By Town Crier staff

Major movies will be shown in Los Altos three days a week, thanks to an agreement that will allow a non-profit group to show films at Los Altos High School.

The Eagle Theater on campus will begin showing major films to the public beginning Saturday, according to James Gibbs, the new theater director.

“The summer series for families is set to kick off during the Art & Wine Festival weekend with currently popular films,” said Gibbs, who took over as Eagle Theater director June 15.

The Los Altos Cultural Association plans to run a different movie each week, with each film playing three days a week - Friday and Saturday and either a Tuesday or Wednesday.

Movies by all major film studios will be available to the local theater for fund-raisers under a site license owned by the association, said Mike Abrams, association board member and theater program chairman.

“The good news is that with the site license we can show any film for fund raising without paying the usual royalties to the producers or distributors,” he said. “The slightly bad news is that we cannot promote the showings by title in newspapers or on the radio, nor can we charge a fixed ticket price.”

However, the license does allow patrons to be admitted by making donations and “we expect a good response from residents,” Abrams said. Proceeds will go toward maintenance and upkeep of the theater.

Summer 2003 showings will also benefit the performing and visual arts programs at Los Altos High School.

The 350-seat Eagle Theater was opened last fall. Film titles and show times will be available by checking the high school marquee at 201 Almond Ave.