Film

Blow Up

Whale of a Tale

by Andy Spletzer

One Fourth of July several years ago, I found myself with no plans and no place to go see the fireworks, so I set out on a walk. Knowing that one set of fireworks went off over Lake Union, my feet gravitated that way, trudging down Boren from Capitol Hill toward the water. I didn't know if there was going to be any comfortable place to sit or stand, but figured the fireworks would shoot high enough in the sky that it didn't really matter. Besides, it was a nice night.

Wandering down by those big wooden ships, I noticed one was taking on passengers. I didn't figure they'd be setting sail or anything, but I was curious and investigated. As it turns out, for a small donation they were allowing people to watch the fireworks from the ship. And they had beer. I couldn't believe my good fortune as I climbed aboard. That was a good Fourth of July.

On Friday night, July 2, you can have your own cool experience on a big wooden ship, probably the very same ship that I was on. On the south end of Lake Union, just west of that Burger King (which may have closed), you'll find the Maritime Heritage Center, where the 1897 schooner Wawona is docked. On that ship, they will be showing none other than Moby Dick--the 1956 version starring Gregory Peck, not the new one with Patrick Stewart. I can imagine no better setting to see this movie. To get into the proper mood, you'll want to arrive at 9:15 p.m., because that's when they start singing authentic sea chanteys. Best of all, the whole evening's entertainment is free (donations accepted). I hope they continue this series with future films like Mutiny on the Bounty, classic pirate films, Amistad, or even one of those Shackleton documentaries.

There's plenty more classic films playing this week. The Fremont Outdoor Cinema is showing Dr. Strangelove on Friday night, then Conquest of the Planet of the Apes on Saturday with live improv by the Twisted Flicks folks. Also on Friday and Saturday, the Grand Illusion continues its late-night screenings with the 1980 version of Flash Gordon by director Mike Hodges (Get Carter, Croupier), while the Egyptian is showing The Muppets Take Manhattan at midnight on both nights.

On Sunday you can celebrate the 4th with a 1:00 p.m. screening of Winter Kills at Movie Legends. It's a political film from 1979 starring Jeff Bridges as a guy trying to track down the person who assassinated his brother, the president of the United States. Speaking of outdoor movies, on Wednesday the 7th, the back patio of Linda's will be the place to see Tidal Wave, a classic disaster epic from the '70s. Finally, the Seattle Art Museum will kick off its new series, Happy 100th Birthday Cary Grant, with a screening of The Awful Truth. Though you can buy individual tickets, these screenings tend to sell out, so you might want to buy a pass.

andy@thestranger.com