In the summer of 1997, 27 years ago, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was filmed in Savannah, Georgia.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is an American mystery thriller film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, featuring John Cusack as magazine reporter John Kelso and Kevin Spacey as Jim Williams. It is based on John Berendt’s book of the same name, following the story of antiques dealer Jim Williams on trial for his lover’s murder. A young Jude Law played Billy Hanson, renamed from Danny Hansford in the novel.
Real-life locals, including Williams’ sister and nieces, were featured in the movie at Mercer House during the Christmas party scene. Notably, The Lady Chablis, Emma Kelly, and Jerry Spence appeared as themselves in the film. Georgia senator John R. “Jack” Riley made an appearance. And, trial attorney Frank W. “Sonny” Seiler had a leading role. He was the owner of the University of Georgia Bulldogs live mascots, each named, Uga, an acronym for the school. Filming took place in and around the Historic District and at Mercer House for some scenes. Others like action sequences and courtroom scenes were shot later on a soundstage at Warner Bros.
The movie and book focus is on a murder and the trial of Jim Williams, a self-made Savannah resident. He is known for his lavish parties, charming personality, and diverse interests ranging from art to voodoo, all of which the City of Savannah specializes in. Kelso, known for his book Before the Fall, arrives to cover one of Williams’ renowned Christmas parties amidst the City’s unique charm and mysterious events.
Savannah sets the scene.
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Several scenes in and around Monterey Square, including Jim Williams’ Mercer House at 429 Bull St., were featured in the filming of this movie. Dorothy , Williams’ sister and eventual house owner, initially agreed to allow filming inside the home but later had reservations. Clint Eastwood personally addressed her concerns during a visit from California. Although most scenes were shot in the house, fight and shooting scenes took place in a California studio due to Mercer House’s valuable art and furniture. Eastwood opted not to use extras for the Christmas party scene; instead, he invited locals with engraved invitations as Williams used to do for his parties.
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John Kelso arrives at the Italianate house on 2 East Taylor St. in Monterey Square, the former residence of Hugh Comer, the president of Central of Georgia Railroad. Despite this, Kelso’s living quarters in the movie were actually a carriage-house apartment constructed on a soundstage in California. The interior shots from the carriage house were taken opposite 115 East Jones St.
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The scenes at Sonny Seiler’s offices were filmed at the Armstrong House, 447 Bull St., south of Monterey Square.
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Dog-walking scenes featuring Uga take place at Forsyth Park.
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The courthouse exterior in the movie is the Tomochichi Federal Building and the U.S. Courthouse in Wright Square.
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Dixie’s Flowers, the shop where Mandy works, can be found at 6 East State St. in the northeastern part of Wright Square.
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The Lady Chablis’ residence is at 418 East Liberty St.
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Kelso enjoys breakfast and evening coffee at Clary’s Cafe, found at 404 Abercorn St.
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The Married Woman’s Card Club 126 East Gaston St. is now known as Granite Hall and part of SCAD.
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Churchill’s Pub was originally located at 9 Drayton St. during filming but closed due to a fire six years later.
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The Debutante Ball scene was shot at the Savannah Inn and Country Club.
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Bonaventure Cemetery, located on the City’s eastern edge, plays a significant role in various scenes. Jim Williams’ funeral near Johnny Mercer’s burial site at the Cemetery. In the movie, Minerva performs enchanting rituals at the “colored cemetery” just beyond Bonaventure. In the book, this cemetery is in Beaufort, South Carolina.
After wrapping up location filming in June 1997, a fundraiser took place at Savannah’s Lucas Theatre, constructed in 1921. Kevin Spacey contributed $200,000 in honor of Robin Williams to support the theatre’s $7.6-million renovation. The movie premiered in Savannah on November 20th at the Johnny Mercer Theater and was released nationwide the next day.
Source: en.wikipedia.org.
