30 years later, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" author is still exploring Savannah

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Ай бұрын

The acclaimed non-fiction book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" changed Savannah, Georgia, forever. Now, 30 years after the book's release, author John Berendt reflects on his impact on the city. Jeff Glor has more.
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Пікірлер: 86

@fearsomebeard4290 Ай бұрын

Still one of the best books I’ve ever read.

@susannefitzpatrick9955 26 күн бұрын

For anyone who hasn’t seen the film, please do - it has THE most stunning cinematography of any film I’ve seen in my life! It will take your breath away.

@mrsplanetmaster9 14 күн бұрын

I will, for some Saturday night entertainment... 🌹

@TiaCatR Ай бұрын

This book was part of the reason I moved to Savannah. I've lived here over 20 years now, most of that time downtown in the historic district. It has gotten more homogenized over the years with the influx of people like me, but there are still plenty of eccentrics. It's a beautiful, quirky place to live. Glad Mr. Berendt's publishing a 30th anniversary edition. I'll pick one up. 😊

@samanthab1923 Ай бұрын

I knew a couple who moved down there years back & did ghost tours 👻

@boxofmoles4057 Ай бұрын

🤮

@RaymondInSC Ай бұрын

I lived in Savannah from late 1977 to mid-2002. Savannah looks as beautiful as ever, but the eccentricities Berendt observed and wrote about are long gone. But that's to be expected. Nothing stays the same.

@samanthab1923 Ай бұрын

I can’t believe they didn’t show UGA. Sonny Siler died last year but his son still takes UGA to all the games. Go Dawgs!

@boxofmoles4057 Ай бұрын

Faux eccentricities. A perpetually obnoxious passion play. 🤮

@marysheehy4733 Ай бұрын

Lady Chablis came to Aiken SC for a charity event years ago. It was fabulous- the whole place was dancing!

@samanthab1923 Ай бұрын

Loved that book. Can’t believe it’s been 30 years! I also read John’s book on Venice The City of Falling Angels. Used to watch Southern Charm Savannah & that’s how I found out The Lady Chablis died. Looking forward to the update ❤

@ncavlleguy 28 күн бұрын

I visited Savannah for the first time time in September 2002 and I was fortunate enough to meet the lady Chablis , have my photo taken with her and received an autographed copy of her auto-biography, which everyone should read, and the she wowed us with a fantastic show, I’ll never forget it, and the city tours are ok but I had my own private tour guide, who took me places the other tours don’t . I especially enjoyed the movie and seeing the Mercer house in person, I really loved that after all that’s my last name too. IT WAS FABULOUS YALL !

@510trouble Ай бұрын

One of my favorite books and movies. Do the tours every time I visit Savannah.

@sburris65 Ай бұрын

Love the book and the movie. I also fall in love with this beautiful city more each time I visit.

@christinebuckingham8369 Ай бұрын

I love Savannah - it’s a beautiful city.

@bbills4186 10 күн бұрын

Loved the book and the movie! Savannah will always have a special place in my heart. Back in 2017, I was briefly unemployed and one of my closest friends asked me if I wanted to visit Savannah. I jumped at the chance and we spent 5 days exploring the squares and talking to the people who live there (there are still some eccentric people there lol). Little did I know this would be the last girls trip I would take with my friend as she passed less than 9 months later. But, Savannah will always be in my ❤ as a result.

@cil20002000 Ай бұрын

Read the book 30 years ago and thought how great it would be as a movie, a few years and 16 million visitors later it’s still going strong. Probably one of the best places for St Paddy’s Day celebrations

@sampa2nyc Ай бұрын

This book would make a great mini series like Feud: Joan vs. Bette or Feud: Truman Capote vs. the Swans

@GraveTalkswithShannonScott Ай бұрын

I met Jim Williams, renting from him while in art school, spending lot of time around the book's "characters," and The Mercer House. It was a novel hour to live here before and after "The Book." Now I just tell their tales graveside oddly enough, but all part of how it continues. Certainly, it wouldnt be the same place without the impact. #savannah #Bonaventure

@ec8687 Ай бұрын

One of my favorite cities♥️

@MadisonBriggsArtchick Ай бұрын

Excellent segment! Thank you! One of my favorite books and movies even now!

@samanthab1923 Ай бұрын

Happy to hear there is an update ❤

@dwoodw6990 25 күн бұрын

Thank you for this piece on Savannah and Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. I've read the book and watched the movie a few times since it came out. I am always recommend the book when I hear someone talking about Savannah. Its about time for another reread.

@macdisciple 29 күн бұрын

Moved to Savh in 1994 for SCAD. Downtown was deserted. Broughton St. was boarded up. Watched the filming of the movie through Mercer House windows. Now there are too many people and too much traffic downtown. When I go back - it’s changed for the better and for the worst.

