Is Sweet Home Alabama based on a true story?
That's why we decided to highlight some of our favorite flicks set in sweet home Alabama. Some Alabama-based movies use fictional towns while others use actual places as their settings -- and some even use fictional towns inspired by actual places. Regardless, they're all Alabama-set movies we love.
Where can I watch Sweet Home Alabama?
Technically, Alabama can beat Georgia and the Dawgs can still win the national championship, so is there a chance Corso pulls a fast one on the audience? As "Sweet Home Alabama" played at the site, Corso picked Alabama because they're the most desperate team.
When was Sweet Home Alabama released song?
Today’s song of the day is “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Recorded in June 1973 and released in June 1974, “Sweet Home Alabama” became the anthem for southern pride in the US. Written by Skynyrd band members Ronnie Van Zant, Ed King, and Gary Rossington, the song first appeared on Skynyrd’s second album “Second Helping.”
Who was in Sweet Home Alabama?
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Is Pigeon Creek Alabama a real place?
Although the movie was set in the fictional town of Pigeon Creek, Alabama, it was filmed almost entirely in Georgia. You see, Pigeon Creek is actually the name of a waterway that runs through the southern section of Butler County, Alabama. It's not a real town.03-Aug-2014
Where is the beach in Sweet Home Alabama?
Despite the film's name, the majority was filmed in Georgia. The opening scenes with the lightning strike on the beach took place in Captiva Island, Florida, near Fort Myers. The big houses Melanie drives past on her way into her town are in Eufala, Alabama.24-Feb-2020
Where is the plantation house in Sweet Home Alabama?
Located on the campus of Berry College, Oak Hill was the home of school founder Martha Berry. In "Sweet Home Alabama," the mansion was used as the Carmichael Plantation, where Melanie is supposed to get married.
Is there a town in Alabama called Sweet Home?
It stands on a corner in an isolated part of downtown Bessemer, its former grandeur evident in its double-entry façade, octagonal turret and stately columns. Sweet in 1906, is known as "Sweet Home Alabama." ...28-Jun-2018
Where is the glass shop in Sweet Home Alabama?
In the movie "Sweet Home Alabama" Jake's glassblowing shop was filmed in Fayette County Georgia at an old mill called Starr's Mill. The exterior was repainted and the porch was rebuilt for the movie. The bridges were later washed away in a flood.
Who is the little girl at the end of Sweet Home Alabama?
Then: Young Melanie Smooter Dakota Fanning played Melanie as a little girl in one of her earliest film appearances in Sweet Home Alabama.28-May-2020
Is there a shorter mansion in Sweet Home Alabama?
A prominent feature along historic North Eufaula Avenue, Shorter Mansion is perhaps Eufaula's most identifiable feature. Originally built in 1884, the mansion was once home to Governor John Gill Shorter. This pristine example of architecture was featured in the motion picture “Sweet Home Alabama”.15-Apr-2016
Is the glass store in Sweet Home Alabama real?
The jaw-dropping hand-blown glass known in the film as "Deep South Glass" is work from the company Simon Pearce, based in Vermont. The company says each piece of "lightning glass" required a team of five glassblowers. 3. Get your tissues ready, because the coon dog cemetery depicted in the film is a real place.
What part of Sweet Home Alabama was filmed in Covington GA?
Other filming locations for 'Sweet Home Alabama' were at one of the plantation homes located in Covington, as well as at Starr's Mill in Fayette County. Starr's Mill is seen in the film as the character, Jake's (played by Josh Lucas) glassblowing shop.21-Aug-2014
Is Sweet Home a town?
Sweet Home is a city in Linn County, Oregon, United States. The population was 8,925 at the 2010 census. According to the city, "Sweet Home is sometimes referred to as the 'Gateway to the Santiam Playground' due to its proximity to nearby lakes, rivers and the Cascade Mountains."
Where is Melanie from Sweet Home Alabama?
