The following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter
presentations of “Lethal Weapon 3” in North America. These were the cinemas
worth seeking out to best experience this motion picture.
“Lethal Weapon 3” was among ten confirmed first-run films released in 1992 with
70mm prints for selected engagements. The Warner Bros. release — directed by
Richard Donner and starring Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Joe Pesci and Rene Russo —
opened May 15th.
Pre-release screenings included the world premiere held May 12th at the Village
in Los Angeles.
For the release of “Lethal Weapon 3,” Warner Bros. 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 “Lethal Weapon 3” featured Six-Track Dolby Stereo
(“A”-encoded “baby boom” format) and full-frame imagery blown up from anamorphic
35mm.
Warner Bros. circulated 70mm Six-Track Dolby coming-attraction trailers for
“Batman Returns,” “The Bodyguard,” “Christopher Columbus: The Discovery,” “Class
Act,” “Innocent Blood,” “Malcolm X,” “Mom and Dad Save the World,” “Passenger
57,” “Pure Country,” “Singles,” “Stay Tuned,” “Under Siege” and “Unforgiven”
during the release of “Lethal Weapon 3.” As well, other studios circulated 70mm
trailers during this period. Ultimately, the 70mm trailers, if any, seen during
the 70mm presentations of “Lethal Weapon 3” varied by venue and screening.
The duration of the engagements (measured in weeks) has been included in
parenthesis following the applicable cinema name.
CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles — Mann’s Chinese Triplex (7) [THX]
Los Angeles — Mann’s Village (5) [THX]
Newport Beach — Edwards’ Newport Triplex (4)
Orange — Syufy’s Cinedome 11-plex (9)
San Francisco — UA’s Coronet (5)
San Jose — Syufy’s Century 21 (3)
KANSAS
Overland Park — Dickinson’s Glenwood 4-plex (9)
NEW YORK
New York — Loews’ 19th Street East 6-plex (12)
New York — Loews’ 34th Street Showplace Triplex (5)
New York — Loews’ 84th Street 6-plex (8)
New York — Loews’ New York Twin (8)
New York — Loews’ Orpheum 7-plex (8) [THX]
New York — UA’s Criterion Center 7-plex (#1: 14)
New York — UA’s Criterion Center 7-plex (#2: 5)
ONTARIO
Toronto — Famous Players’ Hollywood Twin (8)
Toronto — Famous Players’ Uptown 5-plex (7)
QUEBEC
Montreal — Famous Players’ Palace 6-plex (9)
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
1992-06-05 … San Jose, CA — Syufy’s Century 23 Twin (2)
1992-06-17 … Los Angeles, CA — Mann’s Bruin (2) [THX]
1992-06-18 … San Francisco, CA — UA’s Galaxy 4-plex (8) [THX]
1992-06-19 … San Jose, CA — Syufy’s Century 24 Twin (3)
1992-07-01 … Los Angeles, CA — Mann’s Plaza (2)
1992-08-21 … Casper, WY — Movie Palaces’ America (2)
1992-08-21 … Cincinnati, OH — American Cinemas’ Carousel Twin (5)
1992-09-04 … Casper, WY — Movie Palaces’ America (2) [w/ “Patriot Games”]
1992-09-18 … San Antonio, TX — Rivercenter IMAX (5)
1992-10-23 … Cleveland, OH — CWRU’s Strosacker [CWRU Film Society series]
1993-01-13 … Toronto, ON — Cinesphere (12 days) [70mm festival]
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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More in 70mm reading:
“Lethal Weapon”: The North American
70mm Engagements
“Lethal Weapon 2”: The North
American 70mm Engagements
70mm Cinemas in North
America
Chronological premiere
list of major 70mm films
Month by month
premiere list of wide gauge and 3-strip films
70mm Engagements
70mm Blow Up List
Dolby Stereo
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