In the News

Lizzie and Fall River in print television and radio

  • Author Rich Lindberg visits Fall River

    April 6, 2011 /

     

    (Rich Lindberg with Ellen Smith and Jack Faria at the Fall River Art Association)

    Among the special guests at the recent Second Street Irregulars’ annual reunion was Chicago history writer Rich Lindberg.  Mr. Lindberg , a newcomer to the Borden case, has a new book coming out in May on serial killers in the heartland, notably the infamous black widow, Belle Gunness and Johann Hoch.  The “Muttoneaters” enjoyed an evening of hearing about the new book from the author and the author learned a lot about Lizzie Borden as he toured Fall River, Swansea, New Bedford, Marion and Fairhaven and stayed four days at #92 Second Street.  Mr. Lindberg will be bringing the Borden case to Chicago in a lecture format in the near future.  http://richardlindberg.net/index.htm

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  • The Buzz is Global on HBO project

    March 18, 2011 /

    Chances are if you Goggle Lizzie Borden under the “News” heading, you will find several pages of stories on the Chloe Sevigny HBO project for a four hour mini-series, including stories in Polish, French, Russian and Italian!  And if you live in Connecticut, Rhode Island or Massachusetts, tonight at 6 p.m., Channel 10 news jumped on the promotion band wagon.  With all of the very positive buzz and excitement, it is hard to believe Tom Hanks and Playtone would change their mind about producing the four -hour series.  To view the Channel 10 clip, http://www2.turnto10.com/entertainment/2011/mar/17/sevigny-may-play-lizzie-borden-miniseries-ar-426649/

    The casting of Miss Sevigny as Lizzie is spot-on.  She has all the right physical attributes, right down to the mesmerizing and unsettling eyes, and is of the right age to pull it off.  She is also a better-than-good actress.  It will be very interesting to see who will be cast in the major roles.   Maybe Uncle John Morse will be included this time around.

     Due to street noise and the encroachment of modern living, and many other factors, the house on Second Street will not be a likely candidate for the  filming venue.  The 1975 Elizabeth Montgomery attempt did a pretty fair job of recreating Borden house interiors on stage sets. 

    There are very high hopes in Fall River, among the Borden house bed and breakfast employees, and students of the Borden case and Fall River history that this version will get the facts right and do the story justice.  Playtone and Hanks are synonymous with quality productions, so the end result holds very great promise.  It is surprising that it has taken so long to revisit the case and Lizzie Borden as the topic has been building momentum and interest since the Borden house opened for business in 1996.

    The buzz about the upcoming  Fall River Historical Society’s Parallel Lives, detailing Lizzie’s life and Fall River has been the hot topic around Fall River for many months as it promises revelations about Miss Borden which will open a few eyes.  The date of publication has not yet been announced but the long-awaited tome is in final proofing and chances are  it will be published by late Spring.  The nearly thousand -page volume will feature over 500 photographs, including some new views of Lizzie herself, and will disspell some commonly -held notions about her. It will be a must-read for Miss Sevigny and should have some major impact on her characterization of the enigmatic Lizzie. The series will probably have an early 2012 air date according to some sources.

     In any event, Lizzie is bigger now than ever, and the upcoming series will be a boon to the city as well as book sales of Parallel Lives.  It will be a very exciting year ahead.

    http://screenrant.com/hbo-chloe-sevigny-lizzie-borden-miniseries-yman-106311/

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  • Busy days for Lizzie Borden & Co.

    March 8, 2011 /

     

    The snows did fall and the wind did blow, but the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast had a busy winter and the month of March is jammed- packed with activities too.  The first Murder Mystery Weekend was held over the Valentine’s Day weekend, followed by the Dead of Winter paranormal event with Chris Moon.  The news, posted here earlier, detailing  B&B visitor Chloe Sevigny’s proposed upcoming project of an HBO mini-series about the Borden case filming this summer was icing on the cake.

    Last week, those who work at the house were thrilled to learn the TODAY show will be making a visit the end of the month to shoot a special on the fascination with the case.  The timing could not have been better for the release of the eagerly-awaited Parallel Lives from the Fall River Historical Society.  The authors will also be appearing on the morning televison special segment.  The Second Street Irregulars will be descending on the 31st for a jammed-packed 3 days at the house and on the road, with some special guests and stops along the way. It looks like 2011 will be another banner year for Lizzie & Co.

