Bryant Park Summer Movies: More Crowded Than Ever?

Photo by Kati Solomon/Bryant Park Corporation

Last night Bryant Park kicked off its summer movie series, transmitting this aerial shot of a massive crowd (you can't even see any blades of grass—check the close-up). These events usually get crowded, but this is like Black Eyed Peas canceled Central Park concert crowded! Which is sort of nice, actually... that just as many people want to see One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. There is hope yet!

Director Milos Forman was also on hand to introduce the movie last night, which may have added to the draw. Yesterday Bryant Park noted that, "It doesn't always fill up quite this fast," adding the earlier you can show up for the screenings, the better.

With this kind of crowd, it probably doesn't even matter if drinking is legal—but we're checking on the park's status with the State Liquor Authority, and will update when we hear back. In the meantime, prepare to fill up your Sigg bottle with some Rosé for next week's screening of Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps.

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By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on June 21, 2011 9:30 AM

Comments [rss]

BklynsFinest

i dont often bother with commenting on this page but all of you who didnt attend but still commented with some fake authority about how awful the overcrowding was, you are all fucking idiots. small minded and terrified obviously.

People enjoyed themselves, spread blankets out, came in groups, relaxed before the movie generally had enough room to be comfortable and stretch out and cleaned up upon leaving.

I'd speak more about how intelligent people operate in groups, but I dont want to give you idiots instructions on how to blend in. dueces.

NikhilChaundry

Yeah when there is enough room to breath...

TheRealCannibal

FUCK. THAT. SHIT.

Christopher Havens

same thing happened to dumbo movies, very very crowded now

Mr Mel

Some of the unhappy people might have enjoyed Bryant Park more in the 80s and 90s, the 1980s & early 90s that is. The park would have been nowhere as crowded as last night and you would have had the opportunity to play cowboy and fight for your life. I think we should all thank HBO and the Bryant Park BID for turning into the Oasis we know and love.

jfu222

When did "real new yorkers" turn into such whiney pussies?

Duh, I'm an idiot .. . it happened when people could post annon on forums. Opps.

respect your respectful neighbors, fuch the douchebags, get out there and have some fun!

(or sit home and complain..it's your life)

NikhilChaundry

No such thing anymore, they all live in jersey now, NYC is for rich hipster kids and the gays(who can afford it because they share their wealth with multiple partners rather than this marriage thing- don't have a clue why gays want to oppress themselves like the breeders do.....)

xXxMExXx

This may be an argument for that evil “sprawl” the enviro-loons always cry about.

Gwinny

Do they still show that old HBO interstitial at the start that everyone dances to? I'm guessing they don't, but that was really the best part of the Bryant Park screenings.

kimpossibble

In fact, they do.

mcdj

What amazes me is that the census says NYC's population is no bigger than the last census. What a crock. My own block on E18th used to be blissfully quiet and empty...now you can't get down the sidewalk without bumping into some annoying 20 something Blackberry Appletini warrior.

The city is more crowded than ever. The only thing that's gone down is the quality of the people living here.

NikhilChaundry

No jobs in the suburbs anymore

BoogieDown

Totally agree. It seems so much more crowded than even a few years ago.

kimpossibble

I was there, it was a lot of fun. I'm happy to hear that all you haters are planning to stay away though, we don't need any additional people, especially ones with such sour attitudes.

bigyup

sounds like fun

TheKingofEngland

I'll go next week if Alfred Hitchcock is there to introduce the film.

NikhilChaundry

He's going to be there? Awesome,I'll be the first there to get his autograph on my Pyscho starring Anne Heche poster,that movie was classic. Has Hitchcock done anything new since the gay mayor biopic?

caspian915

How many were there to sit quietly and enjoy the movie and how many were there just to check in on foursquare/facebook and gab incessantly in spite of the movie with their girl/gay-friends about this awesome "New York experience", their "super cute" rental on a "fab" block on Ave A, or their so-much-fun marketing internship? (am I leaning on stereotypes? eh, sure, but do you know a lot of straight men that gossip and "catch up" at a movie screening?)

NotAnActor

Once the movie started, there wasn't much incessant gabbing. At least in the front. And I can't say that any of the 20 or so people in our group were concentrating on Facebook and Foursquare as much as they were concentrating on drinking wine, eating snacks and having good conversation. The ages of our group, btw, ranged from mid-20s to mid-40s.
Oh, and this straight man (and all the other straight men in our group) spent the 4 hours before the movie "catching up" and gossiping.
So really all you people who DON'T EVEN GO should just shut up about what you don't know. And please do stay away. Leaves more space for the rest of us!