Dawsonville bids Eastwood, Timberlake Goodbye

Movie Crew Packs Up (Gainesville Times Photo)

After over a week in Dawsonville, Ga., the cast and crew of "Trouble with the Curve" have packed up and moved out...leaving behind a partly remodeled motel and quite a few starstruck people.

The movie's main star and producer, 81 year old Clint Eastwood, wowed the citizenry with his normalness....shopping in the local grocery store, eating at the local restaurants and warmly conversing with locals. In fact, on his last day in town, Clint was spotted in front of a deli on the town square, patiently signing autographs and talking to fans.

Most Dawsonvillians and other star-struck fans who came to town weren't able to meet-on-one with Clint or his co-stars Amy Adams, Justin Timberlake and John Goodman. However, a fortunate few residents actually interacted with the cast and crew. Dawson County Sheriff deputies helped guard the celebrities as part of the movie's security team, and local restaurant servers and caterers provided the food day-after-day. (Rumor has it that on the final day of shooting, the Dawsonville Pool Room served over 200 of their world famous Bully Burgers for the crew's last meal in town.)

D&B weren't able to capture any first-hand pictures or video of the movie's filming. Every time we were in Dawsonville, all we saw was traffic backed up from the movie set. BUT, others were lucky to video the stars on set, filming in front of the Amicalola Lodge, which was renamed the Grey Squirrel Motel for the movie. (Word of caution: These videos aren't quite movie theater ready.)

• Justin Timberlake and Amy Adams Outside of the Grey Squirrel
• Clint Eastwood Goes to Mustang
• Justin Timberlake and His Bodyguard

Clint Eastwood and the Keys to Dawsonville

No keys to Dawsonville for movie stars

The City of Dawsonville is warmly welcoming Clint Eastwood and his fellow movie stars to the small town. In fact, the city fathers even wanted to give the stars of Trouble with the Curve keys to the city.

But, alas, Clint, Justin Timberlake, Amy Adams and John Goodman will probably leave Dawsonville without city keys. The schedule just won't allow time for key presentations.

The presentation had been planned for weeks, according to the Gainesville Times. In an interview with the newspaper, Dawsonville Councilman Calvin Byrd said, "I was talking to one of the crew today and he said he'd still pass the word along that the city wants to do this, but it's not looking too good."  "We're just glad they're here."

Interesting TWTC factoid: One of the 'stars' of the movie is Clint Eastwood's son Scott, who plays a minor league baseball player.

Justin Timberlake and Movie Crew in Dawsonville

Timberlake in Dawsonville

Filming is underway this week for Clint Eastwood's new picture, Trouble with the Curve in Dawsonville, Ga.

Clint and his co-stars Justin Timberlake, Amy Adams and John Goodman all coming to Dawsonville and the soon-to-be famous Amicalola Lodge to film Eastwood's Warner Bros. production.

Thousands of dollars in 'improvements' later, and Dawsonville's Amicalola Lodge is ready for its starring role in the baseball-themed movie. The 55-year-old Lodge, located near the town's main square, has been "sprucied up" (that's a good Southern term) with a new patio, carpet, canopy, ceilings and fixtures.

"They've spent a lot of money here. I'm so proud," said motel owner Pravin Patel, in an a Gainesville Times interview. "The directors and producers, they told me of all the places they've filmed, here in Dawsonville is their favorite." (The movie crew also filmed in Athens and Macon.)


One side-effect of the filming has been the traffic congestion in Dawsonville. Although the production company hired security to manage the traffic, the waits to get through town have caused locals quite a few headaches. But, as the powers-to-be assure everyone, having Dawsonville (and motel) play a role in a Clint Eastwood movie will definitely boost tourism and interest in the city and Dawson County.