“Escape from Alcatraz,” shows the real-life story of three desperate criminals, who attempted possibly the only successful escape from “The Rock,” the ultimate prison fortress. Clint Eastwood portrays life prisoner Frank Morris, who in 1962, along with two other lifers, brothers John and Clarence Anglin, used incredible daring and ingenuity to attempt escape from the prison housing the most dangerous criminals in America.

Alcatraz was closed as a prison a year after the escape attempt.

Probably the most realistic prison-break film ever made, directed by Don Siegel, who went on to direct Eastwood as “Dirty Harry,”the movie also features Patrick McGoohan as the vindictive warden, as well as the film debut of Danny Glover.

Film starts at 6:30 pm Thursday, June 9. All seats are $8. Get to the Classics early as they are popular — or buy tickets in advance (see right column on the Rialto website). The Thursday evening Classics are very popular, so you may want to buy your ticket in advance at the box office or online. Getting to the theater early is always a good idea–for a choice of seating and to order food and drinks.

“The great actor Brian Bedford is brilliant in this funny and effervescent production. It’s one of the great performances of the season; to miss it would most definitely look like carelessness.” – New York Times

Roundabout Theatre Company’s critically acclaimed Broadway production of Oscar Wilde’s comedy The Importance of Being Earnest, directed by and starring Brian Bedford, will be captured live during public performances for limited presentations in movie theaters and performing arts centers across the U.S. and internationally. This acclaimed production of The Importance of Being Earnest will be presented in El Cerrito by Rialto Cinemas Cerrito on Thursday, June 2 and Monday, June 13 at 7:00 pm.

“The Roundabout Theatre Company’s staging of The Importance of Being Earnest is the right play, at the right time, with the right company behind it to be filmed for cinema screens. The great casting and critical raves make this Earnest production a “must-see”; yet theater lovers can’t always travel to New York to catch an engagement. Cinema audiences who otherwise might miss out will really appreciate the opportunity to see Earnest captured live from the Broadway stage — just as the show is performed to a live audience — exhibited in their neighborhood movie theater.” – Julie Borchard-Young, BY Experience

The Importance of Being Earnest is a glorious comedy of mistaken identity, which ridicules codes of propriety and etiquette. Dashing men-about-town John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff pursue fair ladies Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. Matters are complicated by the imaginary characters invented by both men to cover their on-the-sly activities – not to mention the disapproval of Gwendolen’s mother, the formidable Lady Bracknell.

All presentations will be at 7:00 pm. Individual tickets are $22 for adults, $20 for Seniors and $15 for Children. Tickets are available through our virtual box office at http://www.rialtocinemas.com. 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.

See El Cerrito Patch’s report about the Long-Awaited Dedication — Cerrito Theater’s “Walk of Fame.”