@kayeroskaft9619 Ай бұрын

Fun to see this segment all these years later about a favorite book of mine.

@bindagr Ай бұрын

Savannah is a unique place with an iteresting history and even more interesting people. Children and shallow people won't appreciate it, but for everyone else it's must visit.

@melissahodgson1958 26 күн бұрын

Never read the book, but the movie is why I visit so much. I love Bonaventure, and I love finding my own history in the area.

@knottynumbers44 23 күн бұрын

I used to visit Savannah in the 1980s, I thought it would never change. I wish I had spent even more time there than I did.

@MonticaT6479 26 күн бұрын

My favorite book and movie!!!

@brandywineblogger1411 Ай бұрын

I saw the movie and then visited Savannah, walked down sleepy Bull Street with all the squares. I bought the book while I was there. Totally loved it and realized how Clint Eastwood ruined the balance of the book and most of the characters. In the book, Joe Odem, who in real life was blondish, a real cutie, and a great dresser, had much more time, as his "watching" people's historic homes while they were away turned into a business where he would book tour buses to come in and serve tea sandwiches. I think Eastwood was taken by Lady Chablis who steals every scene she's in. In addition, it was a vehicle to give his daughter Alison a suppoting role as Mandy. Mandy was a tough looking lady and not as sweet as Alison. If you haven't read the book, please read it.

@sandisteinberg731 29 күн бұрын

The movie doesn't begin to do justice to Berendt's terrific book.

@CA-tk8yn 18 күн бұрын

The city especially in the Historic district is one of the best walking cities I've visited. There are charming shops and around every corner seems to be an unexplored knook. Riverwalk is a great place to see the many blooming artists from SCAD, who put on daily shows for a donation or two. I enjoy going there every x number of years just to recapture the essence of how different these folks live. I got into the book and movie after visiting SCAD with my daughter on a summer program, who has bloomed into quite the artist herself. It is expensive especially during St Patrick's day, so be aware of that.

@kayhammock 27 күн бұрын

One of my all time favorite books! I have an autographed copy of this book. Visited Savannah, following in the steps of the people from the book.

@tishw4576 Ай бұрын

Love love love this book. The movie is excellent as well.

@bettyvann5499 Ай бұрын

Love Savannah !

@jhardy0786 29 күн бұрын

I love savanna

@maryettamoody5079 Ай бұрын

Read years ago still have ot

@normadesmond6017 Ай бұрын

wonderful book

@user-kt5od8gq2w Ай бұрын

I have the book, loved it and the movie!!!

@reginalddawson9258 Ай бұрын

I purchased this book my first and only visit. One of my favorites.

@samanthab1923 Ай бұрын

Still have my copy from 30 years ago! My old neighbor had a copy of the Bird Girl statue out in her front garden.

@pateder83 Ай бұрын

The first thing I thought was oh my God that was 30 years ago and that's when I started crying and I don't cry

@cynthiagale6794 Ай бұрын

One of my favorite books and movies!💖💞💖

@katemoore6249 28 күн бұрын

Great book!!!

@thegreyhoundgirls536 Ай бұрын

This is one of my favorite books. I loved the movie too.

@millerforester6237 20 күн бұрын

This movie directed by Clint Eastwood is my favorite of all this works. One of the very few movies I have ever seen that left you wanting more. Casting was superb. Kevin Spacy needs to get back to work.

@CrazyMaryJo Ай бұрын

Excellent novel 📚. Very good movie 🍿

@esthert6416 Ай бұрын

Loved the book and movie ❣️

@LisaGemini Күн бұрын

It just blows you away, that book! Has created a whole tourist industry there. I've been there, loved the book. I cannot believe they got away with trying Williams four times. What happened to double jeopardy?

@gregorbos Ай бұрын

Loved the novel. I have a signed copy. The film, however, was disappointing. Clint Eastwood was not the right choice for Director for this particular story.

@brandywineblogger1411 Ай бұрын

Totally agree! The book really gave time to all the characters. The movie ignored most of them except for Chablis. In real life, Joe Odem was blondish, a real cutie. A great dresser. Made money off living in other people's houses. Ignored in the movie.

@samanthab1923 Ай бұрын

It looked great but just didn’t flow right. Jude Law ❤

@variousJnames Ай бұрын

I love Clint Eastwood but I have to agree. The film lost the luster of characters mentioned in the book.

@dellahayden5606 Ай бұрын

I absolutely loved the movie and the book was fantastic too 🎉❤🥰

@evelynmayton470 Ай бұрын

I love the book and Savannah ❤

@lissa4306 Ай бұрын

Loved the story! Quite intriguing!

