| |
“The Thing”:
The 70mm Engagements
“No special effects you have ever seen, nothing you can possibly
imagine, will prepare you for this chilling and spectacular motion
picture experience.” |
Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter
|
Compiled by: Michael Coate |
Date:
02.03.2016 |
The
following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter
presentations of John Carpenter’s “The Thing” in North America. The film’s
70mm prints consisted of full-frame imagery blown up from anamorphic 35mm
photography. The audio was Six-Track Dolby Stereo (“A” encoded “baby boom”
format). These were arguably the best cinemas in which to experience this
film.
“The Thing” was among eighteen confirmed first-run films released in 1982
with 70mm prints for selected engagements. Seven 70mm prints of the film
were reportedly struck for distribution in North America. The Universal
release — directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell — opened June
25th.
A trailer for “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” circulated with prints
of “The Thing” and which the distributor recommended be screened with the
presentation.
The duration of the engagements (measured in weeks) has for some entries
been included in parenthesis following the cinema name.
Note that some of the presentations included in this listing were presented
in 35mm during the latter week(s) of engagement due to print damage and the
distributor’s unwillingness to supply a 70mm replacement print or because
the booking was moved to a smaller, 35mm-only 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, the 35mm portion of the engagement
has been included in the duration figure.
1982-06-20 … Los Angeles, CA — Pacific’s Hollywood Pacific Triplex (sneak
preview)
1982-06-23 … Los Angeles, CA — Pacific’s Hollywood Pacific Triplex
(invitational preview)
1982-06-25 … Los Angeles, CA — Pacific’s Hollywood Pacific Triplex (4)
1982-06-25 … Los Angeles, CA — SRO’s Crest (5)
1982-06-25 … New York, NY — UA’s Rivoli Twin (#1: 4) [HPS-4000]
1982-06-25 … New York, NY — UA’s Rivoli Twin (#2: 3)
1982-06-25 … San Francisco, CA — Blumenfeld’s Royal (5)
1982-07-09 … Bloomingdale, IL — Plitt’s Stratford Square 4-Plex (2)
1982-07-09 … Chicago, IL — Plitt’s State Lake (3)
SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS & SCREENINGS
1982-08-13 … Cleveland, OH — Colony (1)
1982-09-24 … Cleveland, OH — Variety (1)
1982-10-29 … Seattle, WA — SRO’s Cinerama (midnight; 2 days)
1982-11-05 … Lynnwood, WA — SRO’s Grand Alderwood 5-plex (1) [w/“Quest for
Fire”]
1982-11-12 … Renton, WA — MCR’s Roxy (1) [w/”Outland”]
2017-06-17 … Los Angeles, CA — American Cinematheque’s Egyptian [70mm fest]
2017-06-21 … Los Angeles, CA — American Cinematheque’s Egyptian [70mm fest]
2017-08-11 … Santa Monica, CA — American Cinematheque’s Aero [70mm fest]
2017-08-31 … Seattle, WA — Cinerama [70mm fest]
The information in this article was principally referenced from film
industry trade publications and regional newspaper promotion, with thanks to
Bill Kretzel and Mark Lensenmayer.
Additional 70mm prints were screened internationally but 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.
|
More in 70mm reading:
70mm Engagements
70mm Blow Up List
1982 - by in70mm.com
Internet link:
|
|
|
Go: back - top - back issues - news index Updated
21-12-18 |
|
|