“Dragonslayer”: The 70mm and VistaSonic Engagements | 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 large-format engagements of “Dragonslayer” in North America. These were the cinemas worth seeking out to experience this motion picture. “Dragonslayer” was among eight confirmed first-run films released in 1981 with 70mm prints for selected engagements. The Paramount/Walt Disney co-production — directed by Matthew Robbins and starring Peter MacNicol, Caitlin Clarke and Ralph Richardson — opened June 26th. Pre-release screenings included a sneak preview screening June 24th in selected locales. The 70mm prints of “Dragonslayer” featured full-frame imagery blown up from anamorphic 35mm and Six-Track Dolby Stereo (“A” encoded Baby Boom format with a Split Surround playback option). Paramount circulated 70mm trailers for “First Monday in October,” “Gallipoli,” “Mommie Dearest,” “Paternity” and “Victory” during the release of “Dragonslayer.” As well, other studios circulated 70mm trailers during this period. Ultimately, the 70mm trailers, if any, seen during the 70mm presentations of “Dragonslayer” varied by venue and screening. The duration of the engagements (measured in weeks) has been included in parenthesis following the applicable cinema name. CALIFORNIA Los Angeles — GCC’s Avco Center Triplex (4) Los Angeles — Mann’s Hollywood (3) NEW YORK New York — Reade’s Bay (2) Historical footnote: In addition to 70mm Six-Track magnetic Dolby Stereo, 35mm optical Dolby Stereo and 35mm optical mono, “Dragonslayer” was released in Vistasonic Sound, the short-lived format that offered discrete multi-channel audio on an optical 35mm print. The Vistasonic presentations in North America were held in Boston (Cheri Triplex), New York (Baronet), Philadelphia (Mark I), San Diego (Cinerama), and San Francisco (Regency II). Disney & Paramount’s “Popeye” (1980) had been a planned Vistasonic release. SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS & SCREENINGS 1981-11-13 … Los Angeles, CA — Mann’s Hollywood (2) [w/ “Wolfen”] 1982-05-14 … Los Angeles, CA — Mann’s Hollywood (1) 1982-09-03 … Renton, WA — MCR’s Roxy (3) [w/ “Star Trek II”] 1982-09-24 … Portland, OR — LT’s Fox (5) [w/ “Poltergeist”] 1982-10-13 … San Antonio, TX — Santikos’ Galaxy 6 (4 days) [w/ “Star Trek II”] 1982-11-05 … Seattle, WA — SRO’s Cinerama [Fri-Sat midnight] 1982-12-31 … Wichita, KS — Dickinson’s Mall [Fri-Sat midnight] 1990-07-15 … Los Angeles, CA — Cineplex Odeon’s Fairfax Triplex [classics festival] 1992-10-18 … Los Angeles, CA — Cineplex Odeon’s Odeon [Sunday Night Late Show] 2005-08-08 … San Francisco, CA — Castro [70mm festival] The information included in this article was principally referenced from film industry trade publications, regional newspaper promotion, print enclosures, and Dolby records. Special thanks to Richard Greenhalgh, Bill Kallay, Bill Kretzel and Walter Murch. 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 Engagements 70mm Blow Up List 1981 - by in70mm.com Internet link: |
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