“WarGames”: The North American 70mm Engagements |
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| Compiled by: Michael Coate | Date: 26.10.2019 |
 The following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter
engagements of “WarGames” in the United States and Canada. These were the best
cinemas in which to experience this motion picture. “WarGames” was among thirteen confirmed first-run films released in 1983 with 70mm prints for selected engagements. Approximately two-dozen 70mm prints were struck for distribution in North America and represented about three percent of the film’s total initial print run. The MGM/UA release — directed by John Badham and starring Matthew Broderick, Dabney Coleman, John Wood and Ally Sheedy — opened June 3rd. The 70mm prints of “WarGames” featured full-frame imagery blown up from spherical 35mm and Six-Track Dolby Stereo (“A” encoded “baby boom” format). Seventy-millimeter trailers for MGM/UA’s “Brainstorm,” “Hercules,” “Revenge of the Ninja,” “Strange Brew” and “Yentl” circulated during the release of “WarGames” and which the distributor recommended be screened with the presentation. Additional 70mm trailers from other studios circulated during this period as well. Which trailers, if any, seen during the presentations of “WarGames” varied by venue and screening. The duration of the engagements (measured in weeks) has been included in parenthesis following the applicable cinema name. Note that some of the presentations included in this listing may have been presented in 35mm during the latter week(s) of engagement because the booking was moved to a non-70mm-equipped auditorium within a multiplex or due to print damage and the distributor’s unwillingness to supply a 70mm replacement print. 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. Advance Screenings… 1983-04-23 … Phoenix, AZ — Mann’s Chris-Town 5-plex (sneak preview) 1983-05-06 … Los Angeles, CA — GCC’s Avco Triplex (sneak preview) 1983-05-07 … Los Angeles, CA — Mann’s Bruin (sneak preview) 1983-05-13 … New York, NY — Reade’s Ziegfeld (sneak preview) 1983-06-02 … Los Angeles, CA — SRO’s Metro (U.S. premiere) Released Friday, June 3rd, 1983… BRITISH COLUMBIA Vancouver — Famous Players’ Vancouver Centre Twin (18) CALIFORNIA Los Angeles — Pacific’s Cinerama Dome (9) Los Angeles — SRO’s Metro (18) San Diego — Pacific’s Cinerama (17) San Francisco — Blumenfled’s Regency III (16) San Jose — Syufy’s Century 24 Twin (17) Temple City — Edwards’ Temple 4-plex (8) [70mm from Week 3] DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Washington — K-B’s Cinema (16) GEORGIA Atlanta — Columbia (7) HAWAII Honolulu — Consolidated’s Waikiki Twin (9) MARYLAND Catonsville — Einbinder & Brehm’s Westview 6-plex (10) MASSACHUSETTS Boston — Sack’s Cheri Triplex (9) NEW JERSEY Paramus — RKO Century’s Route 17 Twin (10) NEW YORK Levittown — Loews’ Nassau 4-plex (9) [renovated to 6-plex during run] New York — Loews’ New York Twin (8) New York — RKO Century’s Warner Twin (8) Valley Stream — RKO Century’s Green Acres (12) ONTARIO Toronto — Famous Players’ Uptown 5-plex (17) PENNSYLVANIA Philadelphia — Sameric’s Sam’s Place Twin (#1: 15) Philadelphia — Sameric’s Sam’s Place Twin (#2: 3) TEXAS Austin — AMC’s Americana (11) Dallas — GCC’s Northpark West Twin (17) WASHINGTON Seattle — SRO’s Cinerama (12) SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS & SCREENINGS 1983-07-29 … Temple City, CA — Edwards’ Temple 4-plex (3) [w/ “Superman III”] 1983-08-19 … Cleveland, OH — Colony (1) 1983-08-19 … Temple City, CA — Edwards’ Temple 4-plex (6) [w/ “Staying Alive”] 1983-08-26 … Newport Beach, CA — Edwards’ Newport Twin (3) [w/ “Staying Alive”] 1983-08-26 … Tukwila, WA — SRO’s Southcenter (8) 1983-09-02 … Atlanta, GA — Columbia (2) 1983-09-16 … Montclair, CA — SRO’s Montclair Triplex (7) [w/ “Superman III”] 1983-09-16 … Northbrook, IL — Center’s Edens Twin (1) 1983-09-30 … National City, CA — Pacific’s Sweetwater 6-plex (11) 1983-09-30 … San Diego, CA — UA’s Glasshouse 6-plex (5) 1983-09-?? … Norfolk, VA — Naro (?) 1983-10-28 … Seattle, WA — Seven Gables’ Crest 4-plex (4) 1983-11-04 … Montclair, CA — SRO’s Montclair Triplex (1) [w/ “Star Trek II”] 1983-11-04 … Riverside, CA — Sanborn’s Canyon Crest 9-plex (5) [w/ “Superman III”] 1983-11-11 … Montclair, CA — SRO’s Montclair Triplex (1) [w/ “Staying Alive”] 1984-02-02 … Renton, WA — MCR’s Roxy (1) 1984-02-29 … Toronto, ON — Cinesphere (5 days) [70mm fest] 1984-05-09 … Seattle, WA — SRO’s Cinerama (1) [w/ “Rocky III”] The information included in this article was principally referenced from film industry trade publications and regional newspaper promotion, with thanks to Bill Kretzel. International 70mm engagements 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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