Neighborhood parks to show 40 movies over 40 nights

By Laura McCarthy
Posted Wednesday, May 23, 2007

What could be better than watching a classic film outside in a city park? It’s reminiscent of drive-in movies, but there are no cars, only lawn chairs.

CWE residents will get their first glimpse of the new summertime experience May 26 at Bowood Farms Nursery, 4621 Olive St., with Finding Neverland, as part of Frontyard Features’ 40 Nights, 40 Movies summer lineup. The film tells the story of Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie and his friendship with the Davies family, who collectively become his muse.

Frontyard Features owner and president Martin Casas, who is from Orange County, Calif., said he had grown up with a certain hatred of L.A. and the movie industry. “I always said I wouldn’t get into movies, but here I am,” he said, and laughed.

Formerly a political organizer in Washington, D.C., Casas said he enjoys putting his organizational and event-planning skills into such a unique business venture.

He said he got the idea to show movies outside when he and his fiancee had just moved to St. Louis from Washington, D.C. They were taking a walk and passed by the baseball diamonds in Tower Grove Park. “Wouldn’t it be great to show movies here?” he said he remembers saying to his fiancee.

After making the necessary calls to the neighborhood association and finding someone who would rent out the equipment, he was able to “piece together” last year’s events.

Last summer Casas started his idea in Tower Grove Park showing only what he was allowed to show — G-rated, non-Disney films.

With 2007 marking the first year as Frontyard Features, and plenty of edited, family-friendly films on hand, Casas already has the summer completely booked in parks all over the city and parts of the county. It has outgrown his original concept of 40 nights and 40 movies. Casas said he is still scheduling events for the fall and will go as far into the season as the weather permits.

He said his background as a political organizer encouraged him to “go as big as we can and see what we get.”

With such a positive response from last year’s season in Tower Grove Park, he said he sought to expand it citywide. He sent letters to parks in the city and in the county, and whoever responded was given the opportunity to participate, which came down to 13 parks and other public spaces in the city.

Each neighborhood chose its films and some chose a theme. “I figured [the neighborhood associations] know the neighbors better than I do,” Casas said.
Lafayette Square, for example chose musicals, with Meet Me in St. Louis June 22, An American in Paris July 27, Phantom of the Opera Aug. 24 and Evita Sept. 28. And the Morganford Business District will be showing concerts by U2 July 7, The Rolling Stones Aug. 4 and James Brown Sept. 1.

But growth in neighborhood participation also means growth in expenses. Frontyard Features has become very “advertising-driven,” Casas said — a necessary element to help keep the events free. “Not only do we want to show good films, we want to showcase all that St. Louis has to offer [in its local businesses].”

But ultimately, Casas said, “We wanted to have a real community aspect ... Give people a chance to talk and know each other.” The films start whenever it gets dark enough to project the movie onto the screen, so people arrive early to find a spot and sometimes picnic beforehand.

“People love movies and creating traditions,” he said. “This is an opportunity to create lasting memories.” He also said that he hopes to draw people out to parks that they may never have been to or heard of.

But like any outdoor event, the weather is always a determining factor. “It rained [one night] last year, but everyone stayed ... so we moved [them] under the pavilion,” Casas said. “We won’t be doing that this year — that was a mess.” He said rainouts would be rescheduled.
“[Frontyard Features] makes people realize what a great place they live in,” Casas said. “It instills pride in their neighborhood ... And how often do you get to enjoy a park at night?”

The 40 Films, 40 Nights season is already under way, having shown The Three Amigos at Sublette Park in the Southwest Garden neighborhood May 5.

The three other films to be shown in the CWE are Bride and Prejudice June 23, Billy Elliot July 28 and Best in Show Aug. 25. The venues for these shows have not yet been confirmed. Each screening will start at dusk. People are asked to arrive around 8:15 p.m. for the May 26 showing of Finding Neverland.