Tag: Davis Grubb

July 23, 1919: Novelist Davis Grubb Born in Moundsville

Novelist Davis Grubb was born in Moundsville on July 23, 1919. He came from a prosperous background, but his family was hit badly by the Great Depression and evicted from their home. The incident likely influenced his later writings, which often criticized politicians and wealthy capitalists.

He first tried his hand as a graphic artist but realized his writing talents were more marketable. Grubb’s first commercial writing endeavor was a script for a 1939 radio show that aired in Clarksburg. He also acted in the show.

Grubb gained instant notoriety in 1953, when his first novel was published. The Night of the Hunter loosely retold the story of Harry Powers, West Virginia’s deadliest serial killer. In 1955, The Night of the Hunter was made into a classic film starring Robert Mitchum.

Most of Davis Grubbs’s 11 books were set in Appalachia. In 1971, his novel Fool’s Parade was turned into a movie starring Jimmy Stewart and George Kennedy, with scenes shot on location in Moundsville.

In 1977, Grubb returned to West Virginia for a statewide speaking tour that lasted two years. He died in 1980 at the age of  61.

March 18, 1932: Mass Murderer Harry Powers Executed at Moundsville State Penitentiary

On March 18, 1932, convicted mass murderer Harry Powers was executed at the West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville. The story of his grisly murders unfolded in late 1931, with lurid details that sounded more like a pulp fiction novel than reality.

Over time, the Clarksburg resident had been scamming untold wealthy women through lonely hearts club magazines. When his lies started catching up with him, he murdered two of the women: Dorothy Lemke of Massachusetts and Asta Eicher of suburban Chicago. He also killed three of Eicher’s children. The victims were found at a garage owned by Powers in Quiet Dell, south of Clarksburg.

The murder scene became a morbid spectacle, as locals sold tickets and souvenirs. Powers’s trial in Clarksburg turned into another macabre circus, as Moore’s Opera House was converted into a makeshift courtroom. Reporters from across the country poured into town—always looking for the next shocking spectacle to report on during the Great Depression.

The murders inspired West Virginia native Davis Grubb’s most famous novel, Night of the Hunter, which was made into a classic movie, with Robert Mitchum in the starring role.

September 21, 1970: The Filming of Fool's Parade Crime Drama Begins

Filming of the Columbia Pictures crime drama Fool’s Parade began on September 21, 1970.

The movie was based on Davis Grubb’s 1969 novel of the same title. Like Grubb’s earlier breakthrough novel, The Night of the Hunter, Fool’s Parade was set in the author’s native West Virginia. Much of the filming was shot on site in Moundsville. 

The film starred Jimmy Stewart as legendary coal-shooter Mattie Appleyard, a character modeled after West Virginia storyteller Riley Wilson and the convict Holly Griffith. Fool’s Parade also featured George Kennedy, Strother Martin, Kurt Russell, and Anne Baxter. Wheeling native Morgan Paull played in the film, as well.

Little needed to be done to make the Moundsville of 1970 appear like it did in 1935, when the movie is set. The state penitentiary, the Marshall County Courthouse, and the vacant Marshall County Bank building all served as realistic sets. Davis Grubb made it to town for the last day of shooting. He took a $750 taxi ride from New York City, accompanied by his dog, Rowdy Charlie.

Fool’s Parade premiered at the Court Theater in Wheeling in June of 1971. 

Sept. 21, 1970 – The Filming of Fool's Parade Crime Drama Begins

Filming of the Columbia Pictures crime drama Fool’s Parade began on September 21, 1970.

The movie was based on Davis Grubb’s 1969 novel of the same title. Like Grubb’s earlier breakthrough novel, The Night of the Hunter, Fool’s Parade was set in the author’s native West Virginia. Much of the filming was shot on site in Moundsville. 

The film starred Jimmy Stewart as legendary coal-shooter Mattie Appleyard, a character modeled after West Virginia storyteller Riley Wilson and the convict Holly Griffith. Fool’s Parade also featured George Kennedy, Strother Martin, Kurt Russell, and Anne Baxter. Wheeling native Morgan Paull played in the film, as well.

Little needed to be done to make the Moundsville of 1970 appear like it did in 1935, when the movie is set. The state penitentiary, the Marshall County Courthouse, and the vacant Marshall County Bank building all served as realistic sets. Davis Grubb made it to town for the last day of shooting. He took a $750 taxi ride from New York City, accompanied by his dog, Rowdy Charlie.

Fool’s Parade premiered at the Court Theater in Wheeling in June of 1971. 

July 23, 1919: Novelist Davis Grubb Born in Moundsville

Novelist Davis Grubb was born in Moundsville on July 23, 1919. He came from a prosperous background, but his family was hit badly by the Great Depression and evicted from their home. The incident likely influenced his later writings, which often criticized politicians and wealthy capitalists.

He first tried his hand as a graphic artist but realized his writing talents were more marketable. Grubb’s first commercial writing endeavor was a script for a 1939 radio show that aired in Clarksburg. He also acted in the show.

Grubb gained instant notoriety in 1953, when his first novel was published. The Night of the Hunter loosely retold the story of Harry Powers, West Virginia’s deadliest serial killer. In 1955, The Night of the Hunter was made into a classic film starring Robert Mitchum.

Most of Davis Grubbs’s 11 books were set in Appalachia. In 1971, his novel Fool’s Parade was turned into a movie starring Jimmy Stewart and George Kennedy, with scenes shot on location in Moundsville.

In 1977, Grubb returned to West Virginia for a statewide speaking tour that lasted two years. He died in 1980 at the age of  61.

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