Bryant Park Summer Movie with Marilyn Monroe

All summer long I have been meaning to get out and see one of the outdoor summer movies that have been taking place since June. Despite heat and exhaustion on Monday night, I made sure to attend the HBO Summer Film Festival in Bryant Park, showing the Marilyn Monroe movie 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.'

I'd never seen a Marilyn Monroe movie before, and I didn't understand the movie too well. I was there mainly for the experience though, and to have fun watching an outdoor movie with a thousand or so other people who were also attending!

Before it got too crowded...


"Diamonds are a girls best friend"

Bryant Park

Bryant Park is the perfect place to go in the summertime. It is near plenty of subways, restaurants, cafes and even a library (The New York Public Library). There is a nice cool law, lots of chairs and sometimes entertainment. I was shopping nearby and needed a rest from the heat so I wandered over to the lawn where I noticed how amazing the surrounding buildings like the Grace Building, The Empire State Building and The Bryant Park Hotel looked against the blue, cloudy sky.

The W. R. Grace Building

The Bryant Park Hotel

 

The Bryant Park Hotel and The Empire State Building

Close-up of The Bryant Park Hotel

Tree Lighting in Bryant Park

The holiday tree in Bryant Park was lit ton Friday night with musical performances and synchronized skating on The Pond. Since I skipped the tree lighting ceremony at Rockefeller Center on Wednesday (went last year and couldn't find a good viewing spot), I figured the event in Bryant Park would be perfect because there's a lot more space along 42nd and 41st streets.

The event was great and I was joined by Amy while taking pictures of the wonderful holiday tree and its surroundings, which include the skating rink, referred to as "The Pond" and Celsius, a restaurant/lounge/bar overlooking everything in the park.

The holiday tree

Skaters on The Pond

Celsius restaurant

Holiday!

So far the festive holiday stuff that I have spotted around town has been mostly on 5th Avenue. Saks, Henri Bendel, Bergdorf and lots of other stores already have their decorations out. Bloomingdale's on Lexington and 3rd is getting there, and I believe Macy's over on 6th and 7th started decorating first, as I noticed trees (and pumpkins) lining the streets right before Halloween!

There's ice-skating in Rockefeller Center next to the big tree, in Central Park at Wollman's Rink and in Bryant Park at The Pond. I'm not crazy about ice-skating. Too slippery if you ask me, but I'll probably be out and about throughout the winter to watch from the sidelines since there's always tasty food and attractions nearby—especially at the one in Bryant Park!

Cartier, near Saks Fifth Avenue

The exterior of Bergdorf Goodman on 59th & 5th has lots of wreaths!

Wollman's Rink in Central Park

More to come of course...

Broadway in Bryant Park

Every Thursday throughout this summer, Bryant Park will be hosting Broadway in Bryant Park out on the lawn behind the New York Public Library. This past Thursday, songs from The Little Mermaid, 9-5, Toxic Avenger and Pure Country were performed. I love every one, especially Toxic Avenger! 

You can get a sandwich from 'wichcraft, pull up a chair and take in the view (of both the Bryant park stage and beautiful Manhattan above the park's trees).

Here's their calendar for this summer's performances.

The crowds and a view from behind the stage

Allison Janney and crew performing a song from 9-5

View of the Empire State Building (34th & 5th)