70mm Presentations in Edmonton |
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| Compiled by: Stephen Leigh, Bill Kretzel, Michael Coate | Date: 12.10.2021 |
 Krakatoa
East of Java Edmonton premiere advert, Edmonton Journal, 25th December 1969What follows is a chronology of 70-millimeter six-track stereophonic sound feature-film presentations in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The focus of this work is 5-perf 70mm feature films and the cinemas in which they were exhibited. Short subjects, 8-perf and 15-perf (IMAX, Iwerks, etc.) and Special Venue presentations have not been included (but consideration will be given to adding them in a revision). The focus here is on the titles that received publicly-promoted, commercial exhibition in 70mm and their playdates. To facilitate an easy-to-reference title- and date-based layout, no details have been provided pertaining to the brand of 70mm (i.e. Todd-AO, Super Panavision, Ultra Panavision, Cinerama, D-150, etc.) or technical particulars of each presentation (i.e. O-neg source, inter-neg source, blow-up, pillarboxed, letterboxed, Dolby A, Dolby SR, five screen channels vs. three, baby boom, split surround, digital sound, etc.). Part 1: The 70mm-Equipped Cinemas CAPILANO CINEMA: Opened on May 7, 1969, at 50th Street & 98th Avenue in Edmonton. This single-screen theatre had 870 seats. The first and only 70mm presentation was "Silverado" July 10, 1985, running until September 26, 1985. The ownership timeline was National General Cinemas (1969-1973), managed by Famous Players Theatres (1970-1973), Canadian Theatres (1973-1978), Canadian Odeon Theatres (1978-1984), and Cineplex Odeon Theatres (1984-1992). The theatre was closed on July 23, 1988. EATON CENTRE CINEMA (aka Edmonton City Centre Cinema): Opened on July 29, 1988. Located on the 3rd Floor, Phase II of Eaton Centre, 101st Street and 102nd Avenue in Edmonton. The nine-screen cinema has a seating capacity of 3,400. Lucasfilm THX Sound Systems with 70MM projection capabilities are featured in two of the largest houses. The first 70mm presentation was "Die Hard" on July 29, 1988, and running until September 8, 1988. The last 70mm showing was "Geronimo: An American Legend" on December 10, 1993 , running until January 13, 1994. The ownership timeline was Cineplex Odeon Theatres (1988-2005), Empire Theatres (2005-2013), and Landmark Theatres (2013-current). This cinema is still open and showing movies. LONDONDERRY CINEMA: Opened on November 10, 1972, at 137th Avenue & 66th Street in Edmonton. This twin theatre had a combined seating of 1,000. On June 4, 1982, Londonderry Cinema A is converted to 70mm with an improved Dolby Sound system, with the first feature in this format "Quest for Fire," in its 14th week in Edmonton. The last 70mm showing was "Dick Tracy" on June 15, 1990, running until July 19, 1990. The ownership timeline was Famous Players Theatres (1972-1997). The cinema was closed on August 12, 1997. MEADOWLARK CINERAMA (aka Meadowlark Cinema, Meadowlark Encore Cinemas): Opened on December 25, 1969, at 156th Street & 87th Avenue in Edmonton. This single-screen theatre had 780 seats. The first 70mm presentation (promoted as Cinerama) was "Krakatoa East of Java" (the venues debut booking) on December 25, 1969, running until January 21, 1970. The last 70mm showing was "Backdraft" opening on July 5, 1991, and running until August 1, 1991. The ownership timeline was National General Cinemas (1969-1973), managed by Famous Players Theatres (1970-1973), Canadian Theatres (1973-1978), Canadian Odeon Theatres (1978-1984), and Cineplex Odeon Theatres (1984-1992). The theatre was closed on June 7, 1992. PARAMOUNT THEATRE: