hepclassic Posted February 4, 2018 Anyone want to help start a chapter/ meetup group? 3 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccchristie464 Posted February 8, 2018 Yes, we should start a local chapter!!! I am in Cleveland Heights. CCChristie 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hepclassic Posted February 8, 2018 Message me for details. I am on the West Side, but let's do this!!!! 2 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foxfight Posted February 9, 2018 I'm west side Cleveland too! I'm interested for sure! 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hepclassic Posted February 9, 2018 Great! Maybe we can find somewhere- a happy, middle, affordable, classy locale and meet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hepclassic Posted May 16, 2018 I still want to see this realized! I've messaged those here, but c'mon. Let's get a presence going! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kcselectrical56 Posted May 31, 2018 I can add three or more members for the application. Maybe more. From the Rocky River and Berea areas. I would like to tie the Chapter in to the restoration of the Variety Theater. If we could be up and running by the re-opening I would like to get statewide exposure, possibly national for the event. I think there are some movie venues on the West Side that could serve as temporary viewing locations for the group. I have an email in to ldemarco@plaind.com She wrote a great piece on the restoration efforts: https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/05/clevelands_historic_variety_th.html P.S. In 2002 a local councilwoman, Dona Brady, recognized the need to restore the Variety Theatre. Brady worked with Gretchen Moore, a commercial director at Westown Community Development Corporation, to establish the Friends of the Historic Variety Theatre, a nonprofit group dedicated to restoring the theater. The Friends raised funds to have a replica marquee built based on photographs of the original, but it has yet to be installed. The group was able to purchase the building on June 12, 2009, after receiving grants and other funding. The apartments in the theater complex have been restored, and are being rented to supplement the restoration of the building. The Variety Theatre will become a multi-use venue when the restoration is complete. [Site description by Matt Lambros - check out his website, After the Final Curtain, here.] 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hepclassic Posted June 1, 2018 20 hours ago, kcselectrical56@gmail.com said: I can add three or more members for the application. Maybe more. From the Rocky River and Berea areas. I would like to tie the Chapter in to the restoration of the Variety Theater. If we could be up and running by the re-opening I would like to get statewide exposure, possibly national for the event. I think there are some movie venues on the West Side that could serve as temporary viewing locations for the group. I have an email in to ldemarco@plaind.com She wrote a great piece on the restoration efforts: https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/05/clevelands_historic_variety_th.html P.S. In 2002 a local councilwoman, Dona Brady, recognized the need to restore the Variety Theatre. Brady worked with Gretchen Moore, a commercial director at Westown Community Development Corporation, to establish the Friends of the Historic Variety Theatre, a nonprofit group dedicated to restoring the theater. The Friends raised funds to have a replica marquee built based on photographs of the original, but it has yet to be installed. The group was able to purchase the building on June 12, 2009, after receiving grants and other funding. The apartments in the theater complex have been restored, and are being rented to supplement the restoration of the building. The Variety Theatre will become a multi-use venue when the restoration is complete. [Site description by Matt Lambros - check out his website, After the Final Curtain, here.] Hi, I saw you also message me privately and will answer- this seems like an amazing undertaking/effort. However, I think we can build into this restoration by holding events/fundraisers. If we were to meet, I know the Capitol Theatre in Gordon Square shows classic movies from time to time. It is usually in the morning, and maybe we can meet each other there and get brunch or lunch in the area afterwards? Thoughts? I don't want to neglect anyone on the East Side either. 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kcselectrical56 Posted June 3, 2018 Sounds good, Hepclassic. I'll see whats's on the upcoming schedule at the Capitol. If there is a venue on the East side we could alternate if there is interest. Plain Dealer, reporter, Laura DeMarco may be able to give some publicity to any events we can set up. Maybe some of the dj's at John Carroll Uni radio station could mention the events, as well. Rick 1 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hepclassic Posted June 12, 2018 So, NEO Backlot members- we are meeting at the Capitol Theatre in Gordon Square in the near future! 