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Romantic evening: "Vertigo," starring James Stewart and Kim Novak, will be screened at Celebrate Brooklyn on Aug. 1.

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A generation ago, air conditioning drew folks into movie theaters every summer. Nowadays, it’s cool to stay outside and see a film. Out-of-doors movies have gone beyond the suburban drive-in, and there are al fresco film programs all over Brooklyn this summer.

Now in its seventh year, Rooftop Films is presenting weekly screenings of short films atop a new venue, Office Ops. Founding Director Mark Elijah Rosenberg puts together thematic programs of short, independent works - animation, documentaries as well as dramas and comedies.

Films range from the silly - "Don’t Touch the Ground (Pre-School)" has the videomaker walking inside a pre-school without ever touching the floor - to the serious: "Supermax Wisconsin" deals with the many issues that surround the construction of a high-tech maximum-security prison. Both of these films screen on July 11, along with a lovely animated short, "Bike Ride." Against white-on-black undulating line drawings, a guy cycles five hours to impress his girlfriend only to be dumped upon arrival.

The July 18 program includes a short by Rosenberg himself, "Chill," documenting inner-city kids learning how to snowboard. And speaking of the interaction between the inner-city and rural life, on Aug. 8, the Sista II Sista benefit program of youth-produced films includes "Rocking the Boat" about Bronx high school students who combine wooden boat building with ecological studies along the Bronx River. The production values may reflect their inexperience, but the kids’ interest and fascination in the work also shines through.

Another great work to look out for is "Kmart Confidential," on Sept. 5, a witty deadpan homage to the late, great, five-and-dime stores.

Rosenberg admits he’s taken these films "out of the back rooms of festivals. We get films to interact with the world. They can be re-contextualized by the skyline, by the clouds, by children’s voices." But Rosenberg also puts his money (what little there is) where his mouth is. Part of the $6 admission fee goes into a fund, and at the end of the year, grants are given out to filmmakers as well as put towards equipment that they can use to make more films. At Rooftop Films, there’s always live music at 8 pm; the films start at 9 pm.

Brooklyn actors

Closer to sea level, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Coalition presents weekly films at the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park for the fourth year - all with a Brooklyn theme. This year, their poster advertising films featuring male actors from the borough trumpets: "He Came From Brooklyn!"

Woody Allen’s hysterical sci-fi romp "Sleeper" starts the season on July 10.

The Coen Brothers may not be from Brooklyn, but they work with a group of actors that includes borough residents. On July 17, their dark satire "Fargo" has a cast that includes Park Sloper Steve Buscemi, and his neighbor, John Turturro, is featured in their Depression-era take on Homer’s "The Odyssey," "O Brother, Where Art Thou" on July 31.

Richard Dreyfuss hails from Brooklyn, and what better place to see his work in Steven Spielberg’s "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" than out of doors? This screening, on Aug. 14, seems a perfect match of film and venue.

"Kid Galahad," on July 24, features Edward G. Robinson, who is buried in the borough. A bit of a stretch, but this classic fight film, also featuring performances by Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis, is worth it.

According to Sharon Soons, deputy director of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Coalition, the evenings are very relaxed. Films start at 8:45 pm, but "people start rolling in around 6 o’clock with picnics," she told GO Brooklyn. "And our audience is so well behaved. For instance, we don’t allow smoking during the films and everyone respects that."

This year, there will be food available for purchase, as well as chairs to rent.

And don’t come late, because in addition to the Hollywood movies, Soons and her committee of volunteers will be showing shorts made by local talent. Included will be Chase Palmer’s "Neo Noir," fresh from the Sundance Film Festival, screened before "Fargo." If you missed the animated "Tunanooda," by David Zackin at New Directors/New Films, this short will precede "Kid Galahad."

And on Aug. 7, another animated film, "Nothing at All," by Candy Kugel and Brooklynite Vincent Cafarelli, will precede "Coming to America," which stars Bushwick-born Eddie Murphy.

’Celebrate’ celluloid

Now in its 25th season, Celebrate Brooklyn started showing movies in Prospect Park six years ago. This summer there are four film programs, so these are four opportunities to kick off your shoes, sit on the grass and enjoy Hollywood classics.

"The Creature from the Black Lagoon" hails from the days when special effects weren’t so special, but it is fun and campy enough to make for a rollicking evening on July 17. Special 3-D glasses will be provided, and, although the film was made in 1954, the sound will be turned off and the Jazz Passengers will provide music AND voices - a fine example of turning an old film into something new and lively.

Celebrate Brooklyn co-producer Rachel Chanoff told GO Brooklyn that, although the quintet’s leader, Roy Nathanson (a standard bearer for the Downtown jazz scene) is a Celebrate Brooklyn alum, this will be the group’s first appearance.

Meanwhile, the Alloy Orchestra (making their sixth appearance) has created a new score for the Douglas Fairbanks swashbuckler "The Black Pirate." Alloy increases the thrill of this 1926 tale of revenge with their original, yet modern, orchestrations. Clearly, Alloy is a festival favorite.

"They have a contemporary sound that captures the spirit of classic films," Chanoff said. "The Black Pirate" will be screened on July 24.

Live music isn’t necessary for "Guys and Dolls" on Aug. 7. Suffice to say that it is a singular experience to watch Marlon Brando, as Sky Masterson, sing.

"Vertigo," Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller with James Stewart and Kim Novak, adds a chill to the air on Aug. 1.

"Guys and Dolls" starts at 8:30 pm; all others begin at 8:40 pm and live concerts begin every program at 7:30.

All of these films are well suited to be seen under the stars, and make for a summer of nights out in the dark.

Marian Masone is the associate director of programming for the Film Society of Lincoln Center and chief curator of the New York Video Festival at Lincoln Center.

Rooftop Films screenings take place through Sept. 12 on the roof of OfficeOps, 57 Thames St., between Morgan and Knickerbocker avenues in Williamsburg. Admission is $6. In the event of rain, shows are indoors, same location. For more information, call (718) 786-1912 or visit the Web site at www.rooftopfilms.com.

Brooklyn Bridge Summer Film Series screenings take place July 10 through Aug. 7 at Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges in Fulton Ferry. Admission is free. Enter from Water Street at New Dock Street. Shuttle buses are available from the Clark Street (2 train), High Street (A and C) and York Street (F) subway stations. For rain dates and information, call (718) 802-0603 or visit the Web site at www.bbpc.net.

Celebrate Brooklyn screenings take place July 17-Aug. 7 at the Prospect Park Bandshell, entrance at Prospect Park West and Ninth Street in Park Slope. Admission is free, with a suggested donation of $3. Screenings take place rain or shine. For more information, call (718) 855-7882 or visit the Web site at www.celebratebrooklyn.org.

©2003 Community Newspaper Group