The following is a reference / historical listing of the roadshow presentations of “The Sleeping Beauty” in the United States and Canada. These were the cinemas worth seeking out to experience the best presentation of 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 typically 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 with discrete magnetic six-channel stereophonic sound.
The Lenfilm production (original title: “Spyashchaya krasavitsa”) was directed by Apollinari Dudko and Konstantin Sergeyev and featured the Leningrad Kirov Ballet with music performed by the Leningrad Symphony Orchestra. The North American premiere was held February 18th, 1965 at Nortown in Toronto. (The film was originally released in other parts of the world beginning in 1964.)
Out of the hundreds of films released in North America during 1965, “The Sleeping Beauty” was among only ten given deluxe roadshow treatment and among only eleven released with 70mm prints (eight from 65mm origination plus three blow-ups).
Opening date YYYY-MM-DD … locale — cinema (duration in weeks) [notes]
PART 1: THE ROADSHOW ENGAGEMENTS (reserved seat policy)
1965-02-18 … Toronto, ON — Nortown (5) 1965-09-17 … Vancouver, BC — Strand (3) 1965-11-04 … Edmonton, AB — Paramount (1) 1965-11-17 … Winnipeg, MB — Metropolitan (1) 1965-11-25 … Montreal, QC — Alouette (5)
1966-09-29 … Denver, CO — Continental (2) 1966-10-12 … Oklahoma City, OK — Continental (1)
PART 2: SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS (unreserved seating / general-release policy)
1966-05-02 … Calgary, AB — Capitol (4 days) 1966-12-02 … Ste-Foy, QC — Cinema Ste-Foy Salle Alouette (3)
1971-02-10 … Wichita, KS — Uptown (1)
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 W.R Miller.
The film’s international roadshow engagements 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. | More in 70mm reading:
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Sovscope 70 - 70mm Films in USSR
70mm Cinemas in North America
in70mm.com's list of films blown up to 70mm
70mm Engagements by Title
35mm to 70mm Engagements by Year
Large Format 7OMM Engagements
Month by month premiere list of wide gauge and 3-strip films
Chronological premiere list of major 70mm films
70mm Blow Up List
Dolby Stereo
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