Krakatoa
East of Java Edmonton premiere advert, Edmonton Journal, 25th December 1969
What 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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More in 70mm reading:
70mm, Cinerama, IMAX and Cinemas in Canda
CINERAMA and
large-frame motion picture exhibition in Canada 1954-1974
70mm Cinemas in North
America
Chronological premiere
list of major 70mm films
Month by month
premiere list of wide gauge and 3-strip films
70mm Engagements
70mm Blow Up List
Dolby Stereo
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