Thanks to HBO’s Pat Conner, admirers of late Atlanta author Paul Hemphill will have an opportunity to see the now-rare 1987 HBO original movie “Long Gone” at Manuel’s Tavern during a free screening on Sept. 1.

The film starring William Petersen, Virginia Madsen and a baby-faced Dermot Mulroney, was based on Hemphill’s Sports Illustrated and New York Times acclaimed 1979 novel of the same name. For baseball film fans, “Long Gone” is arguably better loved than even “Bull Durham” or “Field of Dreams.”

We hear that when Conner invited Hemphill to her office to see the finished product in 1987, he began reciting his dialogue along with the actors in the film.

Hemphill’s widow, Georgia Trend editor Susan Percy told us Tuesday: “Paul was the rare writer who actually enjoyed the movie made from his book. It just captured the spirit of his novel.”

The movie was last commercially available as a VHS tape in the last millennium so Conner worked her considerable magic to secure a DVD copy for the viewing party. Petersen and Madsen have sent along letters to be read at the screening as well. Hemphill’s fans will gather at 6 p.m.

Attendees are asked to RSVP to the following email: angelowf@bellsouth.net.

Paul Hemphill at Manuel's Tavern