Was Cinema ever better than 1973…

Was Cinema ever better than 1973…

It was right around this time some 53 years ago that Magnum Force was lighting up many cinema screens around the world. On reflection, Warner Bros arguably produced three of the most remarkable movies of the decade in 1973 – with Magnum Force, The Exorcist and Enter the Dragon in the can, their 50th Anniversary year was certainly going to be a profitable one with all of these movies doing great business throughout 1974. 

Above: Magnum Force at Mann’s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard

December 1973 – March 1974 proved to be an incredible few opening months of the year. Magnum Force kicked it all off with a Gala showing at Mann’s Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. Originally Grauman's Chinese Theatre, it was originally built by showman Sid Grauman then the name was changed after the theatre chain was acquired by Ted Mann in 1973. 

What’s fascinating about the Magnum Force special preview premier (at Mann’s Chinese Theatre) on December 25th, 1973, is the fact that this wasn’t actually the world premier! It was actually in London where it received its premiere, at the Warner West End - a little earlier on December 13th, 1973, and before it’s wider international release. 

Left: A rare advertisement for the Sneak Preview at Mann's Chinese Theatre

Below: 2 rare advertisements for the London World Premier West End screenings - almost 2 weeks earlier

On January 10th 1974, Warner’s Kung Fu epic Enter the Dragon unleashed Bruce Lee on the scene while most of the world was still mourning his death on July 20th 1973. The temptation to pair up both Lee and Eastwood and their 2 latest smash hits proved irresistible. This would not be the last time, The Way of the Dragon was also paired as a double bill with Thunderbolt and Lightfoot in subsequent re-releases, such as in the United Kingdom around 1975.

To conclude these brief few months of 1974 was of course The Exorcist. The Exorcist premiered in London on March 14, 1974, with its premiere screening taking place at the Warner Leicester Square.

The film had a limited release in five West End cinemas initially before being more widely released later that year. Its initial run was highly publicised due to the extreme audience reactions, with reports of people fainting and becoming physically sick during screenings. Ha, love the hype – love the period – did cinema ever get any better I wonder? 

Above: The Exorcist at the Warner, West End