Updated: Showtime for To Catch a Thief on August 12 is 8:30 pm.

Catch another Classic: “To Catch a Thief.” Cary Grant and Grace Kelly, two of cinema’s most fabulous figures, star in one of Alfred Hitchcock’s under-appreciated classics, a 1955 thriller that plays up the comedy and subtle interactions between characters. “There is a credibility and an emotional wholeness, a heart and humor to the characters that other Hitchcock films…conspicuously lack,” biographer Donald Spoto wrote of this film and others written by John Michael Hayes. Thursday, August 12, 8;30 p.m. (Updated 8/6/10)

And don’t miss, this coming Tuesday, August 3: Bob Ray’s Down and Dirty Austin Film Tour!

At 7 p.m., catch “Hell on Wheels,” a wild portrait of roller derby as you’ve never seen it before. A group of hard-hitting Texas women overcome myriad obstacles in resurrecting and revamping the sport, only to find internal strife ripping the fledgling organization apart. Director Bob Ray will be at this screening in person to answer questions. So bring some! Tuesday, August 3, 7 p.m.

And at 9 p.m.: With his latest documentary, “Total Badass,” Bob Ray takes you on an outrageous and hilariously seedy adventure into the Austin underground music and arts scene via wild man-about-town, social deviant, musical/stunt performer, sex addict, Guinea pig enthusiast, writer-publisher, father, weed dealing felon and local maniac Chad Holt. Director Bob Ray will be on hand for this showing too. Tuesday, August 3, 9 p.m.

Buy tickets for Hell on Wheels and Bad Ass at the same time you get the second show for $8! Get tickets in advance at the theater or its website: www.rialtocinemas.com.

Rialto Pictures’ 50th-anniversary release of “Breathless,” the landmark film of the French New Wave, in a gorgeous 35mm restoration with much-improved English subtitles, still bears its creator’s fingerprints. This innovative and influential film has aged well; its scenes have a present-tense immediacy. Godard brought to the screen the jagged, intuitive temperament of youth in a way that nobody else had ever done before. He expressed the terror and mystery of being young and isolated in a big city, even one as “romantic” as Paris.

Michel Poiccard/Laszlo Kovacs (Jean-Paul Belmondo) is a young criminal on the run from the police, after stealing a car and killing a cop. He has an affair with a beautiful young American, Patricia (Jean Seberg), an aspiring journalist who sells the New York Herald Tribune in the middle of the Champs Élysées. Patricia helps Michel to dodge the police, while they steal cars together in order to raise money for a trip to Rome.

It runs for a week, starting Friday 7/23 through 7/29.  Showtimes for weekdays are 4:00, 7:00 & 9:20. On Sat & Sun, it shows also at 1:30 p.m.

Please see Rialto Cinemas for more details.

Steven Spielberg scared swimmers out of the water 35 years ago with a tale of a 25-foot great white shark. “Jaws” remains one of the most frightening movies of all time – especially when seen on a big screen!

Unlike many shockers that have been filmed since, this is a beautifully made movie, well-shot, with realistic characters and – dare I say it? – a degree of subtlety! Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Richard Dreyfuss excel.

“This tale of terror is also a classic adventure saga, ingeniously mounted to evoke our primeval fears,” wrote John Stanley of Creature Features.

See it and scream!

The folks at Rialto Cinemas have selected the classics with help from members of Friends of the Cerrito Theater. We cordially invite everyone to join us for a terrifying evening! Settle back – if you can! — with a meal, beer or wine or a soft drink and enjoy! And enjoy a trivia contest and prizes before the movie.

Thursday, July 8, 9:15 p.m. All seats, $7. Please note the change in time: “Jaws” plays at 9:15!

Next up at the Cerrito Classics, Alfred Hitchcock’s “To Catch a Thief,” August 12.

Speaking of monumental movie anniversaries, Berkeley is part of a worldwide celebration of the 50th anniversary of the movie that defined the FrenchNew Wave, Jean Luc-Godard’s “Breathless.”

The Elmwood in Berkeley, the Cerrito’s sister theater, is one of a small number of theaters in the U.S. chosen to show a 35mm restored copy, with improved subtitles, honoring the 50th anniversary of “Breathless.”

“Breathless” will show July 30 to August 5. Please check the website for movie times: www.rialtocinemas.com.

Also coming up in July, the Cerrito will host the latest production of the National Theatre Live, “London Assurance,”  set in the courts and country halls of 19th century England.  Featuring Dickensian characters and Shakespearean disguises, the twists and turns will keep you laughing out loud.

“London Assurance” plays Monday, July 19th and Wednesday, July 21 at 7 p.m. Order tickets online at www.rialtocinermas.com, or call TIX (800) 595-4849.