A NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER: One fan's story of the Savannah Premiere...
THE GLITZ AND GLAMOUR..... AT THE PREMIERE IN SAVANNAH
As the limousine sailed down the freeway toward downtown......My daughter and I, dressed to the nines in our long black gowns for this special occasion, chatted nervously...and excitedly...filled with anticipation. Finally the big night had arrived and we were on our way to THE Premiere of THE Movie based on THE Book! We were riding in the same limo that John Berendt had used many times while he was here, and the one which would return him to the airport the following day. This was a once in a lifetime experience.....
As we neared downtown,
we could see the search lights beckoning to us. Suddenly The Talmadge Bridge
appeared in the background as if suspended in a misty blue....the tinting
of the windows giving it this glowing look. The limousine turned slowly into
the street that was reserved for limousines only, and the street that would
deliver us to the Civic Center. Goodness Gracious, this was just like in
Hollywood!!! Directly in front of us, there was the long expanse of Red Carpet
that Savannah had rolled out for this gala event. As we prepared to exit
the limo, we could see throngs of fans lined up on one side of the red carpet,
papparazi dressed to the hilt lining the other side. My daughter exited
first....and then myself. Imagine our shock when the fans began screaming!!!
They thought we were stars, I suppose, because we arrived in a limo, and
perhaps because some of them had been waiting 2 hours by then and were in
a "fan frenzy"! The screaming, wolf whistles, and bright lights from the
cameras were overwhelming as we made our way down the red carpet. We walked
up that VERY long red carpeted walkway somewhat bewildered, but smiling ..and
enjoying the hilarity of it just the same. We have laughed so much about
it since and I am sure it will be one of our funny, family stories to tell
in the future.
Upon our arrival in the Civic Center, we were surprised that so many people had already arrived. It was 6:30ish by then. The place was abuzz with laughter and excitement. We ordered our drinks at one of the many open bars set up throughout and mingled amongst the crowd. The crowd spilled out onto the steps, some waiting outside for the stars arrival, while some waited inside. I cannot tell you how glamourous it all was. So many beautifully dressed people, beautiful women and handsome men. Our local newscasters dressed in glitzy attire as well. I couldn't help but think that Jim Williams would have loved it!!
The first to arrive was John Berendt, the author and ....the Yankee we all love! Then came the others....even little UGA, dressed in his special-made tuxedo just for the event. Lady Chablis arrived in a champagne colored dress....and put on a magnificent performance for the crowd. I was amazed at her beauty. I say her, because that is the only way in which to refer to her. (I was disappointed that John Cuask did not show, but I was MOST disappointed that Clint did not show. I didn't expect him to, but I was hopeful.)
Then came time to enter the elegant Johnny Mercer Theatre....to watch the movie! (My daughter said to me: "Oh My, all of this AND we get to watch a movie too!") As we entered, we were handed beautiful movie programs, the cover of which was the picture of the poster for the movie. The red-vested usher motioned us to follow her.....and once again in life, I realized I was born under a lucky star. The usher seated us front row, center. (I swear I had NO connections, honestly!) The movie screen had been set way back on the stage, so the seating was absolutely perfect!!!!! We settled back in our seats, the lights dimmed, and the emcee entered the stage. He introduced first John Berendt, then John Lee Hancock, then Kevin Spacey, who in turn, introduced all of the stars: Irma P. Hall , Emma Kelly, Sonny Seiler, Lady Chablis, Jack Thompson, Paul Hipp, & UGA!! They each had something to say to the crowd.....and mostly, they had things to say about Savannah and its people. Of course, we loved that!! Once again, Lady Chablis stole the show. She presented our mayor with her bouquet of roses, in her typical, flamboyant way. Kevin Spacey then read a letter from Clint Eastwood... a letter to the people of Savannah, apologizing for not being able to attend and thanking the people for the hospitality that was shown to him and his company while they were here filming. It was a very touching letter....and made his absence a little more bearable. Kevin Spacey then drew it all to a close and announced....."Let the Party Begin"......