Opened on July 5, 1952, at 10233 Jasper Avenue in Edmonton. This single-screen theatre had 1,400 seats. The first advertised 70mm presentation was "Can-Can" on June 15, 1960, running until July 26, 1960. Installation of THX Sound System on April 26, 1987. The last 70mm showing was "Pink Floyd: The Wall" midnight show on April 2, 1994. The ownership timeline was Famous Players Theatres (1952-2003). The theatre was closed on June 26, 2003. PLAZA CINEMAS: Opened on October 28, 1970, at 118th Avenue & 102nd Street in Edmonton. This twin cinema had 526 seats in Cinema 1 and 715 seats in Cinema 2. The first 70mm presentation was "Silverado" July 10, 1985, running until August 15, 1985. The last 70mm showing was "Empire of the Sun" on February 5, 1988, running until April 21, 1988. The ownership timeline was Canadian Theatres (1970-1978), Canadian Odeon Theatres (1978-1984), and Cineplex Odeon Theatres (1984-1988). The cinema is closed on May 26, 1988. RIALTO THEATRE (aka Bijou Theatre, Hippodrome, Orpheum, and Allen's Imperial): Opened as a single screen on October 22, 1910, at 10134 101st Street in Edmonton. Newly-renovated on July 4, 1960, and a new 40x20 foot screen replaced the old 14x28 foot screen which will allowed for the presentation of Todd-AO and other 70mm wide screen productions. The first 70mm presentation was "Porgy and Bess" opening on August 10, 1960, and running until August 23, 1960. The last 70mm showing was "The Concert for Bangladesh" on May 19, 1972, running until June 1, 1972. This single-screen theatre is piggyback twinned on June 7, 1974. The ownership timeline was Independent (1910-1917), Independent (1917-1919), Independent (1919), Allen Theatres (1919-1921), Independent (1921-1941), Odeon Theatres (1941-1978), Canadian Odeon Theatres (1978-1984) and Cineplex Odeon Theatres (1984-1987). The theatre was closed on June 25, 1987. WEST MALL 5: Opened on August 19, 1983, at 177th Street and 90th Avenue in Edmonton. This five-screen cinema had 692 seats in Cinema 1, and 301 each in Cinemas 2, 3, 4 and 5. The first 70mm presentation was "Return of the Jedi" on August 19, 1983, and running until September 29, 1983. The last 70mm showing was "Dick Tracy" on June 15, 1990, running until August 9, 1990. The ownership timeline was Famous Players Theatres (1983-1999). The cinema was closed on May 12, 1999. Famous Players Theatres' 12-screen Silvercity West Edmonton Mall opened on May 14, 1999, in a new addition to the mall. In the chronology below, the 70mm presentations at this venue are cited as West Mall 5. WEST MALL 8: Opened on September 27, 1985, at West Edmonton Mall, 177th Street and 90th Avenue in Edmonton. This eight-screen theatre had a combined seating capacity of approximately 2,030 seats, with two theatres with approximately 450 each, two theatres with 235 each, three theatres with 170 and one with 150. The first 70mm presentation was "Die Hard" on July 20, 1988. The last 70mm showing was "Hoffa" on December 25, 1992, running until January 28, 1993. The ownership timeline was Cineplex Odeon Theatres (1985-2008). The cinema was closed on September 11, 2008. In the chronology below, the 70mm presentations at this venue are cited as West Mall 8. WESTMOUNT (aka Sahara Theatre): Opened on January 14, 1956, at 114th Avenue and Groat Road. This single-screen theatre had 800 seats. On August 12, 1965, ownership changed to Famous Players Theatres and name changed to Westmount Cinema. On March 17, 1972, a second cinema was added. Cinema A is converted to 70mm in 1981. The first Dolby-encoded 70mm presentation was June 12, 1981, with Raiders of the Lost Ark", running until May 13, 1982. The last 70mm showing was "The Mission" opening