SCREENING ROOM

The American Cinematheque’s Egyptian Theatre ushers in the Fourth of July one day early tonight with a screening of the 1942 classic “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” above, starring James Cagney in his Oscar-winning role as composer-performer George M. Cohan. Presented in collaboration with the Screen Actors Guild’s 75th anniversary, the musical also features Walter Huston and Joan Leslie, who was just a teenager when she played Cagney’s love interest. Leslie is scheduled to appear before the program. . . . Comedy is king during the Cinematheque’s Summer Laughter series at the Aero Theatre, starting tonight with two of Jacques Tati’s best films, 1953’s “Mr. Hulot’s Holiday” and his 1947 feature directorial debut, “Jour de Fete.” The weeklong festival includes the ultimate John Hughes youth film, 1985’s “The Breakfast Club,” and Carl Reiner’s 1987 farce “Summer School” on Saturday; a Marx Brothers double bill on Sunday; and Martha Coolidge’s 1983 hoot “Valley Girl” and 1985 vehicle “Real Genius” on Wednesday. Coolidge will be there to discuss her work (americancinematheque.com). . . . For cheapskates (and who isn’t these days?), Universal CityWalk begins its Big Free Outdoor Movie tonight with the animated hit “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who,” featuring the voices of Jim Carrey and Steve Carell (citywalkhollywood.com). . . . Long Beach is getting into the free summer fun with its Moonlight Movie series, starting Tuesday at Granada Beach with “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” Cartoons start at dusk before the feature (alfredosbeachclub.com/seafest-movie.html). . . . The Silent Movie Theatre retrospective John Huston’s Beautiful Losers opens Saturday with the writer-director’s multi-Oscar-winning 1948 “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,” starring Humphrey Bogart, Tim Holt and Huston’s dad, Walter, in his Academy Award-winning supporting performance as a wily old prospector. . . . In a different vein, F.W. Murnau’s 1927 masterwork “Sunrise” -- starring Janet Gaynor, who won the first best actress Oscar for this film -- screens Tuesday at the Silent Movie Theatre. The Austin, Texas-based instrumental band My Education will perform its own score for this haunting romantic drama (silentmovietheatre.com).

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-- Susan.King@latimes.com