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]
 Coolidge Corner Theatre marquee | |
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| Address | 290 Harvard Street Brookline, Massachusetts United States |
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| Coordinates | 42°20′34.18″N 71°07′20.69″W / 42.3428278°N 71.1224139°W |
| Operator | Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation |
| Type | Non-profit |
| Current use | In Operation |
| Opened | 30 December 1933 |
| Website | |
| www | |
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]
Coolidge Award
The Coolidge Award annually recognizes a film artist who “advances the spirit of original and challenging cinema.’’[5] Among recipients of this venue's annual Coolidge Award are Vittorio Storaro (2005), Meryl Streep (2006), Jonathan Demme (2010), and Viggo Mortensen (2012).[6]
Images
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Coolidge Award recipient Jonathan Demme at Coolidge Corner Theatre in 2010 -
Popcorn being served in Coolidge Corner Theatre lobby -
Robyn Hitchcock at Coolidge Corner Theatre in 2010
References
- ^ a b "Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation History & Mission". November 8, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Harris, Patricia; David Lyon (2004). Boston: A Guide to Unique Places. Globe Pequot Press. p. 117. ISBN 978-0-06-054017-3.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Coolidge Award". Retrieved January 12, 2015.