Sunday, October 5, 2008

Anatomy of a Murder Fifty Years Later

October marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of John D. Voelker's Anatomy of a Murder. The book was set in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.)of Michigan and based on events in Marquette County.

The book was about Voelker's tenure as an attorney when he defended an Army Lieutenant accused of murdering a local tavern owner.

To celebrate the milestone, the 1959 film version of the book was shown in the Marquette County Courthouse on September 19th according to the Lansing State Journal. The film starred Jimmy Stewart and was shot in the U.P.

Residents of the area still remember with fondness the making of the movie which included Duke Ellington and his music.

On a personal note, my mother was born and raised in the U.P. and we visited often over the years. We still have relatives on the eastern side of the peninsula.

What books were written or movies filmed in your state or city? Were you involved in any way?

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