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December 1978; Premiere Synopsis

Six star-spangled premieres in six cities over a four-day period in December 1978 gave Superman-The Movie a news-grabbing introduction that has rarely been equaled in movie history.

Beginning with the Presidential Premiere at the Kennedy Center in Washington. D.C ., on December 10, 1978, Superman-The Movie was screened as a benefit for the Special Olympics and attracted the most prestigious first-nighters In the nation’s capital. Top-priced seats went for $1,000.00.

The following day, December 11, 1978, Superman-The Movie had its New York premiere at Loew’s Astor Plaza, also as a benefit for the Special Olympics.

Boston and Chicago were the next premiere cities, the former a charity event for the Special Olympics at the Sacks Cinema 57 1, the latter at the Esquire Theatre, a benefit for both the Special Olympics and the Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center.

On December 13, 1978, the European Royal Charity Premiere was held in London at the Empire Leicester Square Theatre for the benefit of Variety Clubs of Great Britain and The National Association of Maternal and Child Welfare.

On December 14, 1978, Mann’s Chinese Theatre was the benefit setting for the West Coast Hollywood Premiere, funds going to the American Diabetes Association.

Also on December 14, 1978, Superman-The Movie was presented in a series of coast-to-coast invitational press previews. at which disc jockeys, opinion makers. licensees. and book and record representatives joined the press corps.

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10 December 1978; Presidential Premiere

Sunday, December 10 at the Eisenhower Theatre (a 1200 seat house) benefited the Special Olympics.

Print was presented in 35mm stereo optical.

Ticket scale:
Top price $1,000 for each box seat, which included a dinner party at the Japanese Embassy on December 9, another party was held at Mr. and Mrs Shriver’s home on December 8, and a reception at the Kennedy Center preceding the film.
$500 – The best Orchestra seats plus the party at the Shrivers’ home and the pre-premiere reception at the Kennedy Center.
$125 – Orchestra seats and the pre-premiere reception at the Kennedy Center.
$50 – The best balcony seats for the premiere.
$35 – Balcony seats for the premiere.

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11 December 1978; New York Premiere

Monday, December 11 at Loew’s Astor Plaza (a 1546 seat house) benefited the Special Olympics.

Print was presented in 70mm with Dolby Sound.

Ticket scale:
$125 – including a post-premiere supper buffet at the
Xenon disco
$50 – best Orchestra seats.
$25 – tickets to the premiere only.

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13 December 1978; European Royal Charity Premiere

Wednesday, December 13 at Empire, Leicester Square, London benefited the Variety Clubs of Great Britain and The National Association of Maternal and Child Welfare.

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13 December 1978; Superman-The Movie Boston and Chicago Premieres!

Wednesday, December 13 at Sack Cinema 57 (a 1108 seat house) benefited the Special Olympics.

Print was presented in 70mm with Dolby Sound.

Ticket scale:
$500 – limited to no more than 30 people who attended one of the Washington, DC parties the previous weekend, plus an elegant dinner in Boston.
$150 – the best Orchestra seats, plus an elegant pre-premiere dinner party at a site to be determined (unknown).
$30 – the film’s premiere plus a champagne party.

Wednesday, December 13 at Esquire Theatre (a 1361 seat house) benefited the Special Olympics and the Rush-Presbyterian St.Luke’s Medical Center.

Print was presented in 70mm with Dolby Sound.

Premiere was followed by a supper reception at Cricket’s.

Ticket scale:
$100 – all seats.

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14 December 1978; West Coast Premiere

Wednesday, December 14 at the Mann’s Chinese Theatre (a 1492 seat house) in Hollywood benefited the American Diabetes Association.

Print was presented in 70mm with Dolby Sound.

Ticket scale:
$130 – premiere plus post-premiere supper at the Beverly Wilshire.
$100 – premiere tickets only.