The Coweta County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau and the Newnan Carnegie Library are collaborating to present a two-night event featuring the movie “Murder in Coweta County.”
Producer Dick Atkins and director Gary Nelson will discuss their memories of making the made-for-TV movie in and around Coweta County in the early 1980s. The movie was based on the book of the same name written by Margaret Anne Barnes. It aired in February of 1983 starring Andy Griffith and Johnny Cash.
Events begin Thursday, July 16, at 7 p.m. with Atkins and Nelson hosting a panel discussion regarding the production of the movie. Various memorabilia, including some items once owned by the villain of the movie, Meriwether County resident John Wallace, and now owned by Pine Mountain resident Reba Crisp, will be on display at the historic courthouse in Newnan.
The following evening, Friday, July 17, beginning at 6 p.m., the producer and director will talk more about the production and following will be a screening of the movie at the Carnegie Library in downtown Newnan.
“Murder in Coweta County” is the story of a land baron in Meriwether County, John Wallace (portrayed by Andy Griffith), who thought he was above the law when he killed a farm hand after he had stolen a cow from him. Wallace had the body burned and the ashes thrown in a creek on his property. The problem for Wallace was that he actually killed the man in neighboring Coweta County, so that meant Sheriff Lamar Potts (Johnny Cash) would lead the investigation and he was successful in proving him guilty. John Wallace was the first white man in the state of Georgia to be convicted on the testimony of a black man.
There is no charge for either of the evening events, but reservations are required because of seating limitations both nights. For the evening of memorabilia, call the CVB at 770-254-2627 and for the Carnegie Library’s presentation of the movie, call 770-683-1347.
