Renee Zellweger Plays George Hamilton's Mother Without A Tan

Originally Posted: August 20, 2009

Wainscott - The stars came out along with the mosquitoes as dusk fell across the lawn at Goose Creek, a private estate in Water Mill commandeered by a publicist to hold an invitation only screening of the soon to be released film "My One and Only." The movie, starring Renee Zellweger, is based on the real life story of actor George Hamilton. Zellweger plays Hamilton's mother to a tee according to her son who described the Academy Awarding actress's performance as "amazing."

The debonaire movie star, known for his suntan, his friendship with Academy Award winning actress Elizabeth Taylor and his writing ability as a young man was on hand for the screening, along with Zellweger a seasonal resident of the Hamptons.

George Hamilton with Dr. Barbara Sturm arrives at Goose Creek for the private screening.

His "lady", Dr. as in M.D., Barbara Sturm of Munich, Germany was at his side smiling. She too, had a suntan. Both made light of recent reports concerning the dangers of tanning booths.

"I've always taken care of my skin," Hamilton said still looking much younger than many of his Hollywood contemporaries. "The sun is good for me," he said, "I need its energy."

"It's heaven on earth," Zellweger said when reporters asked her if she liked it here. Meanwhile the mosquitoes were biting in the garden as guests made their way into the air-conditioned comfort of the house where the owner's in home movie theater buried deep in the basement far surpassed the screening rooms in many East End mini-cinemas.

Sadly, guests did leave litter behind on the plush beige carpeting neglecting to take their empty popcorn bags and glasses back to the refreshment stand just outside the theater. The atmosphere was just too real, leading them to believe they were in a movie theater rather than a private home. But no matter, the staff would clean up after the guests departed for dinner at the Blue Parrot in East Hampton.

Zellweger, along with rocker Jon Bon Jovi and tycoon Ron Perelman bought the place and re-opened this season. They closed it down for a private party on Saturday night after the flick.

While the staff made popcorn and guests took their seats, Hamilton praised Zellweger's performance. "She was my mother," he said, noting that while the actress did not resemble his mother known for her drop dead gorgeous good looks, she projected universal human emotions. Hamilton seems to have borne the trials of his youth with good grace. He told his own story with a sense of humor as a teenager intent on pursuing a writing career. His brother had been destined for the stage, but a little thing called stage fright derailed his career. Hamilton's older brother became a costume designer instead while George stepped into the spotlight and never looked back.

The title "My One and Only" is taken from the name of a hit song written by Hamilton's father, a bandleader with a eye for the ladies. As Hamilton tells it in the story that appears on screen, his mother walked in on his father, found him in bed with another woman and walked out taking her two boys with her.

Hamilton's mother called the family's cross country road trip from NYC to Hollywood, California an adventure. She cleaned out a safe deposit box and handed Hamilton a wad of cash with instructions to buy a car. Then the trio hit the road admonished by their mother to disregard the rear view mirror on their expensive new car.

"Don't look back," she said as they headed west. Sadly Hamilton's father died unexpectedly of a heart attack later that year. A lot happened in between that makes this story worth telling and the film worth seeing.

Suffice to say, the audience of influential viewers clapped when the lights went back on. Before the lights went off Hamilton told the crowd he thought Zellweger deserved an award for her performance. The actress has won an Academy Award and three Golden Globes.

The scene at the Blue Parrot was rowdy, loud and noisy. Bon Jovi literally bellied up to his bar. "The place has a great walking distance Margharita," Zellweger said and she should know since she is from Texas where they know about these things. The saloon dished out burritos and fajitas along with their famous guacamole.

She did not make her way over to the party. The fun loving, sun loving Hamilton made the scene with his beautiful and obviously much younger girlfriend. They sat at a table in the back near the buffet with a large group of friends.

They all partied late into the night or perhaps it was morning as the sun came up over The Blue Parrot.