on December 19, 1986, and running until the cinema closed. The ownership timeline was Windsor Theatres (1956-1965) and Famous Players Theatres (1965-1987). The cinema was closed on April 19, 1987. In the chronology below, the 70mm presentations at this venue are cited as Westmount A. WESTMOUNT CENTRE CINEMAS: Opened on November 8, 1985, in the Westmount Shopping Centre, 111th Avenue and Groat Road. This four-screen cinema had 500 seats in Cinema 1, 314 in Cinema 2, 350 in Cinema 3 and 300 in Cinema 4. The first 70mm presentation was "Stakeout" on August 5, 1987, running until November 5, 1987. The last advertised 70mm run was "Patriot Games" opening on June 5, 1992 and playing until August 6, 1992. The ownership timeline was Famous Players Theatres (1985-2005) and Empire Theatres (2005-2011). The fourplex was closed on March 3, 2011. In the chronology below, the 70mm presentations at this venue are cited as FP Westmount Centre 4. WESTMOUNT 4: Opened on December 20, 1985, in the Westmount Shopping Centre, 111th Avenue and Groat Road. This four-screen theatre had a combined seat count of 1,600 seats. Two auditoriums featured THX and 70mm. The first 70mm presentations were opening-day features "A Chorus Line" and "Out of Africa." The last advertised 70mm showing was "Cry Freedom" opening on February 19, 1988, and running until March 24, 1988. Cineplex Odeon was the only owner of this theatre. The theatre was closed on March 16, 2000. In the chronology below, the 70mm presentations at this venue are cited as CO Westmount 4. Part 2: The 70mm Presentations Opening date YYYY-MM-DD TITLE Cinema (duration in weeks) [notes] * Reserved-seat engagement (i.e. roadshow) 1960-06-15 CAN-CAN* Paramount (6) 1960-08-10 PORGY AND BESS Rialto (2) 1960-09-28 BEN-HUR* Paramount (9) 1961-08-02 EXODUS* Rialto (4) 1961-08-30 SPARTACUS Rialto (3) 1962-03-02 SPARTACUS Rialto (2) 1962-09-21 EL CID Paramount (8) 1962-12-25 BARABBAS Rialto (4) 1963-02-07 OKLAHOMA! Paramount (3) 1963-04-04 MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY* Paramount (5) 1963-06-05 LAWRENCE OF ARABIA* Rialto (9) 1963-06-26 CLEOPATRA* Paramount (14) 1964-04-15 THE FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE* Paramount (5) 1964-10-28 MY FAIR LADY* Paramount (21) 1965-11-04 THE SLEEPING BEAUTY* Paramount (1) [Kirov Ballet] 1966-07-27 DOCTOR ZHIVAGO* Paramount (22) 1967-03-16 THE BIBLE* Paramount (7) 1967-05-04 THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY Paramount (1) 1968-02-14 GONE WITH THE WIND* Paramount (12) 1968-09-25 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY* Paramount (8) 1969-12-25 KRAKATOA, EAST OF JAVA Meadowlark (4) 1970-01-22 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY* Meadowlark (4) 1970-02-18 GRAND PRIX Meadowlark (1) 1970-03-04 GONE WITH THE WIND Meadowlark (2) 1970-03-18 GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS* Meadowlark (4) 1972-05-19 THE CONCERT FOR BANGLADESH Rialto (2) 1973-10-12 THIS IS CINERAMA Meadowlark (1) 1974-11-29 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY Meadowlark (4) 1980-05-21 THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Paramount (29) 1980-11-21 APOCALYPSE NOW Meadowlark (4) 1981-05-15 DIVINE MADNESS Paramount [midnight] 1981-05-16 TOMMY Paramount [midnight] 1981-05-22 OUTLAND Paramount (5) 1981-06-12 RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK Westmount A (48) 1981-07-31 THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Meadowlark (4) 1981-08-28 THE BLUE LAGOON Meadowlark (2) 1981-09-11 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY Meadowlark (2) 1981-10-09 GONE WITH THE WIND Meadowlark (1) 1982-03-05 QUEST FOR FIRE Paramount (13) 