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“Big Trouble in Little China”: The 70mm Engagements
“Jack Burton’s in for some serious trouble and you’re in for some serious fun.” |
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in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter
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Compiled by:
Michael Coate |
Date:
02.11.2016 |
The
following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter
engagements of “Big Trouble in Little China” in the United States and
Canada. These were the cinemas worth seeking out to experience this motion
picture.
“Big Trouble in Little China” was among sixteen confirmed first-run films
released in 1986 with 70mm prints for selected engagements. Ten 70mm prints
were reportedly struck for distribution in North America. The 20th Century
Fox release—directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell and Kim
Cattrall—opened on July 2nd.
For the release of “Big Trouble in Little China,” Fox 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 “Big Trouble in Little China” featured Six-Track Dolby
Stereo (“A” encoded “baby boom” format) and full-frame imagery blown up from
anamorphic 35mm.
Fox circulated 70mm Six-Track Dolby coming-attraction trailers for “Aliens,”
“The Boy Who Could Fly,” “The Fly” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” during the
release of “Big Trouble in Little China.” As well, other studios circulated
70mm trailers during this period. Ultimately, any 70mm trailers screened
during 70mm presentations of “Big Trouble in Little China” varied by venue
and screening.
The duration of the engagements (measured in weeks) has been included in
parenthesis following the cinema name.
ALBERTA
Calgary — Famous Players’ Palace (2)
Edmonton — Famous Players’ Westmount Twin (6)
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Vancouver — Famous Players’ Capitol 6-plex (2)
CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles (Hollywood) — Pacific’s Hollywood Pacific Triplex (3)
Los Angeles (Westwood Village) — UA’s Egyptian (5) [THX]
San Francisco — UA’s Alexandria Triplex (6)
MANITOBA
Winnipeg — Famous Players’ Northstar Twin (6)
ONTARIO
Ottawa — Famous Players’ Rideau Centre Triplex (3)
Toronto — Famous Players’ Hollywood Twin (6)
QUEBEC
Montreal — United’s York (3)
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
1986-07-18 … Vancouver, BC — Famous Players’ Vancouver Centre Twin (1)
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 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.
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