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  • Debut of cover art for Parallel Lives

    February 16, 2011 /

    Today the Fall River Historical Society has released the working cover art for its long-awaited volume, Parallel Lives, a history of Lizzie Borden’s Fall River.  The cover features an expanded view of the famous “pansy brooch” portrait of Lizzie, with her dress tinted in a rich shade of burgundy and was designed by Charles S. Medeiros of Burnt Toast Graphics.  It is a rare treat to see colorized photographs of the well-known black and white images so familiar to students of the Borden case.  The rich hue used for the dust jacket is one which perfectly reflects Victoriana.  Lizzie truly comes to life. The photograph in black and white featured in the background is of the wedding day of the William Lawton Slade Braytons, June 18, 1913.

    For all the latest on publication date, follow the historical society online at  http://www.lizzieborden.org/ParallelLives.html  and on Facebook.  The volume is currently in final revision with a publication date soon to come- and not a minute too soon for the many eager enthusiasts and historians who are eager for the new photographs of the Bordens and more than 500 photographs in all.  

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  • Lizzie Borden HBO 2-part mini-series to air

    February 14, 2011 /

    It’s no secret actress Chloe Sevigny loves the Lizzie Borden story and enjoyed her recent visit to the popular Bed and Breakfast in Fall River where the crimes took place.  She recently announced in an interview that she will be starring in the role of Lizzie Borden for an HBO two-part miniseries on the famous case. This is a pet project which has been initiated by the actress herself.  For more on the details see the interview here. Air date is yet to be announced. http://www.thenewsgallery.com/2011/02/chloe-sevigny-talks-to-imagine-fashion.html

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  • Lizzie back in the Big Apple next month

    February 10, 2011 /

     “THE WORKSHOP THEATER and ALVIN OUT PRODUCTIONS present the New York premiere of Lizzie Borden at Eight O’Clock at the WorkShop Jewel Box Theater March 24th-April 3rd.  The WorkShop Theater is located at 312 West 36th Street, 4th floor. Subway: A, C, or E to Penn Station. General admission tickets to Lizzie Borden At Eight O’Clock are $18, $15 for students and seniors. Also limited number of  TDF @ the $9 Off-Off-Broadway rate (2 per performance). For Information / Tickets visit: www.workshoptheater.org or call 866-811-4111. The play is directed by Kenneth Tigar.

    THE WORKSHOP THEATER and ALVIN OUT PRODUCTIONS’ production of Lizzie Borden at Eight O’Clock, tells the chilling first person account from Lizzie Borden herself of her father and stepmother’s gruesome murders.

    Decades after her acquittal, Lizzie Borden takes the podium at her local Historical Society to once and for all clear her name, or will she?  With a tour de force performance by Ellen Barry (Terrence McNally‘s A Perfect Ganesh) as Lizzie Borden, Lizzie relives the compelling events that lead to the headline murders of the century.  The bloody dress, the food poisoning, the broken hatchet in the basement, the mysterious bloodless-ness of the crime scenes— all clues pointed towards Lizzie for the murders.  But Lizzie has an alternate explanation, and, at long last, she’s ready to tell the whole spine-tingling story.  Originally produced and developed and performed at the Historic North Hall in Huntington, MA, this is Lizzie Borden At Eight O’Clock’s New York City debut.

    **NOTE*** Lizzie Borden At Eight O’Clock deals with graphic material that may be unsuitable for younger audiences.”

    For more about cast and crew http://offoffbroadway.broadwayworld.com/article/Workshop_Theatre_and_Alvin_Out_Productions_Present_LIZZIE_BORDEN_AT_EIGHT_OCLOCK_32443_20110209

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  • 40 Whacks Museum Closed in Salem

    January 14, 2011 /

    As has been reported elsewhere, the Salem enterprise has decided to call it quits.  A number of newspapers have carried the news and comments by locals on the closing.  The economy and failure to connect with local schools, plus high cost of operation have been cited as reasons the business failed to make a go of it in Salem, a city connected with witches far more than Lizzie Borden in the minds of tourists.

      Fall River Herald News
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  • Congratulations to Ric and Company!

    October 25, 2010 /

     

    The Alliance for Community Media has given Lizbeth the Award for Best Documentary. Congratulations to all involved in the project.  The documentary will air this coming Saturday on PBS at 7 pm and Sunday at 11 pm. Some still shots may be seen below taken on the day of the shoot last Spring.

