The following is a reference / historical
listing of the roadshow and 70-millimeter presentations of The Shoes of the
Fisherman in the United States and Canada. These were the first and best
cinemas in which to experience this motion picture.
The presentations cited in the Part 1 section of this work were hard
ticket roadshow engagements and were special, long-running, showcase
presentations in major cities prior to the film being exhibited as a general
release. Much like a stage production, these presentations featured advanced
admission pricing, reserved seating, an overture/intermission/entracte/exit
music, and an average of only ten scheduled screenings per week. Souvenir
program booklet were sold, as well. The print types utilized during the
films roadshow release, depending on the booking, were (1) 70mm (2.20:1
blow-up from 35mm anamorphic) with discrete magnetic six-channel
stereophonic sound, (2) 35mm with discrete magnetic four-channel
stereophonic sound and optical monaural sound, (3) 35mm with optical
monaural sound.
The MGM release, based on the novel by Morris L. West, was directed by
Michael Anderson (Around the World in 80 Days, Logans Run) and starred
Anthony Quinn, Oskar Werner, David Janssen, Vittorio De Sica, Leo McKern,
Sir John Gielgud, Babara Jefford, Rosemarie Dexter and Sir Laurence Olivier.
The world premiere was held November 14, 1968, at LEnfant in Washington, DC
which doubled as the grand opening of the venue. (An invitational preview
was held the day prior at the DeMille in New York City.)
Out of the hundreds of films released in North America during 1968, The
Shoes of the Fisherman was among only fourteen given deluxe roadshow
treatment and among only eleven released with 70mm prints (seven from 65mm
origination and four blow-ups).
PART 1: THE ROADSHOW ENGAGEMENTS
(reserved seat policy / 70mm* presentation)
* Note that some bookings were not explicitly or consistently promoted as
70mm, suggesting they may have been screened in 35mm. Confirmed 35mm
roadshow presentations are noted.
Premiere/opening date YYYY-MM-DD
locale cinema (duration in weeks)
[notes]
1968-11-13
New York, NY DeMille (18)
1968-11-14
Washington, DC LEnfant (20)
1968-11-15
Los Angeles, CA Carthay Circle (23)
1968-11-20
Chicago, IL McVickers (14)
1968-11-20
Toronto, ON Uptown (14)
1968-11-21
San Francisco, CA Golden Gate Penthouse (18)
1968-12-11
Miami (Miami Beach), FL Beach (12)
1968-12-17
Sacramento, CA Century 21 (11)
1968-12-17
San Jose, CA Century 22 (22)
1968-12-18
Dallas, TX Tower (11)
1968-12-18
Detroit, MI Adams (11) [35mm]
1968-12-18
St. Louis, MO Ambassador (10)
1968-12-18
Seattle, WA Paramount (14)
1968-12-19
Montreal, QC Seville (6)
1968-12-19
Ottawa, ON Nelson (7)
1968-12-19
St. Petersburg, FL Loews (11)
1968-12-20
Vancouver, BC Strand (6)
1969-01-16
Atlanta, GA Martin Cinerama (7)
1969-01-24
Minneapolis, MN Mann (9)
1969-01-29
New Orleans (Metairie), LA Lakeside (12)
1969-02-05
Cincinnati, OH International 70 (13)
1969-02-05
Houston, TX Tower (8)
1969-02-05
Long Island (Plainview), NY Plainview (13)
1969-02-11
Fresno, CA Warnor (6)
1969-02-11
Newark (Upper Montclair), NJ Bellevue (13)
1969-02-12
Boston, MA Gary (10)
1969-02-12
Cleveland, OH Colony (11)
1969-02-12
Indianapolis, IN Lyric (7)
1969-02-12
Las Vegas, NV Cinerama (7)
1969-02-12
New Haven, CT Whalley (1+)
1969-02-12
Pittsburgh, PA Warner (13)
1969-02-20
San Diego, CA Cinerama (12)
1969-02-26
Denver, CO Denham (1+)
1969-02-26
Omaha, NE Cooper 70 (8)
1969-02-26
Philadelphia, PA Randolph (8)
1969-02-26
Phoenix (Scottsdale), AZ Kachina (11)
1969-03-05
Asbury Park, NJ St. James (7)
1969-03-05
Oklahoma City, OK Cooper (13)
1969-03-12
Kansas City, MO Capri (11)
1969-03-12
Portland, OR Broadway (8)
1969-03-13
Rochester (Irondequoit), NY Stutson (9) [35mm]
1969-03-19
Des Moines, IA River Hills (13)
1969-03-26
Dayton, OH McCook (15)
1969-03-26
Milwaukee, WI Southgate (10)
1969-04-02
Salt Lake City, UT Cottonwood Mall (7)
1969-04-16
Hartford, CT Cinerama (11)
1969-04-16
Springfield (West Springfield), MA Showcase 2 (5)
1969-04-16
Toledo, OH Showcase 1 (5)
1969-04-30
Reno, NV Century 21 (3)
1969-05-28
Pleasant Hill, CA Century 21 (3)
PART 2: FIRST-RUN 70MM ENGAGEMENTS
(unreserved seating)
1969-04-30
Monterey, CA Cinema 70 (8)
1969-05-28
Wichita, KS Uptown (4)
1969-10-09
Memphis, TN Crosstown (3)
PART 3: SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS & SCREENINGS
(second run / revival / unreserved seating)
1969-05-28
King of Prussia, PA Plaza (1)
1969-06-04
Philadelphia, PA Cheltenham (1)
1969-06-11
McLean, VA Tysons (2)
1970-12-16
Fort Worth, TX Opera House (1)
1978-08-29
Toronto, ON Science Centre [70mm festival]
1978-12-16
Toronto, ON Cinesphere [Wintertainment series]
1980-04-03
Toronto, ON Cinesphere (4 days) [Winter film festival]
The reserved-seat policy, in some instances, was relaxed during the latter
weeks of the run. Any non-reserved-seat portion of the run has been included
in the duration figure.
This information has been principally referenced from film industry trade
publications and regional newspaper promotion, with thanks to Jerry
Alexander, Jim Barg, Sheldon Hall, Bill Kallay, Bill Kretzel, Jim Perry,
Joel Weide, Vince Young.
The films international roadshow/70mm engagements have not been accounted
for in this work.
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:
in70mm.com's page about films blown up to 70mm
35mm to 70mm Engagements by Year
35mm to 70mm Engagements by Title
Presented on the big screen in 7OMM
The Alleged 70mm
Releases
70mm Blow Ups
Which Never Were
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