Cedar Lee Theatre — Attraction in Cleveland Heights

On Saturday October 10th, 2020 I arrived at Cedar Lee Theatre to see a Woody Allen film. Upon arrival I checked in at their self service computer as they do not currently have the ticket box staffed presumptively due to covid.

After scanning my code and getting the ticket I proceeded into the theatre and as I headed to the restroom I noticed what looked like the manager, looking at me, which is fine as I am handsome :-)

I depart the bath and down the hall toward the theaters, and as I was making my way to the theater down runs an employee who asks to check my ticket! No problem, I let her check my ticket and while she glared at it reading every single line on it (guess they thought I'd go to the trouble of using an old ticket or picking a discarded one up off the ground outsde) I told her she could put her handcuffs away and not arrest me. Oy vey.

So I decide to go back up to stand next to the lobby entrance and wouldn't you know it, I saw many other patrons come directly in and NOT be asked to produce their tickets! Seems to me that if they want to selectively enforce a random ticket screening process they might want to mix in some other demographics other than 6'3'' 245 pound Black men!!

Yes, there are some Black men who are also cinephiles who actually pay for movie tickets in order to support theatres such as your own!

In these times, you'd think a place like Cedar Lee Theatre would be kind of above this level of pettiness.

Suggestion: If you want to be certain that certain people entering the theatre have paid for a ticket, howabout staffing the entrance with someone who FAIRLY screens ALL incoming...

I have a great affinity for the entire Cleveland Cinemas consortium of theaters: they are local, they invest in keeping some of Cleveland's notable historic movie houses in use, and they offer a delightful bevy of special film events.

Of the Cleveland Cinemas theaters, the Cedar Lee is first among equals in my estimation. My idea of a perfect (rainy, freezing, sweltering - insert an adjective for inclemency here) evening involves dinner at Momo's Kebab, a glass of wine at the Wine Spot, and a showing at the CL.

Apart from the Cinematheque, the CL has long the singular spot in town for movies not of the blockbuster variety. I have many cherished memories of being exposed to ideas, aesthetics, humor, and culture through the screens of the CL in the pre-digital era when, if not for this resource, those experiences would have been difficult to come by.

Whereas a trip to the multiplexes (you know the ones) can be a soul-sucking slog through the bowels of idiocy and gluttony, a trip to the CL feel like a frolic: their rotating titles take you through dramatized history, contemporary documentary, cult classics, and cutting edge comedy - all with a GLBC brew or theme cocktail in hand. The theatre isn't a sprawling, corporate Disneyland; it's a proud, classic movie house that's been well-loved over decades.

Tip: I recommend joining the Cleveland Cinemas reward program; I am not a frequent movie-goer and I still get some real, enjoyable freebies...

Well this is the first film I've seen on the big screen with (a few) other people since Sunday March 15 2020 which was the last day the Cleveland Cinematheque showed a film and the re-opening thereof is very much up in the air.

I first went to the Cedar Lee when it had one big screen, and I think after it was twinned I attended every year when they had the Cleveland International Film Festival there until it was moved to Tower City. 2020 was supposed to be the last year there...but the season of the Coronavirus had other plans. No idea what will happen with Playhouse Square in 2021.

I enjoyed the film LA VERITE (THE TRUTH) with Juliette Binoche and Ethan Hawk as a married couple and Catherine Denueve as Juliette's mom.

What can I say? It's the season of the Coronavirus! I've seen films with fewer people - David and Nikki and the staff are all quite pleasant. They still have food - so if the idea of people taking off their masks to nibble a pretzel 🥨 or sip a drink makes you a little uneasy...I don't know...go to one of the four corners of the theatre or as far away as you're comfortable with.

Hey - give it a shot...and no. I'm not going to use Donnie's...