Star Wars: The North American 70mm Presentations | Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter |
| Compiled by: Michael Coate | Date: 19.03.2024 |
 The following is a reference / historical listing of the North American 70-millimeter presentations of Star Wars. These were the cinemas worth seeking out to experience this motion picture.Star Wars was among two first-run films released in 1977 with 70mm prints for selected engagements (Close Encounters of the Third Kind was the other, along with a re-issue of Tommy and sneak preview/trade screenings of Metamorphoses). The Lucasfilm Ltd. production and 20th Century Fox release directed by George Lucas (THX 1138, American Graffiti) and starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher opened May 25th. During the films initial week of release, only eight of its forty-three limited-market bookings were 70mm. However, as a result of the movies popularity, 20th Century Fox over the course of its lengthy release authorized the striking of additional 70mm prints, including several mid-run 35mm-to-70mm format swaps which are noted as such in the chronology below, and replacements for some lengthy runs. The 70mm prints of Star Wars featured magnetic Six-Track Dolby Stereo (A encoded Baby Boom format [Dolby processor setting 42]) and 2.20:1 full-frame imagery blown up from anamorphic 35mm and provided a superior projection and sound experience in comparison to the films 35mm prints. In 1981 the film was re-titled Star Wars: Episode IVA New Hope. (Technically the re-titling first appeared in 1979 in the book The Art of Star Wars; the revised title as on-screen billing on prints occurred in 1981.) Go to The Original First-Week Engagements Of Star Wars Go to Star Wars -Special Edition: The 70mm Presentations Opening date YYYY-MM-DD locale cinema (duration in weeks) [notes] m/o = a direct move-over/continuation booking from another cinema in same market 1977-05-25 Beaverton, OR Westgate Triplex (76) [70mm from Week 22] 1977-05-25 Boston, MA Charles Triplex (45) [70mm from Week 18] 1977-05-25 Denver, CO Cooper Twin (29) [70mm from Week 11] 1977-05-25 Hicksville, NY Mid-Island Plaza Twin South (29) 1977-05-25 Los Angeles, CA Avco Center Triplex (25) 1977-05-25 Los Angeles, CA Chinese (4) 1977-05-25 New York, NY Astor Plaza (61) 1977-05-25 New York, NY Orpheum (27) 1977-05-25 Orange, CA City Center Twin (30) 1977-05-25 Paramus, NJ Route Four Triplex (30) 1977-05-25 Phoenix, AZ Cine Capri (60) [70mm from Week 17] 1977-05-25 Saint Louis Park, MN Park (57) [70mm from Week 31] 1977-05-25 Salt Lake City, UT Centre (54) [70mm from Week 11] 1977-05-25 San Diego, CA Valley Circle (57) [70mm from Week 38] 1977-05-25 San Francisco, CA Coronet (29) 1977-05-25 San Jose, CA Century 22 Triplex (60) [70mm from Week 27] 1977-05-25 Seattle, WA Cinema 150 (60) [70mm from Week 13] 1977-05-25 Southfield, MI Americana 4 (29) [70mm from Week 25] 1977-05-25 Washington, DC Uptown (55) [70mm from Week 30] 1977-05-27 Dallas, TX Northpark West Twin (54) [70mm from Week 31] 1977-05-27 Houston, TX Galleria 4 (60) [70mm from Week 31] 1977-05-27 Toronto, ON Uptown [canceled] 1977-05-27 Vancouver, BC Stanley [canceled] 1977-05-27 Westmount, QC Westmount Square [canceled] 1977-06-08 Honolulu, HI Cinerama (64) [70mm from Week 20] 1977-06-24 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood (6) [m/o from Chinese] 1977-07-06 Los Angeles, CA Century Plaza Twin (61*) 1977-07-06 Newport Beach, CA Newport Twin (54) 1977-08-03 Lawrence, NY RKO Twin (29) [70mm from Week 21] 1977-08-03 Los Angeles, CA Chinese (47) [m/o from Hollywood] 