February 04, 2005

Will Smith's 'Hitch' premiers on Ellis Island

The new Will Smith comedy, "Hitch," last night premiered at a celebrity event on Ellis Island, with red carpets leading into the grand center earlier used by 12 million U.S. immigrants.

Sony Pictures built a massive, heated theater under tents on the lawn. For the after-party, the Grand Hall of Ellis Island was transformed into an elegant nightclub, where the main act was Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, rapping and singing hits such as "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" and "Miami."

I should disclose that my husband and I got to attend the whole shebang free of charge courtesy of an old college friend who does indeed have an interest in seeing "Hitch" do well. That said, I honestly think the movie will become one of the top New York romantic comedies ever. The city features prominently in the movie, especially downtown, and a key scene takes places at Ellis Island.

The point is made in the movie that tourists are far more likely to visit Ellis than the people who live here. "A lot of you guys are New Yorkers and you've never been to Ellis Island," Smith said last night as he stood in the front of the theater with Sir Howard Stringer, head of Sony America, and co-stars Eva Mendes, Kevin James and Amber Valletta. "I wanted you all to come out and have a good time - and know."

At the after-party, Smith on the mic again, said his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, found out earlier that night that her grandfather came through Ellis. Though Smith also made a "Roots" joke about how many of his ancestors arrived to America not via Ellis but "through the back door."

However, everyone attending the party last night arrived to Ellis in a way unlike any of the immigrants ever did. A single searchlight combed the sky from Battery Park, where guests checked in for their credentials. From there, a red-carpeted, heated, white-tented walkway led guests all the way to the security center at the dock. There, every guest went through the airport-style security check point, just like the tourists do every day. Coats came off, belts came off, watches came off, my tall black boots got patted down. I even had to take off the jacket over my sleeveless dress before passing through the metal detector. I said something about being cold and the security guy smiled and said "I think you look hot," as he waved me along. It was actually pretty funny watching a room of dressed-up VIPs fumbling partially dressed in this big tent.

Out of security and to the Circle Line Ferry -- the exact same boats used by tourists all day long. Almost everyone stayed on the unglamorous bottom deck - including Will and Jada (as everyone there was calling them) -- but my husband and I ventured to the top deck, because it just wasn't cold enough last night to forego that skyline view. (Had the event been held even a week earlier, everything could have gone haywire since ice hindered much ferry operation around the New York Harbor.)

Paparazzi greeted the ferry at the dock of Ellis Island, as a red carpet led into the main building. The less-fabulous guests walked adjacent to the red carpet, separated by handrails, as the more glamorous posed for the flashes. And good heavens if our unfabulous line didn't move ungodly slow, because if you lingered, you were in the background of the celebrity shot. "Jada! Jada! Jada!" the cameramen yelled non-stop. The older couple in front of us halted traffic yet again when the woman sounded surprised: "Oh honey, is that Jada?" "Oh my, where?" They just happened to be in frame as they stopped to make this observation.

National Park Service rangers stood as casual guards all over the place, answering history questions and giving directions to the bathrooms. They all seemed at ease, enjoying the show, and apparently at least some got to preview the movie as well.

The cocktail party before the movie was held in Ellis' arrival hall. Guests passed the display of immigrants' luggage and into the area set with educational displays on the history of U.S. immigration. Many guests headed for the stations where they typed in ancestors' names, looking for information. (You can also search Ellis Island passenger records online.)

The temporary "Sony Theater at Ellis Island," seated more than a thousand people by my estimate. Popcorn was served in "Hitch" paper bags and whenever an emergency exit door opened, sections of the Manhattan skyline peeped in.

The Grand Hall, I was told, was open to tourists in pristine condition until regular closing time at 5 p.m. and only then did teams move in to install a stage at the end of the grand hall. It fronted a set of stairs that are important for the fact that immigrants only got to go through them once they’ve passed all inspections and could finally be reunited with loved ones through the door at the bottom of the stairs.

Open bars serving martinis, champagne and wine were set up in front of each of the huge arched windows all around the room. From one side of the room you could see the lights of the Manhattan skyline; from the other peered the Statue of Liberty just an island away, and closer, the shadows of snow-covered and still unrepaired Ellis Island buildings, including the hospital's quarantine quarters.

Buffet-style food stations ringed the room while the dessert table featured running fountains of milk chocolate and pieces of strawberries, pineapple, marshmallows and cookies for dipping. I tried very hard to imagine what my Slavic great grandparents might have looked like in that room a century ago, but frankly the space was so elegantly transformed last night it was impossible to picture.

The celebrities were extremely accessible through the night, signing autographs for the handful of pre-teen girls there, mixing in the crowd and posing for autographs. Jada, changed into jeans and comfy boots for the after-party, danced at the edge of the stage even before her husband took to the mic.

When we left at midnight, the party was still going on upstairs. Though Will and Jada got on the boat just ahead of us, so maybe we didn't miss too much.

The movie will be in theaters Feb. 11.

Earlier: Shuttered Ellis Island buildings could open to public
Touring Gotham's archaeology with book in hand

February 4, 2005 08:28 AM in History

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