70mm Presentations in Winnipeg |
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| Compiled by: Stephen Leigh, Bill Kretzel, and Michael Coate | Date: 12.10.2021 |
 Porgy
and Bess Winnipeg premiere advert, Winnipeg Free Press, 11th April 1960What follows is a chronology of 70-millimeter six-track stereophonic sound feature-film presentations in Winnipeg, Manitoba, 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 GARRICK CINEMA: Opened on March 14, 1921, at 330 Garry Street in Winnipeg. This single-screen theatre had approximately 1,500 seats. The first 70mm presentation was "Porgy and Bess" on April 11, 1960, running until April 28, 1960. The last 70mm showing was "Far and Away" on May 22, 1992, running until June 2, 1992. Expanded to two screens on May 16, 1968 with 810 seats in Cinema 1 and 620 seats in Cinema 2. At the time Cinema 1 was among the largest screens in Western Canada and facilitated 70mm attractions. Expanded to four screens on December 21, 1979 with a total of 1,946 seats. Dolby System added to Garrick Cinema 2. The ownership timeline is Independent (1921-1947), Odeon-Morton Theatres (1947-1978), Canadian Odeon Theatres (1978-1984), and Cineplex Odeon Theatres (1984-2002). The cinema closed on March 14, 2002. GRANT PARK CINERAMA (aka Grant Park Cinema): Opened on August 13, 1969, at the Grant Park Shopping Centre, 127-1120 Grant Avenue in Winnipeg. This single-screen Cinerama theatre had 742 seats and provided the added dimension of real depth with a deeply curved 85-foot screen. The first 70mm presentation was "Krakatoa East of Java" on August 13, 1969, running until September 23, 1969. The last 70mm showing was "Cry Freedom" on February 19, 1988, running until March 25, 1988. Expanded to four screens totaling 1,250 seats on December 22, 1989. Expanded to eight screens on August 28, 1998. The new cinemas were equipped with digital sound. The ownership timeline is National General Cinemas (1969-1970), managed by Famous Players Theatres (1970-1973), Canadian Theatres (1973-1978), Odeon-Morton Theatres (1978), Canadian Odeon Theatres (1978-1984), Cineplex Odeon Theatres (1984-2005), Empire Theatres (2005-2013), and Landmark Theatres (2013-present). The cinema is open and showing movies. METROPOLITAN THEATRE (aka Allen Theatre): Opened as the Allen Theatre on January 2, 1920, as a playhouse on 281 Donald Street in Winnipeg. This single-screen theatre had approximately 2,500 seats. Closed on June 23, 1923, for alterations and decorating. On July 28, 1923 the theatre was re-opened as a movie theatre by Famous Players Theatres and renamed the Metropolitan Theatre. The first 70mm presentation was "Can Can" on June 29, 1960, running until August 18, 1960. The last 70mm showing was "The Untouchables" on June 3, 1987, running until August 27, 1987. The ownership timeline is Allen Theatre Corporation (1920-1923) and Famous Players Theatres (1923-1987). The theatre closed on November 26, 1987. NORTHSTAR CINEMAS: Opened on March 4, 1970, at 286 Portage Avenue in Winnipeg. This twin-screen cinema has 689 seats in Cinema 1 and 458 seats in Cinema 2. Cinema 1 equipped with a giant Panorama screen to facilitate 70mm attractions. The latest in six-channel stereophonic sound equipment installed for the ultimate in "wrap around" high fidelity sound production. The first 70mm presentation was "Hello, Dolly!" on March 4, 1970, running until April 16, 1970. The last 70mm showing was "Days of Thunder" on June 27, 1990, running until August 9, 1990. The ownership timeline was Famous Players Theatres (1970-2001). The cinema was closed on December 2, 1999, re-opened on September 8, 2000, and closed for good on March 8, 2001. ODEON THEATRE (aka Walker Theatre): Opened as the Walker Theatre on December 17, 1906, as a playhouse at 364 Smith Street in Winnipeg. On November 2, 1945, became the Odeon Theatre, a fully modern redesigned and remodeled movie theatre with over 1,100 seats. The first 70mm presentation was "Silverado" on July 10, 1985, running until September 26, 1985. The last 70mm showing was "A Chorus Line" on December 20, 1985, running until January 30, 1986. The ownership timeline is Independent (1906-1945), Odeon-Morton Theatres (1945-1978), Canadian Odeon Theatres (1978-1984), and Cineplex Odeon Theatres (1984-1990). The theatre closed on March 29, 1990. PORTAGE PLACE CINEMAS (aka Globe Cinema): Opened on September 18, 1987, at the Portage Place Shopping Centre, Portage Avenue at Carlton Street in Winnipeg. This three-screen cinema had a combined seating capacity of 1,200. Cinema 1 Alto had 536 seats and was equipped with 70mm projection equipment. Cinema 2 Rio had 374 seats and Cinema 3 Bijou had 298 seats. The first 70mm presentation was the reissue of "Apocalypse Now" on September 18, 1987, running until September 24, 1987. The last 70mm showing was "Arachnophobia" on July 18, 1990, running until August 16, 1990. The ownership timeline was Famous Players Theatres (1987-2001) and Landmark Cinemas (2002-2014). Closed by Famous Players Theatres on June 7, 2001. Re-opened by Landmark Cinemas as the Globe Cinema on June 21, 2002. The cinema closed on June 15, 2014. TOWNE CINEMA 8: Opened on August 21, 1981, at 301 Notre Dame Avenue in Winnipeg. Canada's first eight-plex under one free-standing roof had approximately 1,800 seats. The first 70mm presentation was the reissue of "Apocalypse Now" on October 9, 1981, running until November 19, 1981. The last 70mm showing was a double feature of "2001" and "2010" on June 6, 1995, running until June 12, 1995. The ownership timeline was Landmark Cinemas (1981-1985), Cineplex Odeon Theatres (1985-1995), Landmark Cinemas (1995-present). The cinema was closed by Cineplex Odeon Theatres on February 26, 1995. Re-opened by Landmark Cinemas on April 14, 1995. This cinema is open and showing movies. Part 2: The 70mm Presentations Opening date YYYY-MM-DD TITLE Cinema (duration in weeks) [notes] * Reserved-seat engagement (i.e. roadshow) 1960-04-11 PORGY AND BESS* Garrick (2) 1960-04-29 SOLOMON AND SHEBA Garrick (2) 1960-06-29 CAN-CAN* Metropolitan (7) 1961-07-05 EXODUS* Garrick (5) 1961-08-16 SPARTACUS Garrick (4) 1962-06-13 OKLAHOMA! Metropolitan (2) 1962-06-27 WEST SIDE STORY* Garrick (6) 1962-09-21 EL CID Metropolitan (6) 1963-06-26 CLEOPATRA* Metropolitan (18) 1963-09-04 LAWRENCE OF ARABIA* Garrick (6) 1964-10-28 MY FAIR LADY* Metropolitan (21) 1965-11-17 THE SLEEPING BEAUTY* Metropolitan (1) [Kirov Ballet] 1966-08-10 DOCTOR ZHIVAGO* Metropolitan (20) 1967-09-21 THE BIBLE* Metropolitan (6) 1967-11-09 GONE WITH THE WIND* Metropolitan (13) 1968-07-25 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY* Garrick (8) 1969-02-06 CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG* Garrick (7) 1969-08-13 KRAKATOA, EAST OF JAVA Grant Park (6) 1969-09-24 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY Grant Park (3) 1969-11-05 GRAND PRIX Grant Park (2) 1969-11-19 GONE WITH THE WIND Grant Park (3) 1969-12-10 DOCTOR ZHIVAGO Grant Park (2) 1970-01-01 SOUTH PACIFIC Grant Park (2) 1970-02-11 MEDITERRANEAN HOLIDAY Grant Park (2) 1970-02-25 THE JOLSON STORY Grant Park (1) 1970-03-04 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY Grant Park (1) 1970-03-04 HELLO, DOLLY!* Northstar (11) 1970-03-11 ICE STATION ZEBRA Grant Park (1) 1970-03-18 GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS* Grant Park (4) 1970-12-18 SONG OF NORWAY* Northstar (7) 1971-02-12 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY Grant Park (4) 1971-04-23 GONE WITH THE WIND Grant Park (4) 1971-06-11 GRAND PRIX Grant Park (1) 1971-06-18 MY FAIR LADY Grant Park (1) 1971-06-25 SONG OF NORWAY Grant Park (1) 1972-01-12 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY Grant Park (3) 1973-04-06 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY Grant Park (3) 1973-04-27 CAMELOT Grant Park (1) 1973-06-29 THIS IS CINERAMA Grant Park (2) 1980-11-28 THE ROSE Grant Park (2) 1981-05-22 OUTLAND Metropolitan (4) 1981-06-12 RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK Northstar (48) 1981-10-09 APOCALYPSE NOW Towne (6) 1981-11-20 ALIEN Towne (3) 1981-12-11 GONE WITH THE WIND Towne (1) 1982-01-15 FAME Towne (5) 1982-03-05 QUEST FOR FIRE Metropolitan (11) 1982-04-09 APOCALYPSE NOW Towne (3) 1982-05-21 QUEST FOR FIRE Towne (2) [w/ ALIEN Sat/Sun midnight] 1982-06-04 POLTERGEIST Northstar (15) 1982-06-04 STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN Metropolitan (8) 1982-06-18 ANNIE Grant Park (13) 