The parking lots of Maple Avenue United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church of Marietta in Cobb County were packed Monday morning. And no, it wasn’t Easter early arrivals either.

Try zombies.

More specifically, the filming of “Zombieland,” a horror-comedy flick starring Woody Harrelson and Abigail Breslin.

A scout for the flick stopped by the historic Kennesaw Avenue home of Mamie and Michael Hodnett a few months ago and liked what he saw. The crew arrived around 7 a.m. Monday, after setting up for a couple of days. Several scenes were shot at the Hodnett home, which is located right on the train track, and in the Methodist church parking lot across the street. Mercifully, trains did not thunder by during shooting.

The big news is the movie’s furry little co-star. AJC readers will recall that Breslin recently adopted a sweet Australian shepherd mix named Ellie, who was rescued along with four siblings from a Bartow County animal shelter.

Well, Ellie was apparently born for the screen.

Ellie was a pretty good sport about performing. She did wander away from her co-star a few times, tail wagging, to sniff around some. But a few bounces of the tennis ball and wags of a chew toy was all it took to keep her focused.

The horror-comedy is scheduled to be released later this year. (No word on whether the newly restored Earl Smith Strand Theatre on the Marietta Square will screen the premiere).

The Hodnetts, known for their legendary theme parties, are considering a Halloween bash to celebrate.

Overscene

Tennessee Titans player Alge Crumpler brunching at Murphy’s in Virginia-Highland. The former Falcon ordered a grilled chicken breast and some scrambled eggs while sipping on Mimosas with a group of friends.

Hawks player Joe Johnson dining at Stats on chicken sandwich and watching the UNC/Villanova game. Also at  the downtown sports bar: ”Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail” actress Keshia Knight Pulliam and friends sampling the chips, guacamole and pico de gallo.

‘Apprentice’ Update

“Never volunteer for execution,” Donald Trump proclaimed prophetically (pathetically?) during Sunday night’s episode of “Celebrity Apprentice” on NBC.

Alas, he was referring to Atlanta’s TLC member Tionne “T Boz” Watkins, who volunteered to be in the boardroom to support Melissa Rivers, who was likely to get fired. But instead, Trump fired T Boz because she placed herself before the firing squad. It’s odd logic. But, to Trump, volunteering is plain stupid and he has previously fired a contestant for that very reason.

“I lived my whole career on the edge and that speaks within itself,” said a befuddled T Boz in her farewell. Basically, T Boz didn’t do anything badly  during her entire run. She was well liked and worked hard. She even won her challenge for the Sickle Cell Foundation of Georgia last week, winning the group $20,000.

“I want to see my daughter grow old and be a grandma,” T Boz said earlier, after giving the $20,000 check to the foundation. She has battled Sickle Cell all her life.

Still remaining on the show: Legendary UGA quarterback Herschel Walker.

ASO’s Spano Honored

Over the weekend, as the Atlanta Symphony gave the world premiere of a big new work by composer Chris Theofanidis, music director Robert Spano was awarded Columbia University’s Ditson Conductor’s Award and a $5,000 check. Started in 1945, the prize is for beyond-the-call-of-duty devotion to American music. Past winners include Leonard Bernstein and former ASO conductors Robert Shaw and Louis Lane.

Celebrity Birthdays

Sitar player Ravi Shankar is 89. Actor James Garner is 81. Actor Wayne Rogers (”MASH”) is 76. Movie director Francis Ford Coppola is 70. Television personality David Frost is 70. Singer Janis Ian is 58. Actor Jackie Chan is 55. Actor Russell Crowe is 45. Actor Bill Bellamy (”Last Comic Standing,” ”Fastlane”) is 44. Actor Conner Rayburn (”According to Jim”) is 10.

Contributing: Jennifer Brett, Rodney Ho, Pierre Ruhe and news services.

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