Coolidge Corner Theatre

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.

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.

Here is a 1986 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/cgjlf4

Whoops, I linked to the wrong theatre with that name. Here’s the proper link to the former Academy Twin Cinemas in Newton Centre.

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?

Thanks for submitting the photos, Lost Memory. The Coolidge Corner Theatre marquee is handsome even in the daytime, but it’s especially fantastic-looking at night, when it’s all lit up.

The Coolidge Corner Theatre, right along up there with the Brattle and the Somerville Theatres, is a favorite theatre of mine. Since I have a yearly membership at the Coolidge, I take as much advantage of it as I can, and have seen some wonderful classics there, including WSS. I like the marquee that they have up on top…it’s so cool. I even attended the lighting ceremony of the Coolidge Theatre marquee afew years ago, and it was so cool, seeing all those lights go on for the first time! It added a whole new look to the theatre, making it look even more like a movie palace. I like the new facelift that the entrance and the main theatre received. The chairs are down to four hundred and something now from 600, but it’s worth it, especially because the seats are far more comfortable. However, I only wish that the restrooms were a little bit brighter.

To my knowledge, CVS has always been next door to the theater, not in the same building.

Ron- there is no street number given for the Brookline Theatre. Just “Washington Street”. The photo was taken in April 1941. The theatre entrance was at the right end of a business block at least 3 stories high. One door down on the left is “Boylston Candy Kitchen”. The theatre had a rectangular marquee with the letters spelling out “Brookline” on its top-front. Movies are “Hudson’s Bay” and “Jennie”, black letters on white background. The Report states that the theatre was opened in 1939 (it looks older than that); that it shows MGM films; that it’s in Excellent condition; that it has 800 orchestra seats and 400 balcony seats.

The MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Coolidge Corner Theatre has an exterior photo taken in April 1941. This shows the original entrance on Harvard Street. There is a rectangular marquee with “Coolidge Corner” on the front and just “Coolidge” on the side. The movie is “Back Street”. The Report states that the theatre is not a MGM customer; that it’s in Excellent condition and has 800 seats on the main floor and 400 in the balcony. There are also MGM Reports for the Circle Th. in Brookline and the Brookline Th. on Washington St., both filled out in 1941. Plus a later report for the Hancock Village Theatre in Brookline, which appears to be a strip-mall cinema circa 1950.

If I remember correctly, as of several years ago there were 598 seats in “Moviehouse I” (the large theater). I heard from a former coworker that seats had recently been replaced?

Oh, one tidbit, there’s still an organ room in Moviehouse I from back when the stage was in use. It isn’t publicly accessible (good thing, you have to climb up a rather treacherous ladder and climb through a trapdoor to access it. If you’re in MHI and look to the exit door directly to the right of the screen, it’s above that, concealed by curtains. There is no organ, but there are still openings for pipes in the ceiling.

The Coolidge now has effectively four screens, though the newest and smallest has only 20 seats, with movable folding chairs. Newspaper ads include films (and videos) in all four rooms.

Nice Photo Larry J. Davis