Come up and see Mae West, and Cary Grant, too, at the Cerrito on Thursday, February 17, at 7:00

Decades before Marilyn Monroe, the ruling blond bombshell was Mae West, who wrote and performed on Broadway the 1928 hit scandalous play, “Diamond Lil.”

Adapting “Diamond Lil” to the screen was the next logical step, but censors balked at its sexiness. However, with a new title, “She Done Him Wrong,” and the plot somewhat softened, a way was found to bring West to the big screen. She brought her gift for double entendres to the movie, and anything left to the imagination was filled in with West’s uninhibited body language. West brought a new kind of humor to the movies.

But it was West’s decision to cast a newcomer as her main romantic interest which cast a palpable glow over a somewhat sordid story. Young Englishman Cary Grant had played in a few movies but hadn’t shown his talents, despite being stunningly handsome.

The combination was perfect; the movie was a big success, and the studio quickly followed up with another movie starring Mae West and Cary Grant, “I’m No Angel,” also a major hit.

In a few years, Grant developed his own unique style, becoming a true Hollywood icon and remaining so for decades.

Set in the seamy Bowery in 1890’s, West plays Lady Lou, a bawdy singer and hostess at a saloon. There are nefarious goings-on at the saloon, possibly counterfeiting and even prostitution.

Next door to the saloon is a mission, to save souls and help the down-and-out, and its Captain is played by none other than Cary Grant. Lou is drawn to the Captain—who wouldn’t be?—but he is able to resist her advances. Because…well, come see the movie and see why that is, and what the surprise ending is…You won’t be disappointed.

“She Done Him Wrong” will play only once at the Cerrito, on Thursday, February 17, at 7:00 p.m. Moviegoers are strongly advised to buy advance tickets at the box office or online, as the movie may sell out. All seats are $9.50. Arriving early is a good idea, in order to choose your seat and also order delicious food and wine or beer.

Upcoming Classics

Cerrito Classics usually play at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. The price is $9.50 for all seats.

Coming soon

• March 17 at 7:00, Suspicion
• April 21 at 7:00, Cat Ballou
• May 19 at 7:00, American Graffiti

Note

Rialto Cinemas Cerrito requires proof of vaccination for all attendees age 12 and up. Please read the details of the policy here, on the Rialto web site.

Find out if the evil Cyclons can destroy the brave Galactica in “Battlestar Galactica” at the Cerrito on Thursday, January 20 at 7:00

In the deepest reaches of space, the fight to save all human life from extinction has begun in this science fiction adventure that launched the Battlestar Galactica phenomenon! Hopeful for lasting peace following centuries of intense warfare, the Twelve Colonies gather to sign a treaty with their dreaded enemies, The Cylons. But after an act of treachery on the eve of the ceremony, the Cylons launch a devastating surprise attack, destroying the Colonies’ home planets and most of their military strength. A lone flagship battlestar, the Galactica, remains to aid the surviving colonists on their epic journey for a new home to a far-off legendary planet: Earth. They must survive the pursuing Cylons in a series of epic battles that will determine the fate of the human race in this non-stop action-packed classic filled with cutting-edge special effects by John Dykstra (Star Wars, Spider-Man).

“Battlestar Galactica” will play only once at the Cerrito, on Thursday, January 20, at 7:00 p.m. Moviegoers are strongly advised to buy advance tickets at the box office or online, as the movie may sell out. All seats are $9.50. Arriving early is a good idea, in order to choose your seat and also order delicious food and wine or beer.

Upcoming Classics

Cerrito Classics usually play at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. The price is $9.50 for all seats.

Coming soon

• February 17 at 7:00, She Done Him Wrong
• March 17 at 7:00, Suspicion
• April 21 at 7:00, Cat Ballou
• May 19 at 7:00, American Graffiti

Note

Rialto Cinemas Cerrito requires proof of vaccination for all attendees age 12 and up. Please read the details of the policy here, on the Rialto web site.

Join Will Ferrell in his adventure to find his elf-roots in “Elf” (2003) at the Cerrito on Thursday, December 16, at 7:00

6ft.-3inch Will Ferrell believes himself an elf. And we believe him, too.

As critic Roger Ebert wrote, “This is one of those rare Christmas comedies that has a heart, a brain and a wicked sense of humor, and it charms the socks right off the mantelpiece.”

The story begins when a baby (played as an adult by Ferrell) crawls into Santa Claus’ toy bag and is transported to the North Pole. There, he is adopted by Papa Elf (played by Bob Newhart), who supervises all the elves, and eventually grows to his full height, among the diminutive elves.

Still believing himself an elf called Buddy, he happens to hear that his biological father is a hard-driving New York businessman, played by James Caan. Buddy sets out to New York to meet his real father.

Complications, including much humor, ensue. They involve various superbly-cast characters, including Buddy’s love interest, Zooey Deschanel, who plays an apathetic department-store elf (on 34th Street in New York, no less), and Mary Steenburgen, who plays Caan’s warm-hearted wife. Another brilliant stroke of casting gives us Ed Asner as Santa.

This delightful soufflé was directed by Jon Favreau.

“Elf” will play only once at the Cerrito, on Thursday, December 16, at 7:00 p.m. Moviegoers are strongly advised to buy advance tickets at the box office or online, as the movie may sell out. All seats are $9.50. Arriving early is a good idea, in order to choose your seat and also order delicious food and wine or beer.

Upcoming Classics

Cerrito Classics usually play at 7:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. The price is $9.50 for all seats.

Coming soon

“Battlestar Galactica” Thurs., January 20 at 7 p.m.

Note

Rialto Cinemas Cerrito requires proof of vaccination for all attendees age 12 and up. Please read the details of the policy here, on the Rialto web site.