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Coolidge Corner Theatre
Coolidge Corner Theater Marquee 2023 01.jpg
Coolidge Corner Theatre marquee in 2023
Address 290 Harvard Street
Brookline, Massachusetts
United States
Coordinates 42°20′33″N 71°07′21″W / 42.34250°N 71.12250°W / 42.34250; -71.12250
Operator Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation
Type Non-profit
Current use In Operation
Opened 30 December 1933 (1933-12-30)

The Coolidge Corner Theatre is a special movie theater in Brookline, Massachusetts. It is a nonprofit cinema and a community center. This means it uses its money to help the community and show amazing films. The theater often plays movies from other countries, documentaries (films about real life), animated films, and independent movies. It also offers film series, classes, and talks about movies.

History of the Coolidge Corner Theatre

From Church to Movie Palace

The Coolidge Corner Theatre building has a long history. It was first built in 1906 as a church. Later, in 1933, it was changed into a beautiful Art Deco movie theater. This was the very first movie theater in the Brookline community. It opened on December 30, 1933, showing a Disney short film. At first, the theater had only one screen. Over time, it was divided into two screens, and then four.

Saving the Theater

By 1988, many people were buying VCRs. This meant fewer people went to movie theaters. A developer wanted to tear down the Coolidge Corner Theatre. He planned to build new shops there instead. But a group of people from Brookline wanted to save the theater. They started a group called "Friends of the Coolidge."

David Kleiler, a film professor, led this group. It later became the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation. This foundation is a nonprofit group. Its goal was to protect the theater. They helped the theater become a historic site. This stopped it from being torn down for a while.

A Community Effort

In 1989, the foundation tried to raise money to buy the theater. They needed $2.6 million, but they couldn't raise enough. So, 400 local people gathered to show their support. They linked arms and formed a human chain around the theater. This showed how much they loved the Coolidge.

Then, Harold Brown, a local realtor, stepped in. He had loved the Coolidge when he was young. His Hamilton Charitable Foundation offered to buy the theater. They then gave the Coolidge Foundation a 99-year lease. This meant the foundation could run the theater for a very long time.

On November 8, 1989, the theater reopened. David Kleiler cut a celluloid ribbon. The sign on the front of the theater, called the marquee, read: "WE DID IT - ON WITH THE SHOW." Kleiler stayed as the theater's programming director until 1993.

Famous Connections

Some famous people have connections to the Coolidge Corner Theatre.

  • Comedian John Hodgman grew up in Brookline. He worked at the theater when he was younger.
  • Academy Award-winning actor Julianne Moore saw the movie Eraserhead at the Coolidge. She has said this experience helped inspire her to become an actor.
Back of Coolidge Corner Theater expansion, Brookline, MA (53233369399)
Back of the theater expansion in summer 2023

Modern Expansion and Growth

In November 2021, the Coolidge Foundation started a big project. They began to expand the theater. This added 14,000 square feet of space. The expansion cost $12.5 million. It was called "The Campaign for the Coolidge." The new design included:

  • Two new, modern theaters.
  • A 60-seat center for community education and events.
  • A media library for films and Coolidge merchandise.
  • Better access for everyone.

Many people donated money, including a $1 million gift from The Trust Family Foundation. The expansion officially opened on March 27, 2024.

In May 2024, the staff at the Coolidge Corner Theatre announced they wanted to form a union. They said they wanted a more fair and supportive workplace. By June 6, 2024, the theater's employers agreed to recognize the union.

Coolidge Award

The Coolidge Award is given out every year. It honors a film artist who "advances the spirit of original and challenging cinema." This means they make movies that are new, interesting, and make people think.

Coolidge Award Recipients

Coolidge Breakthrough Artist Award

This award started in 2023. The Coolidge Breakthrough Artist Award celebrates new and exciting voices in film. It highlights the next generation of young film artists.

Breakthrough Artist Award Recipients

  • 2023: Elegance Bratton
  • 2024: Jane Schoenbrun
  • 2025: Payal Kapadia

Images for kids

  • Coolidge Corner Theatre Marquee

    Coolidge Corner Theatre Marquee in 2024.

  • Sunn O))) on the Marquee at the Coolidge Corner Theater (53826936156)

    The theater hosts some non-film programming, such as Sunn O))) in 2012.

  • CoolidgeCornerTheatreLobby2010

    Coolidge Corner Theatre lobby with Art Deco neon

  • JonDemme-by-JSDwyer

    Coolidge Award recipient Jonathan Demme at Coolidge Corner Theatre in 2010

  • CoolidgeCornerTheatrePopcorn

    Popcorn being served in Coolidge Corner Theatre lobby

  • Robyn Hitchcock 2010 by John Stephen Dwyer

    Robyn Hitchcock at Coolidge Corner Theatre in 2010

  • Night of the Living Dead - Coolidge Corner Theater

    A screening of Night of the Living Dead on October 2, 2023 with a live score by the Morricone Youth.

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