Cedar-Lee Theatre

Ever since the cinema reached six screens, I always thought that this place would benefit from a restoration of the former main auditorium. It would only lose one screen (the cramped, diagonal Aud 2) and restore grandeur that this wonky property could have. I love the Cedar-Lee’s programming, but their theaters leave something to be desired, which is to say nothing of the often-substandard projection.

Here is a 1970 ad.

Just wanted to mention that The Cedar-Lee (& now The Capitol Theatre)have hosted for the last few years what is now called The Melt Bar & Grilled Late Shift series which shows great cult films of the 70s-90s. It runs Jan-Dec, 1 film a month (so 12 films a year) which screen at 9:30pm and Midnight, and only costs $5. I always end up going to at least half of them, this month was Full Metal Jacket for example. The series was originally called The Cult Film Series, then Cleveland Cinemas Late Shit, and now the title I mentioned earlier is named from its new sponsor, a corner bar/restaurant called Melt Bar & Grilled.

I remember this theatre when it was a single screen. Owned by Community Circuit. It played first runs in the late 60s and early 70s. My girl firend (now my wife) use to go there when the films changed.

The July 2, 1929, issue of The Film Daily ran the following obituary for architect Nicola Petti:

“Cleveland — Nocoli [sic] Petti, local architect who designed ten local picture theaters, is dead after a brief illness. He was 49 years old. Among the houses designed by Petti are the Uptown, Variety, Kinsman, Cedar-Lee and Imperial. He is survived by three sons and two daughters.”