The following is a reference / historical listing of the roadshow and 70mm presentations of Doctor Zhivago in the United States and Canada.
The MGM release, based upon Boris Pasternaks novel, was directed by David Lean (Lawrence of Arabia, Ryans Daughter) and starred Geraldine Chaplin, Julie Christie, Tom Courtenay, Alec Guinness, Siobhan McKenna, Ralph Richardson, Omar Sharif, Rod Steiger and Rita Tushingham. The world premiere was held December 22nd, 1965 at the Capitol in New York City.
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 reserved seating at advanced admission pricing, an average of only ten scheduled screenings per week, an overture/intermission/entracte/exit music. (In the case of Zhivago there was no specially composed exit music and cinemas had the option of repeating the overture if they desired exit music.) A souvenir program booklet and soundtrack album were sold at some venues.
The print types utilized during the films roadshow release were, depending on the booking, (1) 70-millimeter (2.20:1 blow-up from 35mm anamorphic) with discrete magnetic six-channel stereophonic sound, (2) 35-millimeter with discrete magnetic four-channel stereophonic sound and optical monaural sound, (3) 35-millimeter with optical monaural sound.
Out of the hundreds of films released in North America during 1965, Doctor Zhivago was among only ten given deluxe roadshow treatment and among only eleven released with 70mm prints (eight from 65mm origination and three blow-ups).
PART 1: FIRST RUN / THE ROADSHOW ENGAGEMENTS (reserved-seat policy and [except where noted otherwise] a presumed 70mm presentation w/ six-track magnetic audio) [Phase Two reserved-performance modified roadshow engagements have not been included.]
Opening date YYYY-MM-DD
locale cinema (duration in weeks) [notes]
1965-12-22
New York, NY Capitol (58) 1965-12-23
Los Angeles, CA Paramount (79)
1966-01-27
Chicago, IL Bismarck (38) 1966-02-02
Detroit, MI United Artists (54) 1966-02-02
Miami (Miami Beach), FL Beach (46) 1966-02-02
Washington, DC Warner (54) 1966-02-09
San Francisco, CA Orpheum (66) 1966-03-09
Philadelphia, PA Boyd (49) 1966-03-16
Boston, MA Saxon (48) 1966-03-16
Phoenix (Scottsdale), AZ Kachina (41) 1966-03-17
St. Petersburg, FL Center (36) 1966-03-23
Minneapolis, MN Academy (51) 1966-03-23
Pittsburgh, PA Squirrel Hill (47) 1966-03-29
St. Louis, MO Ambassador (44) 1966-03-30
Cleveland, OH Colony (46) 1966-03-30
Houston, TX Windsor (44) 1966-03-30
Kansas City, MO Capri (47) 1966-03-30
New Orleans, LA Robert E. Lee (54) 1966-03-30
Salt Lake City, UT Uptown (60) 1966-03-30
Seattle, WA Music Box (65) 1966-03-31
Atlanta, GA Grand (38) 1966-03-31
Cincinnati, OH Valley (34) 1966-03-31
Dallas, TX Northpark II (38) 1966-03-31
Denver, CO Denham (46) 1966-03-31
Indianapolis, IN Circle (46) 1966-03-31
Milwaukee, WI Wisconsin 1 (44) 1966-03-31
Montreal, QC Alouette (30) 1966-03-31
San Diego, CA Cinerama (46) 1966-04-06
Portland, OR Paramount (45) 1966-04-06
Toronto, ON University (28) 1966-04-07
Baltimore, MD Mayfair (45) 1966-04-07
Omaha, NE Cooper 70 (53) 1966-04-07
Vancouver, BC Stanley (62) 1966-04-14
Providence, RI Elmwood (26+) 1966-05-18
Jacksonville, FL 5 Points (25) 1966-05-24
Hartford, CT Strand (37) 1966-05-24
