Cinemapolis Founders Rich Szanyi and Lynne Cohen
Richard A. Szanyi was born on December 25, 1945, in Hammond, Indiana—one of the factory towns which lie along the southern bank of Lake Michigan, adjacent to Chicago.
He was the youngest of six children—younger than his siblings by thirteen to twenty years. His father and brothers all found steady work in the steel mills and chemical plants of the region, and no doubt expected that Rich would do the same.
When Rich was twelve years old, however, the local grocery store began offering LP records of “The World’s Greatest Music” and his father brought home a different record every week. The introduction to classical music was life-changing for Richard, who said that listening to Beethoven and Bach convinced him that there was a wider world outside of Hammond. He began taking piano lessons soon after, and continued to play the piano avidly for the rest of his life. He became the first person in his family to go to college, working in steel mills every summer to pay his way through Indiana University in Bloomington, where he got a BA and MA in English literature.
In 1973, he met Lynne Cohen, and the two became lifelong partners. Some of their earliest conversations were silly debates about whether cinema or music was the greatest art form. They moved together to Santa Fe, New Mexico where with another couple they built a tiny movie theater, “The Collective Fantasy,” which showed a mixture of new foreign films and classics. In 1983, after seven years, the partners sold the theater. (It is now called “The Jean Cocteau,” and is owned by Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin.)
Rich and Lynne moved to the Ithaca area in 1984 and bought an old farmhouse in Candor. In 1986 they built a new movie theater, Cinemapolis, in the basement of Center Ithaca, and later bought Fall Creek Pictures as well. In 2000, they converted their corporation to a non-profit. As co-Executive Directors, they supervised the planning and construction of the new five-screen Cinemapolis on Green Street, which opened in 2009. Richard and Lynne retired in 2012.
Everyone who knew Rich well remembers his quick wit and his delight in telling stories from the Russian Orthodox church of his youth and his time working in the factories of Hammond. Unlike many wits, he was kind as well as funny.
Richard was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1994, but continued to enjoy life for many years after that–listening to and playing classical music and jazz, reading, traveling and of course going to the movies.
In the last year of his life, Richard suffered a series of health challenges made more difficult by Parkinson’s. He died after a bout of pneumonia on December 27th, two days after his 75th birthday.
He is survived by his partner Lynne, by many nephews and nieces, and by dear friends from throughout his life.
Cinemapolitans are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Rich in the comments section below.
Rich through the years
I didn’t know Rich personally, but I remember Rich and Lynne working the ticket and concessions stands in Center Ithaca and Fall Creek when I first moved to town. The theaters, for me, represented every reason why I moved up to Ithaca from Binghamton after college: amazing people, watching incredible films, having insightful conversations afterward in the wonderfully intimate restaurants downtown. Cinemapolis is still one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon. Thank you, Rich – Rest In Peace and warm thoughts for Lynne as well at this time.
Oh, no. I’m so sorry to hear about this. My heart goes out to Lynne. When I first moved to Ithaca in 2000 I swear my favorite place to go was Cinemapolis – chatting with Rich and Lynne made me feel like I knew Ithaca royalty. So gracious and smart and funny. Thinking of Jodi Cohen right now. Xoxo
Thanks Shaianne. Me too. I went to the theater when first here for a job interview. Met Rich and Cinemapolis. Never left Ithaca and these are two the top reasons. Rich could always make me laugh and gave the best hugs around. Already missing him. And not being able to go to Cinemapolis is the hardest part of the quarantine for me.
In 1988 I sat down for an interview with Lynne & Rich, hoping to earn a job at my favorite movie theater. From that very first moment, seated around a little ceramic-topped table in the basement of Center Ithaca, talking about our favorite movies, I felt like I was part of a new & wonderful family. Rich was one of the warmest, funniest, smartest people I’ve ever known. I am so grateful to him (and Lynne) for introducing me to art house cinemas, and for welcoming me to Cinemapolis specifically. And for teaching me how to make strawberry orange juice!!!!!
My favorite job remains the time I worked at Cinemopolis and Fall Creek Pictures. And Rich (and Lynne) were a big part of that joy. Doing a shift with Rich meant an evening of interesting conversation and laughter. I still put brewers yeast on my popcorn, I can still blend a strawberry orange juice and I still remember the simple joy of adding all the snacks in my head (the $0.85 M&Ms were the toughest).
Read this obituary brought back so many memories, everything from the feeling of sitting at the tables chatting between movies, to the sound of foot steps echoing down the cinemopolis hall to the various smells of the theater.
I’m pretty sure Rich is who taught me how to thread the projector 📽 and made me feel brilliant for getting it right.
He was a real joy to be around.
When I think of Rich I see the twinkle in his eyes as he smiles and imparts another witticism. He and Lynne are and will always be Cinemapolis.
Seeing Rich and Lynne at Cinemapolis, both at the old one and the new one, was always such a treat. They were such avid supporters of FLEFF, the IC-based annual film festival, helping to bring the academic rigors of film studies into the real world. They gave us free rein at their place – and made the whole festival fun for all. They opened their cinema home to us and so many. Rest in peace Rich.
