Hotel News: Dallas and Hollywood have enjoyed happy marriage made long before Oliver Stone's controversial blockbuster "JFK". Fans of football films will remember "North Dallas Forty," and who could forget J.R. Ewing? In the cozy Oak Cliff section of Dallas (visible in the "Lee Oswald at home" scenes in JFK), the stucco swank Belmont Hotel's Cliff Cafe is the outdoor lounge of choice. The Belmont is known best for Bar Belmont, and its outdoor views of the distant city skyline, as well as "Dive In Movies," where the public can take in free vintage films poolside, every Wednesday. At outdoor music series, "Barefoot at the Belmont", is also catching on. This year's music and movie series finds the Belmont partnering with 91.7 FM, The Texas Theatre (that's where Oswald was arrested, for you non-assassination buffs), Corgan Media Lab and SMOKE restaurant. The series began Thursday, May 6th, every Thursday thru August 5th, alternating between your favorite vintage movies and North Texas's hottest bands

In September, SMOKE restaurant opened next door and quickly earned the title of best new restaurant in 2009. Edgy bandleader and recent gubernatorial candidate Kinky Friedman kicked things off. Belmont regulars also meet to play checkers, Monopoly, and Trivial Pursuit on Game Nights.

Cliffhangers on a Cliff- what a concept. In today's challenging economy, more hospitality establishments should take this lead role.