Georgia's tiniest county has landed a starring role in another of Hollywood's biggest films.
Crawfordville -- the picturesque county seat of Taliaferro County -- will play host to Robert Duvall and Sissy Spacek during production of Get Low, a 1930s thriller.
"It's about an eccentric old man who's up in years, wondering if the town will give him a decent burial," said Bob Kendrick, the president of the Crawfordville Historical Society and the town's Hollywood liaison. "So he decides to stage a mock funeral."
Crawfordville, he said, was chosen because its downtown was perfect for a film set in the 1930s.
"We have no McDonald's or Burger Kings or greasy spoon avenues here," he said. "I was born here in 1930, and things are pretty much like they've always been."
The movie is written and directed by Oscar-winning cinematographer Aaron Schneider, whose credits as a director of photography include Titanic and Kiss the Girls.
Mr. Schneider and his staff have made a number of visits to Crawfordville to help plan the shooting, which will be done in late January or early February.
"They're planning to do the town scenes here, with six or seven days of shooting, or maybe more," Mr. Kendrick said.
Crawfordville Mayor Herrman Milner said Hollywood has called on the town many times for films that require an early 19th-century setting.
"They like the storefronts for interiors and the whole town for an exterior," he said, adding that the last major film with segments shot in Crawfordville was Sweet Home Alabama, starring Reese Witherspoon.
"There have been some other ones since then, but that was the last big one," he said.
Mr. Kendrick said there are plans to include another prominent male star in the script, possibly Tim McGraw, "but they haven't said for sure."
Get Low is being produced by the Zanuck Co., whose awards include a 1990 Best Picture Oscar for Driving Miss Daisy.
Reach Rob Pavey at (706) 868-1222, ext. 119 or rob.pavey@augustachronicle.com.
CRAWFORDVILLE CREDITS
- Sweet Home Alabama, 2003, Reese Witherspoon
- Neon Bible, 1994, Gena Rowland
- Passion for Justice, 1993, Jane Seymour
- Carolina Skeletons, 1991, Lou Gossett Jr.
- Paris Trout, 1990, Dennis Hopper
- Home Fires Burning, 1988, Barnard Hughes
- Coward of the County, 1981, Kenny Rogers
- Gorp, 1979, Dennis Quaid
- Summer of My German Soldier, 1978, Kristy McNichol
Source: Bob Kendrick, Crawfordville Historical Society
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It is truly a beautiful town. Hasn't changed much since we first went through their back in the 60s when our church camp was held there each summer at Camp A.H. Stephens.
Oh it has changed since the 60s. At one time all the stores were full and people actually went to town and shopped. The school was the first in the area to intergrate which was the death nail for Crawfordville--around 1965. People left including my family. Of course we do still have our family reunions and such at the park in Crawfordville and also at the church.
There's nothing now but the dead and the dying. Taxes are so high people can hardly pay them. It's a social run county most don't pay taxes they just benefit from them. they are worse than Congress.
Isn't the same since Ms Bonner died. Her cafe was greasy but absolutely delicious and authentic. Went to Crawfordville for her food and for the Labor Day run and parade.
guess they needed a bunch of hicks for extras.
maybe you could join them palimino since you must be cultured.
I love this old town and by the way I live there and work in Augusta. There are only good kinded heart felt american people were family is family and your neighbor is a true friend. Big cities forget that old fashion views and values we all grew up with.
Bryt, you are so right Crawfordville lost a lot when Ms. Bonner died. I use to deliver a family made product there with my dad and a lot of times we would be there about lunch time and eat there. I can still taste that cream corn she had, it was the best. She was a sweet lady and the restaurant had such a unique feel about it and we would see a lot of friends and be there to meet and talk with them. A lot of good people lived and still live in Crawfordville.
Let me guess...HUNDREDS of Augustans will literally flock to Crawfordville in an attempt to get their big break into the movie business...and many moms will be leading the charge, hoping that their precious angel gets a role as an extra, totally in denial about the cesspool of filth and sex that Hollywood is. I witnessed it amongst friends and (ashamedly) family members when they filmed "That Darn Cat." At least the hordes of groupies willing to do anything for a chance at stardom keep the guys in the "movie business" in full supply. Read between the lines - no pun intended.
Maybe that movie is was why those 2 female celebs were here in the white limo to watch the ball drop in Augusta on New Years Night?
Bonner's Cafe was a wonderful place - and a true time machine. It's hard to believe one woman could run a diner for 70 consecutive years - but she did it. That's a lot of eggs and tomato pie.
Nothing has changed since the thirities in these small hick towns, most of all the small minds of the townsfolk.
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"Nothing has changed since the thirities in these small hick towns, most of all the small minds of the townsfolk." --- Until you're older and miss them again. Used to live out in Burke county, and if it didn't have Plant Vogle looming over it's skyline, probably would've went back. Can't get the totally dark nights to scan the sky with a telescope; nor be bothered by 24/7 traffic, otherwise. City life has it's perks, but also does country life. And to you the "small mind" is to another a tight knit group that doesn't tolerate low lives on their lawn. Perhaps you need to return to NYC, and live in one of their ghettos to feel more at home.
INTERESTING COMMENT BY WHATEVER:
The school was the first in the area to intergrate which was the death nail for Crawfordville--around 1965 ...
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