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kcselectrical56 Posted June 12, 2018 Anyone who can make it is welcome. The Early Show. I don't see another showing. Showtimes at Capitol Theatre All times are in ET Sun, Jun 17 A Fistful of Dollars 10:00am 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kcselectrical56 Posted June 16, 2018 Hello, Looks like everybody is busy or hasn't looked in. We'll try again when another classic runs. I know the spaghetti westerns are not everyone's cup of tea. TCM just played this Monday. Had not seen it in a while. https://www.facebook.com/Friends-of-the-Historic-Variety-Theatre-219445750326/ Demo prep for the Variety Theater parking lot is underway. My co-worker's parents saw the 1964 Beatles show there. Great times, I'm sure. After the pandemonium, the Mayor banned the Beatles from Cleveland during the 1965 tour. The guys returned and played Municipal Stadium in '66 and the crowd jumped the barriers. There wasn't much the police could do and that helped influence the Beatles decision to stop touring. Crazy. Have a great weekend. Rick 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EileenM Posted June 19, 2018 Hello, TCM Backlot Members from Northeast Ohio! Has this local chapter been officially started? I do not see it listed on the page of Local Chapters. I would like to join so that I have other people to share my passion for classic films. Thanks. 4 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kcselectrical56 Posted June 22, 2018 Hello Eileen, We haven't gotten the app in as yet. Thinking the Capitol Theater should be the venue. They don't run a lot of TCM style classics. I was going to talk to them and see if they had an interest in running them more often and what support they would need for marketing. They would need some ROI for their time and resources I'm sure and that would require a level of ticket sales and ads. RK 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hepclassic Posted June 22, 2018 I wonder if they are one of the theatres that TCM does special showings at. If not, they should be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjm1223 Posted August 18, 2018 Hi everyone, Im here in Lakewood, and just started the TCM membership...I'd love to be included in a local Cleveland(?) chapter! Please contact me ASAP at ****.....the Cedar Lee may be a venue we could explore, as they show more eclectic movies, just a suggestion. I am excited about having a chapter here in NE Ohio! Thanks, CF 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrStax Posted September 6, 2018 Hi! Long-time lurker, first time posting as a Backlot member here! Since TCM asks to potential groups to associate with a "movie theater...that regularly shows TCM Big Screen Classics" may I suggest using the Cinemark Valley View as this location? It does fit this major TCM requirement; it is roughly between the East Side and West Sides of Cleveland, and is easily accessible from Akron/Canton (Youngstown, ehhhhh....). It is also (IMO) a very nice multiplex! Any interest? Email me at dtd916@mindspring.com Thanx! Bob 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMR Posted October 20, 2018 Hi! Has a chapter been formed yet? I am a westsider - new to Backlot I like the idea of making the Valley Vietge groups theatre. They already show TCM movies, the venue is clean, comfortable and has accessible parking. it may not have the ambiance of the Capitol or Cedar Lee but it’s location is easily reached no matter what direction you are coming from and it is handicap accessible. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMoore Posted January 19 Hello fellow Backlot members. Been a member for quite a while but I rarely looked at these threads. I'm all in for a Backlot chapter in Northeast Ohio. I only live 10 minutes from Cinemark Valley View so that's really my "home" theater. Let's do it!! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jill Pixler Posted January 29 I live in Northeaat Ohio and if a Backlot group forms I’d love to meet up. I’ve been searching to see if one was kinda close by. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EileenM Posted February 12 Well, Northeast Ohio TCM fans, do we want to start a chapter? What is the next step? I would like to join so that I have other people to share my passion for classic films. Thanks. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DMoore Posted February 12 I'm still on board to start a Northeast Ohio Chapter. I'm only 10 minutes from Cinemark Valley View and I'm hoping that all of us can connect to get it going. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EileenM Posted March 12 Don’t we have enough interest to start a chapter in Northeast Ohio? I see me (EileenM), DMoore, Jill Pixler, AMR, Mr. Stax, cjm1223, hepclassic, kcselectrical56, foxfight, ccchristie464. Now that I have finished my Miss Barbara from Romper Room impression! Does someone want to volunteer to manage our group? 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bagpiper Posted June 3 hello everyone ! new member....would love to join this group....am a west sider....actually a south west sider of Cleveland !! most any theater on the west side would be my choice....am familiar with most all...favorites are The Capital and also Highland Square in Akron & The Nightlight in Akron !! looking forward to most anything...many thanks !!! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ronald Bonk Posted August 5 Hello Cleveland Film Fans! My name is Ron. I am a Backlots member visiting from Las Vegas. I plan to attend the Sunday, August 11 screening of HELLO, DOLLY! at the Cinemark Valley View location. I will be standing outside the box office holding a "BACKLOTS" sign from 12:15 to 12:30. I will enter the theater at 12:30 for the 1PM screening. Hit me back here if anyone wants to join me. I'm always up to meeting fellow film fans. Dinner afterwards? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
