Commentary: Upper Valley Mall cinema goes dark, but memories live on

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While it lacked the glamour and unique architecture of the Springfield’s former movie houses, the State Theater and Regent Theater, and the convenience of Cinema 10, Cinema 5 was the introduction to modern movie-going when it opened.

I was a preschooler when it opened, and it was also the first place I had heard the word “cinema.” Before, movies were only shown in “theaters” as far as I knew, so this was a new addition to my expanding vocabulary.

It began with two screens in one venue, which was revolutionary for the time, at least here. The obvious thing missing were the spacious lobby and decor. The screens seemed different, though.

Double features and an interactive Christmas show were part of the new place. And although I can’t recall what the wife asked me to pick up on the way home, I can still hear the company that owned the cinemas at the time’s logo and jingle before the main feature.

In the mid-’80s one of the screens was split into two to make for three screens. Occasionally while watching a film in one auditorium you could hear the soundtrack of the film next door, especially if it was an action film.

It was also more compact, and seating was harder to find if you arrived late on a Friday or Saturday night, especially if there were new or popular films playing.

The addition of the two further screens in 1988 or so allowed even more choice. I recall wanting to get away from the family on Christmas Day that year to catch a screening of “Tequila Sunrise” in 1988 and having the entire hall to myself.

Over the years Cinema 5 went from date nights to taking my daughter to matinees to dropping her off with friends. She enjoyed that they played movies previously at Cinema 10 and still allowed the option to see a film that was out for a while with a smaller crowd.

Cinema 5 was also part of the overall mall-going experience that was a big part of life for many of my generation.

My dad once commented about how well designed the mall was. You could enjoy a movie then go in the mall and sit down for dinner at one of the restaurants or order a pizza and check out the puppies at the pet store while you waited in one place.

Now as more and more people choose to download their entertainment choices more and more, Cinema 5 is a memory.

I couldn’t help but look into the now vacant Cinema. The posters were still there and things looked just as they always had except for the simple sign saying it was closed.

It won’t be forgotten.