As its third offering, the inaugural Movies in the Park series will feature ‘Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark’ this Saturday, August 7, on the grass outfield at the Palisades Recreation Center, 861 Alma Real. Admission is free. Under the blue moon, more than 600 people of all ages came to see ‘Grease’ last Saturday night, about 200 more than had seen ‘E.T.’ the week before. ‘It was amazing how many people knew the ‘Grease’ songs,’ said Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Arnie Wishnick. ‘About half the audience sang along and applauded at the end of each song. We’re projecting another happy crowd this week.’ He continued, ‘It was a wonderful feeling; people were arriving quite early this time, having a picnic on the Field of Dreams, kids playing Frisbee, fathers playing baseball with their kids. The Boy Scouts sold candy and soda and David Gadelha, the park’s new senior director, helped hand out 250 free hot dogs.’ ‘We thought it was such a good event, we wanted to lend some support,’ said Gadelha, who barbecued hot dogs along with his staff. ‘We wanted to let people know what activities we have in the fall. Families are coming to the park on a Saturday night who have never been here before. I think it’s a great event, unique in Los Angeles. I think it’s something other parks can emulate in other parts of the city.’ Movies on the 15-by-20-foot screen start at dusk, with seating on the grass beginning at 7 p.m. Bring your own picnic and blankets, but please no chairs with stick legs. And no alcohol. Snacks and drinks will be sold by the Boy Scouts and the park will again provide hot dogs. Wear warm clothing. In ‘Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ renowned archeologist Dr. Indiana Jones is hired by the U. S. government to find the Art of the Covenant, which is believed to hold the Ten Commandments. Unfortunately, the Nazis are also after the Ark. There are fist fights, gasoline explosions, runaway trucks, runaway planes and snakes’lots of snakes’in a film that travels from Africa to Nepal to Egypt. It stars Harrison Ford as the fearless Indiana and Karen Allen as tough gal Marian, Indy’s main squeeze. Also look for Alfred Molina (Dr. Octopus in ‘Spider-Man 2’). The movie is directed by Steven Spielberg, with story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman, screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and music by John Williams. The last film in the series will be ‘The Wizard of Oz’ on August 14. ”The Wizard of Oz” will be a great singalong,’ Wishnick predicted. ‘We’re expecting a big crowd of 1,000-plus to end this season. ‘We had six speakers this time in order to cut down on the noise, once again trying to please our neighbors,’ Wishnick added. As the evening ended, people left the park under the full moon, carrying blankets, food baskets and sleeping children. ‘It’s all about being under the stars, being with friends and having a good time,’ said Palisadian Corrine Bourdeau, who attended along with her husband Andy Koski, daughters Dominique, 7, and Michaela, 2, and three other couples and their kids. ‘We planned an evening around it. It’s an easy way to get together with people, and the movies have been great.’ Families had already arrived for their picnics when Movies in the Park committee members Bob Sharka, Andy Frew and John Wirth came to set up around 5 p.m. ‘They have been working hard setting up the screen and sound system,’ said Wishnick. ‘Mike Skinner was out there again helping along with David Gadelha from the park.’ Chamber President David Williams is committe chairman. The Chamber bought the screen for $7,000 and the sound system for $5,000; the projector belongs to Friends of Film, a Palisades organization. The event’s major sponsor is Wachovia Securities. Other sponsors are Friends of Film, American Legion Post 283 and the Palisades Junior Women’s Club. Helping to make the evening safe is Palisades Patrol, while Chrysalis cleans the park afterwards. Committemember Roberta Donohue rented ‘Grease’ and ‘Indiana Jones’ through Paramount Pictures, who waived all fees, and only asked the committee to show several trailers for upcoming films. Movies in the Park committee members chose this year’s movies, and community members can contact palisadeschamber@earthlink.net or 459-7963 with ideas for films to see next summer.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
