The HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival Celebrates Its 22nd Year

NEW YORK, June 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Once again, Bryant Park will be a destination for film buffs on summer nights in New York City, with an incredible line up for the 22nd year of the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival presented by Bank of America with the Wall Street Journal, CityMD, Talenti, in association with Bryant Park Corporation. 

Continuing the popular tradition of presenting "stars under the stars," the free outdoor festival returns Monday evenings at sunset, beginning June 16 and running through August 18.  The season kicks off with the 1977 classic, SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER.

The festival's closing night film; The Shining is expected to be a crowd pleaser. The horror film classic was a box office hit giving us the famous line "Heeeeere's Johnny! Other highlights of this year's festival include Denzel Washington in A SOLDIER'S Story, Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart in Key Largo and Chevy Chase in National Lampoon's Vacation.

"It is with great pride that HBO celebrates the 22nd season of showing classic films on the big screen in Bryant Park.  The festival has become a favorite summertime tradition for many New Yorkers," said Richard Plepler, CEO, HBO. 

"The Summer Film Festival has quickly joined the ranks of 'musts' for residents and visitors alike," said Jeff Barker, Bank of America New York City president.  "Enjoying a classic film in the heart of New York City alongside people from all walks of life is a truly unique experience."

The films are projected in 35mm onto a screen 20 feet high by 40 feet wide. Bryant Park is located at 42nd Street and the Avenue of the Americas. Snacks, meals and refreshments are available at Bryant Park 'wichcraft kiosks, the Southwest Porch and the Bryant Park Grill and Cafe, plus an expanded selection of curated food options from the Hester Street Fair.  Each presentation starts on Monday evenings at sunset.  The lawn opens at 5pm.  Classic animation provided courtesy of Warner Bros.

For more information, call the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival hotline at (212) 512-5700. For film series information, visit the festival's website at hbo.com/hbobryantparkfilmfestival (Live June 8th).

THE HBO BRYANT PARK SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL 2014

2014 Schedule: 
JUNE 16-SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER (Paramount) John Travolta became a pop culture icon with a turn around the dance floor as Tony Manero.  He scored Oscar and Golden Globe Best Actor nominations to boot.  Tony was a teen just stayin' alive with a dead-end job and dead-end friends. His success story (drawn from a New York magazine article) shows how the Brooklyn boy in white polyester hustled his way off the mean streets.  The worldwide best-selling soundtrack is packed with Bee Gees' hits.  Disco lives!  (1977) 118 Min. R Rated

JUNE 23-THE MARK OF ZORRO (Fox) In old California, the peasants were in desperate need of protection from the villainous Spaniards who ruled.  A caped avenger, Zorro (Tyrone Power), came to their rescue. Power's climactic rapier duel with nasty Basil Rathbone is a highlight, as is the Oscar-nominated score by Alfred Newman.  Originally played in 1920 by dashing Douglas Fairbanks, Zorro has since been portrayed by Antonio Banderas, Anthony Hopkins, George (the gay blade) Hamilton and on TV by Guy Hamilton and Frank Langella.  (1940) 94 Min. Not Rated

JUNE 30-A SOLDIER'S STORY (Sony/Columbia) This tense murder-mystery is set on a Louisiana military base in the 1940's.  An unpopular sergeant has turned up dead and a black army lawyer from up north leads the inquiry.  Based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning play, it was an Oscar nominee for Best Picture, Best Screenplay and for the performance of Adolph Caesar.  Howard Rollins Jr. and Denzel Washington star.  Shot in Arkansas, then governor Bill Clinton provided soldiers from the state's National Guard as extras.  (1984) 101 Min. PG Rated

JULY 7-BLAZING SADDLES (Warner Bros.) The Old West was never like this, never so much fun.  Mel Brooks' rude brand of humor, use of the "N" word, a horse-punching scene and a flatulent cowboy campfire caused some concern among studio executives.  The public, however, loved every moment of the outrageous comedy.  Cleavon Little is an improbable sheriff and Gene Wilder, the Waco Kid.  Richard Pryor gets a screenplay credit, Count Basie has a cameo.  On the AFI list of 100 Funniest Movies, "B.S." ranks #6.  (1974) 93 Min.  Panavision R Rated

JULY 14-SUDDENLY, LAST SUMMER (Sony/Columbia) A powerhouse cast brings Tennessee Williams' lurid psychodrama to life.  What really transpired last summer when a European vacation went bad?  Elizabeth Taylor, Katharine Hepburn and Montgomery Clift are the stars.  The dueling divas chewed some scenery, but were both Oscar-nominated.  Gore Vidal's screenplay had to soft pedal the subject somewhat, as one didn't mention cannibalism, pedophilia, lobotomy and incest in polite 1950's society.  Fasten your seatbelts.  (1959) 114 Min. Not Rated

July 21-NATIONAL LAMPOON'S VACATION (Warner Bros.) The Griswold family heads cross-country to Walley World theme park.  Their quest for fun becomes the road trip from Hell.  Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo head a cast which includes Randy Quaid, Imogene Coca, Anthony Michael Hall, John Candy, Eugene Levy, and, as the dream girl in a red Ferrari, Christie Brinkley.  The less-than-PC script by John Hughes is based on his short story, which appeared in National Lampoon.  Direction is by the late Harold Ramis. (1983) 98 Min. R Rated

JULY 28-KEY LARGO (Warner Bros.) Maxwell Anderson wrote the play that inspired this claustrophobic suspense tale of a WWII vet forced into a confrontation with a ruthless gangster and his gang.  It all plays out at a seedy Florida hotel during hurricane season.  John Huston directed Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall (her last film with Bogey), Claire Trevor (an Oscar win) and Lionel Barrymore.  The film, however, belongs to tough-guy Edward G. Robinson, as volatile gangster Johnny Rocco, a villain for all seasons. (1948) 100 Min. Not Rated

