Thurs. June 21

 The first great car movie we saw? Well, that would have to be "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" back when we were, well, young. My god, that thing was impressive. We wanted one! Perhaps, our parents bought us a toy replica. If so it's history now and probably valuable to whoever salvaged it. Now, cars have been stars in many a movie. Some of those cars get mighty smashed up; some are souped-up surreal vehicles of the other realm. Many are involved in chases that if you saw on the local news, well, you'd demand more restraints on those police pursuits. But we digress. The Larz Anderson Museum - where you can see some great old cars - is holdng the three-film series, "Stars & Cars at Larz" starting Thursday June 21 with "Chitty." ("The Great Race" is July 23 and "Back to the Future" is Aug. 23.) VinThey're free and they start at 8 p.m. Vintage cars will be on display. Food vendors will offer their wares. (And no booze on the premises, of course.) Co-sponsored by the Coolidge Corner Theatre.

15 Newton St., Brookline, 617-734-2500 coolidge.org/larz