Friends of the Cerrito Theater strongly supports efforts by the City of El Cerrito and Rialto Cinemas to reach an agreement on the proposed sale of the historic, 1937 Art Deco-styled Cerrito Theater to Rialto Cinemas.

On June 19, the El Cerrito City Council is scheduled to discuss and vote on a sale of the Cerrito Theater to the theater’s current operator, Rialto Cinemas, which leases the building from the city.

Negotiations are ongoing and no final agreement has been reached. But city staff and Rialto are developing a plan that, if incorporated into the sale agreement, would ensure that Rialto Cinemas Cerrito, as the theater is known, would continue to successfully show first-run movies, special screenings, and movie classics, and to sell food and beverages, without interruption.

In addition, Rialto would agree to continue providing 12 community days for special screenings by local organizations.

Importantly, Rialto Cinemas would agree to preserve all of the theater’s historic elements, from the façade and neon marquee to the etched glass in doorways and a mirror, the original painting scheme, light sconces and more. A mechanism to ensure this preservation is being developed.
On top of that, Rialto would agree to a permanent deed restriction requiring that the building be operated “in perpetuity” as a theater or performance space. (Though not necessarily as a movie theater.)

That means that, 10 or 20 years down the road, we would not be seeing condos or a drug store in that space.

Friends of the Cerrito Theater, which has been working to restore and preserve the theater since 2001, believes this proposed agreement is the best outcome we could have. The city never intended to own the theater forever.

We commend the City Council and city staff. We also thank the owners of Rialto for working with the city towards a positive solution.

Friends hopes to continue our close and cooperative relationship with Rialto after the sale, including presentations of classic movies.

Friends of the Cerrito Theater will follow this process closely. Members of the public can learn more by contacting Melanie Mintz, Community Development Director at 215-4339 or mmintz@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us.

There will be a public meeting in the small meeting room at the theater at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 6. We encourage people to attend. The City Council is expected to discuss and vote on the sale at its Tuesday, June 19 meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Come along for the ride (a wild one) with “Thelma and Louise” at the Cerrito on Thursday, April 12, at 7:00!

“Thelma and Louise” is a road picture, a buddy picture, except this time the buddies are women. Was it also the opening salvo in the new feminism?

There is definitely a lot of fun involved—the movie is “subversively buoyant,” as one critic put it. It’s about two unforgettable women, out for an adventure, bonding and discovering their inner selves…as things happen.

Of course, men are involved, including Brad Pitt and Harvey Keitel.

Both Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon were nominated for Best Actress. There were six nominations in all for the movie, including for acclaimed director Ridley Scott. The Oscar for best original screenplay went to Callie Khourie.

Few would disagree: “Thelma and Louise” is more relevant than ever, probably in a way that the filmmakers couldn’t have anticipated.

“Thelma and Louise” plays once only on Thursday, April 12 at 7:00 p.m.. All seats are $9.00. Moviegoers are strongly advised to buy advance tickets at the box office or online, as many shows sell out. Arriving early is a good idea, in order to choose your seat and also order delicious food and wine or beer.

Scene

So many choices at Scene! There are flatbread pizzas, a charcuterie and cheese sampler, baked sandwiches, “bites,” salads, desserts, and much more. You can enjoy them there, or have them brought to your seat while you watch the movie. The atmospheric food/wine bar is a fun place to hang out, with special wines and beers available. Check it out!

Upcoming Classics

Cerrito Classics will be on hiatus beginning in May but will return in September:

• Thursday, September 13, at 7 p.m. “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (1981)

See you then!

Cerrito Classics play monthly, on the second Thursday of the month, at 7:00.

Learn about “The Trouble with Harry” at the Cerrito on Thursday, March 8, at 7:00!

Alfred Hitchcock is a familiar name—but do you associate him with black comedy? You should see his 1955 movie, “The Trouble with Harry.” It’s funny, it’s macabre. One reviewer also called it “a romantic comedy with thriller overtones.” You’ll decide for yourself!

It takes place in an idyllic setting: small-town Vermont in autumn. But the peace is greatly disturbed by the discovery of a dead body. Yes, it’s Harry. But what happens then couldn’t be predicted.

Seems like a lot of people in the town had some doings with Harry. There’s an attractive young widow, played by Shirley MacLaine—in her very first movie role. There’s an old sea captain, played by Edmund Gwenn. There’s an array of small-town eccentrics, such as the dotty spinster, played by Mildred Natwick. Also an unusual young artist, played by John Forsythe. You may be surprised to see child actor Jerry Mathers, before he gained fame as Beaver on “Leave it to Beaver.” And don’t forget to look for Hitchcock himself, in one of his fleeting cameos!

“The Trouble with Harry” plays once only on Thursday, March 8 at 7:00 p.m.. All seats are $9.00. Moviegoers are strongly advised to buy advance tickets at the box office or online, as many shows sell out. Arriving early is a good idea, in order to choose your seat and also order delicious food and wine or beer.

Scene

Do you mean you haven’t visited Scene yet? You’re missing out so many possibilities—such as flatbread pizzas, a charcuterie and cheese sampler, baked sandwiches, “bites,” salads, and desserts. You can enjoy them there, or have them brought to your seat while you watch the movie. It’s also a fun place to hang out, with special wines and beers available. Check it out!

Upcoming Classics

• Thursday, April 12. 7 p.m. Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon (also Brad Pitt) in “Thelma & Louise” (1991)

Cerrito Classics play monthly, on the second Thursday of the month, at 7:00.