Hundreds turn out for 'Honeydripper' premiere

By Angie Long

There may have been no actual red carpet, but it definitely was a stellar evening last Saturday night at Greenville's The Edge. Hundreds of locals and out-of-town visitors gathered at the multiplex to see the long-awaited Alabama premiere of "Honeydripper." The film was shot in 2006 throughout Butler County and in Calera and Anniston.

Four theaters were set to show the film, with a fifth for "spillover," said Lydia McCullough of The Edge.

"And we needed that spillover. It was a great crowd - and everyone seemed so excited," McCullough said.

Lurleen Hawkins of Greenville was all smiles as she walked in The Edge's front doors that night with her friend, pastor Lois Robinson.

"Lurleen is one of the featured extras in the movie," Robinson pointed out with pride.

Absalom Adams, a Greenville Middle School student who played "Lonnie" and acted in scenes throughout the movie, donned a tuxedo for the evening and looked every inch the star as he gave interviews to Montgomery media outlets.

"I had such a good time making this film. Meeting Danny Glover was so exciting," Adams said.

"I do hope to have the opportunity to make more films in the future."

His mother, Cecilia Adams, glowed as she recounted seeing her son on the big screen the first time.

"We did get to go to the Atlanta premiere. I looked up there and saw him and said, 'That's my baby? That can't be my baby!' and tears came to my eyes - I was just so proud of him," Adams said.

Arthur Lloyd "Rock" Killough and wife Kandys were looking forward to catching a glimpse of Rock in the background of a street scene shot in Georgiana.

"It's just a few seconds - and they wouldn't let me wear my glasses. You may not recognize me," the musician-turned-film extra chuckled.

The film was set to screen at 7 p.m., but a delay in the arrival of director-screenwriter John Sayles and his producer, Maggie Renzi, pushed the start time back.

The couple had an unexpected detour in flights from Montgomery to Mobile, where no rental car could be found on Mardi Gras weekend.

"I have say (Greenville mayor) Dexter McLendon is a heck of a problem solver...he sent one of the Greenville police officers, Justin Lovvorn, down to get us to Greenville," Renzi said.

"He was a good driver, too!"

Arriving at The Edge at 7:02 p.m., the filmmaking duo quickly made their way from theater to theater to warmly welcome the audiences, accompanied by Adams, fellow Greenville "Honeydripper" actor Brian Williams and Montgomery's Nagee Clay.

Mayor McLendon also stopped by to speak to "Honeydripper" attendees in each theater.

"I hope you will all enjoy this film which showcases our city and county. Take time to look at the back of your tickets - those are the sponsors listed who made this evening possible. Trust me, no tax dollars were spent to make this premiere happen," McLendon said.

Finally, the opening credits for "Honeydripper" rolled. Audience members softly murmured as they saw their communities appear on the big screen and caught glimpses of friends, neighbors and family members bigger than life.

"Oh, look, that's downtown Georgiana! Doesn't it look nice?"

"Hey, that's my cousin!"

"That was shot at Jimmy's place."

Mary Peterson watched wide-eyed from her theater chair as she appeared in the tent revival scene with her fellow choir members at New Beginnings Ministry.

Peterson nodded along with the soaring spiritual and softly smiled.

Greenville's Charlie Kennedy, who worked with the choir to prepare them for their featured role, was thrilled with the local choir's performance on-screen performance.

"I was on the set when the scene was filmed, so I knew what was coming," Kennedy said.

"But when I said and heard the choir singing in the context of the complete scene, my thoughts were, 'This is great. They are not playing a part in the film, they are having church.' I had major chill bumps when the choir broke into 'Mama Left Me Standing By the Highway.'

Kennedy added, "The professional musicians were excellent and very approachable...I got to do some 'pickin'' with most of them."

In addition to seeing familiar local faces and places, music was one of the favorite parts of the movie for many local viewers.

"I especially enjoyed the performances of Keb' Mo.' He did a fabulous job and Gary Clark was great. We were lucky to have them both perform at the Sweet Gum Bottom Blues Fest in 2006," said Nancy Idland of Greenville, who was also an extra in the film.

Film extra Mary Wallace of Georgiana was thrilled the music of one of the county's most famous native sons made it into the film.

"I loved hearing 'Move It on Over'...I had asked Maggie to use a Hank Williams song, and did not know until I heard it in the movie that night she and John Sayles took the suggestion," Wallace said.

Cleve Poole, a blues lover, declared the music "very good."

"I certainly enjoyed the entire soundtrack and the way in which the music aged in time with the movie - meaning that the music seemed to modernize with more instruments and more orchestration as the movie went on," Poole said.

His wife, Fay, said the movie's scenes were "authentic and well-constructed."

"I'm glad Georgiana and Greenville were the backdrop. How neat to see all the local actors getting well-deserved attention. I got a big hug from (choir member) Clara Waters. I hope Hollywood gives her a call for future singing roles. All the choir members were outstanding," she said.

Kennedy pointed out a few inaccuracies in the film, set in 1950 Alabama ("I am old enough to remember the era and don't recall ever seeing armed guards in a cotton field"). However, he added, a little "creative license" on Sayles' part only improved the overall story.

"After all, this is a movie, not a history textbook. 'Honeydripper' essentially captures the essence of rural south Alabama in the 1950s...and it's a visual feast. We do indeed live in Alabama the Beautiful," Kennedy said.

Several viewers, including the Pooles, agreed with some of the film critics who thought the 123-minute film could have used more stringent editing.

"It was a good story but could have been told in half the time," Fay Poole said.

"I thought the movie would have been better if it had been a bit shorter," her husband added.

Kennedy, noting the movie was certainly longer than the average length of 90 minutes, said it's all the tastes of the particular viewer.

"Did the length make it boring? Some say yes, some say no. I say no. I guess this sort of thing is like discussing how loud is too loud. It depends on the ear of the listener."

Listener Wallace had no problems with the film's length. She's planning to take the seniors at Georgiana Nutrition Center to see the movie today.

"I'm looking forward to seeing it a second time. I can use another night at the 'Honeydripper,'" she laughed.

For those who want to relive the music of "Honeydripper," the film's much-heralded soundtrack went on sale Feb. 5. It includes all musical numbers from the film, including the two selections by the New Beginnings Choir. The film continues playing locally through next week at The Edge. Contact the Showtime Hotline at (334) 371-4200.

The Alabama premiere of "Honeydripper" was made possible by a number of local sponsors, including Whitney Bank, Alabama Power, Century Tel, L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital, AIA Recycling, BankTrust, Butler County Bank, Calvin and Mary Rodgers Poole, Camellia Communications, Debbie Martin Realty, Dr. and Mrs. William Hamilton Jr., Butler County Commission for Economic Development, Elegant Designs, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, First Lowndes Bank, Greenville Cash & Carry and Hysco.