Russ Barbour’s new doc on Gov. Marland to air 1.15 on WVPBS
Gov. William Casey Marland
Russ Barbour, director of 2008 WV Film of the Year, “Ken Hechler: In Pursuit of Justice,” has completed another major project - an hour long film about WV Governor Marland. ( Short bio with inaugural speech and clip of his inauguration.) WVPBS will be airing the new film on January 15th at 9 PM.
Marland has always been considered one of WV’s most progressive political leaders. (Long article about Marland and his proposed severance tax. Underwood on Marland. )The WV State Archives has 68 entries about Gov. Marland.
Here is the official press release for the film -
Elusive in Life, Gov. William C. Marland’s Rise and Fall Chronicled in a Special Outlook Premiere, “Reconstructing Bill: The Story of Governor William C. Marland”
Broadcast date(s):.Thursday, Jan. 15 at 9 p.m. on West Virginia PBS. Repeat broadcast on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. Charleston, W.Va. –Monday, Dec. 22, 2008 –
After rising to the office of Governor of West Virginia, he fell into obscurity. William Casey Marland made national news in 1965 after he was discovered driving a
Chicago cab within a decade of leaving office. In a special one-hour documentary, Reconstructing Bill: The Story of Governor William C. Marland, WV PBS producer Russ Barbour uncovers the truth about the life of Marland, and uses rarely seen news film to provide a glimpse into the state’s history in the 1950s. Marland entered office in 1953 and was considered among the state’s most intelligent and visionary chief executives at the time. He gained notoriety for his call for a severance tax, his stance on school integration and his reputation as an alcoholic. Years later, he was spotted while he was driving a cab as part of a self-made rehabilitation program to overcome his alcoholism. It would be only a few months later that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at age 47.
“Marland’s life story is obscured by fifty years of misconceptions and assumptions,” said Barbour, “Hopefully, West Virginians seeing this documentary will come away with a better understanding of Bill Marland the man and what he accomplished, while learning from the hard lessons he endured in life.”
Interviews with family, friends, colleagues and historians provide insight into the real person behind the headlines and rumors while archival news film, family home movies, still photographs and audio recordings create the time line.
Reconstructing Bill: The Story of Governor William C. Marland was produced in cooperation with the West Virginia State Archives and the Special Collections Department of Marshall University. Corley Dennison, Dean of Marshall’s W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications, narrates.
In addition to Marshall University’s 2008 documentary Ken Hechler: In Pursuit of Justice, Russ Barbour co-produced WV PBS’ West Virginians Remember WWII in 2007 and wrote, directed and co-produced 1995’s
West Virginians in War. Barbour is a regular contributor to Outlook, West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s weekly television magazine about people, places and events in
West Virginia.
West Virginia Public Broadcasting nurtures personal growth, promotes civic responsibility and inspires lifelong discovery through high-quality programming and services. West Virginia Public Radio, West Virginia PBS, wvpubcast.org and Ready To Learn ® are all services of West Virginia Public Broadcasting. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Robin Mazza (304) 284-1476 or rmazza@wvpubcast.org Producer Russ Barbour (304) 696-3635 or rbarbour@wvpubcast.org
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Russ directed his first feature documentary in 1994, “West Virginians in War.” This film has been shown many times on WVPBS and at the WV Film Series hosted by The South Charleston Museum. He also worked on a recent group of films directed by WVU journalism prof Joel Beeson including “Fighting on Two Fronts” and the newest film from the West Virginia Veterans Project, “West Virginians Remember World War II.” ( It would be nice if all three WWII-related films were available in WV public libraries and schools so that future generations of WV school children could see them.) Congrats to Russ and Joel for recording some of the most important people and events in our state’s history.WEST VIRGINIANS IN WAR
90 M. 1994 VHS WPBY-TV
Explores the historic role of the mountaineer — on the battlefield and on the homefront — since before the War of Independence. Hosting the program is U.S. Navy Captain Jon McBride, retired NASA astronaut, Vietnam fighter pilot, and native West Virginian. Through interviews, archival film, and photographs, the roots of West Virginia’s rich military history come to life. The role of individuals such as Generals Chuck Yeager and Stonewall Jackson are cited, as well as those of other West Virginians prominent in their time. The program also highlights the role of women and African Americans in wartime and explores the development of Kanawha Valley chemical plants during World War I. To purchase – Contact - Debbie Oleksa, West Virginia Public Broadcasting, Morgantown, 1- 888-596-9729., Cell phone – 304-685-8025.
WEST VIRGINIANS REMEMBER WORLD WAR II
2008 30 mins. + bonus interviews WVPBS Twelve different West Virginia veterans talk about their lives during WWII in the military. The people interviewed are – Bill and Jean Bonsali, Charles Brown, Carl “Chippie” Chapman, Milton Cohen, Robert Connor, Naomi Gibson, Everett Griffin, James McCartney, Madelean McIver, Russell Roper, Elvin Thomas, and Medal of Honor winner Hershel “Woody” Williams. Visit The WV Veterans’ History Project - http://veteranshistory.wvu.edu/news/2004/03092004.shtml. To purchase – Contact - Debbie Oleksa, West Virginia Public Broadcasting, Morgantown, 1- 888-596-9729., Cell phone – 304-685-8025.
