Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Cedar Lee Theatre

You don't have to be a film critic or movie aficionado to have had the great pleasure of seeing a movie at the Cedar Lee Theatre.

In fact, most people I've spoken to have seen a flick there at one time or another, yours truly included!

Believe it or not, the Cedar Lee opened back in 1926 and has taken Cleveland by storm ever since.

I'm told it started out with one screen back in the day...through the years, numerous renovations transformed this landmark movie theatre into the state-of-the-art 6 screen entertainment center it has become today.

The Cedar Lee has always been in the forefront trying to engage its captive audience from its cutting edge concession stand which offered treats and libations no other theatre contained at the time to its unique movie selection.

The master mind behind the Cedar Lee, Jon Forman, has a long, revered history not only in the Cleveland Movie business but the Creative Arts world in general.

The Cedar Lee prides itself on its choice collection of movies. It does not matter how big or small, how much or how little money was spent on making the movie, how big the star or unknown the protagonist. Each selection a true winner.

If you want to see the best Foreign Films, Independent creations, even Hollywood movies, check no further than the Cedar Lee. They've had and continue to have their share of Cleveland Movie Premieres as well as interesting Film Festivals.

Quite unassuming on Lee Road near the corner of Cedar in Cleveland Heights, it continues drawing in movie fans of all ages.

The Cedar Lee Theatre Cult Film Series presents the hilarious thriller, 'Clue' all weekend long (February 7th and 8th). However, Sunday's performance adds a genius twist. First, to get in you pay $1.00 and then roll one die to give you the rest of your total admission fee. Then, once in, during the movie, LIVE interactive actors will be mingling with the movie-goers throughout the entire Sunday performance, which kicks off at 9:30pm.

And talking about Cult Films, as far as I know, the Cedar Lee continues running the great Cult Film, 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' at midnight on the first Saturday of each month.

We all know Cleveland excels in the Arts and Entertainment department. We have the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum--which this year kicks off a week long celebration beginning with the Moondog Coronation Ball ending with the Rock Hall Induction Ceremony. We have dozens of venues bringing the hottest bands and acts into town each year. We have the world-renowned Cleveland Orchestra and Youth Orchestra. Many movies have already been filmed right here in our own backyard and, I'm hearing there are many more to come! And Cleveland's Theatre Row on Euclid Avenue and East 14th Street ranks in the top 5 of the greatest Theatre Districts in the whole world!

I've only touched the surface. I could drone on and on for pages mentioning the influence Northeast Ohio has had on the overall landscape of the World Arts' Stage.

Suffice it to say, Cleveland's at the top!

And one of those venues shooting Cleveland straight to the top is the Cedar Lee Theatre. If you have not indulged yourself in the Cedar Lee experience, please take a swing by soon, and you too, will see why I have chosen the Cedar Lee Theatre as this week's Hidden Gem!