By Gracey Murphy
“Summer Lovin,’ ” by Olivia Newton John and John Travolta, blares from the screen of FilmScene’s rooftop. While stars illuminate the sky, 40 lucky Iowa City residents sing along to a classic.
FilmScene, 118 E. College St., has resumed its third rooftop series. The first production aired on June 7, Purple Rain, for Princes’ birthday. These showings will go until November, each taking place on a Sunday, but they sell out quickly because there are only 40 seats available.
“It is a collaborative effort to make the series happen,” Director of Operations Emily Salmonson said. “We usually show popular classics from the ’80s or ’90s, and then we find ways to make the screening special. We usually have a movie-theme drink or trivia prizes that go along with whatever we are screening.”
Each show has its distinct choice of fun. Last year, FilmScene set up a mini golf course for Caddy Shack and a skeleton that dispensed Baby Ruth candy bars for Goonies. The cinema had birthday cake, party favors, and a dance party for Purple Rain.
This show sold out in around five hours, so the cinema held a second a few days later so everyone who wanted to attend could.
“There are only 40 seats up on the roof, so it is a pretty hot ticket, “ Salmonson said. “We send out an email to everyone on our email list once we set a show on sale.”
This weekend, FilmScene will show Grease, a movie adored by many. Who knows what fun activities will spawn from a movie that fans are so hopelessly devoted to? But will they still be devoted if the show is rained out?
If weather does not cooperate for FilmScene, the movies are moved inside. Luckily, the theater has only needed to do this twice.
“Last year, we had zero rain for rooftop shows, which was a miracle,” Salmonson said.
Others shows coming this year include: Alien, Sixteen Candles, Fargo, and many others.
“My favorite rooftop screening was last year’s Jaws — it has always been one of my favorite summer movies, and it was great to see it in such a unique setting,” Salmonson said.
Though it opened a few years ago, FilmScene’s rooftop series is still new and exciting for Iowa City and is something fun to do on a Sunday evening.
“Our building had an awesome rooftop patio, so we decided even before opening our doors in 2013 that we would screen outdoor films,” Salmonson said “We just try to make it a fun event for everyone who comes to FilmScene.”
There will be approximately 13 rooftop shows this year. Get the chance to admire both the starry sky, and a young John Travolta (and many other popular actors in their prime) at one of these outdoor movies.
Everyone just hope there will be no (Greased) lightning.