“Innerspace”: The North American 70mm Engagements |
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| Compiled by: Michael Coate | Date: 07.02.2022 |
 "Innerspace"
advance advert, Los Angeles Times, 28th June 1987The following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter engagements of “Innerspace” in the United States and Canada. These were arguably the best cinemas in which to experience this motion picture. “Innerspace” was among seventeen confirmed first-run films released in 1987 with 70mm prints for selected engagements. Approximately two-dozen 70mm prints were reportedly struck for selected bookings in key markets. The Amblin Entertainment presentation and Warner Bros. release — directed by Joe Dante (“Gremlins”) and starring Dennis Quaid, Martin Short and Meg Ryan — opened July 1st. Pre-release screenings included sneak previews on June 20th (Avco Center and Chinese in Los Angeles, and Criterion Center in New York). For the release of “Innerspace,” Warner Bros. 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 “Innerspace” featured Six-Track Dolby Stereo audio (“A” encoded “baby boom” format*) and pillarboxed imagery (approximately 1.85:1) blown up from spherical 35mm. *Historical footnote: Some of this film’s 35mm prints were in Dolby Spectral Recording (aka Dolby “SR”) — the first 35mm release in the format — which initiated an industry trend of fewer titles being released with 70mm prints and a generally-smaller 70mm print run on those titles selected to be printed in 70mm. Warner Bros. circulated 70mm trailers for “Disorderlies,” “The Lost Boys,” “Nuts,” “Superman IV,” and “Who’s That Girl” during the release of “Innerspace.” Other studios circulated 70mm trailers, as well, during this period. The 70mm trailers, if any, ultimately seen during 70mm presentations of “Innerspace” varied by venue and screening. The duration of the engagements (measured in weeks) has been included in parenthesis following the cinema name. BRITISH COLUMBIA Vancouver — Famous Players’ Capitol 6-plex (14) CALIFORNIA Los Angeles — GCC’s Avco Center Triplex (6) [THX] Los Angeles — Mann’s Chinese Triplex (3) [THX] Mountain View — Syufy’s Century 10-plex (11) Newport Beach — Edwards’ Newport Twin (4) Oakland — Renaissance Rialto’s Grand Lake 4-plex (8) Orange — Syufy’s Cinedome 8-plex (4) Redondo Beach — GCC’s Galleria South Bay 6-plex (14) [THX] San Diego — Mann’s Valley Circle (3) San Francisco — UA’s Galaxy 4-plex (11) [THX] San Jose — Syufy’s Century 21 (4) San Rafael — Marin’s Regency 6-plex (6) Universal City — Cineplex Odeon’s Universal City 18-plex (#1: 6) [THX] Universal City — Cineplex Odeon’s Universal City 18-plex (#2: 3) [THX] DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Washington — Circle’s Tenley Triplex (4) MASSACHUSETTS Boston — USA’s Charles Triplex (3) MINNESOTA Roseville — GCC’s Har-Mar 11-plex (6) [THX] MISSOURI St. Ann — AMC’s Northwest Square 10-plex (5) NEW YORK New York — Loews’ 84th Street 6-plex (4) New York — Moss’ Criterion Center 6-plex (5) ONTARIO Ottawa — Famous Players’ Rideau Centre Triplex (4) Toronto — Famous Players’ Hollywood Twin (5) PENNSYLVANIA Media — AMC’s Granite Run 8-plex (5) Note that some of the presentations included in this work may have been presented in 35mm during the latter week(s) of their 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 a 70mm print order in time for an opening-day delivery or the exhibitor negotiated a mid-run switch to 70mm. In such cases, any 35mm portion of the engagement has been included in the duration figure. SUBSEQUENT 70MM ENGAGEMENTS & SCREENINGS 1987-07-22 … Los Angeles, CA — Mann’s Vogue (1) 1987-07-24 … Boston, MA — USA’s Copley Place 9-plex (5) 1987-07-31 … Orange, CA — Syufy’s City Center 4-plex (2) 1987-07-31 … San Jose, CA — Syufy’s Century 23 Twin (1) 1987-10-23 … Tucson, AZ — Cineplex Odeon’s El Dorado Twin (2) 1987-10-23 … Tucson, AZ — Cineplex Odeon’s Foothills 4-plex (2) 1987-11-13 … Montreal, QC — Famous Players’ York (2) 1988-02-24 … Toronto, ON — Cinesphere (3 days) [70mm fest] 1988-03-18 … Tucson, AZ — Mann’s Galleria 6-plex (1) 1989-10-24 … Fremont, CA — GCC’s Fremont Hub 8-plex (3 days; w/ “Willow”) [THX] The information in this article was principally referenced from film industry trade publications and regional newspaper promotion, with 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. |
More in 70mm reading: 70mm Cinemas in North America Chronological premiere list of major 70mm films Month by month premiere list of wide gauge and 3-strip films 70mm Engagements 70mm Blow Up List Dolby Stereo |
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