1982-06-04 POLTERGEIST Westmount A (15) 1982-06-04 QUEST FOR FIRE Londonderry (3) 1982-06-04 STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN Paramount (15) 1982-06-18 ANNIE Meadowlark (14) 1982-07-09 TRON Londonderry (10) 1982-09-17 PINK FLOYD: THE WALL Westmount A (6) 1982-09-17 POLTERGEIST Londonderry (8) 1982-10-01 STAR WARS / THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Paramount (10) 1982-12-10 STAR WARS /THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Londonderry (7) 1983-01-28 GANDHI Meadowlark (15) 1983-04-15 RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK Londonderry (2) 1983-04-29 ALIEN Westmount A (1) 1983-05-13 BLUE THUNDER Meadowlark (7) 1983-05-20 POLTERGEIST Londonderry (1) 1983-05-21 ANNIE Londonderry (3 days) [matinee] 1983-05-25 RETURN OF THE JEDI Westmount A (21) 1983-05-27 RETURN OF THE JEDI Londonderry (19) 1983-06-17 SUPERMAN III Paramount (4) 1983-07-15 STAYING ALIVE Paramount (9) 1983-07-29 KRULL Meadowlark (6) 1983-08-19 RETURN OF THE JEDI West Mall 5 (6) 1983-09-09 RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK Meadowlark (1) 1983-09-16 STAYING ALIVE Meadowlark (2) 1983-09-30 BRAINSTORM Paramount (5) 1983-09-30 OCTOPUSSY West Mall 5 (1) 1983-10-21 THE RIGHT STUFF Londonderry (7) 1983-10-21 THE RIGHT STUFF Westmount A (7) 1983-10-21 TRON Meadowlark (1) [70mm fest] 1983-10-28 FAME Meadowlark (1) [70mm fest] 1983-11-04 BRAINSTORM Westmount A (1) 1983-11-11 SUPERMAN Meadowlark (1) [70mm fest] 1983-11-18 PINK FLOYD: THE WALL Meadowlark (1) [70mm fest] 1983-11-25 POLTERGEIST Meadowlark (1) [70mm fest] 1983-12-02 THE ROAD WARRIOR Meadowlark (1) [70mm fest] 1984-05-23 INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM Paramount (22) 1984-05-23 INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM West Mall 5 (22) 1984-06-01 STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK Londonderry (8) 1984-06-01 STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK Westmount A (13) 1984-12-07 2010 Londonderry (10) 1984-12-07 2010 Westmount A (9) 1984-12-07 POLTERGEIST Paramount (1) 1984-12-14 DUNE Paramount (7) 1984-12-14 STARMAN Meadowlark (9) 1985-03-29 RETURN OF THE JEDI Paramount (5) 1985-05-03 RETURN OF THE JEDI Westmount A (2) 1985-06-21 COCOON Paramount (19) 1985-06-21 RETURN TO OZ Londonderry (5) 1985-07-10 SILVERADO Capilano (11) 1985-07-10 SILVERADO Plaza (5) 1985-07-19 THE BLACK CAULDRON Londonderry (sneak preview) 1985-07-24 THE BLACK CAULDRON Londonderry (5) 1985-07-24 THE BLACK CAULDRON West Mall 5 (7) 1985-08-23 GHOSTBUSTERS Plaza (5) 1985-09-13 MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME West Mall 5 (4) 1985-09-27 GHOSTBUSTERS Meadowlark (1) 1985-11-27 ROCKY IV Paramount (9) 1985-11-27 ROCKY IV West Mall 5 (10) 1985-12-04 YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES Londonderry (6) 1985-12-04 YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES Westmount A (8) 1985-12-20 A CHORUS LINE CO Westmount 4 (10) 1985-12-20 OUT OF AFRICA CO Westmount 4 (20) 1986-02-21 OUT OF AFRICA Plaza (3) 1986-05-10 TOP GUN West Mall 5 (sneak preview) 1986-05-16 TOP GUN Paramount (9) 1986-05-16 TOP GUN West Mall 5 (32) 1986-07-02 BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Westmount A (6) 1986-07-18 ALIENS Londonderry (9) 1986-07-18 ALIENS Paramount (12) 1986-11-26 STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME Paramount (14) 1986-11-26 STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME West Mall 5 (15) 1986-12-19 THE MISSION Westmount A (18) 1987-02-13 STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME Londonderry (2) 1987-06-03 THE UNTOUCHABLES Paramount (8) 1987-06-03 THE UNTOUCHABLES West Mall 5 (12) 1987-08-05 