“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”: The North American
Roadshow Engagements |
Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter |
| Compiled by: Michael Coate | Date: 01.02.2019 |
 The following is a reference / historical listing of the roadshow presentations
of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” in the United States and Canada.The presentations cited in this work were “hard ticket” roadshow engagements and were special, long-running, showcase presentations in major cities prior to the film being exhibited as a general release. Much like a stage production, these featured advanced admission pricing, reserved seating, an overture/intermission/entr’acte/exit music, and an average of only ten scheduled screenings per week. Souvenir program booklet were sold, as well. Out of the hundreds of films released during 1968, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” was among only fourteen given deluxe roadshow treatment and among only eleven released with 70mm prints (six of which, including “Chitty”, originating in 65/70mm). The Albert R. Broccoli presentation and United Artists release was directed by Ken Hughes and starred Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries, and Gert Frobe. Prints utilized during the film’s roadshow release, depending on the venue, were (1) 70mm six-track with discrete six-channel stereophonic sound, and (2) reduction printed 35mm with discrete four-channel stereophonic sound. The North American premiere of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” was held December 18th at the (freshly twinned) Loew’s State in New York. (The [Royal] World Premiere of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” was held two days earlier at the Odeon Leicester Square in London.) Opening date YYYY-MM-DD … City — Cinema (duration in weeks) 1968-12-18 … New York, NY — State 2 (20) 1968-12-19 … Boston, MA — Cheri 1 (10) 1968-12-19 … Chicago, IL — Cinestage (17) 1968-12-19 … Cincinnati, OH — Carousel (10) 1968-12-19 … Detroit, MI — United Artists (14) 1968-12-19 … Kansas City, MO — Royal (15) [35mm] 1968-12-19 … Los Angeles, CA — Chinese (14) 1968-12-19 … Miami (North Miami Beach), FL — Sunny Isles 2 (13) [35mm] 1968-12-19 … Montreal, QC — Alouette (10) 1968-12-19 … Philadelphia, PA — Cinema 19 (13) 1968-12-19 … San Francisco, CA — Cinema 21 (8) 1968-12-19 … Seattle, WA — Blue Mouse (7) 1968-12-19 … Toronto, ON — Nortown (17) 1968-12-19 … Vancouver, BC — Ridge (10) [35mm] 1968-12-19 … Washington, DC — Town (9) [35mm] 1968-12-20 … Atlanta, GA — Coronet (12) 1968-12-20 … Baltimore, MD — Mayfair (11) 1968-12-20 … Cleveland (South Euclid), OH — Fox Cedar-Center (8) 1968-12-20 … Columbus, OH — Grand (15) 1968-12-20 … Dallas, TX — Wilshire (14) 1968-12-20 … Dayton (Trotwood), OH — Salem Mall (12) 1968-12-20 … Denver, CO — Centre (15) 1968-12-20 … Honolulu, HI — Kapahulu (13) [35mm] 1968-12-20 … Houston, TX — Village (?) 1968-12-20 … Indianapolis, IN — Regency 2 (16) [35mm] 1968-12-20 … Louisville, KY — Mary Anderson (10) [35mm] 1968-12-20 … Milwaukee, WI — Mayfair (12) 1968-12-20 … Minneapolis (St. Louis Park), MN — Park (10) 1968-12-20 … New Orleans, LA — Cinerama (15) 1968-12-20 … Oklahoma City, OK — Quail Twin 1 (12) 1968-12-20 … Omaha, NE — Fox (11) 1968-12-20 … Phoenix, AZ — Bethany (14) 1968-12-20 … Portland, OR — Broadway (12) 1968-12-20 … Rochester (Henrietta), NY — Towne (12) 1968-12-20 … St. Louis (Richmond Heights), MO — Esquire (10) 1968-12-20 … Salt Lake City (Holladay), UT — Cottonwood Mall (15) 1968-12-20 … San Diego, CA — Valley Circle (14) 1968-12-20 … Syracuse, NY — Genesee (14) [35mm] 1968-12-20 … Tulsa, OK — Fox (?) 1968-12-20 … Wichita, KS — Uptown (13) 1968-12-25 … Pittsburgh, PA — Fulton (9) 1969-04-01 … Sacramento, CA — Century 22 (10) 1969-04-30 … Oakland, CA — Century 21 (4) 1969-05-21 … San Jose, CA — Century 24 (11) This information has been principally referenced from film industry trade publications and regional newspaper promotion, with thanks to Jim Barg, Bill Kretzel, Mark Lensenmayer, Stan Malone, Robert Morrow, Vince Young, and an extra special thank-you to all of the librarians who helped with this project. International roadshow presentations of this title have not been accounted for in this article. If you believe this article contains any errors or omissions, please consider emailing the author or editor. |
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