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Paramount Studios coming to Augusta

By WENDY MITCHELL, Staff Writer

Saturday, October 4, 2008 12:27 AM EDT

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AUGUSTA -- Excitement is mounting at the Rosemary Clooney House Museum in Augusta as word spreads that Paramount Pictures is coming to town in December.

No, a movie is not being shot there, as others have been in the past, but a section of the DVD for the re-release of "White Christmas" will contain a peek in the museum and possibly other sites with Clooney ties around the city, museum owner Steve Henry said.

"They are looking for tidbits to put on the trailer and behind the scenes segments of the DVD," he said.

With what may be the most comprehensive collection of "White Christmas" movie memorabilia amassed since the movie was made, the Clooney museum was just what the movie company needed, Henry said.

Creating the museum has been a cooperative effort between Henry and his wife, Former Miss America Heather French Henry, Paramount Studios, actors and back stage personnel of the movie and their heirs, friends and the Clooney family.

"(White Christmas memorabilia) is his obsession ... his passion," Heather French Henry said of her husband recently as he and her father positioned a vintage military Willys Jeep on the lawn of the museum.

Steve Henry is restoring the vehicle, which resembles a vehicle in the movie, as part of his ongoing homage to the film, she said.

Using what is in the Clooney museum for the DVD was easy to agree to, Steve Henry said.

Many of the items were rescued from storage bins, or from private collections, others were in precarious places and in danger of being lost forever.

Recently, two of the blue "Sisters" act dresses and one of the blue sequined feather fans used in the movie were reunited in a display which also features other Clooney costumes from the movie and a uniform worn by Bing Crosby.

Throughout the museum, which is housed in a two-story home on Riverside Drive where Clooney once lived, are posters, sheet music, photographs and items organized to take visitors back in time and into the present.

Part of one room is even dedicated to the accomplishments of Clooney's nephew, actor George Clooney. He has donated costumes and memorabilia to the museum at the request of the Henrys.

"We have one of a kind items which can't be found anywhere else," Steve Henry said.

A tentative date for the studio to be working in Augusta is in mid-December, Steve Henry said.

"I can't wait to see how this turns out," he said.

According to Steve Henry the museum, since its spring 2005 opening, is nearing the 55,000 visitor mark. He is proud of what has been accomplished and thankful for all the assistance received in its three years of existence. He continues to plan for an expansion of the museum site and other smaller projects to enhance local attraction for visitors.

The museum organization has already purchased three other smaller buildings in the city, Steve Henry said.

"I'll let you know what those plans are as they develop," he said.

Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 606-564-9091, ext. 276.

Reader Comments

Comments are limited to 200 words or less.

augusta fan wrote on Oct 10, 2008 8:15 AM:

" Math Major, are you just a bitter person. It sounds like it to me!!!! "

To Math Mayjor wrote on Oct 9, 2008 4:04 PM:

" Exactly my point!!! Get a life! "

Augusta Fan wrote on Oct 9, 2008 3:29 PM:

" This is to Math Major. I don't live in Augusta but my father's family is from there. I always enjoyed visiting Augusta. My grown daughter and husband also enjoy Augusta. I find it a terrific little town. YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF YOUR TOWN!!!! If you don't like it - MOVE!! "

math major wrote on Oct 9, 2008 1:04 AM:

" you people need to get a life and get over yourselfs "

To Math Mayjor wrote on Oct 8, 2008 1:31 PM:

" SO WHAT!! Do you have nothing better to do with your time than argue about how many people visit a museum? Really, is it that big of a deal? I'm just glad we have tourist, at least that's one thing our little town has going for it! "

math major wrote on Oct 7, 2008 3:16 AM:

" Say what you want. AVERAGE 50 a day, 365 for 3 years. Come On Who you trying to fool. The kids maybe,small kids. "

Citizen wrote on Oct 6, 2008 5:33 PM:

" You would be surprised how many people visit Augusta (whether it's a tour bus, boat, vans, etc.) on a daily basis. I don't know why anyone would see this as shocking. Augusta is a gret place. "

countin beans wrote on Oct 5, 2008 3:10 PM:

" i suppose if you take into account the times there ares several tour busses in the city and the special activities the city holds, the number could actuallt be low. "

point wrote on Oct 4, 2008 11:15 PM:

" to math major.......whats your point? I do not know if you are trying to show that you can do basic numeric functions or just being a typical idiot. "

math minor wrote on Oct 4, 2008 5:10 PM:

" As long as you realize that there's ups and downs. One day, like during a festival, hundreds of people might show up. Most days, no one shows up. If 55,000 people came in one day, you could spread it out and say an average of 50 people a day, but that wouldn't really reflect that they get a lot of people one day and no people most days. "

math major wrote on Oct 4, 2008 12:51 AM:

" 55000 in 3 years, That is about 50 people a day, every day for 3 years. WOW didn't know Augusta had that many people visit the town. Am i correct "

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