Steven Spielberg scared swimmers out of the water 35 years ago with a tale of a 25-foot great white shark. “Jaws” remains one of the most frightening movies of all time – especially when seen on a big screen!

Unlike many shockers that have been filmed since, this is a beautifully made movie, well-shot, with realistic characters and – dare I say it? – a degree of subtlety! Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss excel.

“This tale of terror is also a classic adventure saga, ingeniously mounted to evoke our primeval fears,” wrote John Stanley of Creature Features.

See it and scream!

The folks at Rialto Cinemas have selected the classics with help from members of Friends of the Cerrito Theater. We cordially invite everyone to join us for a terrifying evening! Settle back – if you can! — with a meal, beer or wine or a soft drink and enjoy! And enjoy a trivia contest and prizes before the movie.

Thursday, July 8, 9:15 p.m. All seats, $7. Please note the change in time: “Jaws” plays at 9:15!

Next up at the Cerrito Classics, Alfred Hitchcock’s “To Catch a Thief,” August 12.

Speaking of monumental movie anniversaries, Berkeley is part of a worldwide celebration of the 50th anniversary of the movie that defined the FrenchNew Wave, Jean Luc-Godard’s “Breathless.”

The Elmwood in Berkeley, the Cerrito’s sister theater, is one of a small number of theaters in the U.S. chosen to show a 35mm restored copy, with improved subtitles, honoring the 50th anniversary of “Breathless.”

“Breathless” will show July 30 to August 5. Please check the website for movie times: www.rialtocinemas.com.

Also coming up in July, the Cerrito will host the latest production of the National Theatre Live, “London Assurance,”  set in the courts and country halls of 19th century England.  Featuring Dickensian characters and Shakespearean disguises, the twists and turns will keep you laughing out loud.

“London Assurance” plays Monday, July 19th and Wednesday, July 21 at 7 p.m. Order tickets online at www.rialtocinermas.com, or call TIX (800) 595-4849.

Judy Holliday, perhaps the cinema’s greatest “ditzy blonde,” stars in June’s Cerrito Classic presentation, “Born Yesterday.” The 1950 film by George Cukor, one of Hollywood’s top Golden Age directors (“Dinner at Eight,” “A Star is Born”), stars Broderick Crawford as a rough-hewn businessman who hires the nerdy (in this role, at least) William Holden to teach his blonde bombshell girlfriend how to behave in society. How do you imagine she behaves with her attractive tutor?

The folks at Rialto Cinemas have selected the classics with help from members of Friends. We cordially invite everyone to join us for a delightful evening! Settle back with a meal, beer or wine or a soft drink and enjoy!

Thursday, June 10, 7:15 p.m. All seats, $7.

Next up at the Classics: Steven Spielberg’s famous fish story “Jaws,” with Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and one really mean fish. Catch it Thursday, July 18

And don’t miss The Cerrito’s almost-live-from London play:
Dion Boucicault’s 1841 classic, “London Assurance,” a production that has won raves from critics in Great Britain. Simon Russell Beale and Fiona Shaw star in this delightful comedy about love, country life, and fox hunting. “The whole show is a joy from start to finish,” the Daily Telegraph wrote. This National Theater production is shown via video feed. Adults $22, seniors (60+) $20, children (12 and under) $15. Monday, July 19 and Wednesday, July 21 at 7 p.m. Get tickets in advance at the theater or its website: www.rialtocinemas.com.

“Chinatown,” the classic neo-film noir about Los Angeles, the rape of the desert and nefarious real estate schemes, will entertain fans of classic cinema as the second presentation this year of Cerrito Classics.

The Classics are presented by Rialto Cinemas in conjunction with Friends of the Cerrito Theater.

Jack Nicholson stars in this taut 1974 drama, which was directed by Roman Polanski. It features Faye Dunaway and the master of film noir himself, John Huston, director of “The Maltese Falcon.”

Please join your friends in enjoying this great film on the big screen!

“Chinatown” will be shown at 7:15 p.m. Thursday May 13. $7 – a bargain!

For tickets, visit www.rialtocinemas.com.