New Haven, CT Whalley (37) 1966-05-25
Columbus, OH Cinestage (46) 1966-05-25
Rochester, NY Riviera (52) 1966-05-25
Syracuse, NY Genesee (36) [35mm] 1966-05-25
Toledo, OH Showcase 2 (31) 1966-05-25
Worcester, MA Webster Square 1 (1+) 1966-05-26
Buffalo, NY Granada (47) 1966-05-27
Asbury Park, NJ St. James (23) 1966-05-27
Atlantic City, NJ Embassy (28) [35mm] 1966-05-27
Wildwood, NJ Regent (1+) [35mm] 1966-06-09
Nashville, TN Green Hills (22) [35mm] 1966-06-09
Oklahoma City, OK Cooper (36) 1966-06-09
San Antonio, TX Woodlawn (20) 1966-06-15
Dayton, OH McCook (48) 1966-06-15
Memphis, TN Crosstown (27) 1966-06-15
Sacramento, CA Alhambra (43) 1966-06-15
Wichita, KS Sunset (29) 1966-06-22
Long Island (Lynbrook), NY Lynbrook (26) 1966-06-22
Tulsa, OK Continental (17) 1966-06-22
Youngstown, OH State (38) 1966-06-24
El Paso, TX Northgate (14) [35mm] 1966-06-29
Albuquerque, NM Sunshine (14) 1966-06-29
Calgary, AB Chinook (33) 1966-06-29
Des Moines, IA Holiday (50) [35mm] 1966-06-29
Erie, PA Strand (14) 1966-06-29
Newark (Montclair), NJ Clairidge (32) 1966-06-29
Norfolk, VA Rosna (46) 1966-06-29
Portland (Westbrook), ME Cinema II (31) 1966-06-29
Scranton, PA Center (20) [35mm] 1966-06-30
Louisville, KY Rialto (31) 1966-07-08
Fort Lauderdale, FL Sunrise II (37) [35mm] 1966-07-15
Chattanooga, TN Brainerd (13) 1966-07-15
Evansville, IN Washington (12) [35mm] 1966-07-20
Hamilton, ON Century (21) [35mm] 1966-07-20
London, ON Park (25) 1966-07-20
Orlando (Casselberry), FL Seminole (22) [35mm] 1966-07-20
Ottawa, ON Nelson (27) 1966-07-20
Sioux City, IA Morningside (32) [35mm] 1966-07-27
Albany, NY Hellman (22) 1966-07-27
Edmonton, AB Paramount (22) 1966-07-27
Springfield (West Springfield), MA Showcase 2 (29) 1966-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI Savoy (34) [35mm] 1966-08-04
Baton Rouge, LA Robert E. Lee (19) [35mm] 1966-08-05
Birmingham, AL Ritz (20) 1966-08-10
Winnipeg, MB Metropolitan (20) 1966-08-17
Las Vegas, NV Cinerama (20) 1966-08-17
Reno, NV Century 21 (10) 1966-08-17
San Jose, CA Century 21 (58) 1966-08-18
Lubbock, TX Winchester (22) 1966-08-31
Jackson, MS Capri (15) [35mm] 1966-08-31
Montgomery, AL Charles (12) [35mm] 1966-09-21
Harrisburg, PA Trans-Lux (26) 1966-09-21
Honolulu, HI Cinerama (30) 1966-09-21
Tucson, AZ Catalina (14) [35mm] 1966-09-23
Daytona Beach, FL Beach (10) [35mm] 1966-09-28
Binghamton, NY Capri (16) 1966-09-28
Greenville, SC Plaza (11) [35mm] 1966-09-29
Fresno, CA Warner (24) 1966-09-30
Knoxville, TN Park (26) [35mm] 1966-10-05
Akron, OH Colonial (33) [35mm] 1966-10-05
Charlotte, NC Carolina (24) 1966-10-05
Columbia, MO Cinema (11) 1966-10-05
Essex County (Lawrence), MA Showcase 1 (24) 1966-10-07
Charleston, SC Gloria (10) [35mm] 1966-10-17
Toronto, ON Nortown m/o (62 [90]) 1966-10-19
Colorado Springs, CO Cooper 70 (21) 1966-10-19
Madison, WI Hilldale (31) [35mm] 1966-10-24
Montreal, QC Kent m/o (37 [67]) 1966-11-02
Tuscaloosa, AL Capri (7) [35mm] 1966-11-10
Corpus Christi, TX Tower (7) 1966-11-11
Allentown, PA Boyd (22) [35mm] 1966-11-16
Reading, PA Fox (19) 1966-11-16
Richmond, VA Westhampton (25) 1966-12-21
Long Island (Syosset), NY Syosset (6) 1966-12-21
Quebec City (Ste-Foy), QC Cinema Ste-Foy Salle Alouette (13) 1966-12-23
Miami (Miami Beach), FL Flamingo m/o (30 [76]) [35mm] 1966-12-29
