Tag: Fools’ Parade

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. 

October 6, 1952: Raconteur Riley Wilson Dies at 69

  Raconteur “Riley” Wilson died on October 6, 1952, at age 69. The Kanawha County native was a lawyer by trade, but a close friend noted that Wilson rarely practiced law.

He took few, if any, cases for decades at a time. Instead, Wilson earned his living as an entertainer and developed a national reputation. He traveled the country as a storyteller and toastmaster, toured on the vaudeville circuit, and made national radio appearances.

Wilson’s best stories came from rural West Virginia, often provided by his brother, a Lincoln County lawyer. He published at least two books: Reach Me the Tin and From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Charleston, West Virginia, Via Nome, Alaska.

He ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1920 and later served in President Franklin Roosevelt’s administration as a member of the National Bituminous Coal Administration. Wilson became seriously ill while attending the 1949 inauguration of President Harry Truman and died three years later. Jimmy Stewart’s character in the movie version of Davis Grubb’s novel Fools’ Parade was based in part on Wilson.

Riley Wilson is still regarded as one of the greatest storytellers of his day.

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. 

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