SAGINAW — From the start, Tom Kaatz played a role in the Old Saginaw City Lawn Chair Film Festival, but he's taking the lead these days.

And that, with the help of a committee passionate about keeping the summer series rolling, means people can head again for North Hamilton and Ames on July 10 to catch John Vasquez and the Bearinger Boys warming the crowd for the Coen brothers' "True Grit."

"I'm eager to see that one, and I'm really anxious about 'Heartbreaker,' a foreign film that got a lot of attention," Kaatz said.

Preview • What: Old Saginaw City Lawn Chair Film Festival • When: 8 p.m. Sunday, July 10-Aug. 14 • Where: North Hamilton and Ames, Saginaw • Cost: Free • Info: lawnchairfilmfestival.org

The film festival folks are collaborating with the Old Town Motorfest on July 17, carrying the car-gate theme through "Grease" and the early rock 'n' roll sounds of the Bull's Eye Band.

"Another idea we had tossed around for a long time was moving to another site for one night, to give another organization the exposure," Kaatz said. And this year, "Happy Feet," the animated family film about dancing penguins, will be shown at the Children's Zoo at Celebration Square, with Log Jam opening the show.

"I just got off the phone with Nancy Parker and she's thrilled to have 1,500 to 2,000 people stop by. We're going to shoot a promo video for it, interviewing the penguins at the zoo. And who knows? Next year, we might go the Montague Inn or the Japanese Tea House or the Andersen Enrichment Center."

Also returning this year is Argontos, the popular ensemble that will open July 31 for the John Waters classic, "Hairspray."

Arlene Maul and her husband, the late Bob Maul, were the first to come up with the idea of beaming movies on the side of the historic building at North Hamilton and Ames, and in 2003, it was a reality.

And it has continued every year, despite wind storms that shredded the screen in 2007, increases in the various fees and, last year, disturbances among people in the area. Maul stepped aside this year, and handed the reins to Kaatz and his committee, who made security a top priority.

"We met with the police at the beginning, and through many meetings and conversations came up with a plan that would make people feel safe not only when they're on the site but walking back to their cars after the show," Kaatz said.

The biggest difference folks will notice this year, he said, is that the film festival site is totally enclosed with a specified entrance. Citing curfew laws, the festival board will require those 16 or younger to come with a parent or guardian.

The new guidelines also limit people coming into the grounds once the movie started and the coming and going throughout the feature.

"Reserve police officers will be inside the fence, and we'll have on-duty officers around the perimeters, handing the peripheral crowd," Katz added.

Community groups also are interested in policing the grounds, he said, so that Saginaw can again enjoy a free evening of community fun.

"We got a late start this season but we were able to tie up a lot of loose ends and build a solid infrastructure for future series," Kaatz said. "We've made a lot of good contacts and came up with some new sponsors.

"With the resources in place, we can ensure its longevity."

Here are the new rules:

* Bring a chair, blanket or something comfortable to sit on while enjoying the movie.

* In compliance with the City of Saginaw Police Department's curfew law, a parent or guardian must accompany anyone 16 or younger.

* There is no admittance to the Film Festival site 15 minutes after the start of the film, and those 20 and younger cannot return to the Film Festival site 15 minutes after the film starts.

* In respect of others watching the movie, don't talk on the cell phone. If you need to use the phone, excuse yourself and talk in an area where others won't be disturbed.

* No alcohol is allowed in the Film Festival site for any reason.

* No pets are allowed inside the Film Festival site.

* Skateboards and bicycles cannot be used inside the Film Festival site.

Anyone disturbing or causing a disruption during the movie will be escorted out of the Film Festival site and will not be allowed to return.

Here is the film line-up:

July 10 – "True Grit," (2010) featuring Jeff Bridges as an old marshal who helps a determined young woman find the man who killed her father. Music by John Vasquez and the Bearinger Boys





July 17 – "Grease," (1978) featuring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the musical tale of summer love. Music by The Bull's Eye Band. Old Town Motorfest from noon to 4 p.m.

July 24 – "Happy Feet," (2006) featuring the animated feature about dancing penguins, at Children's Zoo at Celebration Square, 1730 S. Washington, Saginaw. Music by Log Jam

July 31 – "Hairspray," (1988) featuring the John Waters version with Deborah Harry, Sonny Bono and Divine, showing how a "pleasantly plump" girl who lands a spot of a local dance show teaches 1962-era Baltimore a thing or two about integration. Music by Argontos

Aug. 7 – "Heartbreaker," (2010) featuring the French story of a rich man who hires a brother and sister in the business of breaking up relationships to derail his daughter's wedding ... in a week. Music to be announced

Aug. 14 – "Ghost World," (2001) featuring the story of a pair of social outsiders who, after graduation, play a mean prank on a middle-aged geek. Music to be announced