Sabrina

The very first movie I saw in Bryant Park was Sabrina, with Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden. My friend, John, and I stumbled upon the movie in the park behind the New York Public Library. The movie was about to start when we arrived and the only place to sit was back by the projection Airstream trailer. It was magical, sitting under the stars, watching the shot of the “Larrabee Building” skyscraper as it rose up into the heavens and seemed to blend with the actual skyscraper behind the movie screen. Loved it!

Over the years, we’ve enjoyed many movies in Bryant Park. As the event became more publicized getting a spot on the lawn became more complicated and took the meticulous planning  of a military operation. Oy!

This year, Sabrina had a return engagement in the line-up of the 25th year that the movie series has been shown in the park. We may as well have been planning some kind of caper, what with equipment and timing nailed to the smallest detail.

My darling daughter and I arrived at 4 p.m. to await the opening of the lawn at 5 p.m.  The lawn, totally vacant at 4:59 p.m. became a sea of blankets by 5:01 p.m.  We ran out on the lawn at 5 p.m. with the other stalwarts to score a prime location on the lawn for us and our guests.  The time from 5 p.m. until about 9 p.m. when the movie started, was whiled away in conversation, eating dinner, playing cards and making use of the excellent rest room facilities.

Just before the start of the movie, the crowd got to their feet to perform the traditional choreography to start the show. Yes, young and not so young alike jump around to the music!

A delightful afternoon and evening in the midtown Manhattan park with friends and family. How does it get better than that?