“Doctor Dolittle”: The North American Roadshow
Engagements |
Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter |
| Compiled by: Michael Coate | Date: 30.07.2019 |
 The following is a reference / historical listing of the roadshow presentations
of “Doctor Dolittle” in the United States and Canada. These were the earliest
and best cinemas in which to experience this motion picture.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. The North American premiere of “Doctor Dolittle” was held December 19th at Loew’s State in New York. (The film’s world premiere was held one week earlier at the Odeon Marble Arch in London.) Out of the hundreds of films released during 1967, “Doctor Dolittle” was among only eight given deluxe roadshow treatment and among only five released with 70mm prints (four of the five were blow-ups from 35mm with “Doctor Dolittle” being the lone title originating in 65/70mm). The Arthur P. Jacobs production and 20th Century-Fox release was directed by Richard Fleischer and starred Rex Harrison, Samantha Eggar, Anthony Newley, and Richard Attenborough. The screenplay and music was by Leslie Bricusse. Prints utilized during the film’s roadshow release, depending on the venue and booking terms, were (1) 70mm six-track with discrete magnetic six-channel stereophonic sound, (2) reduction printed 35mm mag-optical (discrete magnetic four-channel stereophonic and optical monaural), or (3) reduction printed 35mm with optical monaural sound. The reserved-seat policy, in some instances, was relaxed during the latter weeks of the run. Any non-roadshow portion of such an engagement has been included in the duration figure. Also note that in cases where a 70mm print was booked that some engagements included in this listing may have been presented in 35mm during the latter week(s) of their engagement 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. Opening date YYYY-MM-DD … City — Cinema (duration in weeks) 1967-09-08 … Minneapolis, MN — Mann (sneak preview) 1967-12-19 … New York, NY — State (35) 1967-12-20 … Chicago, IL — Michael Todd (31) 1967-12-21 … Los Angeles, CA — Paramount (33) 1967-12-22 … Toronto, ON — Eglinton (30) 1968-01-17 … Bay Harbor Islands, FL — Bay Harbor (26) 1968-01-24 … Charlotte, NC — Park Terrace (20) 1968-01-24 … Cleveland, OH — Ohio (16) 1968-01-24 … Honolulu, HI — Varsity (23) 1968-01-24 … Minneapolis, MN — Mann (17) 1968-01-24 … Philadelphia, PA — Boyd (29) 1968-01-24 … San Francisco, CA — United Artists (26) 1968-01-24 … Vancouver, BC — Ridge (25) [35mm] 1968-01-24 … Winter Park, FL — Park East (12) 1968-01-31 … Edmonton, AB — Avenue (12) [35mm] |
More in 70mm reading: 70mm Engagements 70mm Blow Up List in70mm.com's Todd-AO Page Todd-AO Films Internet link: |
