CENTRAL PARK IN THE MOVIES AT THE 3rd ANNUAL CENTRAL PARK FILM FESTIVAL

Little Manhattan Premiers Closing Night of This Five Night Film Festival, August 23 through August 27, at Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield

Central Park will be the location and the star of a five-night film festival hosted by the Central Park Conservancy and sponsored by Bloomberg. As a new edition, this year’s festival gives New Yorkers the unique opportunity to see a premiere screening of the new Regency Enterprise film Little Manhattan starring Cynthia Nixon and Bradley Whitford.

Held in Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield (mid-Park at East 69th Street), the Film Festival presents an opportunity for New York residents and visitors to gather together and share an evening under the stars seeing films that feature Central Park. Filmmakers have used Central Park in more than 200 movies since the Park made its movie debut in 1908 in the silent version of Romeo and Juliet.

Cameron Crowe’s witty, coming of age film, Almost Famous opens the series on August 23. The line-up continues with the Dustin Hoffman classic, Marathon Man, where Hoffman, playing an avid marathon runner, often uses the Reservoir running track to train, and The Band Wagon, the 1953 musical starring Fred Astaire, that uses images of Central Park in its set design. Friday, August 26, is a night for the entire family as Kermit the Frog leads his troupe of mop tops through the Big Apple in search of fame in The Muppets Take Manhattan.

Finally, Saturday, August 27, marks the premiere of Little Manhattan, a sparkling romantic comedy about life, the Big Apple, and that mysterious, maddening and wonderful phenomenon known as “first love.” The film, set entirely in New York and Central Park in particular, will remind you that New York City is the most romantic place in the world. The cast, including young actor Josh Hutcherson, delightful newcomer Charlie Ray, Sex & The City's Cynthia Nixon and The West Wing's Bradley Whitford, will be in Central Park to celebrate as the five-night Central Park Film Festival comes to a close with this special event screening. Little Manhattan hits theatres on September 30, 2005.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Central Park Conservancy. The Central Park Conservancy’s mission is to restore, manage, and preserve Central Park for the enjoyment of current and future generations. The Conservancy manages Central Park under a contract with the City of New York, providing more than 85 percent of the horticultural, maintenance and preservation costs that keep the Park clean and beautiful. Through the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations, the Conservancy has raised nearly $300 million and transformed Central Park into a model for urban parks worldwide.

Bloomberg, a global news and information company, has a strong commitment to parks and open space, education, and expanding public access to the arts, sciences, and the humanities. The Central Park Conservancy appreciates Bloomberg’s generous support.

SCHEDULE
All screenings begin at 8:00 p.m. at Rumsey Playfied (East 69 Street, off Fifth Avenue).

Tuesday, August 23
ALMOST FAMOUS (2000)
Written and Directed by Cameron Crowe. With Billy Crudup, Kate Husdon, and Frances McDormand. William Miller, a 15 year-old kid, is hired by Rolling Stone Magazine to tour with, and write about Stillwater, an up-and-coming rock band. This wonderfully witty coming of age film follows William as he falls face first to confront life, love, and lingo. 122 min.

Wednesday, August 24
MARATHON MAN (1976)
Directed by John Schlesinger. With Dustin Hoffman and Laurence Oliver. Columbia University graduate student Babe Levy spends his spare time running marathons. He finds himself running for his life, however, when a series of deadly events beyond his control leads to his pursuit by fierce Nazi fugitive, Szell. 125 min.

Thursday, August 25
THE BAND WAGON (1953)
Directed by Vincente Minnelli. With Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse. Fading movie musical star Tony Hunter down and out in Hollywood, decides to try his luck on the Broadway stage. Unfortunately, the simple hoofer discovers that a pretentious director has control of the project, and that instead of good humor, happy songs, and a tapping chorus line, there’ll be lengthy speeches, heavy drama, and lots of soul searching. But Tony takes charge, and he’s out to prove the show must go on—his way! 112 min.

Friday, August 26
THE MUPPETS TAKE MANHATTAN (1983)
Directed by Frank Oz. With Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and The Muppets gang. Fresh out of drama school, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and the entire Muppets gang head to Manhattan with plans to produce a Broadway show, “Manhattan Melodies.” But when no one in town will even meet with them, it’s up to Kermit to believe hard enough for all of his friends that they can make it in the Big Apple. 94 min.

Saturday, August 27
LITTLE MANHATTAN (2005)
On Saturday, August 27th the festival will close with a special event screening of LITTLE MANHATTAN, complete with stars, klieg lights and an open invitation for all New Yorkers and visitors to come enjoy this spectacular new film in a fantastic outdoor presentation under the stars. 86 min.