Mercer-Williams House, "Bird Girl" Telfair Museum, Bonaventure Cemetery. 🎥 Locations!
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- čas přidán 14. 01. 2024
- In this adaptation of John Berendt's book, a young journalist, John Kelso (John Cusack), travels to Savannah, Ga., to cover the city's Christmas celebration amid a backdrop of eccentric characters. He becomes intrigued by a sultry singer, Mandy (Alison Eastwood), and engrossed by a murder trial. Wealthy society figure Jim Williams (Kevin Spacey) is accused of shooting his male lover, and the question is whether it was in self-defense as he claims.
Danny Lewis Hansford (March 1, 1960 - May 2, 1981) was an American shooting victim who was killed by his employer, historic preservationist and antiques dealer Jim Williams, at Williams' home the "Mercer-Williams House" in Savannah, Georgia. The infamy related to the house stems from the murder of Danny Hansford, who was the assistant (and lover) of the houses owner, Jim Williams.
Bonaventure Cemetery was made famous thanks in part to the cover of the novel, Bonaventure Cemetery was the original home of the Bird Girl "Little Wendy" statue now located at the Telfair Academy Museum. This hauntingly beautiful statue is now on display for all to see. Commonly known as the “Bird Girl,” the statue is one of four, originally cast in 1936 by sculpture Sylvia Shaw Judson. Savannah's “Bird Girl” was purchased by a local family, who named it “Little Wendy” and set it up at their family plot in Bonaventure Cemetery.
Known as The Mercer-Williams House, the 7,000 square foot mansion is a crucial stop on the city's many ghost tours, and it's also the residence that inspired John Berendt's best-selling 1994 novel, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
Join HUGHES TV for a look at this "True Crime" story and historical and filming locations from the movie listed above.
Thank you! Nurse Jane here; lived at 707 Dawn Street near Beaufort, SC 1978-1981…my mother sent me the book as soon as it was available. The High Sheriff of Low Country died and a 24 hour watch was put on his grave for 30 days…ISO that no one would walk off with any part of his remains… I was taught NOT to stop if I saw burning rings of fire along the road from Beaufort to Savannah. My African Beaufort mechanic friends painted my MGB car engine BLUE to ward off evil spirits. Only things I’m missing here in Deale, MD are Pecan Trees and Spanish Moss. God bless you and keep safe, Nurse Jane, retired Naval Officer
The Bird Girl is in a good place!!! That mural on the wall just makes the exibit !!!!
I bought the book about 15 years ago and realized there was a movie! I’ve read that book several times and watch the movie, I couldn’t even tell you how many times!! All the actors were awesome!! Love it!!!
This is a powerful video, and i thank you for making it and sharing it with us. Ive seen many many beautiful pictures and videos of that area of Savanah but never does anyone stop and show the details...or the location of the Bonaventure Cemetery - much less take us to the exact spot where the Bird Girl was and the museum where she is--thank you!
I read Berendt's terrific book when it just came out- our bookseller was literally in the process of stacking some copies on a table- id never heard of it but when i saw the cover photo- read the title- i waa sold.
So i think im going to get that old copy down from the shelf and begin again to get to know Savanah and her people and read one more time what they have to say about evil doings in the Mercer Williams house late that December night.
Again many thanks!
We went there last August for my birthday. Such a serene place. I was hoping to see the dog leash the man had walk a ghost dog. Also to hear more about the lady Chebble. Yet all in all we truly loved our wonderful time there. You did an awesome story here and great detail with pictures , facts and sound affects. Thank you for sharing this rich history.
My objective was to show more filming locations, especially the "leash scene" 😆 leading up to the beautiful fountain at Forsyth Park, but our trip ran short. The Lady Chablis died on September 8, 2016, and was a huge part of the film, and Savannah..what a great addition she made to the movie. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Great video! …My favorite home in Savannah! I haven’t read the book in a long time but the book and all the self research I did placed Jim Williams as having his heart attack in the kitchen I believe.
Thanks for watching!
Wow didn't know it was true story
I saw themovie many years ago. Thanks for all the information
Thanks for watching!
I think you're off on where Jim died.
Sonny Seiler, Williams's attorney, said he found Williams in the doorway between the office and the hallway:
"I went immediately to Mercer House and found Jim on the floor. I thought he was probably dead."
Many of the tour guides make the claim that he was discovered in the doorway leading up to the Mercer-Williams House. Others say the kitchen, but the attorney's account sounds the most legit. Thanks for watching!
Him
Jim was found between the office and hallway doorway according to his attorney in his skivvies..
Do you know if Jim Williams sister has passed? Also… When did the house become a museum? Thanks! 😊
Dorothy Williams Kingery, age 88, passed away on February 4, 2023. The house, I believe, became a museum soon after Dorothy gained ownership after her mother passed. The house was willed to Jim's mother.
Thanks for watching!
Thank you Shane for getting back to me. I subscribed so keep ‘em coming! Everyone loves a good story!
Can you believe, when Jim bought the house, he only paid $55,000!!!! What a deal!!!!
Yes, even in bad shape with a 2-year renovation, $55,000 was a steal. Thanks for watching!
Some say the house id falling into disrepair ...sad ...
No, Danny didn’t deserve to die! Although, believe it was self defense because Danny threatened him all the time, he ransacked Jim’s property and, no doubt, stole from him a lot! Don’t believe Jim had intentions of killing Danny until forced to protect himself when Danny tried shooting Jim!!! Just my opinion!!
Danny was very troubled, and we know he had a drug and alcohol problem. It is documented that he destroyed a few antiques in a rage, including the grandfather clock, which would certainly upset Jim Williams. I've heard that the argument started from Jim's refusal to take Danny on a trip to Europe and then escalated from there. Danny threatened to spill the beans on Jim's sexualality if he continued to refuse. Could Jim have really felt threatened enough to stage the shooting as self-defense to protect his standing in the community? Or was he truly physically threatened with the fire of a gun? Remember Danny had no gunpowder residue left on his hands, but that doesn't mean he didn't point the gun at Jim. Jim stated that he fired the gun at him first. Lots of unanswered questions....but it sounds like Danny was very troubled in life, and apparently, so was Jim. Tragic true story, for sure.
Read in comments in an another video from a Savannah native that the story of the little boy falling from the roof was false. Would like to hear your take on this and where the documentation is. Also, Jim Williams died inside the house at the place he would have been when he shot Danny Hansford. That’s a lot eerier. Since he was found in his underwear after a party I doubt his dying outside is true.
I agree Jim's body was found inside, according to his lawyer, who claimed to have found him in the doorway office, yes in his underwear. Some of the tour guides say that he was found at the door, to I guess make it spooky for the tour guests. attendees. I have a newspaper clipping that specifically talks about the little boy. It is a true story. Try to Google "Mercer-Williams House" and "boy-pigeon hunting," and maybe you'll be able to verify. Thanks for watching!
Yes, the tragic story about the little boy pigeon hunting is accurate.