What follows is a chronology of 70mm six-track stereophonic sound feature-film presentations in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.
The focus of this work is 5-perf 70mm feature films and the cinemas in which they were exhibited. Short subjects, 8-perf and 15-perf (IMAX, Iwerks, etc.) and Special Venue presentations have not been included (but consideration will be given to adding them in a revision).
The emphasis here is on the titles that received publicly-promoted, commercial exhibition in 70mm and their playdates. To facilitate an easy-to-reference title- and date-based layout, no details have been provided pertaining to the brand of 70mm (i.e. Todd-AO, Super Panavision, Ultra Panavision, Cinerama, D-150, etc.) or technical particulars of each presentation (i.e. O-neg source, inter-neg source, blow-up, pillarboxed, letterboxed, Dolby A, Dolby SR, five screen channels vs. three, baby boom, split surround, digital sound, etc.).
Part 1: The 70mm-Equipped Cinemas
TERRACE Friendly Avenue and Green Valley Road / Friendly Shopping Center 750 seats (in original single-screen configuration) Ownership timeline: Wilby-Kincey 1966-71, ABC Southeastern 1971-78, Plitt 1978-86, Cineplex Odeon 1986-88, Janus 1988-2000. Demolished 2001.
Part 2: The 70mm Presentations
* Reserved-seat engagement (i.e. roadshow)
Opening date YYYY-MM-DD
TITLE
cinema (duration in weeks) [notes]
1967-02-02
THE SOUND OF MUSIC*
Terrace (18) 1967-06-08
DOCTOR ZHIVAGO
Terrace (4) 1967-08-24
GRAND PRIX
Terrace (5) 1967-12-21
GONE WITH THE WIND*
Terrace (22)
1968-05-30
OKLAHOMA!
Terrace (1) 1968-06-27
CAMELOT*
Terrace (7) 1968-11-07
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Terrace (3)
1969-06-04
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Terrace (1) 1969-07-02
ICE STATION ZEBRA
Terrace (4) 1969-09-10
CAMELOT
Terrace (1) 1969-09-17
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Terrace (1) 1969-11-21
KRAKATOA EAST OF JAVA
Terrace (2)
1970-02-20
GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS
Terrace (3) 1970-03-13
DOCTOR ZHIVAGO
Terrace (1) 1970-03-27
BEN-HUR
Terrace (2) 1970-05-07
SOUTH PACIFIC
Terrace (1) 1970-07-31
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Terrace (1) 1970-09-25
HELLO, DOLLY!
Terrace (4) 1970-10-30
DOCTOR ZHIVAGO
Terrace (2) 1970-12-16
2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY
Terrace (1)
1971-02-11
GONE WITH THE WIND
Terrace (1) 1971-04-02
GONE WITH THE WIND
Terrace (1)
1973-06-29
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Terrace (5)
1980-05-21
THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
Terrace (19)
1982-03-26
QUEST FOR FIRE
Terrace (5)
Note that some of the titles included in this chronology may have been presented in 35mm during the latter week(s) of their engagement due to contractual terms or print damage (and the distributors 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 their 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 has been included in the duration figure.
References: Various issues of the Greensboro Daily News, plus projection and sound system trade advertisements and installation records.
Special Thanks: Ray Caple.
If you believe this article contains any errors or omissions, please consider emailing the author or editor. | More in 70mm reading:
70mm Cinemas in North America
in70mm.com's list of films blown up to 70mm
70mm Engagements by Title
35mm to 70mm Engagements by Year
Large Format 7OMM Engagements
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Chronological premiere list of major 70mm films
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Dolby Stereo |