Casino Royale open-air screening in Seattle draws crowds

05-Aug-2007 • Event

From a 20-by-100-foot swath of the 11-story inverted pyramid base of the Rainier Tower, James Bond pointed his pistol at an audience of more than 300 - reports Seattle PI.

"Casino Royale" was the third of the new "Movies on the Pedestal," the first outdoor film series in downtown Seattle. It's free. It's part of an effort to create not a 24-hour city downtown, but perhaps an 18-hour one, said Sharon Mead, marketing manager for Unico, which owns Rainier Tower and other buildings downtown.

Fifty loaner blankets and 50 fold-up chairs are available for the early birds. Proceeds from the sales of $1 candy and pop -- cheaper than any theater we know of -- benefit Northwest Harvest. Themed mocktails include the "00-tini,"and a 12-year-old boy won a cocktail set in a Bond trivia contest.

The consensus? Brilliant! Why had no one thought of this before?

There was an unexpected pleasure that had nothing to do with movies or popcorn. It was the chance to drink in the city, absorbing architecture and details lost at street level.

More than 300 people lay on blankets and sit in chairs while they enjoy a free movie. Candy and soda cost just $1 each.

"If you look at all the buildings, it's really cool. We're talking decades of buildings," said Melet Whinston, 52, picnicking with David Yeaworth before the film.

"It sort of requires that you sit and relax to notice it rather than scurrying down the sidewalk," Yeaworth said.

They noted the Indian chief heads on the adjacent Cobb Building. Was it Chief Sealth?

A good guess, but, actually, a New York architect designed the building with Mohawks in mind, Mead said.

From the panoramic deck you can see all or part of at least 37 buildings, including the Art Deco Seattle Tower, The Fairmont Olympic Hotel and the Space Needle.

"For me, it was the space," said Camille Warwick, 23. "I know this building and it's really cool."

"It's kind of like having the best parts of a drive-in, without being far from home," said her friend, Jacob Whitman, 24. "I'm telling everybody about it."

After the twilight had seeped away, Daniel Craig as Bond took center stage. But he was nearly upstaged by the theater.

"Movies on the Pedestal" are shown Thursday nights on the rooftop garden behind Rainier Tower, Fifth Avenue at University Street. Films start 30 minutes after sunset. Aug. 9: "Field of Dreams"; Aug. 16: "North by Northwest"; Aug. 23: "Best in Show"; Aug. 30: "Shaun of the Dead." Info: www.rainier-square.com/citynights

Thanks to `Airbornetc` for the alert.