Witherspoon stars as Melanie Smooter, a New York City fashion designer who hides her Pigeon Creek, Alabama, origins by using the last name “Carmichael.” That plan seems to be working out for her until she gets engaged to Andrew Hennings (Patrick Dempsey), the wealthy son of NYC's mayor (Candice Bergen).17-Jul-2021
Is there going to be a Sweet Home Alabama 2?
"We are not making a sequel that I know of, but if Disney wants to call me, I would happily make a Sweet Home Alabama 2!" When ET spoke to Lucas a few years later, the actor likewise expressed a willingness to reprise his role as Jake, as long as Witherspoon did so with her role of Melanie. "I'm up for it.08-Jul-2021
How old are Jake Perry and Melanie Smooter?
On a beach in the fictional town of Pigeon Creek, Alabama, 10-year-olds Jake Perry and Melanie Smooter inspect the result of lightning striking sand. Jake asserts that they will be married one day.
Where was the Coonhound cemetery?
The coonhound cemetery was on Moore Street in Crawfordville and the bar was located at Heavy's Barbecue near the town. Glass that forms when lightning hits sand, as in the film, is called fulgurite . Jake's glassblowing shop was filmed at an old mill named Starr's Mill, in Fayette County, Georgia.
Where was the movie "The Carmichael Plantation" filmed?
Although centered in a fictional version of the town of Pigeon Creek, near a fictional version of Greenville, Alabama, the film was mostly shot in Georgia. The Carmichael Plantation, which Melanie tells the reporter is her childhood home, is the Oak Hill Berry Museum, a historic landmark in Georgia which is on the campus of Berry College in Rome, Georgia .
What song is the theme song for Sweet Home Alabama?
The film title and theme song lyrics are from the " Sweet Home Alabama " song by Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, which first appeared on their second album, Second Helping (1974).
Where does Melanie go in the book?
Melanie goes to the Carmichael plantation and apologizes to Bobby Ray. She is cornered there by Kate's assistant, sent there to gather information on Melanie's background. Bobby Ray backs up her pretense that she is a relative and the family mansion is her childhood home.
How much did Sweet Home Alabama make?
The film grossed over US$35 million in its first weekend. By the end of its run in the United States, Sweet Home Alabama grossed over US$130 million , and another US$53,399,006 internationally. With a reported budget of US$30 million, it was a box office hit, despite the mixed reviews.
Does Melanie love Jake?
He has the divorce papers, which Melanie never signed. Melanie realizes she still loves Jake and cancels the wedding. She and Andrew wish each other well, though Kate berates Andrew and insults Melanie, her family, and the entire town, for which Melanie punches her in the jaw.
What is Sweet Home Alabama about?
The 2002 film Sweet Home Alabama tells of a fashion designer in New York City who must return to her small hometown to get a divorce from her high school boyfriend. In the process, she becomes reacquainted with him along with her family and former friends.
Where does Melanie's town take place?
The big houses Melanie drives past on her way into her town are in Eufala, Alabama. And, of course, some of the New York City scenes take place at Lincoln Center, the Fashion District, and Tiffany’s. All of these locations are open to the public. Some no longer exist or were created for the movie, so they’ve been left out.
What was the setting for Pigeon Creek?
Taliaferro County Courthouse. The town was used as the setting for Pigeon Creek, Melanie’s hometown. Various buildings were used for the cafe, bank, and post office. There’s also the Taliaferro County Historical Society, which has artifacts from the films.
Where is Oak Hill located?
Set in the Northwest Georgia town of Rome, Oak Hill is the former home of Martha Berry which is located on the campus of Berry College. Built in the 1880s in the Greek Revival style, Berry lived much of her life in the home before and after founding the school.
When was Berry's home built?
Built in the 1880s in the Greek Revival style, Berry lived much of her life in the home before and after founding the school. It contains stunning gardens from the 1930s and offers guided tours of the interior with admission.
Who owns Starrs Mill?
The unincorporated area of Starrs Mill was established alongside a grist mill of the same name. It was first owned by Hilliard Starr, who owned the mill from 1866 until 1879, using the water-powered wheel to grind corn. Today it operates as a free landmark with a few picnic tables and an area to walk around.
Where is Martha Berry Museum?
