Coolidge Corner Theatre
290 Harvard Street,
Brookline,
MA
02446
290 Harvard Street,
Brookline,
MA
02446
24 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 66 comments found
An article about the theater’s reluctant and expensive conversion to digital can be read here.
Can’t wait to see “The Master” here in 70mm.
Exclusive 70mm engagement of “The Master” confirmed: Link
A photo of the Coolidge Corner Theatre circa 1943 can be found at the bottom of this page: boxofficemagazine
Came here right when they were doing extensive renovations around 2001. Repair-work and scaffoldings were everywhere, but the theater was still gorgeous.
I saw Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and during the follow-the-boucing-ball scene, EVERYONE in the audience sang along to the lyrics at full pitch. Coolest cinematic/theatrical experience to date.
I absolutely love this theatre. It’s one of those main auditoriums that gives you shivers.
I love the Coolidge Corner Theatre, and I always will. Holding an annual membership there really helps.
Saw Midnight in Paris there recently which was showing in the lovely Art Deco main theatre. Went to school in Boston in the 60’s, but don’t remember going here then.
Yankee Magazine has named the Coolidge Corner as one of the five top movie theaters in New England. The other four are in Dennis MA, Newport RI, Concord NH and Waterville ME. The judge was veteran local movie man Garen Daly. The listing in Yankee was reported in a small item in today’s Boston Sunday Herald. It says that these five cinemas “have found a unique voice, one that represents the communities in which they dwell.”
Their website now has panoramic views of the auditorium and lobby; they also completed a renovation in 2006.
My recollection is that the original front entrance was converted to fast-order restaurant use when the Coolidge Corner Theatre Foundation took control, around 1989. Originally there was still a door leading from the restaurant into the theatre lobby, but I think that’s gone (or permanently locked) now.
Item in Boxoffice magazine, January 18, 1960 about the Coolidge Corner adopting a first-run policy with French film The Lovers.
View link
The original entrance was in front; it was converted a long time ago into retail space. The exit doors off of the inner foyer were then converted into an entrance. So, you go down the alley along the right side of the building to enter.
Where is the entrance to this theatre? The 1986 photo posted above shows a normal theatre entrance, but current photos seem to suggest that the original entrance has been converted to other usage.
Does one have to walk down the alley to gain entrance to the auditorium portion of the building? What a shame that is, if in fact that is what you must do, to get into such a wonderful theatre. It would be kind of like entering a speakeasy.
I had never been here until yesterday.
This is a fantastic theater.
The Coolidge Corner has joined the Opera in Cinemas network which presents opera and ballet performances from various European theaters. Other eastern-Mass. cinemas in the network include the Loring Hall in Hingham, The Cape Ann Community in Gloucester and the Capawock on MV island.
According to today’s Boston Herald, there will be a 75th birthday celebration for the Coolidge Corner tomorrow at 7PM. The news item says that the theater opened in December 1933, which means that it turned 75 last December. There is also a new book (or “booklet”, which implies that it’s not a full-size book) entitled “Only at the Coolidge: The Story of a Remarkable Movie Theater” by Susan Quinn. Those who attend the celebration will receive a copy of the book. The celebration will include prsentations by Susan Quinn and by Justin Freed. Admission: $15.
This is a recent photo of the Coolidge Corner.
Here is a 1986 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cgjlf4
Thanks Ron! I spent A LOT of time there, can’t believe I forgot the name!
Whoops, I linked to the wrong theatre with that name. Here’s the proper link to the former Academy Twin Cinemas in Newton Centre.
That would be the Academy Twin Cinemas.
I remember sitting in the (mostly empty) balcony with school friends in 1970 watching the matinee double bill of IF IT’S TUESDAY, THIS MUST BE BELGIUM, and THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING, THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING. I don’t recall the films much, so I assume we were just talking a lot and fooling around. Same as I recall going to Fenway to see Red Sox games at the same age!
Does anyone remember the name of the little twin cinema that opened in Newton Center around the same time?
This is a 2009 night view.
For a look inside the Coolidge Corner Theatre (and the long-shuttered Wollaston Theater), please check out our “A Tale of Two Cinemas”:
http://www.castparty.com/cinemas.html