CLASSIC CINEMA: Picnic, a flick in the park

Old movies shown Thursday nights at Lake Las Vegas

It's easy to feel transported to another place, far away from the day-to-day reality of Las Vegas when one walks along the genuine cobblestone streets of the MonteLago Village at Lake Las Vegas. Flowers, handmade clothing, paintings and sculptures adorn the shop windows as the gently sloping village draws one to the water's edge.

It's from this vista that locals can curl up with an old movie on Thursday nights. The resort, in cooperation with Clark County, sets up a 20-foot-tall movie screen on which classic movies are shown for free. Movie buffs or those who simply want to get away from it all for an evening can take advantage of the celluloid images, nestled in a backdrop of the lake, which glistens with the twinkling lights of the Ritz-Carlton, accompanied by the sound of courtyard fountains.

"We have this beautiful outdoor venue -- I just looked at the lawn and it came to me," said Sharon Allen, executive director of the MonteLago Village. "The place just inspires this type of idea."

Allen's original vision was to show an eclectic mix of Italian-inspired movies, but after a few false-starts she settled on the classics such as "Casablanca" and "Roman Holiday."

"The classic movies are such a no-brainer," she said. "They're so romantic and funny."

Allen, a 15-year resident of Southern Nevada, operates as something like a mayor of MonteLago Village, coordinating nearly everything that goes on in it. One can find her involved with anything from helping a new shopkeeper unpack their wares to master-minding new activities designed to attract the local crowd. Her vision for the village, as well as Lake Las Vegas as a whole, is to create not only a worldwide resort, but a place for locals to get away to.

"I'm trying to create a cultural heart in Vegas," she said.

As for the movies, guests are invited to bring their lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets and drinks out onto the lawn, which stretches between the Ritz-Carlton and the village. On Aug. 7, Henderson resident Lane Mulkey took in "Arsenic and Old Lace" with a friend who works in the village. With a picnic made for two spread out on a blanket between their lawn chairs they quietly chatted, sipped wine and enjoyed the show.

"We've been dying to come out here," Mulkey said, referring to July rain that had kept her away. "Just think, in the winter we can bundle up and come out here."

They were joined by a smattering of people on the lawn. Many of those who walked in the Ritz courtyard lingered as they passed the silver screen, taking in the picture.

The free movies are scheduled each Thursday night beginning around 8:30, weather permitting. For information and the movie schedule, call the event hot line at 992-7347.


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