Coolidge Corner Theatre

Coolidge Corner Theatre is a nonprofit, independent cinema and community cultural center in the Coolidge Corner section of Brookline, Massachusetts specializing in international, documentary, animated, and independent film selections, series, classes, and seminars.[1][2]

Coolidge Corner Theatre
Coolidge Corner Theatre marquee
Address290 Harvard Street
Brookline, Massachusetts
United States
Coordinates42°20′33″N 71°07′21″W
OperatorCoolidge Corner Theatre Foundation
TypeNon-profit
Current useIn Operation
Opened30 December 1933 (1933-12-30)
Website
www.coolidge.org

History

Coolidge Corner Theatre was built as a Universalist church in 1906 and was redesigned as an Art Deco movie palace in 1933 as the community's first movie theatre.[1][3][4] The theatre opened on December 30, 1933 with its first film being a Disney short film.[4] Originally the theatre only had one screen but was later divided into two and then four.[5]

In the 1980s, owner and operator Justin Freed thought that he could no longer compete with rising video sales and competition from other art houses.[3] In 1986, the theatre was sold to a developer due to financial trouble and planned to be torn down or converted to commercial business.[3][5] Harold Brown, a Boston real estate magnate living in Brookline, bought the whole building and leased the theatre to the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation in November 1989 for 99 years.[3][5]

Comedian and Brookline, Massachusetts native John Hodgman worked at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in his youth.[6]

Julianne Moore once saw Eraserhead at the Coolidge Corner Theatre.[7]

Coolidge Award

The Coolidge Award annually recognizes a film artist who “advances the spirit of original and challenging cinema.’’[8] Recipients of this venue's annual Coolidge Award include:[9]

Images

References
  1. "Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation History & Mission". November 8, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  2. "Education Classes & Seminars". Coolidge Corner Theater. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  3. Harmon, Lawrence (November 8, 2014). "Brookline movie house required skillful rescue". The Boston Globe. Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  4. Harris, Patricia; David Lyon (2004). Boston: A Guide to Unique Places. Globe Pequot Press. p. 117. ISBN 978-0-06-054017-3.
  5. Zhao, Weiwen (November 20, 2014). "Coolidge Corner Theatre celebrates 25 years since being saved from the wrecking ball". Wickedlocal.com. Community Newspaper Company. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  6. "John Hodgman on Grey Gardens".
  7. "At Coolidge award event, Oscar-winner Julianne Moore reflects on roles and her years in Boston". www.boston.com. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  8. Gilsdorf, Ethan (March 2, 2012). "Viggo Mortensen sees through the eyes of an outsider". The Boston Globe. Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  9. "Coolidge Award". Retrieved January 12, 2015.
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