“Barabbas”: The North American Roadshow and 70mm
Engagements |
Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter |
| Compiled by: Michael Coate | Date: 10.09.2022 |
 The following is a reference / historical listing of the roadshow presentations
of “Barabbas” in the United States and Canada. These were the first and best
cinemas in which to experience this motion picture.The presentations cited in the main section of this work were “hard ticket” roadshow engagements (i.e. 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, and, in some locales, the film’s soundtrack album. The print type utilized during the film’s roadshow release was 70-millimeter (sourced from Technirama Large Aperture) with discrete magnetic six-channel stereophonic sound. The Columbia release was directed by Richard Fleischer (“Doctor Dolittle,” “Tora! Tora! Tora!,” “The Jazz Singer”) and starred Anthony Quinn, Silvana Mangano, Arthur Kennedy, Katy Jurado, Harry Andrews, Vittorio Gassman, Jack Palance and Ernest Borgnine. The Italy/USA co-production’s world premiere was held December 23rd, 1961, in Italy. Out of the hundreds of first-run films released in North America during 1962, “Barabbas” was among only nine given deluxe roadshow treatment and among only four issued with 70mm prints. PART 1: THE ROADSHOW ENGAGEMENTS (reserved seat policy / 70mm presentation) Premiere date … locale — cinema (duration in weeks) [notes] 1962-10-04 … Toronto — Carlton (11) 1962-10-10 … Boston — Gary (10) 1962-10-10 … New York — DeMille (17) PART 2: SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS (unreserved seating / general-release policy) 1962-12-26 … Toledo — Pantheon (4) This information has been principally referenced from film industry trade publications and regional newspaper promotion, with thanks to Don Beelik, Bill Kallay, Bill Kretzel and Mark Lensenmayer. 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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