THE SCREENING ROOM
A year-by-year, film-by-film history of 70-millimeter wide gauge exhibition in Southern California
Compiled by Michael Coate and William Kallay
1978
June 2:
Capricorn One
Anamorphic Blow-Up / Six-Track Stereo
ITC/Warner Bros.
Hollywood: [Pacific] Hollywood Pacific
Westwood Village: [Mann] Bruin
Also included 70mm Sneak Preview screenings in Westwood on April 28
(Village) and May 19 (National)
July 21:
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Anamorphic Blow-Up / Six-Track Dolby Stereo
Universal
Hollywood: [Pacific] Hollywood Pacific
Orange: [Syufy] Cinedome 20
Also includes Sneak Preview screening (in 70mm?) on July 15 (Century
Plaza)
July 21:
Star Wars (Re-Issue)
Anamorphic Blow-Up / Six-Track Dolby Stereo
Lucasfilm Ltd./20th Century Fox
Century City: [Plitt] Century Plaza*
Orange: [Plitt] City Center
*Continuation of original run — July 21 was start of US & Canada general
release/re-issue
Also see 1977, 1979, 1981 & 1982 entries, and 1985 “Return Of The Jedi”
re-issue entry
August 16:
Grease
Anamorphic Blow-Up / Six-Track Dolby Stereo
Paramount
"It’s better than ever. In Incredible Six-Track Stereophonic Sound on
the Gigantic 70mm Screen"
Westwood Village: [Mann] Village
World Premiere on June 4 (Chinese) — Originally released in 35mm on June
16
Also see 1979 re-issue entry
August 25:
The Sound Of Music (Re-Issue)
Todd-AO / Six-Track Stereo
20th Century Fox
Century City: [Plitt] Century Plaza
Hollywood: [UA] Egyptian
Also see 1965, 1973, 1990 & 2003 entries, plus Special Screenings and
Film Festivals (1999, 2006 and, 2012) entries
September 20:
Days Of Heaven
Spherical Blow-Up / Six-Track Dolby Stereo
Paramount
"Your eyes… Your ears… Your senses… will be overwhelmed in 70mm and
Dolby Stereo"
Westwood Village: [Mann] Bruin
Expanded Release on Oct. 4:
Costa Mesa: [Mann] South Coast Plaza
Additional 70mm Engagements:
Westwood Village: [Mann] Village (Jan. 12, 1979)
Hollywood: [Mann] Fox (Feb. 23, 1979)
Also see 1982 re-issue entry
October 25:
Comes A Horseman
Anamorphic Blow-Up / Six-Track Stereo
United Artists
Hollywood: [UA] Egyptian
[Stereophonic soundtrack unconfirmed — mix may have been monaural]
December 8:
The Deer Hunter
Anamorphic Blow-Up / Six-Track Dolby Stereo
Reserved Performance Engagement
Universal
Westwood Village: [Mann] National
One-week Academy Award-consideration engagement
Release on Feb. 23, 1979:
Newport Beach: [Edwards] Newport
Westwood Village: [Mann] Village
Additional 70mm Engagement:
Century City: [Plitt] Century Plaza (Oct. 5, 1979)
December 15:
Superman
Anamorphic Blow-Up / Six-Track Dolby Stereo
Warner Bros.
"You'll Believe A Man Can Fly"
Hollywood: [Mann] Chinese*
Westwood Village: [Mann] National
*Includes West Coast Premiere on December 14
Additional 70mm Engagements:
Costa Mesa: [Mann] South Coast Plaza* (Jan. 1, 1979)
Woodland Hills: [UA] Warner Center*/** (Jan. 1, 1979)
*Engagement began in 35mm on Dec. 15
**Six-Track Stereo
Also see Special Screenings and Film Festivals (1992 and 1999) entries
More 70mm
70mm In New York
70mm In Orange County