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Coolidge Corner Theatre

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Coordinates: 42°20′33″N 71°07′21″W / 42.34250°N 71.12250°W / 42.34250; -71.12250
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Coolidge Corner Theatre
Coolidge Corner Theatre marquee in 2023
Map
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

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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 developer Jonathan 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.[8] In response, four hundred local residents gathered in a peaceful demonstration, locking arms and forming a human chain around the theatre.[8] 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.[8] 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."[8] Kleiler remained the theatre's programming director until 1993.[8]

Comedian and Brookline, Massachusetts native John Hodgman worked at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in his youth.[9]

Academy Award-winning actor Julianne Moore saw Eraserhead at the Coolidge Corner Theatre and credits the experience as one of her key inspirations to pursue acting.[10]

In November 2021, the Coolidge Foundation broke ground on an expansion of the theatre, which added 14,000 square feet to its existing structure.[11] The $12.5 million expansion, "The Campaign for the Coolidge," designed by Höweler + Yoon, features two state-of-the-art theaters, a 60-seat Community Education and Engagement Center, a media library for films and Coolidge merchandise, and enhanced accessibility features.[11] Donors included a $1 million donation from The Trust Family Foundation.[12] The expansion opened on March 27, 2024.[13]

On May 29, 2024, Coolidge Corner Theatre staff announced their plans to unionize, citing "the need for a more transparent, equitable, and supportive workplace" as the reasoning behind these efforts.[14][15] On June 6, 2024, it was announced that employers of the Coolidge Corner Theatre will voluntarily recognize the union.

Coolidge Award

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The Coolidge Award annually recognizes a film artist who “advances the spirit of original and challenging cinema.’’[16] Recipients of this venue's annual Coolidge Award include:[17]

Coolidge Breakthrough Artist Award

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Created in 2023, the Coolidge Breakthrough Artist Award[18] recognizes emerging voices in film and spotlights the next generation of young film artists. Recipients include:

Images

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References

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  1. ^ a b "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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d e f g "History & Mission". Coolidge Corner Theater. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  9. ^ "John Hodgman on Grey Gardens".
  10. ^ Globe, The Boston. "At Coolidge award event, Oscar-winner Julianne Moore reflects on roles and her years in Boston". www.boston.com. Retrieved 2024-03-29.
  11. ^ a b "A vision for our future". Campaign for the Coolidge. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  12. ^ "The Coolidge Announces Expansion Project". Coolidge Corner Theater. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  13. ^ Andrea Shea (March 20, 2024). "Coolidge Corner Theatre's new expansion is ready for its close up". WBUR.
  14. ^ https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/05/30/coolidge-corner-theatre-staff-union-plan [bare URL]
  15. ^ https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/05/30/arts/coolidge-corner-theatre-union-drive/ [bare URL]
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "Coolidge Award". Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  18. ^ "Announcing the first ever Coolidge Breakthrough Artist Award". Coolidge Corner Theater. Retrieved 2023-08-11.
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