What movies featured the Bird Girl statue?

The iconic "Bird Girl" statue is most famously featured in the 1997 Clint Eastwood film adaptation of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, appearing both on the cover of the book that inspired it and within the movie itself, where it was located in Savannah's Bonaventure Cemetery before being moved to the Telfair Academy museum.

Why is the Bird Girl statue famous?

Bird Girl is a sculpture made in 1936 by Sylvia Shaw Judson in Lake Forest, Illinois. It was sculpted at Ragdale, her family's summer home, and achieved fame when it was featured on the cover of the 1994 non-fiction novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

What is the movie about Savannah Georgia?

But here "Midnight In The Garden Of Good and Evil" is astounding entertainment and it features actor Kevin Spacey in one of his most gifted role of his career. The movie focuses on the happenings of Savannah,Georgia where the city of hot nights and cold-blooded murder all rolled into one.

Where is the famous statue from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?

Telfair Academy

This large art museum is home to The Bird Girl, the statue that graced the cover of the book. The sculpture by Sylvia Shaw Judson soon became a popular lawn decoration. It was originally located in Bonaventure Cemetery, but fans were trampling on the graves to see it.

What is the true story behind Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?

Yes, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a true story, a nonfiction book by John Berendt about the real-life murder trial of Savannah antiques dealer Jim Williams for killing his lover Danny Hansford, blending journalism with the city's eccentric characters, though the author admits to some storytelling liberties for narrative effect. The book, a major bestseller and cultural phenomenon, covers the four trials and the unique Savannah society, including figures like Lady Chablis, and significantly boosted tourism to the city.
 

The Bird Girl (1932)

Why was Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil banned?

The parents said the 1994 best-seller was too pornographic and at odds with student behavior promoted in the school handbook.

Are there any famous people buried in Bonaventure Cemetery?

With 100-acres of land for gravestones and tombs, these are only some of our favorite stops in Bonaventure Cemetery. Other famous people interred within Bonaventure Cemetery are: Georgia's first governor, Edward Telfair, silent film actress Edythe Chapman, and Bishop Middleton Barnwell.

Why was the Bird Girl statue removed?

That magic happened in the darkroom as Leigh used the techniques of dodging and burning to craft the sole image that he sent to Random House. After the book's success, Bonaventure and the Trosdal lot were inundated with tourists, and Bird Girl was removed from the cemetery.

Which movie opening scene was filmed at a park in Savannah?

The performances have been described as “2-hours of high energy music, dance and comedy, perfect for a southern evening!” The Square is also known for the famous park bench scenes from the critically acclaimed film Forrest Gump.

Was Savannah involved in the Civil War?

Savannah's role in the Civil War is legendary—it was one of the only towns left standing during Sherman's famous 'March to the Sea," preserved and given as a Christmas present to Abraham Lincoln in 1864. Explore how Savannah was a key city in the Confederacy—and what happened after the Union victory.

What is the #1 scariest horror movie of all time?

There's no single "scariest" movie, as fear is subjective, but The Exorcist (1973) consistently ranks at or near the top in audience polls and critic lists for its intense, disturbing, and iconic horror, while recent scientific studies often place Sinister (2012) as the scariest due to heart rate data, though classics like The Shining, Hereditary, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre are also perennial favorites. 

What Julia Roberts movie was filmed in Savannah?

Julia Roberts' character in the 90s movie "Something To Talk About" boosted Six Pence Pub into the spotlight, and visitors still look for it and its iconic English phone booth today located on Bull Street.

Why did John Wayne refuse to work with Clint Eastwood?

John Wayne turned down working with Clint Eastwood primarily due to a fundamental clash in their vision for Westerns, with Wayne disliking Eastwood's darker, cynical "spaghetti western" style, viewing it as a betrayal of traditional Western values, and famously rejecting Eastwood's project, The Hostiles, over philosophical differences about the genre, leading to a rift between them.
 

Where is the Bird Girl statue now?

Out of concern about possible vandalism or theft of the statue, not to mention increased foot traffic the grave plot was receiving, the family removed Little Wendy from Bonaventure, and donated her to the Telfair Museum of Art in Savannah for public display.

What's the story behind Savannah's waving girl?

Over the years, many have come up with fanciful explanations for why Florence waved at the passing ships. Locals claim that in 1887, Florence fell in love with a naval officer who sailed away but promised to return. To help him spot her, she started standing by the river and gesturing at the moving vessels.

What is the most famous statue in Bonaventure Cemetery?

One of the most visited grave sites in Bonaventure Cemetery is that of 'Little Gracie'. Her story has captivated visitors to Bonaventure Cemetery for over 100 years. The wrought iron fence surrounding her grave site is often adorned with little gifts left by people who were touched by the story of Little Gracie.

What Savannah Park was Forrest Gump filmed in?

The "park bench" scene which opens the 1994 film Forrest Gump was filmed on the north side of Chippewa Square. The bench was a fiberglass prop, rather than one of the park's actual benches. One of the prop benches used in the film is on display at Savannah History Museum.

Who turned down the role of Forrest Gump?

Several actors turned down the role of Forrest Gump, most notably John Travolta, who chose to do Pulp Fiction, and also Bill Murray and Chevy Chase, with Dave Chappelle reportedly rejecting the role of Bubba due to potential stereotypes. Tom Hanks ultimately took the role, winning an Oscar for his performance.
 

What happened to the people who pulled Colston's statue down?

Some 18 months after the toppling of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston made international news, the Colston 4 were tried for criminal damage and found not guilty. The verdict was welcomed by many, including campaigners who had fought to have the statue removed for years.

What does the Bird Girl statue represent?

“Bird Girl's pose does not actually symbolize the weighing of good and evil, rather, the bowls in her upturned hands were intended to hold food or water for birds. Her design functions as a fountain.”

Where is the statue from the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil?

At first it was hidden in a private residence, and later lent to the Telfair Museums. Until December 2014, it was displayed at the Telfair Academy, after which it was moved across the street to the Jepson Center. It has now been returned to the Telfair Academy, where it can presently be seen.

What is the most visited grave ever?

There isn't one definitive "most visited grave," but sites like Père Lachaise Cemetery (Paris), John F. Kennedy's grave (Arlington), and mausoleums for figures like Lenin (Moscow) or Marilyn Monroe (Los Angeles) consistently rank high, with recent, extraordinary surges reported for Kenyan politician Raila Odinga's grave (Bondo, Kenya) in late 2025, drawing millions in a short period. 

Where do wealthy people live in Savannah?

The richest areas of Savannah, GA, include the exclusive, private communities on Skidaway Island (like The Landings, The Village, Oakridge) and upscale historic areas like the North & South Historic Districts, plus affluent areas such as Ardsley Park, Coffee Bluff, and parts of Wilmington Island, known for large homes, luxury amenities, and historic charm.
 

What happens to graves over 100 years old?

After 100 years, graves in the U.S. often remain untouched if burial rights were purchased in perpetuity, though headstones weather and bodies fully decompose into skeletons and then mineral dust, leaving mostly teeth and coffin remnants; however, in some countries or land-constrained areas, graves are leased and re-used after a set term (e.g., 15-100 years) by exhuming remains, and cemeteries may use double-deep burials or mausoleums to conserve space.