An old friend called me a few weeks ago to say she had just attended a performance of “To Kill A Mockingbird” at Atlanta’s Fox Theater. Then she added that Mary Badham, better known as Scout in the film, played the role of Mrs. Dubose in this live performance. I was immediately swept back to October 2010 when Ms. Badham spent four days in Eatonton! Those days were the climax of several exciting months as the Old School History Museum and the Kazanetti String Quartet partnered to bring a performance of “Scout Remembers “To Kill A Mockingbird” to The Plaza Arts Center!
When I mentioned the event to some of our museum team, I realized that several had moved to Eatonton since then and did not know about that magical event. It’s a story worth repeating! As scenes from the movie were shown on the theater screen and accompanied by a live orchestra, Scout told the story of the making of the film and her lifetime friendship with Gregory Peck and other cast members. At the end of the evening, there were very few dry eyes in the packed theater and an audience in love with the grown-up Scout!
As for me, I think it’s time to pull out my worn copy of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and watch that movie again!
Sandra Rosseter, Director
Old School History Museum
published on May 2, 2020
SCOUT REMEMBERS
Mary Badham, the grown-up Scout
On October 9, 2010, the Old School History Museum partnered with the Kazanetti String Quartet to bring a live performance, “Scout Remembers: To Kill A Mockingbird,” to The Plaza Arts Center. Mary Badham, the actress who played the beloved character Scout in the film, was on stage to share stories with the large and appreciative audience.
The performance included memorable scenes from the Oscar-winning film interspersed with commentary by Badham. As these scenes were shown, a live orchestra performed Elmer Bernstein’s original award-winning film score. Afterward, the audience was invited to a reception to meet Scout.
Scout with Atticus Finch (Gregory Peck) in To Kill a Mockingbird
This enchanting evening was actually the grand finale of a 4-day event that had been in the planning for months. Although most people saw only the stage performance, the OSHM and Kazanetti had been working with the local schools for several months – arranging literary contests, planning social studies projects, and scheduling art exhibits. They also reached out to the community to encourage library exhibits, window displays, and book club discussions – there was even a courtroom scene reenactment at the Putnam County courthouse!
Mary Badham arrived in Eatonton on October 6th and spent the next four days talking with middle and high school students, presenting the awards for their art and literary contests, speaking to theater and music students at Georgia College & State University, and sharing a breakfast with local book club members.
The national celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer prize-winning novel To Kill A Mockingbird had come to Georgia! The 4-day event was a heart-warming experience for the Lake Country, leaving people to talk about it for years to come!
Mary Badham with winners of the student literary and art contests