STAKEOUT FP Westmount Centre 4 (13) 1987-11-25 THREE MEN AND A BABY Paramount (11) 1987-12-11 EMPIRE OF THE SUN Londonderry (6) 1987-12-11 EMPIRE OF THE SUN FP Westmount Centre 4 (8) 1988-02-05 EMPIRE OF THE SUN Plaza (11) 1988-02-19 CRY FREEDOM CO Westmount 4 (5) 1988-03-25 TOP GUN Meadowlark (1) 1988-04-01 AMADEUS Meadowlark (1) 1988-04-08 RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK Meadowlark (1) 1988-04-15 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY Meadowlark (1) 1988-04-22 ALIENS Meadowlark (1) 1988-04-29 PINK FLOYD: THE WALL Meadowlark (1) 1988-05-06 BACK TO THE FUTURE Meadowlark (1) 1988-05-13 STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME Meadowlark (1) 1988-05-20 WILLOW Londonderry (10) 1988-05-20 WILLOW Paramount (10) 1988-05-20 THE UNTOUCHABLES Meadowlark (1) 1988-05-27 STAR WARS Meadowlark (1) 1988-07-20 DIE HARD West Mall 8 (21) [70mm during Weeks 1 and 8-11] 1988-07-29 DIE HARD Eaton Centre (14) [70mm during Weeks 1-6] 1988-11-04 DIE HARD Meadowlark (3) 1988-11-23 COCOON: THE RETURN Eaton Centre (7) 1989-01-13 WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT Meadowlark (4) 1989-05-24 INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE Londonderry (9) 1989-05-24 INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE Paramount (17) 1989-06-09 STAR TREK V: THE FINAL FRONTIER FP Westmount Centre 4 (8) 1989-06-22 BATMAN West Mall 5 (16) 1989-07-07 LAWRENCE OF ARABIA Eaton Centre (5) 1989-08-11 LAWRENCE OF ARABIA Meadowlark (8) 1989-10-06 THE ABYSS Meadowlark (3) 1989-12-01 BATMAN Meadowlark (1) 1990-02-02 THE BEAR Meadowlark (6) 1990-03-02 THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER Paramount (13) 1990-03-16 BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY Meadowlark (4) 1990-06-15 DICK TRACY Londonderry (5) 1990-06-15 DICK TRACY West Mall 5 (8) 1990-06-15 GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH FP Westmount Centre 4 (4) 1990-06-27 DAYS OF THUNDER Paramount (7) 1990-07-18 ARACHNOPHOBIA FP Westmount Centre 4 (4) 1990-10-05 FANTASIA Paramount (6) 1991-05-24 BACKDRAFT Eaton Centre (10) 1991-07-05 BACKDRAFT Meadowlark (4) 1991-12-06 STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY West Mall 5 (9) 1992-05-09 FAR AND AWAY Eaton Centre (sneak preview) 1992-05-16 FAR AND AWAY Eaton Centre (sneak preview) 1992-05-16 FAR AND AWAY West Mall 8 (sneak preview) 1992-05-22 FAR AND AWAY Eaton Centre (9) 1992-05-22 FAR AND AWAY West Mall 8 (8) 1992-06-05 PATRIOT GAMES FP Westmount Centre 4 (9) 1992-12-25 HOFFA Eaton Centre (5) 1992-12-25 HOFFA West Mall 8 (5) 1993-10-02 TOP GUN Paramount [midnight] 1993-12-10 GERONIMO: AN AMERICAN LEGEND Eaton Centre (5) 1994-02-05 BATMAN Paramount [midnight] 1994-03-19 TOP GUN Paramount [midnight] 1994-04-02 PINK FLOYD: THE WALL Paramount [midnight] Note that some of the titles included in this chronology may have been presented in 35mm during the latter week(s) of their engagement due to contractual terms or print damage (and the distributors 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 portion of the engagement has been included in the duration figure. During the roadshow era, 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 applicable duration figure. References: Various issues of Boxoffice, The Edmonton Journal, Motion Picture Exhibitor, Variety, and projection and sound system trade advertisements and installation records. Special Thanks: Edmonton Public Library, Library and Archives Canada, Gordon McLeod. If you believe this article contains any errors or omissions, please consider emailing the author or editor. Dedicated to Bill Kretzel, 1956-2017 |
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