Loew's-Poli Theatre
196 Worthington Street,
Springfield,
MA
01103
196 Worthington Street,
Springfield,
MA
01103
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favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Loew's Inc.
Architects: Thomas White Lamb
Styles: Neo-Classical
Previous Names: Poli's Palace, Poli Theatre, Poli Cinema
Nearby Theaters
Poli’s Palace was opened on December 22, 1913 as a vaudeville theatre with movies on the Poliscope being part of the programing. Taken over by Loew’s Inc. it was renamed Loew’s-Poli Theatre and was Springfield’s premiere first run showcase for MGM films from the mid-1920’s until the mid-1960’s. It also had full stage capabilities and a "Grand Organ."
On June 30, 1964 Loew’S Inc. vacated the theatre and it operated as the Poli Theatre under independent management for one year, closed on June 30, 1964. It remained dark until April 7, 1966 when the theatre was leased to C. & F. Theatres who operated it as the Poli Cinema and it closed on September 7, 1966 with an Elizabeth Taylor double bill: “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” & “Butterfield 8”.
Contributed by
Dr. Russ Durocher
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Recent comments (view all 21 comments)
tisloews- No, E.M. and Marcus were not related to one another.
Great 1958 Color Photo Ken MC
From the 1920s a postcard view of Poli’s Theatre in Springfield.
Great postcard veiw Don Lewis.
If anyone receives Reminisce magazine, in the April/May issue on page 24 there is an article that shows the main street in Springfield MA circa 1962. I can’t tell if there is a theatre at the end of main street. And if there is what is or what was the name as the town had many theatres according to CT….most were demolished, but a few do remain. It’s a shame that the community lost this Thomas Lamb beauty!
The Poli Palace is listed in the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook as having 2500 seats and open daily.
This opened on December 22nd, 1913. An grand opening ad has been posted.
Click here for an exterior view of the Fox-Poli Theatre in 1929.
Loews left the Poli behind on June 30, 1964. It was taken on for a one year lease as the Poli Theatre closing June 30, 1965. It went dark for nearly one year before operators C&F Theatres took it on and renamed it the Poli Cinema April 7, 1966. At that time, they also had the Bijou operating in downtown. The theatre didn’t attract audiences and was closed permanently five months later on September 7, 1966 with “Cat on a Hot Time Roof” and “Butterfield 8.”
Associated Building Wreckers tore the building down in the 1980s. (And the address was 194 Worthington (on the opposite side of the street.)
What happened to the organ?