It’s a ‘Garden’ Party

The Scene: Smoke machines and tropical plants lent a Deep South humidity to the Warner Bros. Burbank Studios back lot Monday night for the premiere of “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” The film adaptation of the John Berendt true-crime novel, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring John Cusack, Kevin Spacey and Clint’s daughter, Alison Eastwood, tells a tale of murder, eccentricity, gossip and the politics of alternative sexual lifestyles in Savannah, Ga. The screening was held at the Steven J. Ross Theater, followed by a party in an adjacent tent.

Who Was There: Showing up from the film were Eastwood and daughter; his wife, Dina Ruiz; Cusack (and his sister Joan); Spacey; drag princess the Lady Chablis; Paul Hipp; and Jack Thompson. Also on the scene were Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, k.d. lang, Ashley Judd, Penny Marshall, Kevin Costner and Merv Griffin.

The Director Speaks: “The thing that drives the story are all the quirky characters and sort of a collage of characters,” Eastwood said. “To get all that and organize it into a movie where it has a plot is a monster.”

Hollywood Moment: “How can he be so talented and good-looking?” asked Judd. Who? “Mr. Eastwood. He could see this book and envision not only cinema from it, but the cinema that he directs is a tribute to his wizened, seasoned gift.”

Kodak Moment: The Lady Chablis vamped through the entire premiere, never once breaking character. The foul-mouthed queen with the otherwise Southern manners responded to the paparazzi mob by posing for a shot that could be captioned, “The Lady Flips the Bird.”

From Savannah to Slim Fast: “After I left Savannah, I was a little depressed,” said Alison Eastwood. “Not only do I love the place and the charm and the history and the vibe that you get from being there, I love fried chicken. I love pecan pie. The only unfortunate thing about this is that you’re shooting a film and your wardrobe fits you in L.A., and then you go to Savannah, you tend to expand a bit.” After noticing the cuisine was re-created right here, she said, “Oh, my God. I’d better get my Southern girdle out.”