Springfield Theatre

Plans for this theater were announced in the September 14, 1966 issue of Motion Picture Exhibitor, though it appears that completion of the project was delayed long past the projected opening date.

“New Neighborhood House

“RICHMOND, VA.—Neighborhood Theatres, Inc., announced that a new, deluxe motion picture theatre will be built in Springfield, Va. The location of the theatre will be on a piece of land owned by the company on the south side of Keene Mill road across from the Springfield Plaza Shopping Center. Opening is planned for Easter, 1967.

“The architects for the project are Vosbeck and Vosbeck Associates of Alexandria. The new Springfield Theatre will be of modern design, incorporating all the new techniques of motion picture exhibition. It will be one of the largest houses in the Neighborhood chain, not only in seating capacity, which will be approximately 1000, but also in square footage. The company announced that it plans to use American Seating Company’s Stellar Chairs in the theatre and that they will be widely spaced for patron comfort. Other details of the theatre include a canopy over the drive-in lane to shelter patrons from the elements; a modern, spacious lobby; individual vanities in the ladies rest room; a gigantic 60 foot screen; 35/70 millimeter projection equipment; and a large parking lot.”

Neighborhood Theatres Inc. of Virginia built the “rocking chair” theatre new in 1968. They were a small low overhead (almost no overhead) company and that was a lot of money. (State, Arlington, Annandale, and six other small theatres.) The cinema was always positive cash flow, but I’m not sure it always covered the mortgage. Whatever, Circuit City had a huge growth plan and access to capital when they bought it. I’m sure their offer looked good to NTI. Circuit City kept much of the building during remodel, including a large sign right on Old Keene Mill Road.

Ushered here back in ‘84…..used to call this “Rocking Chair” because it had big padded rocking-back seats. Ran Evil Dead and Rocky Horror as midnight movies…..

This was called “Springfield Cinema” and was the best in the Springfield area. Knowing all of the local theaters as a projectionist and movie buff, I never understood why this had to close, except for the fact that Springfield became such a family community and the parents would rather give up quality for having a Mall theater after shopping. at this time, Springfield Mall was second only to Tyson and a big draw for families.
I remember seeing ‘Pee Wee’s Big Adventure" here, and as I was leaving, I had not noticed a prize when I came in, being a replica of Pee Wee’s bike. What that would be worth today! Dang!
As far as when this opened, I would KNOW that the previous comment about it opening in 1964 is totally false, this was a creation of the early 1970’s and not before ( I realize they may have been referring to when the Annandale theater was built, but wanted to clarify)

Except for its colonial brick facade decoration, this theater was virtually identical to the Annandale Theatre, also opened in 1964 by the same owner, according to an item in Boxoffice Magazine, July 13, 1964.