The lights lowered, the stars entered through a side door, and were ushered to their waiting seats, which were scattered throughout the first rows of seating, and each seat tagged with a pretty white bow. Lady Chablis sat only two seats behind me...with her adorable male companion sitting beside her.
And then......the many months of work had come to fruition! Immediately the sound of of k.d. Lang singing a hauntingly beautiful song called "Skylark" while the scene opened with an aerial view of Savannah. That song was the kind of song that plays to your soul. What a beautiful opener it was....
I have to say that I didn't clearly "watch" the movie, and I don't think I was an exception. For I found myself too closely involved with it while they were here filming it. I found myself, instead, recalling all of the places and times that I had gone to each of the sites to watch them film. I recalled all of the pictures I had taken, on which days, etc. And I, of course, was looking at the landscape trying to determine where the scenes were shot, and looking for the locals in the scenes. In a sense, I couldn't see the forest for the trees! The parts I did watch however, I found myself struck by Kevin Spacey's performance as well as John Cusak's. I would have to say though that Lady Chablis stole the show, hands down!! Her performance was wonderful....and she was as witty as ever. She got many laughs throughout the movie. At one particular moment, after one of her first funny lines and to which the audience responded with a barrage of laughter, I turned around to see what her reaction was. I was surprised to see her not beaming, or at least smiling. Instead, she had a very serious, sober look on her face, staring directly ahead, while her companion offered her a hug. I wondered if she was being her own worst critic! Savannah was depicted beautifully and I am sure there will be droves of more tourists coming to Savannah.....and we will welcome them all.
Academy Award? That, in my opinion, would have to go to the leading lady herself....to the lovely, mysterious, gracious Savannah that we all know and love!!
After the movie, those who had tickets to the cocktail party afterwards went upstairs to the mezzanine. It was wonderful!!! There was a huge ice sculpture of the Bird Girl in the center of the it all. The stars were all milling around, signing autographs, everyone having a wonderful time. There were those who loved the movie and those who felt lukewarm about it. But, mostly, everyone was just enjoying this very special event in Savannah. There were 40 cases of Clint's new beer, Pale Rider, being served to the guests. I noted that now we were being served drinks from real glasses instead of the plastic ones that were served earlier in the evening...with the $150.00 tickets. That extra $100.00 to get into the cocktail party was well worth it. The food was scrumptuous.... salmon, chilled shrimp, tasty hors d' oeuvres, caviar, and the desserts were simply wonderful. The camera crews were filming the entire event inside. I stood right by Kevin Spacey as one local radio station did a live broadcast with him. He is a wonderful, articulate speaker. I cannot say enough about the glamour and glitz of the entire evening!! Black seemed to be the choice color of the night, with many sparkling dresses and accessories.
There were many props on display for the Silent Auction. There was the leash for the imaginary dog, headstones from the cemetery, THE Book with all of the autographs, an autographed movie poster, Kevin Spacey's chair, Mandy's bright pink feather boa (I should have bid on that one! :). and of course Clint Eastwood's Directors Chair. There was one bid for that.....$5,000.00!!! I debated......but walked away! :) Many of the items had "high" minimum bids, but we must remember that it was all for charity! We now had enough money to restore our Lucas Theatre and to give half to the Boys & Girls Club. A worthwhile effort.
The night drew to a close.....The clock struck Midnight (in the Garden of Good & Evil)....the limo was waiting, we said our goodbyes, and exited the Civic Center. We got into the limousine, completely awestruck by the night we had just experienced. We never wanted it to end.....
On the quiet ride home, as the limo wound its way from the downtown area, ..my daughter and I just mostly sighed and smiled. And.... there was a little sadness, that it was all over now. The limo stopped at a stop sign.....a huge truck drove slowly past....it's driver laying on the horn and honking....once again, someone thinking that we were stars!! We began to laugh.....
This was truly a "November to Remember", a once in a lifetime experience...and one that I shall never forget ....
Sincerely,
Billie Jacquelin
