‘Raymond’ Star to Talk With Fans At Palm Desert Screening

will give film fans a chance to get up close and personal with a familiar face Saturday night at a special showing of  “Another Harvest Moon,” followed by a Q&A session with actress Doris Roberts.

The limited-seating screening will begin at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

To Cinemas Palme d’Or co-owner Steve Mason, the event is a chance to meet a Hollywood legend with 60 years under her belt in the industry.

“‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ was one of the greatest shows in television history,” he said. “What made it special for me was that Doris – along with the late, great Peter Boyle – made the family real and relatable, and that’s the same quality she brings to ‘Another Harvest Moon.’”

The film is a sensitive drama about four elderly Americans coping with life in a nursing home.

“Each morning, Frank (Ernest Borgnine), Ella (Anne Meara), Alice (Roberts) and June (Piper Laurie) gather for a game of cards,” he said. “They’ve become like family to one another, offering unyielding support, constant bickering and strong opinions about life, death and everything in between.”

However, Mason continued, one morning Frank reveals to Ella that he no longer remembers his wife’s face and that he doesn’t want to live through another debilitating stroke. Soon after, he persuades his son Jeffrey (Richard Schiff) to give him his old gun because by holding it he finds a way to remember his World War II buddies.

The question is, just what is Frank’s real motive for wanting his gun back?

“‘Another Harvest Moon’ is the sort of amazing little independent film that we really created Cinemas Palme d'Or to play,” he said. “It deals with one of the most pressing issues of our time – quality of life for people in their last years.”

Mason is equally upbeat about two upcoming events at Cinemas Palme d’Or.

Next weekend, on Saturday, June 25, the theater will play host to director Monte Hellman for a special screening of “Road to Nowhere,” the noted director’s first film in 21 years. Hellman will be joined by featured star Shannyn Sossamon following the 7 p.m. showing.

The following weekend – on Friday, July 1 – three-time Emmy winner (and Cinemas Palme d’Or co-owner) Bryan Cranston (“Breaking Bad”) will be on hand for a Q&A session following a special screening of his new film, “Larry Crowne,” which stars Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.

“Bryan is a lead in the film, and he’s bringing co-star and screenwriter Nia Vardalos for this event,” said Mason, adding that Ms. Vardalos is best known for writing and starring in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” “This is one of the most anticipated movies of the summer, and I know that this event with Bryan and Nia will be a sellout.”

Advance tickets for these limited-seating events are available on a first-come-first-served basis at the theater box office or by phone (with no service charge) at (760) 779-0430.

Cinemas Palme d’Or is located at 72840 Highway 111 in Palm Desert.