Cedar Lee Theatre

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.

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.

Here is a 1970 ad.

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.

A Robert-Morton theater organ was installed in the Cedar Lee Theater in 1925.

This is an updated link for the Cedar Lee Theater/Cleveland Cinemas website.

Here is a 1935 photo of the Cedar Lee Theater.

From what I found the Cedar Lee Opened in 1926 remained a single screen until 1983, twinned in 1983, 1991 became a fouplex, 1996 became a six plex.

The CL is one of the oldest operating movie theatres in the Cleeland area. Checking back issues of the Cleveland papers, maybe only the Parma is as old or older. Of course, neither of these two exist in their original form, both having been multiplexed.
I remember being in the original Cedar Lee. Believe it had stadium seating. I was told it was a Motiograph booth.