“The Witches of Eastwick”: The North American 70mm Engagements | Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter |
| Compiled by: Michael Coate | Date: 07.02.2022 |
 "The Witches of Eastwick" advance advert, Los Angeles Times, 7th June 1987The following is a reference / historical listing of the 70-millimeter presentations of “The Witches of Eastwick” in North America. These were arguably the best cinemas in which to experience this motion picture. “The Witches of Eastwick” was among seventeen confirmed first-run films released in 1987 with 70mm prints for selected engagements. Ten 70mm prints were reportedly struck for selected bookings in key markets. The Guber-Peters production and Warner Bros. release — directed by George Miller (“The Road Warrior”) and starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer — opened June 12th. For the release of “The Witches of Eastwick,” 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 “The Witches of Eastwick” featured Six-Track Dolby Stereo (“A” encoded “baby boom” format) and full-frame imagery blown up from anamorphic 35mm. Warner Bros. circulated 70mm trailers for “Full Metal Jacket,” “Innerspace,” “The Lost Boys,” “Nuts,” “Superman IV” and “Who’s That Girl” during the release of “The Witches of Eastwick.” Other studios circulated 70mm trailers, as well, during this period. The 70mm trailers, if any, ultimately seen during 70mm presentations of “The Witches of Eastwick” varied by venue and screening. The duration of the engagements (measured in weeks) has been included in parenthesis following the cinema name. CALIFORNIA Los Angeles — Mann’s Bruin (6) [THX] Los Angeles — Mann’s Chinese Triplex (6) [THX] San Francisco — UA’s Coronet (9) San Jose — Syufy’s Century 22 Triplex (11) ILLINOIS Chicago — Cineplex Odeon’s McClurg Court (5) MASSACHUSETTS Boston — USA’s Cheri Triplex (8) NEW YORK New York — Cineplex Odeon’s Beekman (8) New York — City Cinemas’ Gramercy (8) New York — Loews’ 84th Street 6-plex (8) New York — Moss’ Criterion Center 6-plex (11) 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 1987-09-11 … Downers Grove, IL — Classic Cinemas’ Tivoli (1) [HPS-4000] 2018-09-28 … Somerville, MA — Frame One’s Somerville [70mm & Widescreen fest] 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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