1982-07-30 TRON Metropolitan (9) 1982-08-06 STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN Towne (5) 1982-08-13 RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK Towne (4) 1982-09-17 ANNIE Towne (3) 1982-09-17 CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND Grant Park (1) 1982-09-17 PINK FLOYD: THE WALL Northstar (6) 1982-09-24 POLTERGEIST Towne (5) 1982-10-01 STAR WARS / THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Metropolitan (10) 1982-10-07 TRON Towne (3) 1982-10-10 TOMMY Towne [midnight] 1982-10-29 PINK FLOYD: THE WALL Towne (3) 1982-12-10 STAR WARS / THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Towne (6) 1983-01-28 GANDHI Grant Park (17) 1983-03-25 LETS SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER Towne (3) 1983-04-29 APOCALYPSE NOW Towne (1) 1983-05-13 BLUE THUNDER Garrick (7) 1983-05-20 POLTERGEIST Metropolitan (1) 1983-05-21 ANNIE Metropolitan (3 days) [matinee] 1983-05-24 GANDHI Towne (4) 1983-05-25 RETURN OF THE JEDI Grant Park (19) 1983-06-17 SUPERMAN III Metropolitan (4) 1983-07-15 SUPERMAN III Northstar (3) 1983-07-29 KRULL Garrick (5) 1983-09-16 STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN Garrick (1) 1983-09-02 DOCTOR ZHIVAGO Northstar (4) 1983-09-30 BRAINSTORM Northstar (5) 1983-10-21 PINK FLOYD: THE WALL Grant Park (1) [70mm fest] 1983-10-21 THE RIGHT STUFF Metropolitan (7) 1983-10-28 THE ROAD WARRIOR Grant Park (1) [70mm fest] 1983-11-04 TRON Grant Park (1) [70mm fest] 1983-11-11 FAME Grant Park (1) [70mm fest] 1983-11-18 THE EXORCIST Grant Park (1) [70mm fest] 1983-12-02 SUPERMAN Grant Park (1) [70mm fest] 1983-11-11 FAME Grant Park (1) [70mm fest] 1983-11-25 POLTERGEIST Grant Park (1) [70mm fest] 1983-12-09 ANNIE Grant Park (1) [70mm fest] 1983-12-09 THE RIGHT STUFF Towne (2) 1984-02-10 APOCALYPSE NOW Towne (1) 1984-02-17 THE RIGHT STUFF Grant Park (3) 1984-05-23 INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM Metropolitan (17) 1984-06-01 STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK Northstar (8) 1984-06-08 GHOSTBUSTERS Garrick (20) 1984-10-26 GHOSTBUSTERS Towne (11) [70mm from Week 7] 1984-12-07 2010 Northstar (10) 1984-12-14 DUNE Metropolitan (9) 1984-12-14 STARMAN Towne (14) 1985-03-29 RETURN OF THE JEDI Metropolitan (2) 1985-06-21 COCOON Metropolitan (8) 1985-07-10 SILVERADO Odeon (11) 1985-07-19 THE BLACK CAULDRON Northstar (sneak preview) 1985-07-24 THE BLACK CAULDRON Northstar (5) 1985-08-16 COCOON Northstar (8) 1985-11-27 ROCKY IV Metropolitan (9) 1985-12-04 YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES Northstar (8) 1985-12-20 A CHORUS LINE Odeon (6) 1986-05-10 TOP GUN Metropolitan (sneak preview) 1986-05-16 TOP GUN Metropolitan (9) 1986-07-02 BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA Northstar (6) 1986-07-18 ALIENS Metropolitan (12) 1986-08-29 TOP GUN Northstar (8) 1986-10-31 TOP GUN Towne (23) 1986-11-26 STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME Metropolitan (13) 1987-01-16 THE MISSION Northstar (9) 1987-04-17 STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME Towne (2) 1987-06-03 THE UNTOUCHABLES Metropolitan (8) 1987-08-05 STAKEOUT Northstar (13) 1987-09-18 APOCALYPSE NOW Portage Place (1) 1987-12-11 EMPIRE OF THE SUN Northstar (5) 1988-02-19 CRY FREEDOM Grant Park (5) 1988-05-20 WILLOW Portage Place (14) 1988-11-23 COCOON: THE RETURN Grant Park (4) 1989-05-24 INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE Portage Place (10) 1989-06-22 BATMAN Northstar (14) 1989-11-03 LAWRENCE OF ARABIA Portage Place (2) 1990-06-15 DICK TRACY Portage Place (8) 1990-06-27 DAYS OF THUNDER Northstar (6) 1990-07-18 ARACHNOPHOBIA Portage Place (4) 1992-05-09 FAR AND AWAY Garrick (sneak preview) 1992-05-16 FAR AND AWAY Garrick (sneak preview) 1992-05-22 FAR AND AWAY Garrick (6) 1995-06-16 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY / 2010 Towne (1) 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, Motion Picture Exhibitor, Variety, Winnipeg Free Press, and projection and sound system trade advertisements and installation records. Special Thanks: Library and Archives Canada, Winnipeg Public Library. 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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