Last Monday I experienced a well-known DC summer tradition—Screen on the Green. Washington D.C. residents pack a picnic basket, grab a blanket or two and head to the National Mall to watch a classic movie on a very large screen Monday nights in the summer.
For us this was a well-orchestrated ladies night as six gorgeous "non-blondes" all headed out to see a movie entitled: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The group included: Kate-the organizer, Rachel-the space-saver, Christie, Cat, Rachel (yes, there were two) and myself. Excellent group!
One thing I love about DC is the truly fabulous people watching it supports. And Screen on the Green did not disappoint. There was a couple in front of us where the girl was putting make-up on her boyfriend. Then there were two ladies further up who did not listen to the announcement about being courteous with your chairs as not only were their chairs tall, they each had a roof. See picture to the right:
For those who have never attended, if you want to be near the screen, you need to arrive no later than 7pm even though the movie doesn't start until about 9pm. By getting there about two hours early, it allowed plenty of time to snack, chat and sneak a couple glasses of wine. Also, just as a warning, there is a dance to the HBO/Comcast song. Everyone in the Mall was standing and jumping and waving his and her hands. I just stared at the mass quantities of people who not only knew this dance but, they knew it well and went all out.
The movie, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, was a wonderful musical featuring Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. Most of you are aware of my love for musicals and shockingly I had never seen this classic all the way from start to finish. If nothing else, you probably know the song and scene from the movie "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend." The scene influenced Madonna’s “Material Girl” video and the song was made popular again by Nicole Kidman (Satine) in Moulin Rouge. But, back to this particular movie.
It was a lovely, witty film—Marilyn Monroe as the gold-digging ditsy blonde and Jane Russell as the more cleaver brunette seeking love over money. The lines are fantastic, such as my favorite from Jane Russell's character Dorothy : “The chaperone's job is to see that nobody else has any fun. Nobody chaperone's the chaperone. That's why I'm so right for this job.” I can see myself using that one in the future. Or another classic one from her: “If we can't empty his pockets between us, then we're not worthy of the name Woman."
My favorite moment of the movie was the musical number "Ain't There Anyone Here For Love?" Jane Russell performs the number while many fab-ulous chorus men in short-shorts sing and dance around her. Oh so wonderful and campy
Overall, it was another great DC experience. Get there while you can, it only runs for one more night this summer, Monday August 15, and the film is Cool Hand Luke. I highly recommend Screen on the Green…
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