Coolidge Theatre
650 Mount Auburn Street,
East Watertown,
MA
02472
650 Mount Auburn Street,
East Watertown,
MA
02472
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A typical neighborhood theatre. I worked as an usher here in the summer of 1965.
Contributed by
robert arria
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
Also, should be added that this was an E.M. Loew house.
The 1927 Film Daily Yearbook lists only a Strand Theatre in Watertown, with 600 seats. I don’t have a MGM Report for the Coolidge, although one may have been completed. However, there is a Report (May 1941) for the Watertown Square Theatre which happens to list the Coolidge Theatre as the only competing theatre in the area.
The Paramount in Newton Corner would have been much closer competition for any theatre in Watertown Square.
The Coolidge Theater was located at the corner of Templeton Parkway and Mount Auburn Street (not Arlington St as is reported on some web sites). I grew up at 24 Templeton Pkwy and only had to walk past 3 houses to the movies. I spent most Saturday mornings at the Coolidge Theater watching serial movies of Lone Ranger, Captain Marvel, Buck Rogers and Zorro, wishing they draw my lucky ticket to win a Schwinn bicycle. They never did, but it was fun anyway. My cousin was an usher in the 1950s. Unsure when it was torn down but may have been in the 70s, then there was a fast food restaurant and 7-11 on the site.
I grew up on Templeton Pkwy as well in the mid 50’s – 70’s, and I think the theater was torn down by 1970-71 at the latest. A Jack in the Box replaced the theater and all the small stores along the street. I have a wonderful photo of the marquee taken by my uncle, Harry G. Jones. Judging by the films advertised, it is from 1945. I also have many vivid memories of Saturday afternoons there, and I distinctly recall seeing the Beatle’s A Hard Day’s Night there in 1964 at the cost of $1.
I just tried to upload the photo here and it seems the feature is not available at present. When it is, I will post it.
It’s been a few years since anyone has commented, so I’ll share a memory or two. Happy to see this photo from The Coolidge Theatre. I spent many a day (and night) at this movie palace, as a kid and teenager. I have such GREAT memories of this place. Oddly enough, my Dad was an usher there in the early 50’s and used to let my Mom sneak in through the side door from time to time. While I’m grateful that this pic exists, I recall a different marquee (COOLIDGE in a cursive style font which was beautifully lit neon at night) The large COOLIDGE sign on the left side of this pic was gone when I first started going there in mid 50’s) I believe the first movie I ever saw there was a Saturday matinee of “Frankenstein” I LOVED everything about The Coolidge. That COOL marble lobby in the summertime, the layout inside complete with balcony. I saw SO many movies there, I believe the seeds of me becoming an actor were planted there…way…back…then. In 1961, I remember going to see “The Guns of Navarone” every day on my Christmas vacation! Such a fantastic time in my life. Another bit of movie trivia for all you Townies, is actor and good friend of mine, Richard (Dick) Bakalyan spent a lot of time at The Coolidge (he was banned for life but reappeared one day when the movie “Delicate Delinquent” which he co-starred with Jerry Lewis was playing there) Dickie loved telling that story of being banned only to come back once he “made it” in Hollywood. A stand up guy, who worked with everyone from Sinatra to Jack Nicholson, he is truly missed. Google him for a list of his movies, he was an inspiration to me. Ah…The Coolidge Theatre, sweet memories of days (and nights) gone by. Thanks for letting me bend your ear…
Thanks for the photo David55. Much appreciation.
You are very welcome, Jimmy1953
https://pipeorgandatabase.org/OrganDetails.php?OrganID=60656 https://pipeorgandatabase.org/OrganDetails.php?OrganID=60657
Apparently there was a noteworthy pipe organ installed at the theater, a Wicks Organ Co. Opus 555 (1925) model. The link above says it was built in 1925 for the Coolidge Theatre, East Watertown, Massachusetts. Moved at unknown time to St. Michael the Archangel R.C. Church, Lynn, Massachusetts. Closed closed ca. 2007. Organ for sale in 2017. (Steven E. Lawson. October 20, 2017).