RC West Springfield 15

Showcase Cinemas first opened in 1962 as a twin, with identical 800 seat auditoriums fronted by a long and spacious lobby. This was the first multiplex in the region. In 1969, a second building was built just to the south, featuring a curved Cinemascope screen and over 1,000 seats. A couple of years later, a third building was constructed with two 800 seat auditoriums extending 90 degrees from a central lobby. Most of theses screens featured 70mm technology. This complex was unique by having three stand-alone complexes housing its five screens. In 1975, the two southernmost auditoriums (#1, #2) were twinned, and two years later, one of the original north screens (#5) followed suit. The other followed in 1980, and finally the big screen in 1984, bringing the total to 10 screens. Around 1985, Showcase bought the Sack Palace Twin across the street, splitting those auditoriums and renaming them screens 11-14. The auditoriums were clean modern design and the lobbies were spacious, with lots of glass. By the mid-1970’s, all of the downtown cinemas had closed, leaving this the only first run cinema in this part of the state.

With the facilities ageing, Showcase closed down the main complex, mostly demolishing it and incorporating walls of the remainder into a new 15-screen state of art complex, featuring stadium seating and digital projection. The complex across the street was renamed Showcase 16-19 before closing in late-2002, and being demolished in 2006.

The current building is a state of the art complex, one of the best in the region, with auditoriums ranging in size from 165 to 410 seats, totalling 3,765 capacity, with 3D capability. There is a main lobby bisecting the middle of the building with halls to the north and south leading to the various auditoriums and a large food court in the central spine.

It was taken over by Rave Motion Picture Theatres in December 2009.

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

Joe Vogel on January 28, 2008 at 4:43 am

The 2003 rebuilding of the Showcase Cinemas in West Springfield was one of more than 70 cinema projects which have been designed for National Amusements by the Boston-based architectural firm Beacon Architectural Associates. I haven’t been able to discover the architect of the original buildings.

To see Beacon’s description of the project on their website, click on “portfolio”, then “commercial”, then “Showcase and Multiplex Cinemas”, and click through the various projects until you reach the page for this one.

spectrum on August 26, 2009 at 9:46 pm

Finally got to see the place. Large wide main concourse down the middle of the building with a main coordior extending north and one south, and cinemas going off on either side of these two corridors. Except for the big screens – 8 and 9, they open off the main concourse.

They have both a concession area in the center of the concourse, as well as a food court with several fast food chains represented.

auditoriums are all stadium seating plain walls with heavy soundproofing and minimal decoration. the main auditoria have impressive screens.

Seating capacity totals 3,765 arranged as follows: 1-285, 2-285, 3-240, 4-240, 5-210, 6-210, 7-220, 8-410, 9-355, 10-165, 11-210, 12-220, 13-220, 14-220, 15-220.

1: 285
2:

William on August 3, 2011 at 5:12 pm

The original Complex seated. Cinema 1 700 (Cinerama house) Cinema 2 1100 Cinema 3 1012 (D-150 house)

dickdziadzio on August 3, 2011 at 6:54 pm

William, thank you for making all the necessary corrections to the initial post. The complex opened in late 1964 with Cinema 1 with a Cinerama curtain but a smaller flat screen behind it.The Cinerama screen was put in about 6 months later. Cinema 2 had a flat “Shadowbox” screen with no curtain or masking. Cinema 3 opened in early Spring 1967 with D-150 and “The Bible”. A seperate building was put up in the parking lot next to Cinema 3 several years later opening as the first automated twin. Eventually every house was split down the middle except Cinema 3 which was split front / back. I was a projectionist there for 21 years.

rivest266 on September 11, 2011 at 7:53 am

This opened on December 31st, 1964. Grand opening ad in the photo section of this theatre’s page.

rivest266 on September 11, 2011 at 8:43 pm

Additional screens: 3rd screen opening took place on April 19th, 1967, Ad posted in photo section 4th screen in new building took place on June 30th, 1971. ad posted in the photo section 5th screen opened in new building on July 7th, 1971. 6 cinemas in 1973 8 cinemas in 1976

Tinseltoes on July 25, 2012 at 4:57 pm

Aerial view of three cinemas in 1967: Boxoffice

Tinseltoes on July 25, 2012 at 5:00 pm

Cinema 3 described in same issue: Boxoffice

scottneff on November 27, 2012 at 5:06 am

Judging by the grand opening ads for screens four and five, it looks like it was a separate out building that was not actually attached to the other three. Can anybody confirm?