Stars on the screen and in the sky

With summer in full swing, the movies are heading outdoors. On Thursday nights until the end of August, Universal CityWalk is showing mostly recent releases on a giant screen for free. On tap tonight is last year’s “Mamma Mia!” Included in the fun is ABBA-inspired live entertainment. www.citywalkhollywood.com

The Westfield Century City shopping center has also gotten into the free outdoor movie act Wednesdays on the Level Two dining area. Unlike the Universal fare, these films are definitely on the vintage side. Next week is the 1986 hit “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” www.westfield.com/centurycity

Cinespia continues to screen films Saturday and Sunday evenings under the sky -- but not for free -- at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Steven Spielberg’s 1975 thriller, “Jaws,” is on tap for the Fourth of July, with Terry Gilliam’s 1985 fantasy, “Brazil,” unspooling Sunday. www.cinespia.org

Cagney at New Beverly

Indoors, the New Beverly Cinema is celebrating the Fourth of July this Friday and Saturday with a double bill of James Cagney flicks: 1942’s “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” for which Cagney won a best actor Oscar, and 1955’s “Love Me or Leave Me,” the terrific biopic on torch singer Ruth Etting (Doris Day). Cagney received his third and final best actor Oscar nomination as Etting’s mobster/manager husband. www.newbevcinema.com

Director’s cut of ‘1776’

The American Cinematheque waves in the holidays Friday evening with the restored director’s cut of “1776,” the 1972 movie musical about the country’s Founding Fathers based on the 1969 Tony Award-winning hit. Director Peter H. Hunt will be at the Egyptian Theatre to discuss the film.

The Cinematheque’s Robert Wise tribute begins Wednesday at the Aero Theatre with two of his most satisfying film noirs, 1947s’ “Born to Kill,” with Lawrence Tierney and Claire Trevor, and 1959’s “Odds Against Tomorrow,” starring Robert Ryan, Harry Belafonte and Shelley Winters. www.americancinematheque.com

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susan.king@latimes.com