What follows is a chronology of 70mm six-track stereophonic sound feature-film
presentations in Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
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 emphasis 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
ANCHORAGE
Alaska Experience
Fireweed
Polar
University
EAGLE RIVER
Valley River
An overview of each cinema will be provided in a forthcoming revision.
Part 2: The 70mm Presentations
Opening date YYYY-MM-DD … TITLE … cinema (duration in weeks) [notes]
1966-09-21 … THE SOUND OF MUSIC … Fireweed (12)
1968-??-?? … GONE WITH THE WIND … Fireweed (?)
1968-??-?? … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Fireweed (?)
1969-??-?? … KRAKATOA, EAST OF JAVA … Fireweed (?)
1970-??-?? … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Fireweed (?)
1971-07-01 … SONG OF NORWAY … Fireweed (2)
1974-11-19 … GONE WITH THE WIND … Fireweed (1)
1974-11-24 … 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY … Fireweed (2)
1983-06-03 … RETURN OF THE JEDI … Polar (24)
1983-11-18 … BRAINSTORM … Polar (2)
1984-02-17 … THE RIGHT STUFF … Polar (8)
1984-05-23 … INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM … Polar (16)
1984-12-14 … DUNE … Polar (6)
1985-12-04 … YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES … University (10)
1986-08-15 … TOP GUN … Valley River (16)
1989-05-24 … INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE … Fireweed (17)
1989-06-23 … BATMAN … University (17)
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 distributor’s 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.
References: Various issues of Anchorage Daily News, Boxoffice, The Hollywood
Reporter, Motion Picture Exhibitor, and Variety; projection and sound system
trade advertisements and installation records.
Special Thanks: Anchorage Public Library, ZJ Loussac Public Library
If you believe this article contains any errors or omissions, please
consider emailing the
author or editor.
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