Porgy
and Bess Winnipeg premiere advert, Winnipeg Free Press, 11th April 1960
What 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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70mm, Cinerama, IMAX and Cinemas in Canda
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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