The Martha Berry Museum, near the home’s entrance, educates visitors on Berry’s life along with the history of the school and the town of Rome. In Sweet Home Alabama, Oak Hill serves as the Carmichael Plantation.
Oak Hill & the Martha Berry Museum
This house you might recognize as the Carmichael Plantation from the film. Situated on Berry College campus, the historic property once housed Union soldiers during the Civil War.
Georgia International Horse Park
Better known as the field where Melanie's father held his Civil War reenactment, this site once hosted the 1996 Olympic Volleyball, equestrian and pentathlon events.
Starr's Mill
You'll recognize this as Deep South Glass, Jake's business. Only Josh Lucas could make blown glass look that good. This is included on the Southern Hollywood Film Tour that takes people to notable stops from Drop Dead Diva, Joyful Noise, and Sweet Home Alabama.
Heavy's Barbeque
The Crawfordville restaurant used as Stella's Bar in the film is the epitome of rustic southern charm. They even have the sign used in the movie on display.
Where was Sweet Home Alabama filmed?
Sweet Home Alabama Filming Locations. The movie is set in a fictional town – Pigeon Creek – near Greenville, Alabama. However, very few scenes were shot in the state. Georgia, Florida, and New York are locations that more prominently feature in the list of filming venues. But before we discuss them in detail, here is a fun fact about ‘Sweet Home ...
Who sang Sweet Home Alabama?
These iconic lyrics from the equally famous eponymous song by Lynyrd Skynyrd will always remind us of the Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, and Patrick Dempsey movie, ‘Sweet Home Alabama.’. The romantic comedy follows a successful fashion designer, Melanie, as she makes her way back to her Southern hometown to obtain a divorce from her childhood ...
Storyline
Melanie Carmichael, an up and rising fashion designer in New York, has gotten almost everything she wished for since she was little. She has a great career and the JFK-like fiancée of New York City. But when he proposes to her, she doesn't forget about her family back down South.
Did you know
This was first film to shoot in New York City after the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.
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What is the Hindi language plot outline for Sweet Home Alabama (2002)?
What is Sweet Home Alabama about?
The film tells the story of Melanie Smooter, a Southern girl from a small town who becomes estranged from her past after she moves to New York to become a fashion designer. She is forced to return home after becoming engaged to a man named Andrew and must procure a divorce from her childhood sweetheart and estranged husband, Jake. Even though the film received mixed reviews from critics, it has a huge cult following of fans who absolutely loved it and still cherish it as one of their favorite movies today. It’s now been 15 years since the film was released, so here’s a look back at 7 things you probably didn’t know about Sweet Home Alabama!
What is a bologna cake?
A bologna cake consists of bologna, cream cheese and horseradish. (c) Walt Disney/courtesy Everett Collection.
Who played Melanie Carmichael in Legally Blonde?
6. Charlize Theron. Charlize Theron was originally sought out to play the lead role of Melanie Carmichael, but because there was an actor’s strike at the time, she had jumped to do the film Trapped. This left the door open for Reese Witherspoon, who was cast the same weekend that Legally Blonde hit the box office.
Who is Reese Witherspoon's co-star?
Reese and Josh. Josh Lucas was the first to admit in his interview with IGN that he’s not the best at comedy, so he relied on his co-star, Reese Witherspoon for help. Even though they’d known each other for a while prior to working together, Reese didn’t remember who he was!
Where was Sweet Home Alabama filmed?
Sweet Home Alabama was the first film allowed to shoot in New York City after the September 11, 2001 attacks. It was also the first film ever allowed to film in Tiffany’s since Breakfast at Tiffany’s in 1961.
Who played Erin Vanderbilt in Sweet Home Alabama?
In the original draft of Sweet Home Alabama there was a character with an entire subplot named Erin Vanderbilt. Played by Katharine Towne, the character was cut from the film after test audiences were confused about her relationship with Andrew.
