St. James Theatre

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Uploaded on: October 31, 2026

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The last major first release at the St James was the Clint Eastwood WWII comedy “Kelly’s Heroes” which opened 10 September 1970 and ran for 12 weeks. After completing production MGM had considered giving it the 70mm blow-up treatment they applied to many of their late 1960s attractions. However, after preparing 6-track magnetic sound wide gauge prints and accompanying artwork they had a change of heart and virtually all of its engagements worldwide were in 35mm. This was the last show I attended at the St James. I seem to recall seeing advertising in the foyer referring to 4-track mag sound presentation, but it may well have been just optical mono. They gave it the full open and close curtain ‘roadshow’ presentation, and I do recall the sound of a special screen dropping down in front of the normal sheet just before the curtain opened on the feature – but perhaps this was just my imagination.