1977-09-18 Santa Barbara, CA Granada (14) 1977-11-04 Philadelphia, PA Mark I (37) 1977-12-14 Denver, CO Continental (26) [m/o from Cooper] 1977-12-16 Levittown, NY Nassau Mall 4 (31) [m/o from Twin South] 1977-12-21 San Francisco, CA Cinema 21 (24) [w/ Duck Dodgers short] 1977-12-21 Southfield, MI Northland Twin (27) [m/o from Americana] 1977-12-23 Cedar Grove, NJ Cinema 23 (30) [m/o from Route Four] 1977-12-23 Cleveland, OH Colony (29) 1977-12-23 Creve Coeur, MO Creve Coeur (25) 1977-12-23 Oak Brook, IL Oakbrook (30) 1978-07-21 Cleveland, OH Variety (7) 1978-07-21 Columbia Heights, MN Apache Chief 4 (7) 1978-07-21 El Cajon, CA Parkway Plaza Triplex (7) 1978-07-21 Orange, CA City Center Twin (7) 1978-07-21 Philadelphia, PA Midtown (2) 1978-07-21 Providence, RI Cinerama Twin (4) 1978-07-21 Union Gap, WA Mercy 4 (7) 1978-09-01 San Francisco, CA Warfield (1) 1978-09-01 West Allis, WI Southtown Triplex (1) 1979-08-15 Corte Madera, CA Cinema (4) 1979-08-15 New York, NY Astor Plaza (4) 1979-08-15 Paramus, NJ Route Four 4 (5) 1979-08-15 Philadelphia, PA Fox (2) 1979-08-15 Salt Lake City, UT Trolley Corners Triplex (4) 1979-08-15 San Francisco, CA Warfield (3) 1979-08-17 Florence, SC Capri Twin (4) 1979-08-17 Grosse Pointe Woods, MI Woods Twin (4) 1979-08-17 Southfield, MI Americana 4 (5) 1979-08-17 West Allis, WI Southtown Triplex (4) 1981-04-10 Boston, MA Charles Triplex (2) 1981-04-10 Los Angeles, CA Avco Center Triplex (2) 1981-04-10 New York, NY Criterion Center 6 (2) 1981-04-10 Washington, DC Uptown (2) 1981-09-04 Denver, CO Paramount** [WorldCon / Denvention Two] # 1982-08-13 Los Angeles, CA Paramount (2) 1982-08-13 New York, NY National Twin (3) 1982-08-13 Paramus, NJ Route 17 Twin (5) 1982-08-13 Washington, DC Uptown (5) 1982-09-03 Atlanta, GA Fox (4 days) [5th Annual Summer Film Festival] 1982-09-03 Lakewood, CA Lakewood Center 4 (1) 1982-09-10 Lakewood, CA Lakewood Center 4 (2) [w/ Star Trek II] 1982-09-17 Norfolk, VA Naro (1) 1982-09-30 Toronto, ON University** (16) 1982-10-01 Calgary, AB Palace** (10) 1982-10-01 Edmonton, AB Paramount** (10) 1982-10-01 Montreal, QC Imperial** (6) 1982-10-01 Ottawa, ON Nelson** (10) 1982-10-01 Vancouver, BC Stanley** (16) 1982-10-01 Winnipeg, MB Metropolitan** (10) 1982-11-12 Halifax, NS Scotia Square** (4) 1982-11-12 Montreal, QC Imperial** (5) [Version Francaise] 1982-12-10 Edmonton, AB Londonderry Twin** (7) 1982-12-10 Winnipeg, MB Towne 8** (6) 1982-12-16 Sainte-Foy, QC Canadien** (5) [Version Francaise] 1982-12-17 Montreal, QC Palace 6** (5) 1983-01-07 Hamilton, ON Tivoli** (3) 1983-01-14 London, ON Park** (2) 1983-01-21 Scarborough, ON Cedarbrae 6** (1) 1983-01-21 Toronto, ON Palace Triplex** (1) 1983-01-21 Toronto, ON Runnymede Twin** (1) 1983-01-21 Vancouver, BC Denman Place** (1) 1983-04-06 Toronto, ON Cinesphere (5 days) 1983-07-29 New York, NY Warner Twin** (4) 1983-07-29 Paramus, NJ Route 17 Twin** (2) 1983-07-29 Syosset, NY Syosset** (4) 1983-07-29 Totowa, NJ Cinema 46 Triplex** (2) 1983-08-12 Seattle, WA King** (5) 1984-03-14 Toronto, ON Cinesphere (5 days) [70mm festival] 1984-11-17 Toronto, ON Cinesphere*** (2 days) 1985-03-28 Chicago, IL Carnegie*** 1985-03-28 Dallas, TX Northpark West Twin*** [THX] 1985-03-28 Denver, CO Continental*** 1985-03-28 Los Angeles, CA Avco Center Triplex*** [THX] 1985-03-28 Los Angeles, CA Egyptian Triplex*** 1985-03-28 New York, NY Warner Twin*** 1985-03-28 San Francisco, CA Galaxy 4*** [THX] (canceled) 1985-03-28 San Francisco, CA Coronet*** 1985-03-28 Seattle, WA Cinema 150*** 1985-03-28 Toronto, ON Uptown 5*** 1985-08-02 San Antonio, TX Galaxy 10*** (1) 1985-08-02 San