| | “Raintree County”: The North American Roadshow Engagements
“MGM’s memorable drama in the great tradition of Civil War romance” | Read more at
in70mm.com
The 70mm Newsletter
| | Compiled by: Michael Coate, Hollywood, USA | Date: 06.11.2024 |  The following is a reference / historical listing of the roadshow presentations of “Raintree County” in North America.
The presentations cited in the main section of this work were “hard ticket” roadshow engagements (i.e. special, long-running, showcase presentations in major cities prior to the film being exhibited as a general release). Much like a stage production, these typically featured advanced admission pricing, reserved seating, an overture/intermission/entr’acte/exit music, and an average of only ten scheduled screenings per week. Souvenir program booklet were sold, as well, and, in some locales, the film’s soundtrack album.
The MGM release was directed by Edward Dmytryk (“The Caine Mutiny,” “The Carpetbaggers”) and starred Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor and Eva Marie Saint. The film was based upon Ross Lockridge’s 1948 novel.
Out of the hundreds of first-run films released in North America during 1957, “Raintree County” was among only three given deluxe roadshow treatment.
THE ROADSHOW ENGAGEMENTS
(reserved seat policy / 35mm reduction 4-track magnetic stereo presentation *)
Opening date YYYY-MM-DD … locale — cinema (duration in weeks) [notes]
1957-10-02 … Louisville, KY — Brown (13)
1957-10-08 … Los Angeles (Beverly Hills), CA — Stanley-Warner (10)
1957-10-17 … Boston, MA — Astor (14)
1957-10-23 … Chicago, IL — McVickers (19)
1957-10-29 … Washington, DC — Ontario (8)
1957-12-25 … Minneapolis, MN — Lyic (4)
* “Raintree County” was the first motion picture shot in MGM Camera 65 (aka Ultra Panavison 70). Conflicting details exist over whether or not a 70mm print was screened during the film’s world premiere engagement in Louisville.
Following the initial reserved-seat bookings cited above, MGM re-evaluated their release strategy and shortened the film’s running time, eliminated the stereo sound requirement, eliminated the reserved-seating policy, and issued it as a general release.
This information has been principally referenced from film industry trade publications and regional newspaper promotion, with thanks to Louis Bornwasser, Sheldon Hall, Bill Kallay, and Bill Kretzel.
Any international roadshow presentations of this title have not been accounted for in this article.
| More in 70mm reading:
Ultra Panavision 70 - almost like a real story
Motion pictures photographed in MGM Camera 65 / Ultra Panavision 70
To commemorate William Wyler's monumental epic "BEN-HUR" shot in MGM's Camera 65
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
| | | | | | | 
• Go to “Raintree County”: The North American Roadshow Engagements | | Go: back - top - back issues - news index
Updated 06-11-24 | |
|
|
