CU Cinema celebrates summer with screenings on the Straight terrace

Celebrate summer at Cornell Cinema on the Willard Straight Terrace with cocktails, comestibles and, of course, fabulous films. The first of three "Cinema Under Stars" events takes place tonight, July 11, beginning at 8:30 p.m., when the cash bar will open and patrons can watch the sunset over Cayuga Lake from one of Cornell's loveliest locations.

The feature presentation, beginning at 9:30 p.m., is a screening of one of the greatest movie musicals of all time, "Singin' in the Rain," which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer. Advance tickets went on sale July 8, but some may still be available. Call 255-3522 for more information. In the event of rain, Café Cinema will be set-up in the Willard Straight Memorial Room.

Alfred Hitchcock's quintessential comedy-thriller, "North by Northwest," starring Cary Grant, Eva Marie-Saint and James Mason, will be the feature July 18, and Baz ("Moulin Rouge") Luhrmann's first feature film, "Strictly Ballroom," will screen July 25. (As with "Singin' in the Rain," doors will open at 8:30 p.m. and the film will begin at 9:30 p.m.) Advance tickets for each screening will be available starting the Monday before each event from the Cornell Cinema office in 104 Willard Straight Hall, hours 9 a.m.--5 p.m. Tickets also can be reserved over the phone by calling 255-3522.

Cornell Cinema 's summer showcase of "Recent Restorations from Rialto Pictures" continues on Friday with a restored 50th anniversary print of Vittorio de Sica's "Umberto D." (1952). Considered the last great film of the postwar film renaissance in Italy, it was De Sica's favorite film and is revered by Martin Scorsese, who features it prominently in his new documentary on Italian cinema. This new print has been expertly restored and must be seen on the big screen. It will screen Friday, July12, at 7:45 p.m. and Wednesday, July 17, at 9:25 p.m.

All summer screenings will take place in Willard Straight Theatre. Tickets for most screenings are $6 ($5 for undergraduates and seniors, $4 for graduate students and kids 12 and under). For a complete lineup of films, call 255-3522 or visit http://cinema.cornell.edu.