Hitchcock’s two unforgettable characters—played by Cary Grant and Joan Fontaine—in “Suspicion” (1941), at the Cerrito on Thursday, March 17 at 7:00.

In “Suspicion,” Alfred Hitchcock brought together two vividly-created characters. Joan Fontaine plays Lina McLaidlaw, a shy young woman who seems fated to become an old maid; she also has a very wealthy father. Cary Grant plays Johnnie Aysgarth, a charming rogue who turns out to have a penchant for gambling. The two meet on a train; Lina is smitten; does Johnnie have an agenda?

Hitchcock utilizes his gift for suspense, by alternating moments of suspicion and moments of reassurance. Hitchcock and Grant hit it off professionally. Grant took possession of a darker character than in his earlier roles, a true test of talent that he might not have known he had.

As for Fontaine, she won the Best Actress Oscar as Lina for 1941, vindicating her loss of the same award the previous year for the somewhat similar character of Mrs. de Winter in “Rebecca” (also a Hitchcock film).

“Suspicion” was nominated for Best Picture for 1941, and also for Best Music in a Dramatic Picture.

Hitchcock, Cary Grant, Best Actress Joan Fontaine—what more would you want from a movie?

“Suspicion” will play only once at the Cerrito, on Thursday, March 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

• 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.

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.