titles that haven’t been mentioned (either here, or on the other 70mm sites) are:
Grand Prix
Khartoum
Ice Station Zebra
Far From The Madding Crowd
Krakatoa, East of Java
Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Annie
Gandhi
Pink Floyd The Wall
Aliens
Dune
Why do this? Well, I saw Coate/Kallay’s work and was interested in doing the same for Rochester. (It always fascinated me that a theatre I knew as a porno house – the Monroe – was once a place for first-run roadshows.)
Plus I'e been a loyal reader here, and figured it was the best way to contribute.
wow! Did you also look into West Side Story? A curious, inquiring mind wants to know.
West Side Story played as a 70mm roadshow from April 1962 to October 1962 at the Riviera.
Most of the major roadshows would play either the Monroe or the Riviera.
Thanks for the info, Jim Barg.
Theatres in Rochester also ran some 63mm prints. It’s basically a blown up 35er. Theatre ads got smaller and less detailed in the 90’s as video became more popular and fewer people read the papers. Local theatres no longer made and placed the ads themselves. It was left to the distributor or NSS.
Pretty much. What’s 63mm?
Yes, what is 63mm? I never heard of it.