“Back to the Future Part II”: The North American
70mm Engagements |
Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter |
| Compiled by: Michael Coate | Date: 26.02.2020 |
 The
following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter
presentations of “Back to the Future Part II” in North America. These were
the cinemas worth seeking out experience this motion picture. “Back to the Future Part II” was among seventeen confirmed first-run films released in 1989 with 70mm prints for selected engagements. The Amblin production and Universal release — directed by Robert Zemeckis (“Who Framed Roger Rabbit”) and starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd — opened November 22nd. Pre-release screenings included the movie’s world premiere held November 20th at the Universal City 18. For the release of “Back to the Future Part II,” Universal employed the services of Lucasfilm’s Theatre Alignment Program (TAP) to evaluate and approve the cinemas selected to book a 70mm print. The 70mm prints of “Back to the Future Part II” featured Six-Track Dolby Stereo (“A”-encoded Baby Boom format) and pillarboxed imagery (approximately 1.85:1) blown up from spherical 35mm. Universal circulated 70mm Six-Track Dolby coming-attraction trailers for “Always,” “Born on the Fourth of July,” “Coupe de Ville,” “Cry-Baby,” “Tremors” and “The Wizard” during the release of “Back to the Future Part II.” Other studios circulated 70mm trailers during this period, as well. Ultimately, any 70mm trailers screened during 70mm presentations of “Back to the Future Part II” varied by venue and screening. (The final scene of “Back to the Future Part II” was a trailer for “Back to the Future Part III.”) The duration of the engagements (measured in weeks) has been included in parenthesis following the cinema name. CALIFORNIA Los Angeles — GCC’s Avco Center Triplex (#1: 12) [THX] Los Angeles — GCC’s Avco Center Triplex (#2: 4) Universal City — Cineplex Odeon’s Universal City 18 (12) [THX] DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Washington — Cineplex Odeon’s Uptown (6) NEW YORK New York — Cineplex Odeon’s Coronet (2) ONTARIO Toronto — Cineplex Odeon’s Hyland Twin (10) TEXAS Dallas — GCC’s Northpark West Twin (6) [THX] Note that some of the presentations included in this listing may have been presented in 35mm during the latter week(s) of 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 (or movement out of a branded auditorium) has been included in the duration figure. SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS & SCREENINGS 1989-12-08 … New York, NY — Cineplex Odeon’s Baronet (4) 1990-01-05 … Washington, DC — Cineplex Odeon’s Jenifer Twin (1) 1990-01-19 … Laguna Niguel, CA — Mann’s Rancho Niguel 8 (5) [THX] 1990-05-24 … Dallas, TX — GCC’s Northpark West Twin* [THX] 1990-05-24 … Los Angeles, CA — GCC’s Avco Center Triplex* [THX] 1990-05-24 … Los Angeles, CA — Pacific’s Cinerama Dome* 1990-05-24 … Houston, TX — Cineplex Odeon’s Spectrum 9* [THX] 1990-05-24 … New York, NY — Cineplex Odeon’s Coronet* 1990-05-24 … New York, NY — Cineplex Odeon’s National Twin* 1990-05-24 … Newport Beach, CA — Edwards’ Newport Triplex* 1990-05-24 … Orange, CA — Syufy’s Cinedome 8* 1990-05-24 … San Francisco, CA — AMC’s Kabuki 8* [THX] 1990-05-24 … San Jose, CA — Syufy’s Century 22 Triplex* 1990-05-24 … Toronto, ON — Cineplex Odeon’s Hyland Twin* 1990-05-24 … Universal City, CA — Cineplex Odeon’s Universal City 18* [THX] *Screened during the “See the Future Back to Back to Back” triple feature. (Print format may have been 35mm for some triple feature screenings.) 2017-08-18 … Santa Monica, CA — American Cinematheque’s Aero [70mm series w/ “Hook”] 2018-03-26 … Austin, TX — Alamo Drafthouse’s Ritz [70mm festival] 2018-09-?? … Seattle, WA — Cinerama [70mm festival] 2019-08-29 … Chicago, IL — Music Box [Music Box 90th Anniversary] The information included in this article was principally referenced from film industry trade publications, regional newspaper promotion, print enclosures, TAP records, and Dolby records. Special thanks to David Ayers, Don Beelik, Bill Kallay and Bill Kretzel. 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. |
More in 70mm reading: “Back to the Future”: The North American 70mm Engagements “Back to the Future Part III”: The North American 70mm Engagements 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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