Cinema-X
499 Sumner Avenue,
Springfield,
MA
01108
499 Sumner Avenue,
Springfield,
MA
01108
3 people
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Herman Rifkin Theaters
Previous Names: Phillips Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Opened in November 1916, the 916-seat Phillips Theatre (located on Sumner Avenue near Western Massachusetts Theatres' Bing Theatre) was one of several neighborhood theaters later operated by Herman Rifkin Theaters.
On November 13, 1963, the Phillips Theatre was renamed Cinema-X and showcased "art" films interspersed with soft core porn. It was closed on December 14, 1985 with Charles Bronson in “Death Wish 3”.
It was razed in the early-1990’s to make way for a Walgreens.
Contributed by
Dr. Russ Durocher
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
…and speaking of editing (aka censoring), CT’s very own “Legion of Decency” filter has struck again! I should’ve remembered that the word “g – i – r – l” is verboten when I wrote “Bruce Wayne’s ***” in the last section above. LOL! At any rate, Shirley Patterson played Linda Page, Bruce Wayne’s “girlfriend” or “lady friend.” (I just love it when they make me write so &#!%&@ respectfully…)
[Graffiti written in 3 separate handwritings in a NYU toilet:
“I love grils.”
“That’s ‘G -i- r – l – s,’ stupid!”
“What about us grils?”
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Phillips Theatre in Springfield with an exterior photo dated March 1941. The theatre had a narrow free-standing entrance 1-plus story high with a rectangular marquee with “Phillips” on the front, and an arch and cornice above. There was a poster case on the right side of the entrance and what looks like a little ticket booth on the left side. The Report states that the Phillips was at 499 Summer St.,that it had been playing MGM product for over 10 years; was over 20 years old and in Fair condition. The seating was listed as 742 on the main floor and 420 in the balcony, total: 1,162 seats. It was described as having “Neighborhood” patronage.
Th went to the Cinema X in the mid 1980s. At that time it did not show porn films, it was all 2nd run movies. As you entered, you’d go down a short entrance corridor; then the concession stand to the left, the balcony stairs to the right, and straight ahead you’d enter the inner foyer at the back of the auditorium, which went off to the left. The decor was fairly classical, appeared to date from the 1920s. Balcony was closed, the proscenium was hidden behind a screen which had obviously been installed recently. It wasn’t in bad shape, and I’m sorry that it didn’t survive – by the early 1980s it was closed.
Does Cinema Treasures actually delete the word ‘girl’ from the sentence ‘Linda, Bruce Wayne’s girl, surprised by Daka in his underground hideout:’?? Let’s see….
Here is a 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cannul
As the “Phillipps”, this theater is listed in the 1927 Film Daily Yearbook as having 916 seats, open daily.
November 13th, 1963 grand opening ad posted here.
My memories of Cinema X. It was eclectic programming to say the least. During the early 1970’s it was playing hardcore porn – had the area run of “Deep Throat” among others. Switched to art films – I remember seeing the Chaplin re-releases in the mid-1970’s along with first runs of the “Groove Tube” and “Monty Python & The Holy Grail” – never recall any major studio releases which were pretty well locked up by Showcase Cinemas in West Springfield.
Undated photo added via Pb Brown.
December 1948 photo added courtesy Springfield, 413 Then and Now Facebook page.