Coolidge Corner Theatre

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Coolidge Corner Theatre
Coolidge theater 2005.jpg
Coolidge Corner Theatre marquee
Address290 Harvard Street
Brookline, Massachusetts
United States
Coordinates42°20′33″N 71°07′21″W / 42.34250°N 71.12250°W / 42.34250; -71.12250Coordinates: 42°20′33″N 71°07′21″W / 42.34250°N 71.12250°W / 42.34250; -71.12250
OperatorCoolidge Corner Theatre Foundation
TypeNon-profit
Current useIn Operation
Opened30 December 1933 (1933-12-30)
Website
www.coolidge.org

Coolidge Corner Theatre is an independent cinema in the Coolidge Corner section of Brookline, Massachusetts specializing in international, documentary, animated, and independent film selections and series.[1]

History[]

Coolidge Corner Theatre was originally 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][2][3] The theatre opened on December 30, 1933 with its first film being a Disney short film.[3] Originally the theatre only had one screen but was later divided into two and then four.[4]

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.[2] In 1986, the theatre was sold to a developer due to financial trouble and planned to be torn down or converted to commercial business.[2][4] 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.[2][4]

Comedian and Brookline, Massachusetts native John Hodgman worked at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in his youth.[5]

Coolidge Award[]

The Coolidge Award annually recognizes a film artist who “advances the spirit of original and challenging cinema.’’[6] Among recipients of this venue's annual Coolidge Award are include:[7]

Images[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation History & Mission". November 8, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d Harmon, Lawrence (November 8, 2014). "Brookline movie house required skillful rescue". The Boston Globe. Boston Globe Media Partners, LLC. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Harris, Patricia; David Lyon (2004). Boston: A Guide to Unique Places. Globe Pequot Press. p. 117. ISBN 978-0-06-054017-3.
  4. ^ a b c 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.
  5. ^ "John Hodgman on Grey Gardens".
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Coolidge Award". Retrieved January 12, 2015.
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