Cedar Rapids, IA Times 70 (26)
1967-01-18
Oakland, CA Grand Lake (24) [35mm] 1967-01-20
Augusta, GA National Hills (10) 1967-01-25
Saskatoon, SK Capitol (10) [35mm] 1967-02-02
Beaumont, TX Liberty (8) 1967-02-15
Calgary, AB Capitol m/o (2 [35]) 1967-02-15
Fullerton, CA Titan (21) 1967-02-15
Springfield (West Springfield), MA Showcase 1 m/o (4 [33]) 1967-02-21
Contra Costa County (Pleasant Hill), CA Century 21 (15) 1967-03-23
Windsor, ON Park (13) [35mm] 1967-04-12
Davenport, IA Coronet (27) [35mm] 1967-06-14
Vancouver (West Vancouver), BC Park Royal m/o (6 [68])
PART 2: FIRST RUN (70mm presentation with an unreserved seating policy)
1966-09-21
Austin, TX Americana (13) 1966-09-28
Little Rock, AR Capitol (8) # 1966-09-28
Utica, NY Uptown (21) # 1966-12-23
Tampa, FL Palace (8)
1967-02-05
Palm Springs, CA Camelot (4) [D-150] 1967-02-08
Rockland County (Nanuet), NY Route 59 (13) # 1967-05-24
San Mateo County (Burlingame), CA Hyatt (22) # 1967-08-23
Modesto, CA Briggsmore (5)
PART 3: SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS & SCREENINGS (second run, re-issue, revival, etc. / unreserved seating / general release policy)
1967-03-15
Fairless Hills, PA Eric (6) 1967-03-15
King of Prussia, PA Eric (8) 1967-03-15
Moorestown, NJ Plaza (8) 1967-03-15
Philadelphia, PA Orleans (10) 1967-05-26
Fairlawn, OH Summit Mall (3) 1967-06-08
Greensboro, NC Terrace (4) 1967-07-26
Fridley, MN 100 Drive-In (2) 1967-07-26
Maplewood, MN Maple Leaf Drive-In (2) 1967-09-06
Midfield, AL Midfield (2) 1967-10-25
Montclair, NJ Clairidge (6) 1967-11-15
Monterey, CA Cinema 70 (1+)
1968-03-07
Houston, TX Windsor (5) 1968-03-13
Penfield, NY Panorama (3) 1968-03-27
Dayton, OH Dabel (4) [reserved seats] 1968-04-10
New Orleans, LA Cinerama (4) [reserved seats] 1968-04-24
Knoxville, TN Capri (2) 1968-05-01
St. Louis, MO Cinerama (4) [reserved seats] 1968-05-15
Columbus, OH Grand (4) # 1968-05-29
Beverly Hills, CA Beverly Hills (7) 1968-09-25
Harrisburg, PA Eric (1) 1968-10-02
Tacoma, WA Tacoma Mall (3) 1968-11-06
Las Vegas, NV Cinerama (4) 1968-11-27
Des Moines, IA Capri (4) 1968-12-04
Anaheim, CA Brookhurst (2) 1968-12-11
Phoenix, AZ Bethany (1) 1968-12-15
Little Rock, AR Cinema 150 (2)
1969-01-09
Vienna, VA Tysons (1) 1969-02-12
Calgary, AB North Hill (1) 1969-02-21
Philadelphia, PA Stanley (2) 1969-04-09
Vienna, VA Tysons (1) 1969-04-23
Burlingame, CA Hyatt (3) # 1969-05-16
Columbia, SC Richland Mall (1) 1969-05-21
San Jose, CA Century 23 (4) [reserved seats] # 1969-06-08
Durham, NC Center (2) 1969-06-12
Montreal, QC Alouette (1) # 1969-06-18
Bloomington, MN Southtown (1) 1969-06-18
Columbia Heights, MN Chief (1) 1969-09-17
Fort Worth, TX Opera House (2) 1969-09-24
Kansas City, MO Capri (7) 1969-10-22
Bensalem, PA Premiere (1) 1969-12-10
Scottsdale, AZ Kachina (1) 1969-12-10
Winnipeg, MB Grant Park (2) [70mm festival]
1970-01-30
Northbrook, IL Edens 2 (2) 1970-02-25
New York, NY Ziegfeld (1) [4 for the Ziegfeld] 1970-03-13
Greensboro, NC Terrace (1) 1970-05-06
Bloomington, MN Southtown (1) 1970-05-06
Cedar Grove, NJ Cinema 23 (1) [70mm festival] 1970-05-13
Paramus, NJ Route 4 (2) 1970-05-20
Beverly Hills, CA Beverly Hills (4) 1970-05-20
Charlotte, NC Park Terrace (1) 1970-05-20
Knoxville, TN Capri 70 (1) 1970-05-29
