“Porgy and Bess”: The North American Roadshow and 70mm Engagements | Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter |
| Compiled by: Michael Coate | Date: 10.08.2022 |
 The following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter engagements of “Porgy and Bess” in the United States and Canada. These were the first and best cinemas in which to experience this motion picture.“Porgy and Bess” was among five first-run films released in 1959 with 70mm prints for selected engagements and was among four films exhibited with a reserved-seat “roadshow” policy. The Samuel Goldwyn presentation and Columbia release — directed by Otto Preminger (“Exodus,” “The Cardinal”) and starring Sidney Poitier, Dorothy Dandridge, Sammy Davis Jr. and Pearl Bailey — premiered June 24th and followed with a staggered rollout. (The film’s 35mm general release commenced during 1960.) The 70mm prints of “Porgy and Bess” featured six-track stereophonic sound and full-frame imagery sourced from Todd-AO photography. PART 1: THE ROADSHOW ENGAGEMENTS (70mm presentation / reserved seat policy) Premiere date YYYY-MM-DD … locale — cinema (duration in weeks) [notes] 1959-06-24 … New York — Warner (30) 1959-07-15 … Los Angeles — Carthay Circle (28) 1959-07-22 … Chicago — McVickers (22) 1959-07-22 … San Francisco — Coronet (19) 1959-08-06 … Boston — Astor (20) 1959-08-13 … Toronto — Tivoli (24) 1959-10-01 … Cincinnati — Valley (15) 1959-10-07 … Detroit — Mercury (14) 1959-10-07 … Philadelphia — Goldman (15) 1959-10-14 … Washington — Uptown (12) 1959-10-28 … Baltimore — Town (7) 1959-11-04 … Cleveland — Palace (11) 1959-12-03 … Miami (Miami Beach) — Sheridan (14) 1959-12-25 … Columbus — Cinestage (10) 1959-12-25 … Dallas — Esquire (8) 1959-12-25 … Dayton — McCook (10) 1959-12-25 … Denver — Aladdin (8) 1959-12-25 … Houston — Tower (8) 1959-12-25 … Indianapolis — Lyric (7) 1959-12-25 … Kansas City — Capri (5) 1959-12-25 … Louisville — Brown (6) 1959-12-25 … Minneapolis — Academy (9) 1959-12-25 … Pittsburgh — Nixon (8) 1959-12-25 … Syracuse — Eckel (10) 1959-12-26 … Rochester — Monroe (11) 1959-12-31 … San Diego — Capri (11) 1960-01-22 … Phoenix — Vista (8) 1960-01-28 … Salt Lake City — Villa (9) 1960-02-12 … Ottawa — Nelson (4) 1960-02-19 … Montreal — Seville (10) 1960-03-11 … St. Louis (Richmond Heights) — Esquire (4) 1960-04-11 … Winnipeg — Garrick (2) 1960-04-14 … Calgary — Uptown (2) PART 2: FIRST-RUN 70MM ENGAGEMENTS / NON-ROADSHOW POLICY (70mm presentation / seats not reserved) 1960-02-24 … Milwaukee — Strand (6) 1960-03-09 … Asbury Park — St. James (3) 1960-03-09 … Hartford — Strand (3) 1960-03-25 … Youngstown — State (3) 1960-08-10 … Edmonton — Rialto (2) PART 3: RE-RELEASE / SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS 1971-06-18 … Little Rock — Capitol (1) 1971-08-18 … Charlotte — Carolina (1) 1971-10-01 … Los Angeles — Four Star (2) 1972-01-19 … Ogden (Riverdale) — Cinedome 70 North (1) 1999-05-15 … Seattle — Cinerama [SIFF] (German subtitles) 2012-09-02 … Washington (Silver Spring) — AFI Silver [70mm festival] (canceled) 2012-09-03 … Washington (Silver Spring) — AFI Silver [70mm festival] (canceled) The information included in this article was principally referenced from film industry trade publications and regional newspaper promotion, with thanks to Bill Kallay, Bill Kretzel and W.R. Miller. International 70mm engagements of this title 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 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 Month by month premiere list of wide gauge and 3-strip films Chronological premiere list of major 70mm films 70mm Blow Up List Dolby Stereo |
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