One last ‘Story’ for season

Darleene Barrientos

The Alex Film Society has reserved its last night this season for

love, “West Side Story”-style.

The society’s season ends Saturday with two screenings of the 1961

movie musical “West Side Story.” The Academy Award- winning musical

stars Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Russ Tamblyn and George Chakiris.

Chakiris, who plays Bernardo, will also be on hand as the theater’s

on-stage guest during the second showing Saturday.

The nonprofit organization shows classic American films at the

historic Alex Theatre at 216 N. Brand Blvd.

Its next season starts Sept. 20, celebrating vaudeville with

Laurel and Hardy’s “Sons of the Desert,” society President Brian

Ellis said.

The society generally shows movies considered to be traditional

American films, which are still popular -- the society’s last few

shows have sold out, Ellis said.

“It’s much different watching it at home, then the phone rings,”

he said. “It’s truly a unique experience to see a film in a crowded

theater on a big screen.”

The society shows “West Side Story” at 2 and 8 p.m. Both

screenings will include the 1935 animation short “Music Land,” from

Walt Disney’s Silly Symphonies series.

Tickets are $7 for the matinee showing and $8.50 for the later

showing. They are available online at www.alexfilmsociety.org, by

phone at 243-2539 or in person at the Alex Theatre Box Office.