Just before I moved to Greenville, a movie called "Leatherheads" was filmed there. It was directed and starred George Clooney along with Renee Zellweger. Around April 1st, the city announced that they would be giving the key to the city to those two and everyone should come out to welcome them. They would also be doing autographs.
I went to a local bookstore and found a magazine called "Creative Screenwriting", which I had never heard of, but it had a nice cover picture of the two from the movie. I bought it with my intentions of getting them to sign it.
The big day arrived, and I went downtown to the Poinsett Hotel for the celebration. When I got there, many people had already arrived. I got a place near a fence surrounding a fountain out front. The mayor was there to do the honors. After the presentation, the two stars began signing things. The film company had passed out 11"x17" mini-posters of the movie for those getting autographs, but I wanted them to sign my magazine. As George approached me, he was signing fast. I stuck out my magazine for him to sign, and he did. I said "Thank you", and he said "You're welcome". He was very nice. Then, it was Renee's turn to go through the gauntlet of fans. She got about five along and stopped. I was close to her and heard her tell her assistant that she couldn't get her high heels through the bricks that were in front of the hotel, so she would have to stop signing. I yelled out at her assistant could she please just sign one more. Her assistant handed my magazine to her, and she signed it. I was the last person she signed for that day. So, I had both autographs on my magazine. Most people just got George's.
After he had made the rounds through the crowd, they both went inside to have a little lunch. Most of the crowd left, but there were a few of us who stayed around hoping for another glimpse or autographs. We were told by their people that they would be coming out of a side door to get in their cars, and we should wait there. About 15 of us waited. Finally, they emerged through the side door. We were yelling "Renee" and "George". I had my black sharpie with me just in case, and I had my mini-poster to get signed. Renee waived and got into her car. George came over to us and said he was going to be late for his flight, but he signed a few in the front. I was toward the back of our group, so I didn't get him to sign my poster, but a little chaos broke out, and a woman in front of me started jumping up and down to get an autograph. My sharpie slipped, and I "signed" her arm. I bet she thought George had signed her arm. I wonder if she ever washed it off. He waived to us and thanked us for coming. He got in his car and they left. George Clooney was extremely gracious. Renee Zellweger I think was a bit overcome by the crowd, but at least I got them both to sign my magazine. No one else could say that, and that is special to me.
No comments:
Post a Comment