“Big Trouble in Little China”: The 70mm Engagements |
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| Compiled by: Michael Coate | Date: 02.11.2016 |
 The
following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter
engagements of “Big Trouble in Little China” in the United States and
Canada. These were the cinemas worth seeking out to experience this motion
picture. “Big Trouble in Little China” was among sixteen confirmed first-run films released in 1986 with 70mm prints for selected engagements. Ten 70mm prints were reportedly struck for distribution in North America. The 20th Century Fox release—directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell and Kim Cattrall—opened on July 2nd. For the release of “Big Trouble in Little China,” Fox employed the services of Lucasfilm’s Theatre Alignment Program (TAP) to evaluate and approve the cinemas selected to book a 70mm print. The 70mm prints of “Big Trouble in Little China” featured Six-Track Dolby Stereo (“A” encoded “baby boom” format) and full-frame imagery blown up from anamorphic 35mm. Fox circulated 70mm Six-Track Dolby coming-attraction trailers for “Aliens,” “The Boy Who Could Fly,” “The Fly” and “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” during the release of “Big Trouble in Little China.” As well, other studios circulated 70mm trailers during this period. Ultimately, any 70mm trailers screened during 70mm presentations of “Big Trouble in Little China” varied by venue and screening. The duration of the engagements (measured in weeks) has been included in parenthesis following the cinema name. ALBERTA Calgary — Famous Players’ Palace (2) Edmonton — Famous Players’ Westmount Twin (6) BRITISH COLUMBIA Vancouver — Famous Players’ Capitol 6-plex (2) CALIFORNIA Los Angeles (Hollywood) — Pacific’s Hollywood Pacific Triplex (3) Los Angeles (Westwood Village) — UA’s Egyptian (5) [THX] San Francisco — UA’s Alexandria Triplex (6) MANITOBA Winnipeg — Famous Players’ Northstar Twin (6) ONTARIO Ottawa — Famous Players’ Rideau Centre Triplex (3) Toronto — Famous Players’ Hollywood Twin (6) QUEBEC Montreal — United’s York (3) Note that some of the presentations included in this listing may have been presented in 35mm during the latter week(s) of engagement due to contractual terms or print damage and the distributor’s 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 the 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 (or movement out of a branded auditorium) has been included in the duration figure. SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS 1986-07-18 … Vancouver, BC — Famous Players’ Vancouver Centre Twin (1) The information included in this article was principally referenced from film industry trade publications, regional newspaper promotion, print enclosures, TAP records, and Dolby records. Special thanks to Bill Kallay and Bill Kretzel. 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. |
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