Overview
Muscle Shoals
One verse of the song includes the line, "Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers/And they've been known to pick a song or two." This refers to the town of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a popular location for recording popular music because of the "sound" crafted by local recording studios and back-up musicians. "The Swampers" referred to in the lyrics are the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. These musicians, who crafted the "Muscle Shoals Sound", were inducted into the Alaba…
Creation and recording
None of the three writers of the song were from Alabama; Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington were both born in Jacksonville, Florida, while Ed King was from Glendale, California. In an interview with Garden & Gun, Rossington explained the writing process. "I had this little riff," he said. "It’s the little picking part and I kept playing it over and over when we were waiting on everyone to arrive for rehearsal. Ronnie and I were sitting there, and he kept saying, 'play that again'. Then Ronnie w…
Controversy
"Sweet Home Alabama" was written in answer to two songs by Neil Young, "Southern Man" and "Alabama", because the songs "took the entire South to task for the bloody history of slavery and its aftermath". "We thought Neil was shooting all the ducks in order to kill one or two," said Ronnie Van Zant at the time. The following excerpt is the Neil Young name-check in the song "Sweet Home Alabama":
Personnel
Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Ronnie Van Zant – lead vocals
• Ed King – lead guitar, backing vocals (first "woo" at the end of the last chorus)
• Leon Wilkeson – bass guitar, backing vocals (second "woo" at the end of the last chorus)
"All Summer Long"
Kid Rock's 2008 song "All Summer Long" interpolates "Sweet Home Alabama" on the chorus and uses the guitar solo and piano outro, as well as the "turn it up" shout before the guitar solo; Billy Powell is featured on the track. "All Summer Long" also samples Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London", which has similar chord progression to "Sweet Home Alabama".
The song is credited to Matthew Shafer, Waddy Wachtel, R.J. Ritchie, Leroy Marinell, Warren Zev…
Other uses
• As of 2009, the State of Alabama has begun using the phrase "Sweet Home Alabama" as an official slogan on license plates for motor vehicles, with Governor Bob Riley noting that Lynyrd Skynyrd's anthem is the third most-played song referring to a specific destination. (This is also the second Alabama license plate in a row to make reference to a popular song, with the state's previous plate having featured "Stars Fell on Alabama".)
Recognition and awards
• In May 2006, National Review ranked the song number 4 on its list of "50 greatest conservative rock songs".
• In July 2006, CMT ranked it number 1 on the "20 Greatest Southern Rock songs".
Overview
Sweet Home Alabama is a 2002 American romantic comedy film directed by Andy Tennant and starring Reese Witherspoon, Josh Lucas, Patrick Dempsey, Fred Ward, Mary Kay Place, Jean Smart, and Candice Bergen. It was released in the United States on September 27, 2002, by Buena Vista Pictures. The film takes its title from the 1974 Lynyrd Skynyrd song of the same name.
Production
Charlize Theron was considered for the lead role before Reese Witherspoon was cast.
Katherine Towne was cast as Witherspoon's character's assistant who ultimately ends up marrying the Patrick Dempsey character, but all other scenes were dropped in the final cut.
Although centered in a fictional version of the town of Pigeon Creek, near a fictional version of Greenville, Alabama, the film was mostly shot in Georgia. The Carmichael Plantation, which Mela…
Plot
On a beach in the fictional town of Pigeon Creek, Alabama, 10-year-olds Jake Perry and Melanie Smooter inspect the result of lightning striking sand. Jake asserts that they will be married one day.
In the present day, Melanie is a successful New York fashion designer who has adopted the surname "Carmichael" to hide her poor Southern roots. After wealthy Andrew Hennings propose…
Cast
• Reese Witherspoon as Melanie Carmichael/Smooter
• Josh Lucas as Jake Perry
• Patrick Dempsey as Andrew Hennings
• Candice Bergen as Mayor Kate Hennings
Release
This film received mostly mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a critical score of 38% based on 159 reviews, with an average rating of 5.19/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "Reese Witherspoon is charming enough, but the road to Alabama is well-traveled." At Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 45 out of 100 based on 35 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".
See also
• The Judge—a 2014 film with a similar plot of a protagonist with a successful big city career drawn back to an old hometown.
• Middle America
External links
• Sweet Home Alabama at IMDb