Antonio, TX Northwest 10*** (1) 1986-02-05 Toronto, ON Cinesphere (5 days) [70mm festival] 1986-04-04 Toronto, ON University*** (2) 1986-04-11 Montreal, QC Imperial*** (4) [70mm from Week 3] 1986-12-26 Toronto, ON Cinesphere** (3 days) [70mm festival] 1987-05-30 Corte Madera, CA Cinema*** [Star Wars 10th anniversary] # 1987-06-30 Universal City, CA Universal City 18 [THX] (Magnificent Movie Poll) 1987-09-04 Norfolk, VA Naro*** (3 days) 1987-10-02 Los Angeles, CA Century 14*** (3 days) [THX] (Fox Retrospective) 1988-05-27 Edmonton, AB Meadowlark (1) 1989-04-22 Salt Lake City, UT Villa*** 1990-05-25 Denver, CO Continental*** (1) 1990-06-26 Santa Monica, CA Criterion 6*** [THX festival] # 1991-08-23 Portland, OR CineMagic 1992-08-07 Seattle, WA Cinema 150 (1) [15th anniversary benefit] 1993-01-09 Boston, MA Wang Center*** (2 days) 1994-01-22 Dallas, TX Glen Lakes 8*** [USA Film Festival KidFilm series] # 1994-01-23 Dallas, TX Glen Lakes 8*** [USA Film Festival KidFilm series] # 2019-06-29 Beverly Hills, CA Samuel Goldwyn**** [Galactic Innovations] 2022-05-31 Los Angeles, CA Academy Museum**** [45th anniversary] * Duration figure Includes an interruption for FILMEX from April 13th-May 7th, 1978. ** 70mm double feature with The Empire Strikes Back. *** 70mm triple feature with The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. **** A near-mint condition, mid-1980s vintage 70mm re-strike. The 2019 Galactic Innovations event was a double feature of a DCP presentation of Rogue One and 70mm presentation of Star Wars. # Presentation not explicitly or consistently promoted as 70mm, suggesting it may have been 35mm. 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 because of print damage and the distributors unwillingness to supply a 70mm replacement print or because the booking was moved to a smaller, non-70mm-equipped auditorium within a multiplex. As well, the reverse scenario occurred 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 such cases, any 35mm portion of the engagement has been included in the duration figure. The information included in this article was principally referenced from film industry trade publications, regional newspaper promotion, press releases, print enclosures, TAP records, Dolby records, etc. Special thanks to Claude Ayakawa, Don Beelik, Ben Burtt at Skywalker Sound, Jim Cartwright, Andrew Coll, Derek Gee, Jeffry Johnson, Bill Kallay, Bill Kretzel, Roberto Landazuri at Dolby Laboratories, Mark Lensenmayer, Paul Linfesty, Adam Martin at CinemaTour, Mike Matessino, Jim Millick, Jim Perry, Tim Schafbuch at Lucasfilm, Grant Smith, Cliff Stephenson, Pete Vilmur at Lucasfilm, and an extra-special thank-you to the librarians who graciously assisted with this project. International 70mm engagements of this title 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. | More in 70mm reading: The Original First-Week Engagements Of Star Wars Star Wars - Special Edition: The 70mm Presentations The Empire Strikes Back: The North American 70mm Engagements Return of the Jedi: The North American 70mm Engagements 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 |
Supplement: Vintage Tag Lines | |