I used to bump into Rich when he delivered eggs to moosewood he always had a smile n I loved going to cinemopolis in fall creek so many wonderful memories ‼️Lynn is so loving also ♥️love to her and to Jodi too💔♥️
Lynne I am truly sorry for your loss. It’s not only a loss to you but a loss for all past cinemapolitans and fall creeker staff. The community has lost a true icon and a very sweet , kind and caring soul. You and Rich made us all feel like family.
I have nothing but found memories of both of you. Im honored to have had the privilege to work with you both for fifteen years. R.I.P. Rich rest easy and tell Dave, Aaron and Ben hello
You and Lynne have given Ithaca and surrounding counties a lifetime of film and the Art’s
We are all grateful 💕
Much love
Such a gracious and generous soul. He will be missed.
Fortune smiled upon me when I discovered Cinemapolis in my early years living in Ithaca. I was doubly blessed by friendships that evolved with Rich, Lynne and others connected to the theatre.
Rich was someone that I just clicked with. There was a period of time when we would get together to play music, he on the piano and me on the flute. I was able to overcome my fear of playing in front of people when we performed our duets for a few friends. I often think of that time and how special and important it was. And that is just one of the reasons Rich was a rare and true friend.
I had the honor and privilege of working for Lynne and Rich, going all the way back to the original Cinemapolis and Fall Creek Pictures days. You just don’t find many people with such genuine warmth and true kindness, which they so graciously channeled into making the current iteration of Cinemapolis a reality. Thank you, Rich, and may your legacy of building community through cinema shine on forever. Heartfelt condolences to Lynne.
This is what I will remember most about Rich: the great conversations we had about classical music, books, politics, and film; the twinkle in his eyes when he shared jokes with me(oh, how he loved to tell me jokes); his kindness and humanity, and his love for Lynne. I watched him fight against Parkinson’s for years and so admired his resilience and determination. The last time I ever saw him was at dinner (with Lynne, Jodi Cohen, and Richard Buttony) a few weeks before I retired to San Diego. When we were all walking to our cars and he turned to me with obvious happiness as he thought about my next step in life. The twinkle was in his eyes and he gave me a big hug. I am so grateful for that moment and for the memories of knowing him for over 30 years. Thank you to Lynne and Rich for all that you have been and done for movies in Ithaca.
Craig Rimmerman
Uncle Rich was my godfather. He and Aunt Lynne befriended my parents during their years in Santa Fe. In 1983, the year I was born, they moved to Candor, but throughout my childhood they always stayed in touch. He would write to me and send me mixed tapes of music he loved always interested in what music and films I enjoyed. Uncle Rich always wanted to share and encourage, and as you all know, the man was hilarious and very intelligent. I think the two qualities go hand in hand. I cherish the times I got to spend with him and Aunt Lynne when they would visit and, as a child, found true comfort knowing I had godparents such as these.
The Collective Fantasy, now the Jean Cocteau theater, is still in operation here in town and I love telling friends about how Rich and Lynne opened it during a time when there was hardly any cinema in Santa Fe at all. It’s still an icon of independent film and art for the town today, holding art openings as well as film premieres.
I got to see him last when they came to my wedding in 2016 and I will always hold those memories close to my heart. I’m very touched reading everyone’s memories of him and I thank you all for sharing them.
Rest in Peace Uncle Rich you always be loved and you will never be forgotten.
I was quite sad to read this. Yet, it brought back many fond memories of Rich. I loved his humor and admired his integrity. I will always treasure my friendship with him, as well as with Lynne (my condolences).
Such sad news but what an incredible legacy to our town. My support goes out to you Lynne.
Liz Einstein
So many happy times when we would go to Cinemapolis, sometimes in a near-private screening on Monday night, when no one else had bought tickets. Thanks to Rich and Lynne for keeping things going through thick and thin, giving us video-less oldsters a gratifying screen experience. The big screen is the real thing, not a handheld phone.
I knew Lynne and Rich way back when we were all students at Indiana University in the early 1970’s. Lynne was one of my closest friends and Rich was a close friend of my partner Mary. Mary and I moved to Santa Fe together, and we were thrilled when Lynne and Rich followed us there a year later. This place is great, I told them, except that there isn’t a good movie theater. Shortly thereafter we said – hey, why don’t we start one? I don’t remember if it was Lynne or Rich that came up with the name for our theatre – The Collective Fantasy. We ran it together for 7 years. Rich was one of a kind, one of the most unique people I have ever met. Just think of the look he gave before he launched into one of his signature stories. As soon as he started a story, everyone just leaned back in anticipation. It was hard to tell who was enjoying the ride more – us listening to the story or Rich telling it. His stories were always well crafted tales told with dry wit, piercing intelligence and well timed hilarity. They showcased his surprising sideways takes on life and human nature. If I had a time machine I would go back immediately right now to sit with Lynne and Rich around a table in the Collective Fantasy lobby next to the plants under the skylight and hear Lynne’s’ infectious laugh, drink some strawberry orange juice and eat popcorn with garlic powder and parmesan cheese and hear Rich tell us one more story. The world has lost one of its most unusual, creative and charismatic beings.