Circle Cinemas
399 Chestnut Hill Avenue,
Brookline,
MA
02146
399 Chestnut Hill Avenue,
Brookline,
MA
02146
8 people
favorited this theater
Given the impressive research and diligence on this site, the absence of the Circle Theatre is surprising. Now an unremarkable Showcase multiplex, in its heyday the single screen Circle Theatre rivaled the Charles Theatre as the best place to see a film in the Boston area and was, I believe, considered to be the crown jewel of the chain owned by Sumner Redstone.
The Circle Theatre was opened around 1940. It was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary Mullins & Pinansky. The facade of the theatre sported two marquees, one on each side of the front of the building, although only the one on the right-hand side covered the entrance. Seating in the auditorium was provided in orchestra and balcony levels. Many films (a majority of which were Paramount releases) played the Circle Theatre exclusively in the 1960’s and 1970’s, including “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “Rosemary’s Baby”, “Paint Your Wagon”, “Love Story” (which ran for 26 weeks), “Chinatown” and “Three Days of the Condor”. I remember the print advertisements for the Circle Theatre always included the name of the theatre using the same font as the logo for the film then playing there.
After the theater was twinned in 1976 and renamed Circle Cinemas (additional screens were added in 1965), the Circle Cinemas no longer played films exclusively.
It was closed by National Amusements Inc. on September 7, 2008.
Contributed by
Erik Hestnes
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Recent comments (view all 107 comments)
Went by last month, still sitting there silently
<<< Many films played the Circle exclusively in the 60s and 70s, including “Love Story” (which ran for over a year) >>>
The Circle’s engagement of “Love Story” ran for 26 weeks, exactly one-half year.
A developer is proposing to build a hotel on the site; apparently, the building is already slated for demolition: View link
I’m amused that the article describes Applebee’s and Ground Round as “restaurant concepts” rather than actual restaurants.
I found it hard to believe that “LOVE STORY” played that long[one year] even though it was filmed there.26 weeks about par.It probably ran that long at Southgate Cinema.I am sure it seemed liked a year to employees with one screen.
Another article about the proposed project to raze the theater and build a hotel; it has a picture of the theater after it closed that will enlarge if you click on it: View link
The proposed hotel project on the site of the Circle is also mentioned in the business news in today’s Boston Herald. The hotel will have 150 rooms and 24,000 sq ft of retail space. It says that the “60-year-old theater” (actually, closer to 70 y/o) closed two years ago due to slow ticket sales.
More coverage of the proposed hotel development is at Brookline Patch: Part of New Cleveland Circle Hotel Would Fall on Brookline Land
Grand opening ads from October 7th, 1940 and November 24th, 1965 uploaded here.
FYI. The marquee on the theater says it’s “Now Hiring.” Seriously. Not a joke. Potentially very good news. I live near the theater and I’ve noticed lights on and work being done in the prior months.