Coolidge Corner Theatre
Coolidge Corner Theatre marquee in 2023
Address290 Harvard Street
Brookline, Massachusetts
United States
Coordinates42°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 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]

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 theater.[1][3][4] The theater opened on December 30, 1933 with its first film being a Disney short film.[4] Originally the theater only had one screen but was later divided into two and then four.[5]

By 1988, the theatre faced increased competition due to VCR sales and shifts in entertainment consumption.[6] When Davis expressed interest in demolishing the theatre and repurposing the property as commercial space, a group from the Brookline community started a grassroots campaign to save the theatre.[7]

David Kleiler, a film professor at Babson College, led the movement, called "Friends of the Coolidge," which later transformed into the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to the theatre's preservation.[8] This foundation played a role in securing the theater's recognition as a historic site, temporarily preventing potential redevelopment.[8]

In 1989, the foundation attempted to raise the necessary $2.6 million to purchase the theatre, but faced fundraising shortfalls.[9] In response, four hundred local residents gathered in a peaceful demonstration, locking arms and forming a human chain around the theatre.[9] Harold Brown, a realtor and Brookline resident who had loved the Coolidge in his youth, and his Hamilton Charitable Foundation emerged, proposed the purchase of the theatre and a 99-year lease to the Coolidge Foundation.[10] On November 8, 1989, Kleiler cut a celluloid ribbon and the theatre reopened its doors with the marquee reading, "WE DID IT - ON WITH THE SHOW."[11] Kleiler remained the theatre's programming director until 1993.[12]

Comedian and Brookline, Massachusetts native John Hodgman worked at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in his youth.[13]

Julianne Moore saw Eraserhead at the Coolidge Corner Theatre.[14]

In November 2021, the Coolidge Foundation broke ground on an expansion of the theatre, which planned to add 14,000 square feet to its existing structure.[15] The $12.5 million expansion, "The Campaign for the Coolidge," designed by Höweler + Yoon, will feature two state-of-the-art theaters, a Community Education and Engagement Center, a media library, and enhanced accessibility features.[15] As of October 2023, the Coolidge secured 85% of the funding, including a $1 million donation from The Trust Family Foundation.[16] The third-floor Community Education and Engagement Center, seating 60, will broaden educational and community program capacities, while an adjoining media library will house films and Coolidge merchandise.[17] The expansion's opening is scheduled for late 2023.[18]

Coolidge Award

The Coolidge Award annually recognizes a film artist who “advances the spirit of original and challenging cinema.’’[19] Recipients of this venue's annual Coolidge Award include:[20]

Coolidge Breakthrough Artist Award

Created in 2023, the Coolidge Breakthrough Artist Award[21] recognizes emerging voices in film and spotlights the next generation of young film artists. Recipients include:

Images

References

  1. 1 2 "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. 1 2 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. ↑ Loria, Daniel (August 2015). "THE COOLIDGE CORNER THEATRE". Boxoffice. 151 (8): 26–27. ProQuest 1731552009.
  7. ↑ Rothchild, Sylvia (5 October 1989). "Many Jews In Struggle To Preserve Coolidge Theatre". Jewish Advocate. p. 4. ProQuest 888778852.
  8. 1 2 "History & Mission". Coolidge Corner Theater. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  9. 1 2 "History & Mission". Coolidge Corner Theater. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  10. ↑ "History & Mission". Coolidge Corner Theater. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  11. ↑ "History & Mission". Coolidge Corner Theater. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  12. ↑ "History & Mission". Coolidge Corner Theater. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  13. ↑ "John Hodgman on Grey Gardens".
  14. ↑ "At Coolidge award event, Oscar-winner Julianne Moore reflects on roles and her years in Boston". www.boston.com. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  15. 1 2 "A vision for our future". Campaign for the Coolidge. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  16. ↑ "The Coolidge Announces Expansion Project". Coolidge Corner Theater. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  17. ↑ "A vision for our future". Campaign for the Coolidge. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  18. ↑ "Project Updates". Campaign for the Coolidge. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  19. ↑ 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.
  20. ↑ "Coolidge Award". Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Announcing the first ever Coolidge Breakthrough Artist Award". Coolidge Corner Theater. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
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