| FIRST-RUN ENGAGEMENTS THAT STARTED AFTER INITIAL MAY 25 RELEASE Opened July 06, 1977: Century City, CA: Century Plaza "Enjoy The Full Effects As Presented In Magnificent 70mm And Dolby High-Fidelity Stereophonic Sound" Newport Beach, CA: Newport "Star Wars At Edwards Newport Cinema Now On The Largest Screen West Of New York...75 Feet Wide By 35 Feet Tall...2625 Square Feet...Presented In Full 70mm And Six Track Stereo...Dolby System" ORIGINAL MAY 25/27 FIRST-WAVE ENGAGEMENTS THAT BEGAN IN 35MM AND SWITCHED TO 70MM: 70mm began Aug 03, 1977: Denver, CO: Cooper "Now In 70mm & 6 Track Dolby Sound...*Even More Spectacular And Exciting" 70mm began Aug 03, 1977: Salt Lake City, UT: Centre "Now The Force Is With You In 70mm, 6 Track Dolby Stereophonic Sound" 70mm began Aug 19, 1977: Seattle, WA: Cinema 150 "70mm - Dolby System [logo] Stereophonic Sound" 70mm began Sept 14, 1977: Phoenix, AZ: Cine Capri "The Year's Best Movie Is Now In 70mm" "The Only Theatre In Arizona With 'Star Wars' In 70mm Dolby!" "The Force Is With You At The Cine Capri In 70mm-Dolby" 70mm began Sept 21, 1977: Boston, MA: Charles 1-2-3 "Exclusive New England Engagement Of 'Star Wars'...Now In 70mm Dolby Stereo" 70mm began Oct 21, 1977: Honolulu, HI: Cinerama "The Force Is With You at the Cinerama Theatre - Now In 70mm And Full 6-Channel Dolby Stereophonic Sound!" 70mm began Oct 21, 1977: Portland, OR: Westgate "The Force Is With You At The Westgate" "Now In 70mm & 6 Track Stereophonic Dolby Sound System" "All New Print" "New Sound System" 70mm began Nov 09, 1977: Detroit, MI: Americana "See It Again! It's A New Experience In 70mm & 6 Track Stereo Dolby Sound" 70mm began Nov 23, 1977: San Jose, CA: Century 22 "Now See 'Star Wars' As It Should Be Seen...In 70mm [and] Full 6 Track Dolby System Stereophonic Sound" 70mm began Dec 16, 1977: Washington, D.C.: Uptown "Now In Dolby Stereophonic And 70mm At The Uptown Theatre" "You Have Never Seen Anything Until You've Seen...Star Wars In 70mm With Full 6 Track Magnetic Dolby Stereophonic Sound!" 70mm began Dec 23, 1977: Dallas, TX: Northpark I & II "Now The Force Is With You In Dolby Sound And 70mm" 70mm began Dec 23, 1977: Houston, TX: Galleria "Now In 70mm And Dolby Sound" "Dolby System [logo] & Super Panavision 70" 70mm began Dec 25, 1977: Minneapolis, MN: Park "Now In 70mm & 6 Track Stereo Sound" 70mm began Feb 10, 1978: San Diego, CA: Valley Circle "Now In 70mm Stereophonic Sound" "Dolby System [logo] & Super Panavision 70" 35MM-TO-70MM MOVE-OVER ENGAGEMENTS 70mm began Sept 18, 1977: Santa Barbara, CA: Granada "The Force Moves To The Granada Theatre In 70mm 6 Track Dolby Stereophonic Sound" 70mm began Nov 04, 1977: Philadelphia, PA: Mark I "Moves Over Today! In Order To Accommodate: [logo] 70mm Dolby System Stereophonic Sound" 70mm began Dec 23, 1977: Chicago, IL: Oakbrook "Exclusive Area Showing [now at the] Oakbrook Presented In 70mm And Dolby System" 70mm began Dec 23, 1977: Cleveland, OH: Colony "70mm Wide Screen - 6 Track Dolby Stereo Sound System" 70MM-TO-70MM MOVE-OVER ENGAGEMENTS June 24, 1977: Hollywood, CA: Hollywood Move-over from the Chinese Theatre. "Star Wars" was contracted to play the Chinese for four weeks only (May 25 - June 23), with "Sorcerer" pre-booked to open June 24. Engagement of "Star Wars" returned to the Chinese on August 3 (see next entry). Aug 03, 1977: Hollywood, CA: Chinese "The Force Returns To The Chinese in 70mm-Dolby" Dec 14, 1977: Denver, CO: Continental "Denver Demands It! Today...The Most Successful Motion Picture In History Moves To The Continental Theatre To Continue Its Record Breaking Engagement In 70mm & 6 Track Dolby Sound!" | |
International | |
| Opened Oct 27, 1977: AUSTRALIA Sydney: Hoyts Opened October ??, 1977: ITALY Milan: ??? Rome: ??? Turin: ??? Italian title: "Guerre Stellari" Opened November ??, 1977: SPAIN Barcelona: ??? Madrid: Roxy Spanish title: "La Guerra De Las Galaxias" Opened Dec 26, 1977: UNITED KINGDOM London: Dominion London: Odeon Leicester Square | |
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