 1968-02-01 … Dallas, TX — Wilshire (21)1968-02-01 … Winnipeg, MB — Kings (23) [35mm] 1968-02-07 … Jacksonville, FL — Cedar Hills (10+) 1968-02-07 … St. Petersburg, FL — Palms (15) 1968-02-13 … Pittsburgh, PA — Manor (23) 1968-02-14 … Hamden, CT — Cinemart (13) 1968-02-14 … Kansas City, MO — Midland (18) 1968-02-14 … Milwaukee, WI — Strand (19) 1968-02-14 … West Hartford, CT — Elm (14) 1968-02-15 … San Diego, CA — Cinema 21 (22) 1968-02-21 … Indianapolis, IN — Lyric (13) 1968-03-06 … Cuyahoga Falls, OH — Falls (16) 1968-03-06 … Denver, CO — Continental (17) 1968-03-06 … Oklahoma City, OK — Continental (20) 1968-03-06 … Seattle, WA — 5th Avenue (20) 1968-03-06 … Tulsa, OK — Continental (10+) 1968-03-15 … San Antonio, TX — Broadway (9) 1968-03-20 … Scranton, PA — West Side (8) [35mm] 1968-04-04 … Metairie, LA — Lakeside (16) 1968-04-04 … Montreal, QC — Alouette (15) 1968-04-11 … Omaha, NE — Cooper 70 (14) 1968-05-22 … Atlantic City, NJ — Hollywood (4+) [35mm] 1968-06-05 … San Jose, CA — Century 22 (28) 1968-06-11 … Detroit, MI — United Artists (13) 1968-06-12 … Fresno, CA — Hardy (10+) [35mm] 1968-06-12 … Phoenix, AZ — Palms (15) 1968-06-12 … Portland, OR — Broadway (14) 1968-06-12 … Sacramento, CA — Crest (10) 1968-06-12 … St. Louis, MO — Ambassador (8) 1968-06-12 … Salt Lake City, UT — Utah (14) 1968-06-12 … Tucson, AZ — Catalina (7) [35mm] 1968-06-12 … Washington, DC — Warner (14) 1968-06-12 … Wichita, KS — Boulevard (14) 1968-06-14 … Des Moines, IA — Ingersoll (11) 1968-06-14 … Ottawa, ON — Elmdale (6) [35mm] 1968-06-18 … Boston, MA — Gary (13) 1968-06-19 … Baltimore, MD — New (9) 1968-06-19 … Cincinnati, OH — Valley (8) 1968-06-19 … Columbus, OH — Northland (9) 1968-06-19 … Louisville, KY — Rialto (6) 1968-06-19 … Toledo, OH — Showcase 3 (10) 1968-06-26 … Albuquerque, NM — Sunshine (6) 1968-06-26 … Buffalo, NY — Teck (7) 1968-06-26 … DeWitt, NY — Shoppingtown (12) 1968-06-26 … Fort Worth, TX — Ridglea (6) 1968-06-26 … Richmond, VA — Willow Lawn (12) 1968-06-26 … Rochester, NY — Riviera (13) 1968-06-26 … Trotwood, OH — Salem Mall (9) 1968-06-26 … Upper Montclair, NJ — Bellevue (13) 1968-06-26 … West Springfield, MA — Showcase 3 (6) 1968-06-26 … Youngstown, OH — State (6) 1968-06-27 … Albany, NY — Hellman (8) 1968-06-27 … Lubbock, TX — Winchester (8) 1968-06-28 … Calgary, AB — Westbrook 2 (8) [35mm] 1968-06-?? … Westbrook, ME — Cinema City [35mm] 1968-07-03 … Franklin Square, NY — Franklin (?) [35mm] 1968-07-03 … Reading, PA — Fox (8) 1968-07-10 … Atlanta, GA — Grand (10) 1968-07-17 … Lawrence, MA — Showcase 1 (7) 1968-10-09 … Memphis, TN — Crosstown (9) ROADSHOW PLAYDATES UNDETERMINED Birmingham Harrisburg Houston Norfolk Providence Worcester SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS (unreserved seating and general admission) 1968-12-18 … Lexington, KY — Strand (3) 1968-12-18 … Springfield, IL — Esquire (2) 1968-12-21 … Colorado Springs, CO — Ute 70 (4) 1968-12-25 … Fargo, ND — Cinema 70 (?) 2005-01-22 … Los Angeles, CA — Egyptian [70mm fest] [new print w/ DTS] 2005-02-05 … Santa Monica, CA — Aero [70mm fest] 2005-08-27 … Austin, TX — Paramount (2 days) [70mm fest] 2014-07-12 … Chicago, IL — Music Box [70mm fest] 2014-07-19 … Chicago, IL — Music Box [70mm fest] The information included in this article has been principally referenced from film industry trade publications and regional newspaper promotion, with thanks to Jerry Alexander, Jim Barg, Bill Kretzel, Mark Lensenmayer, Kenneth Mitchell, and 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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