The following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter
presentations of “Born on the Fourth of July” in North America. These were
the cinemas worth seeking out to experience this motion picture.
“Born on the Fourth of July” was among seventeen confirmed first-run films
released in 1989 with 70mm prints for selected engagements. The Universal
release — directed by Oliver Stone (“The Doors”) and starring Tom Cruise,
Kyra Sedgwick and Willem Dafoe — opened in exclusive 70mm limited release
December 20th.
For the release of “Born on the Fourth of July,” 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 “Born on the Fourth of July” featured full-frame imagery
blown up from anamorphic 35mm and a dual inventory of A- and SR-encoded
Six-Track Dolby Stereo (Baby Boom format).
Universal circulated 70mm Six-Track Dolby coming-attraction trailers for
“Bird on a Wire,” “Coupe de Ville,” “Cry-Baby,” “The Guardian,” “Opportunity
Knocks” and Tremors” during the release of “Born on the Fourth of July.”
Other studios circulated 70mm trailers during this period, as well.
Ultimately, any 70mm trailers screened during 70mm presentations of “Born on
the Fourth of July” varied by venue and screening.
Opening date YYYY-MM-DD … City — Cinema (duration in weeks) [notes]
1989-12-20 … Chicago, IL — Cineplex Odeon’s McClurg Court Triplex (10) [THX]
1989-12-20 … Los Angeles, CA — Cineplex Odeon’s Century Plaza 4 (18) [THX]
1989-12-20 … New York, NY — Cineplex Odeon’s Ziegfeld (9)
1989-12-20 … Toronto, ON — Cineplex Odeon’s York Twin (11) [THX]
1989-12-25 … San Francisco, CA — AMC’s Kabuki 8 (19) [THX]
1989-12-27 … Newport Beach, CA — Edwards’ Newport Triplex (6)
1989-12-27 … Orange, CA — Syufy’s Century Cinedome 8 (11)
1989-12-27 … Universal City, CA — Cineplex Odeon’s Universal City 18 (10)
[THX]
1990-01-05 … Dallas, TX — GCC’s Northpark West Twin (12)
1990-01-05 … Los Angeles, CA — Mann’s Regent (5)
1990-01-05 … San Francisco, CA — Cineplex Odeon’s Northpoint (9) [70mm
during 9th week]
1990-01-05 … San Jose, CA — Syufy’s Century 22 Triplex (12)
1990-01-05 … Seattle, WA — Cineplex Odeon’s Cinerama (8)
1990-01-05 … Washington, DC — Cineplex Odeon’s Uptown (11)
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
1990-02-09 … Los Angeles, CA — Cineplex Odeon’s Odeon (5) [THX]
1990-02-09 … Newport Beach, CA — Edwards’ Fashion Island 7 (4) [THX]
1990-02-23 … New York, NY — Cineplex Odeon’s National Twin (2)
1990-03-02 … Chicago, IL — Cineplex Odeon’s Biograph Triplex (1)
1990-03-16 … Edmonton, AB — Cineplex Odeon’s Meadowlark (4)
1990-03-30 … Dallas, TX — GCC’s Northpark East Twin (1) [70mm?]
1990-03-30 … San Jose, CA — Syufy’s Century 24 Twin (1+)
1990-05-04 … Casper, WY — Movie Palaces’ America (2)
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,
Bill Kallay, Bill Kretzel and Brad Miller.
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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