Winston-Salem, NC Thruway (1) 1970-06-19
Birmingham, AL Ritz (1) 1970-07-29
Beverly Hills, CA Fox Wilshire (2) 1970-07-29
San Diego, CA Cinerama (1) 1970-08-12
Bloomington, MN France Ave. Drive-In (1) 1970-09-02
Kansas City, MO Empire 1 (3) 1970-09-04
Beverly Hills, CA Beverly Hills (3) 1970-09-09
Brooklyn Center, MN Brookdale (1) 1970-09-16
Wichita, KS Uptown (6) 1970-09-23
Tukwila, WA Southcenter (1) 1970-10-07
Milwaukee, WI Southgate (2) 1970-10-30
Greensboro, NC Terrace (2) 1970-11-06
Charleston, SC Ultravision (2) 1970-11-06
Indianapolis, IN Eastwood (1) # 1970-11-13
Columbia, SC Richland Mall (2) 1970-11-20
Atlanta, GA Atlanta (4) 1970-11-25
Baltimore, MD Mayfair (10) 1970-11-25
Durham, NC Center (2) 1970-11-26
Cedar Rapids, IA Times 70 (3) 1970-12-02
Des Moines, IA River Hills (3) 1970-12-11
Augusta, GA National Hills (1)
1971-09-01
Wichita, KS Sunset (2) [70mm festival] 1971-09-17
Charlotte, NC Carolina (2) 1971-09-22
Houston, TX Windsor (3) 1971-09-22
San Francisco, CA Alexandria (6) [MGMs Fabulous Four] 1971-10-01
Columbia, SC Richland Mall (2) 1971-10-06
Louisville, KY United Artists (2) 1971-10-14
Dallas, TX Northpark II (1) 1971-10-20
Beverly Hills, CA Fox Wilshire (1) [MGMs Fabulous Three] 1971-10-20
Chicago, IL Michael Todd (4) [MGMs Fabulous Three] 1971-10-27
Milwaukee, WI Southgate (2) 1971-10-27
Southfield, MI Northland (2) 1971-10-28
Cedar Rapids, IA Times 70 (1) 1971-10-29
Winston-Salem, NC Thruway (1) 1971-11-04
Seattle, WA Cinema 150 (5) 1971-11-05
North York, ON Glendale (7) # 1971-11-05
Omaha, NE Cooper (2) [MGMs Fabulous Four] 1971-11-10
Augusta, GA National Hills (1) [MGMs Fabulous Four] 1971-11-12
Charleston, SC Ultravision (1) 1971-11-24
San Francisco, CA Northpoint (1) [MGMs Fabulous Four] 1971-12-24
Lincoln, NE Cooper (5) [MGMs Fabulous Four]
1972-01-12
Portsmouth, VA Plaza 2 (2) 1972-02-04
Des Moines, IA River Hills (2) [70mm festival] 1972-02-09
Charlotte, NC Carolina (1) 1972-02-25
Huntsville, AL Madison (1) 1972-02-25
Toronto, ON Cinesphere (3) [70mm festival] 1972-06-07
Knoxville, TN Capri 70 (1) 1972-10-11
Honolulu, HI Cinerama (1) [MGMs Fabulous Four] # 1972-10-11
Pittsburgh, PA Warner (1) [MGMs Fabulous Four] 1972-10-11
San Jose, CA Century 25 (4) # 1972-11-03
Chicago, IL Michael Todd (1) [MGMs Fabulous Four] 1972-11-10
San Jose, CA Century 22 (2) # 1972-11-17
Northbrook, IL Edens 2 (1) [MGMs Fabulous Four] 1972-11-22
Des Moines, IA River Hills (2) [70mm festival] 1972-11-24
London, ON Park (4)
1973-01-24
Portsmouth, VA Plaza 2 (1) 1973-05-04
Beverly Hills, CA Beverly (4) 1973-06-01
Los Angeles, CA Century City 1 (2) 1973-06-06
Minneapolis, MN Mann (1) [MGM Showcase]
1974-08-23
Toronto, ON TD Centre (9) # 1974-09-04
New York, NY Rivoli (3) 1974-09-11
Upper Montclair, NJ Bellevue (5) 1974-09-11
Woodbury, NY Cinema 150 (4) 1974-11-20
Los Angeles, CA Egyptian (4)
1975-05-15
New York, NY Radio City Music Hall (1) [MGM festival] 1975-05-23
Beverly Hills, CA Beverly (3) 1975-09-03
Washington, DC Apex (1) 1975-09-24
Milwaukee, WI Southgate (1) 1975-09-26
Indianapolis, IN Eastwood (1) 1975-09-26
Toronto, ON TD Centre # 1975-10-08
Southfield, MI Northland (1) 1975-10-10
Washington, DC Uptown (2) 1975-10-29
Holladay, UT Fox Cottonwood Mall (1) 1975-10-31
Hamilton, ON Centre Twin West (1) 1975-11-07
