"Sunset Boulevard" celebrates the 75th anniversary of its release at the Orinda Theatre on Dec. 30 at 1 p.m.
People have birthdays and guess what? Theaters do too.
Beginning with an 11 a.m. party to honor the theater’s 84th birthday on its actual anniversary date, Saturday, Dec. 27, the joyous holiday season is also full of movie gifts at the Orinda Theatre,
By special arrangement with Columbia Pictures, the theater will show the very movie that opened it in 1941, “Texas” with William Holden, Glenn Ford and Claire Trevor.
And just like the opening day, a news reel and selected short subjects will be shown with the feature. General admission is $13, $11 for seniors 65 or better and children 12 and under.
The Cinema Craft Series, which is held the last Sunday of each month at 1 p.m., offers “Le Roi de Coeur,” or “King of Hearts” as it is known by its U.S. release title, one of the greatest anti-war films ever made. Alan Bates stars with a young Genevieve Bujold. The 1964 movie, directed by Philippe de Broca, is presented in French with English subtitles on Sunday, Dec. 28. Admission is $10 for the matinee screening.
One of the greatest movies about Hollywood ever made, “Sunset Boulevard,” is celebrating its 75th anniversary. The Billy Wilder masterpiece is the Orinda Classic Movie Matinee on Dec. 30. Gloria Swanson is unforgettable as Norma Desmond, a silent screen star keen on making a comeback. William Holden, Erich von Stroheim and Nancy Olsen appear in support in this unusual picture.
The movie is presented with a program of selected short subjects at 1 p.m. Following the shorts, the feature film starts at approximately 1:45 p.m. Admission to the Orinda Classic Movie Matinee is $10.
Beginning in January, admission prices for the two ongoing series will change to $13 general and $11 for seniors 65 or better and children 12 and under.
Also coming in January, a new series dedicated to classic widescreen road show movies with overtures and intermissions, will be held as special event movie experiences the second Sunday of each month at 11 a.m.
The Wide-Screen Road Show Series is $15 for all seats and will include such films as “Lawrence of Arabia,” “My Fair Lady,” “The Shoes of the Fisherman,” “Ben-Hur,” “Doctor Zhivago,” “Camelot” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” in 2026.
More information at orindamovies.com.
Gloria Swanson’ legendary role in “Sunset Boulevard” was complemented by an outstanding cast that included William Holden.
