Outdoor movie rush

“Attention everyone, the lawn will open in 5 minutes. Once the lawn is open, you may proceed in and take your spot on the grass for the movie. There’s plenty of space, so there’s no need to rush.”

No need to rush. Right…then why is the entire exterior of the lawn lined with eager blanket-holders ready to dash and lay claim to the precious grass space? I looked around at the other “summer outdoor film series” enthusiasts waiting in Bryant Park at 4:55pm on Monday afternoon. We were all here to relax on the spacious green area and enjoy a film projected on a large screen at one end of the lawn. Tall buildings struck out from beyond the trees and a dazzling sun was gradually setting behind them.

Every Monday night in the summer there’s a free movie shown in Bryant Park and people come with blankets and picnics and watch the movie in a beautiful outdoor setting. I imagined the experience to be laid back and chill…but when I arrived early as the officially appointed “space saver” for my group, I was met with a hundred other people waiting just beyond the roped off lawn with intense eyes staking out the best spaces on the lawn.

“The lawn will open in, 10...9…”
“Whoa, there’s a countdown?”
“8…7…”
“Why does everyone already have their blankets out?”
“6…”
“Is that girl wearing cleats?!”
“5…4…”
“Holy cow, I think everyone is gonna run for it!”
“3…2…”
“AAAHHHHH!!”
“1! GO!”

I ran with my sheet waving like a flag and darted around people who flung themselves to the ground claiming space. I dashed up the middle and planned to head as far to the front as possible. A dense wall of blankets sprung up in front of me and I slung my sheet to the ground. In about ten seconds every bit of grass was covered with a blanket and everyone was scrambling to stretch their coverings to their maximum breadth. What the heck was that?!


This was at 5:00pm. The movie started at 9:00pm. Fortunately, Marc and friends arrived a little later with food and wine and we reclined on the lawn enjoying the summer air. The film was “Dog Day Afternoon” staring Al Pacino and was a fun movie to see. The 6 hour investment was worth the experience…in part because you get to say, “Only in New York…”