I was fortunate enough to win two tickets to an outdoor screening of Singin' In The Rain, with musical accompaniment by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on The Dressing Parlour blog a couple of weeks ago. Thank you so much to Alison for the tickets! If you are not following her blog already, then head over there and show her some love.
My good fortune came just days after the bird poop incident (if you don't know what I'm talking about, then please refer to this post) so I am not sure if it was a coincidence or if it was continued caca karma. Either way, I was super excited to win, as I just love the movie!
The screening was part of the Live by the Lake series, located on Hampstead Heath by Kenwood House. The setting was beautiful, the weather was sunny and warm (until night time hit - at which point we got under a blanket!) and there were three screens set up in addition to the main stage, so everyone had a great view, regardless of where you sat.
We brought along a picnic, and snuggled up to watch Gene Kelly and that charming smile of his in this classic 1952 musical comedy. Incidentally, Gene's wife Patricia Ward Kelly was also in attendance, and introduced the movie, as well as sharing some fun stories before the screening.
Did you know that when filming the famous rain scene, Gene Kelly had a fever of 103 Fahrenheit (that is 39.44 Celsius!!!!)? Can you believe it? If you watch the scene, there is no indication that he is in the slightest bit ill - he was a true professional, and it makes me appreciate the performance even more.
She also cleared something else up: there was no milk in the rain!!!
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra played the music seamlessly with the film, and we found out that the original score for the movie ended up in a landfill under the 405 Freeway in California (!!!!!!), so was painstakingly rewritten by John Wilson, who listened to the soundtrack over and over again and reconstructed the score over the course of a few years.
We had a great evening, and even ran into an old school friend of mine during the interval, which was a nice surprise. As you can imagine, we spent the rest of the weekend humming tunes from the film....Moses supposes his toeses are roses...
My good fortune came just days after the bird poop incident (if you don't know what I'm talking about, then please refer to this post) so I am not sure if it was a coincidence or if it was continued caca karma. Either way, I was super excited to win, as I just love the movie!
The screening was part of the Live by the Lake series, located on Hampstead Heath by Kenwood House. The setting was beautiful, the weather was sunny and warm (until night time hit - at which point we got under a blanket!) and there were three screens set up in addition to the main stage, so everyone had a great view, regardless of where you sat.
We brought along a picnic, and snuggled up to watch Gene Kelly and that charming smile of his in this classic 1952 musical comedy. Incidentally, Gene's wife Patricia Ward Kelly was also in attendance, and introduced the movie, as well as sharing some fun stories before the screening.
Did you know that when filming the famous rain scene, Gene Kelly had a fever of 103 Fahrenheit (that is 39.44 Celsius!!!!)? Can you believe it? If you watch the scene, there is no indication that he is in the slightest bit ill - he was a true professional, and it makes me appreciate the performance even more.
She also cleared something else up: there was no milk in the rain!!!
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra played the music seamlessly with the film, and we found out that the original score for the movie ended up in a landfill under the 405 Freeway in California (!!!!!!), so was painstakingly rewritten by John Wilson, who listened to the soundtrack over and over again and reconstructed the score over the course of a few years.
We had a great evening, and even ran into an old school friend of mine during the interval, which was a nice surprise. As you can imagine, we spent the rest of the weekend humming tunes from the film....Moses supposes his toeses are roses...
I love this movie! Sylvain and I was at a drive-in movie theater a few weeks ago that was nice to enjoy a movie outside in our convertible!
ReplyDeleteThat is so great that you have drive-in theatres where you live! We have many outdoor film screenings in parks etc during the summer, but I don't know of any drive-ins! I have only been to one before, in the USA many years ago!
DeleteThanks for the love lady :) xxx
ReplyDeleteOf course! Thank YOU for the fabulous prize! :) xxx
DeleteSuch a great movie! The story about the score is incredible. Makes you wonder what else is buried under the 405!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just? Such a feel-good film - it would be impossible to watch it and not feel happy! There are probably many many film scores buried under that freeway - such a shame!!!!
DeleteOne of my favorite movies of all time! It is always painful for others to watch movies with me because I feel obligated to act/sing long with the screen. That looks like a perfect evening...so incredibly cool that his wife was there!
ReplyDeleteI would love to watch it with you! It is always funner to sing along and dance along! :D
DeleteI think it's wonderful to see this great film with the sound of live music.
ReplyDeleteReally like your blog.
It really was, although in a way it didn't even feel like live music, as it matched the film to perfectly! Thank you - I am so glad you like my blog! :)
DeleteI envy you! I really wanted to attend the event when it came to California, but couldn't because I was on a European holiday.
ReplyDeleteOh poop! I am sure it will come around again....and really, I'm sure that going on a European holiday was more fun anyway! :)
DeleteWhat a fun night that must have been! I have always wanted to do an outside screening!
ReplyDeleteIt sure was! There are always so many outdoor film screenings in London during the summer (very optimistic how many are organised, given the unpredictable nature of the weather here!!!) do they have any in DC? I'm sure they must!
DeleteNow this is seeing a movie in style!
ReplyDeleteYes it was! I just wish I would have remembered to bring popcorn! ;)
DeleteI absolutely adore this movie! Gene Kelly is my dream man. Always has been... always will be. What a great way to watch it.
ReplyDeleteWendi
Me toooooo! He is a total hunk - and what a dancer!!!
DeleteJust found your blog via Mid Century Pink. What fun seeing "Singin' in the rain" on the big screen complete with a picnic, lovely! I am Following your blog now, look forward to more from your incredibly cute blog!
ReplyDeleteOh yay! I am glad you found my blog - I am now following yours too! :) I love picnics, so a picnic combined with a fantastic movie was pretty much a perfect evening for me!
DeleteWhat seriously great Mexican novelty print skirt. I just love the cactus sporting a sombrero (or at least that what it looks like to me). So glad you guys had a terrific time - it looks like such a fun evening.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs,
♥ Jessica
Oh, thank you Jess! Aaron got it for me as a wedding anniversary gift in January! :) You know, I never even noticed that the cactus was wearing a sombrero until you mentioned it!!! :D
Delete