New Orleans, LA Robert E. Lee (2) 1975-12-17
San Francisco, CA Alexandria (1)
1976-01-07
Toronto, ON Science Centre 1976-09-10
Little Rock, AR Cinema 150 (1) [70mm festival] 1976-10-01
Bloomington, MN Southtown (1)
1977-05-13
Toronto, ON TD Centre 1977-10-07
St. Louis Park, MN Cooper (2) 1977-10-28
Knoxville, TN Capri 70 (1) [70mm festival] 1977-11-23
Oklahoma City, OK Continental (3) 1977-12-14
Beverly Hills, CA Fox Wilshire (2)
1980-01-18
Toronto, ON Eglinton (6) 1980-02-06
Fresno, CA Festival 1 (1) [70mm festival] 1980-07-12
Atlanta, GA Fox [3rd Annual Summer Film Festival] 1980-07-15
Toronto, ON Science Centre 1980-10-11
Atlanta, GA Rhodes 1980-12-26
Detroit, MI Redford (3 days)
1981-01-25
Minneapolis, MN Uptown (3 days) 1981-03-20
Eugene, OR Oakway (1) # 1981-05-01
Colorado Springs, CO Cinema 150 (1) 1981-09-20
Minneapolis, MN Uptown
1982-01-10
Norfolk, VA Naro 1982-01-23
Ottawa, ON NAC Opera 1982-02-05
Denver, CO Continental (1) 1982-04-30
Ottawa, ON Somerset (1) 1982-06-25
Cleveland, OH Colony [canceled] 1982-11-24
Philadelphia, PA SamEric 1 (1) 1982-11-26
Toronto, ON Eglinton (1) 1982-12-03
Toronto, ON Runnymede 1 (1)
1983-06-13
Atlanta, GA Fox [6th Annual Summer Film Festival] 1983-09-02
Winnipeg, MB Northstar 1 (4) 1983-09-16
Vancouver, BC Park (1) [70mm festival] 1983-11-11
Atlanta, GA Columbia [70mm festival] 1983-11-18
Ottawa, ON Somerset (1) [70mm festival]
1984-11-30
North York, ON Towne & Countrye 1 (1) 1984-11-30
Toronto, ON Runnymede 1 (1)
1985-10-27
Sacramento, CA Tower (2 days) [70mm festival] 1985-12-20
Houston, TX Commerce Park 8 (1) [70mm festival]
1986-09-26
Scottsdale, AZ Kachina (1) [70mm festival]
1987-02-11
Toronto, ON Science Centre # 1987-03-20
Detroit, MI Redford (2 days)
1989-12-01
Toronto, ON Cinesphere [70mm festival]
1990-03-05
Boston, MA Wang Center [classics series] 1990-06-07
Ottawa, ON ByTowne [70mm festival] 1990-06-19
Detroit, MI Fox (2) 1990-09-21
San Francisco, CA Alhambra (1) [70mm festival] 1990-09-28
Corte Madera, CA Cinema (1) [70mm festival] 1990-10-21
Costa Mesa, CA Town Center 4 [British/Oscar festival]
1991-09-27
Washington, DC Uptown (1) [70mm festival] 1991-11-08
Richmond, VA Ridge 7 (1) [70mm festival] 1991-11-29
Detroit, MI Redford
1992-02-02
Vancouver, BC Park [Oscar/classics festival] 1992-02-14
Houston, TX Spectrum 9 (1) [70mm festival] 1992-02-28
Dallas, TX Glen Lakes 8 (3) [70mm festival] 1992-06-08
Atlanta, GA Fox [15th Annual Summer Film Festival] 1992-07-03
Los Angeles, CA LACMA Bing [70mm festival] 1992-09-13
Los Angeles, CA Century 14 [Fall film festival] 1992-09-17
Los Angeles, CA Century 14 [Fall film festival]
1996-02-25
Montreal, QC Imperial
# Presentation not explicitly or consistently promoted as 70mm suggesting it may have been 35mm
The information included in this article was principally referenced from film industry trade publications and regional newspaper promotion. Special Thanks: Jerry Alexander, Laura Baas, Jim Barg, Raymond Caple, Nick DiMaggio, Sheldon Hall, Bill Huelbig, Bill Kallay, Bill Kretzel, Ronald A. Lee, Stephen Leigh, Mark Lensenmayer, Stan Malone, Jim Perry, Vince Young.
International 70mm presentations 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:
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