AUG. 4-THE KARATE KID (Sony/Columbia) What kid?  Ralph Macchio was going on 23 when he starred as a bullied high-school student, recently transferred to southern California from New Jersey.  Taken under the wing of an elderly handyman, Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita, Oscar nominated), he is taught discipline (by painting fences and waxing cars?) and self-defense through Karate.  In the feel-good finale, the Jersey boy gets to kick some bully butt.  A feeble 2010 remake starred Jackie Chan, but it was not renamed "The Kung-Fu Kid." (1984) 126 Min. PG Rated

AUG. 11-LOVER COME BACK (Universal) After the phenomenal success of "Pillow Talk," Doris Day and Rock Hudson (and best buddy Tony Randall) were teamed up for another frothy romantic-comedy.  Doris and Rock played competing Madison Avenue ad executives, willing to stoop as low as need be to score clients.  Oscar-nominated for story/screenplay, this battle of the sexes features loads of innuendo and plenty of tension as to the keeping of Doris's virtue intact.  In April, Miss Day celebrated the big 9-0. Congratulations.  (1961) 107 Min. Not Rated

AUG.18-THE SHINING (Warner Bros.) It may be more Stanley Kubrick than Stephen King, but this elegant horror film creates an unbearable tension as it builds to the big-axe finale.  Jack Nicholson, in fine form, plays an unstable writer who takes a job at a resort during the off- season.  Snowstorms tend to isolate the Overlook Hotel, which may be haunted by ghosts who never checked out.  The marvelous Shelley Duvall is understated as Jack's wife, while Scatman Crothers and Danny Lloyd shine in support. Heeeeeere's Johnny! (1980) 144min. R. Rated

HBO
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HBO's philanthropic efforts are defined by a mission to cultivate and develop new talent through support of innovative educational organizations.  We are committed to ensuring the stories we present reflect the diverse world in which we live and the voices from all communities are provided the access and resources to share their experiences with audiences around the world.

BRYANT PARK CORPORATION
Bryant Park Corporation (BPC), a private not-for-profit company, was founded in 1980 to renovate, finance, and operate Bryant Park in New York City. BPC is funded by income from events, concessions, and corporate sponsors, as well as an assessment on neighboring properties, and does not accept government or philanthropic monies. In addition to providing security and sanitation services, and tending the park's lush lawn and seasonal garden displays, BPC provides public amenities and activities, including movable chairs and tables, café umbrellas, restaurants, food kiosks, world-class restrooms, and a wide range of free events throughout the year. The Midtown park, conveniently located at 6th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets, is visited by over 6 million people each year and is one of the busiest public spaces in the world.  BPC's website, www.bryantpark.org, provides more detailed information and a schedule of upcoming events.

BANK OF AMERICA
Bank of America's commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a strategic part of doing business globally. The Bank's CSR efforts guide how the company operates in a socially, economically, financially and environmentally responsible way around the world, to deliver for shareholders, customers, clients and employees. The Bank's goal is to help create economically vibrant regions and communities through lending, investing and giving. . Bank of America has several core areas of focus for our CSR, including responsible business practices; environmental sustainability; strengthening local communities with a focus on housing, hunger and jobs; investing in global leadership development; and engaging through arts and culture. As part of these efforts, employee volunteers across the company contribute their time, passion and expertise to address issues in communities where they live and work. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com and follow the bank on Twitter at @BofA_Community.

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
The Wall Street Journal is America's largest newspaper by paid circulation with more than 2.2 million customers. In recent years, the Journal has expanded its core content offering to include coverage of the arts, culture, lifestyle, sports, and personal health, building on its heritage as the leading source of business and financial news. Published by Dow Jones, one of the world's largest news gathering operations with nearly 2,000 journalists in more than 80 bureaus, The Wall Street Journal now spans 12 editions in nine languages, engaging readers across newspapers, websites, magazines, social media, and video. The Journal holds 35 Pulitzer Prizes for outstanding journalism.

CITYMD
Founded in 2010, CityMD is an urgent care facility with locations throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, West Chester and Rockland County.  Combining a strong focus on the patient experience with the need for compassionate care, CityMD provides its patients with the greatest immediate healthcare available.

CityMD employs expert staff including medical assistants and technicians along with board-certified physicians, who are trained in treating a wide variety of illnesses and injuries. CityMD locations are open 365 days a year, welcoming walk-ins for both adult and pediatric care. For additional information about CityMD and a list of locations, please visit www.citymd.com.

TALENTI® GELATO & SORBETTO
Talenti began as a gelateria in 2003 and has since grown into the world's best-selling packaged gelato and third best-selling premium ice cream brand in the United States. Talenti is committed to the tradition of handcrafting gelato and sorbetto with care and artisanship, offering a unique experience. Talenti uses only the finest, carefully sourced ingredients — Belgian Chocolate, fresh whole Tahitian vanilla beans from Papua New Guinea, select coconuts from the Philippines, and real Argentine dulce de leche are just a few of the many fine ingredients used to create Talenti gelatos and sorbettos. Talenti's gelato is made with fresh pasteurized milk, free of rGBH and only pure cane sugar. Not only is it delicious, but with 30% less fat than regular ice cream, it's also a better-for-you alternative. Talenti's sorbetto is dairy-free and 100% fat free and also made with pure cane sugar—never high-fructose corn syrup. Both Talenti's gelatos and sorbettos showcase our commitment to providing frozen desserts that taste amazing.

SOURCE HBO