Georgia Premiere of “42” Held in Macon, Film Hits Theaters Friday

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The film “42” isn’t set to come out in theaters until Friday, but several saw the movie at the Georgia Premiere Wednesday night at Macon’s AmStar 16 Theater.

The movie takes viewers back in time to a much darker period in American history, where if you weren’t white, you weren’t allowed to play Major League Baseball.

Jackie Robinson changed all that, and the new film brings his story to life.

“It just shows you that the color of your skin does not define your character,” says Gail Slater.  “It was beautifully done and I encourage everybody to see it.”

“It demonstrated clearly to me the courage that it took on Jackie Robinson’s part to break the barrier that he did,” says Macon Mayor Robert Reichert.  “We are all beneficiaries of his courage and his efforts.”

“A movie like this sort of shows us where we’ve been and some of the things that we can continue to do,” says Bibb County Sheriff David Davis.

Not only will viewers see a lesson in history, those in middle Georgia will see a few familiar sites, since much of the movie was filmed right here in Macon.

“The crowd would actually break into applause when they would see the Terminal Station and Downtown
Macon and up on High Street,” says Reichert.  “Some of the brick streets that we have in Macon lent themselves very well to the filming of this particular movie and the time period in which it was set.”

“I think it’s great overall that more films are starting to come to Macon for production,” says Danny Davis.  “It’s a great thing for the city, and I think it was really important for all of us to see those sights that we all know and really get excited about the fact that people elsewhere get to enjoy Macon as well.”

So, should you go see it?

“You should definitely go see it,” says Breanna Slater.  “It’s awesome.”

“Don’t miss it,” says Davis.  “It’s a must-see film—especially during baseball season.”