Friends of the Cerrito Theater is thrilled that classic films will again be shown at our classic Art Deco movie theater.

Rialto Cinemas Cerrito plans a monthly series of classic films. They will be shown the second Thursday of every month – for the bargain price of only $7!

The folks at Rialto Cinemas selected the classics with help from members of Friends. We cordially invite everyone to join us for a series of delightful evenings, which will feature prizes and special events. Settle back with a meal, beer or wine or a soft drink and enjoy!

First up – “Diva,” which, the New York Times says is “like something beamed down from the planet of cool!” This 1981 French film, directed by Jean-Jacques Beineix, involves motorcycle messengers, mysterious opera stars, cops and racketeers – and features a legendary chase scene through Paris. “Every shot seems designed to delight the audience,” wrote critic Pauline Kael, who wasn’t easily delighted. The Village Voice called it “aA brash, snazzy thriller.” And Newsweek weighed in with: “Sensual, funny, outlandish, this is a movie devoted strictly to the pleasure principle.”

Thursday, April 8, 7:15 p.m. All seats, $7.

Next up: An old favorite, a movie that deserves to be seen on the big screen: Roman Polanski’s “Chinatown,” with Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. Catch it Thursday, May 13.

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Starting April 8th Rialto Cinemas Cerrito and the Friends of the Cerrito Theater are thrilled to announce the return of Cerrito Classics! Cerrito Classics is a monthly series of presentations of film classics on the big screen the way they were meant to be seen! Join us the second Thursday of each month to revisit these great movies! All seats $7! Join us for each month for classic movies, trivia and prizes!

The classics kick off with Diva, the genre shattering, art house sensation, re-released on 35mm. This film single-handedly launched the cinéma du look, an explosion of visually stunning, punk-inspired, super- cool French movies in the early 80s.

In this exhilarating modern noir, Jules (Frederic Andrei) is a motorbike messenger who is infatuated with the glorious voice of opera singer Cynthia (Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez), and surreptitiously tapes her. Because Cynthia has never allowed her voice to be recorded, shadowy agents of a Taiwanese record company seek his bootlegged tape. It also gets confused with yet another tape, this one with incriminating evidence about a high-ranking police official. Fortunately for Jules, he joins forces with a sassy young Vietnamese girl and a mysterious Zen philosopher, Gorodish (Richard Bohringer). Many dazzling plot complications ensue, along with one of cinema’s best chase scenes, in and around the Paris Metro system.

Look for Roman Polanski’s Chinatown starring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway on Thursday, May 13th. June’s classic is the comedy Born Yesterday, in July we’ll feature Jaws, August brings To Catch a Thief, September is Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Setting the mood for Halloween October’s feature will be Rosemary’s Baby followed by a newly restored print of The Red Shoes in November and White Christmas in December.

Don’t forget: the second Thursday of each month all seats $7. Be sure to arrive early and plan to watch and dine. Nothing goes better with classic films than a wonderful meal, beer and wine!

For the Cerrito Classics ticket prices are– $7.00 for all seat. The Box Office is open daily from 15 minutes before the first feature begins until 15 minutes after the last feature has begun.

Rialto Cinemas Cerrito, located at 10070 San Pablo Avenue at Central in El Cerrito, opened as Rialto Cinemas Cerrito in July 2009 and presents first run films AND serves traditional movie concession items as well as meals, beer and wine. The Showtime hotline is (510) 273- 9102 and the website is www.rialtocinemas.com

CONTACT: Melissa Hatheway, 707-539-9771, mhatheway@rialtocinemas.com

Rialto Cinemas Cerrito will broadcast the Academy Awards gala. What better way to root for your favorite star than in the historic Cerrito Theater?

The event will be Sunday, March 7. Doors open at 4 – and you are encouraged to dress to the nines or come in costume.

The Rialto promises contests, prizes, a red carpet – and of course, paparazzi. Your host will be Mary Jane Lawless – and the audience itself will be part of the show.

And remember – the theater now sells both beer and wine to go with its many dining options.

Seating is general admission, with tickets costing $20. Visit the box office or buy them online at www.rialtocinemas.com.

See you at the movies!