@maryburrell3948 Ай бұрын

That was such a good book and movie

@judithparsons1920 Ай бұрын

Stood across the room from Berendt- a Christmas party. My family was in his book. When someone asks-“Can I get you a drink?” They don’t mean iced tea.

@cocoaorange1 Ай бұрын

I would like to see the movie.

@angelikasakaguchi Ай бұрын

Love this movie

@cheribee968 Ай бұрын

The movie is one of my top favorite films

@harper7509 14 күн бұрын

Give it back

@decencywarrior9598 Ай бұрын

great movie

@rmn3186 Ай бұрын

If ever a book screams out to make it a miniseries....one of our favorite books. The film was OK, but it felt like Clint was trying to include so much, it diluted the plot. The book really needs more time to get the details and to know the wonderful characters. Hello...CBS...a miniseries. )

@charleshamilton9274 24 күн бұрын

I would never, ever live in a squalid Red State, but visit Savannah, why yes, yes I have. And yes I will. Like Charleston, it is a pocket of absolute beauty. I keep a list of those who’ve passed but would be more than welcome to a dinner party, of sorts, a gathering of souls with whom I would gladly share a meal. Lady Chablis to my left. Alan Turing to my right. The table is long, and the place cards numerous. So many to invite: George Washington Carver, Florence Sabin, Nikola Tesla, Betty White…

@michaelcain9324 Ай бұрын

The book is spectacular. The movie... Though we'll cast, Eastwood as director wasca mistake. He made Savanna look pedestrian, and cut fabulous characters so his daughter could play a nonexistent love interest. And sing badly. The Lady Chablis stole the whole movie. She was sensational. ❤

@chrisknott5543 Ай бұрын

The book was amazing. The movie not so much. Read the book!

@Ernwaldo Ай бұрын

As a life-long (60+ years) resident of Georgia who loved Savannah, even before hearing of Jim Williams, I loved the novel. The facts surrounding the case, as well as the outlandish eccentricities that everyone remarks upon. The film was okay. But as noted, the influx of tourism was astonishing. Spoiled that quaint, lazy charm I had previously enjoyed so much. Haven’t visited in 25 years or more.

@samanthab1923 Ай бұрын

I had heard Savannah has lost its charm 😢

@Ernwaldo Ай бұрын

@@samanthab1923 Yeah, that’s my opinion, at least. Or, was, my opinion. Like I said, haven’t visited in over 25 years. That was the only time I was there after the tourist boom. Some folks in the video don’t seem to think it a problem. Maybe it’s not as bad anymore. Or it may just be me? 🤷‍♂️

@samanthab1923 Ай бұрын

@@Ernwaldo I’ll take your word for it. I knew of a couple that moved down during the boom to give ghost tours 👻

@Ernwaldo Ай бұрын

@@samanthab1923 Wow! Very cool. Happy for your friends. But please *don’t* take my word for anything! LOL That’s why I stressed it was only my opinion. Curious, if you don’t mind: What is your friends’ impression of Savannah currently?

@samanthab1923 Ай бұрын

@@Ernwaldo They haven’t said. They are in LA now.

@winterlighthome Ай бұрын

Long before this book, Savannah had The Invasion of the Green Meanies: spring break and summer break groups of Girl Scouts coming because of Juliette Gordon Lowe by thousands every year. Girl Scouts were bolstering Savannah long before Berendt.

@800oceandrive5 Ай бұрын

Go Ghost Pirates!

@samanthab1923 Ай бұрын

Btw is he wearing Michael Cohen’s Isaia blue blazer? 😮

@fmcevoy1 Ай бұрын

I still have a hard time thinking the book is nonfiction.

@sheilah4525 29 күн бұрын

Seems to take him an awfully long time

@jbshaka653 29 күн бұрын

Clint Eastwood totally misunderstood the charm or message of the book and subsequently made a bad movie which bombed at the box office. Rotten Tomatoes stated "Clint Eastwood's spare directorial style proves an ill fit for this Southern potboiler, which dutifully trudges through its mystery while remaining disinterested in the cultural flourishes that gave its source material its sense of intrigue." Bonaventure Cemetery is the "Garden of Good and Evil", it is good before midnight and evil after midnight.

@TerlinguaTalkeetna Ай бұрын

Industrial tourism is not healthy or good for the long term of any place. Only profitable for the short term. Sad how we must literally destroy what we love. Of course naturally nothing stays the same. I grew up in Austin Tx in the early 70's when there where 200,000 souls in Travis Co and it took 15-20 mins to get to anywhere! There's that many just downtown now and the city limits extend to the county line! I live elsewhere......