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  • Lizzie Borden on your iPhone?

    October 24, 2010 /

     

    It was bound to happen sooner or later.  Here’s the announcement as written:

    “Syfy is launching it first Ghost Hunters iPhone app according to a press release issued by the Network. The app will use the iPhone’s GPS capabilities to guide the user to more than 100 locations investigated by the Ghost Hunters team, which are open to the public. The app will direct users to the nearest haunted hotels restaurants, museums and tourist attractions and will include the history of the location and the results of the Ghost Hunters’ investigation of the location.

    The app will include locations such as Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, Calif., Lizzie Borden’s House in Fall River, Mass., Mansfield Reformatory from The Shawshank Redemption in Mansfield, Ohio, St. Augustine Lighthouse in St. Augustine, Fla., and The Stanley Hotel from The Shining in Estes Park, Colo.”

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  • Lizzie Borden is Halloween’s New Pin-Up Girl

    October 5, 2010 /

    As Halloween draws nearer every year, there seem to be more and more “Lizzie sightings”.  Whether in haunted corn mazes, horror theme attractions, Halloween costumes or a proliferation of Lizzie Borden-based plays- the little gal with the hatchet is everywhere from August right through to All Saints Day!

    The Discovery Channel has set the Ghost Lab show of the investigation of the Borden house for Oct 25th, with a preview on the 19th. The Travel Channel repeated its look at America’s Most Terrifying Places again this past weekend, Nance O’Neil is coming to a close this weekend in Manhattan and coming soon- a new play, Lizzie Borden Took An Axe, by Garrett Heater will be the debut production of a brand new theatre group.

    http://blog.syracuse.com/entertainment/2010/10/new_theater_company_stages_ori.html

    Stay tuned for all-new Lizzie & Family productions coming this Fall on the Discovery channel, a landmark book on Fall River and Lizzie coming from the Fall River Historical Society, and the Borden case documentary shot by Ric Rebelo this past spring will be airing Saturday, October 30th at 7pm on Rhode Island PBS– the day before Halloween.  And Sunday night, the 31st,  is ALWAYS a special night at #92 Second Street and is sold out a year in advance!

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  • Hatchets in the news today

    September 29, 2010 /

    Hatchets:  Not just a Victorian weapon of choice.

    Elderly fruit vendor in Melbourne http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/man-jailed-for-killing-wife-of-50-years/story-e6frf7jx-1225914909320

    Australia:  76-yr-old man is sentenced in wife killing, 36 blows to the head

    http://manningham-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/keen-to-go-back-home/

    Breaking news in Nebraska:  Angela Mann’s murder trial http://www.ketv.com/r/25194981/detail.html

    Iowa’s Lucas Faulkner hatchet murder trial -Iowa http://www.kimt.com/content/localnews/story/Wright-County-Murder-Trial-Delayed/gnml05_swUqRun0BHzVWug.cspx

    California Death Row inmate Kevin Cooper waits for execution in 30 year old case  of four 1983  hatchet slayings http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/news/ci_16191554

    San Diego– Border Patrol agent Rivera on 10 million dollar bail awaiting trial for hatchet attack http://colorlines.com/archives/2010/09/as_border_patrol_expands_so_do_reports_of_misconduct.html

    Texas man wanted hatchet in homeless man slaying http://lubbockonline.com/crime-and-courts/2010-09-15/grand-jury-indicts-confessed-killer-homeless-stabbing

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  • After the Axe

    September 21, 2010 /

    (photo by Beau Allulli) “Nance O’Neil”: Rachel Brown (standing) and Jonna McElrath in this play at Access Theater

    Reviews still coming in for the new production by the Blue Coyote Group.  Much praise has been lavished on the costume designer, and word has leaked that a “theory” about the crime is suggested in the production.   The interaction between Lizzie and her sister Emma is praised by critics  as a strong element in the play, and the play in general is receiving positive reviews. Get down to the Access theatre soon , for the play closes October 9th!

    David Rooney’s review: http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/09/21/theater/reviews/21nance.html

     

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  • Chad Mitchell Trio to visit Lizzie Borden house

    September 6, 2010 /

    You Can’t Chop Your Poppa Up in Massachusetts was a hit for the popular 1960’s folk group, and second only to “Lizzie Borden Took an Axe” as Borden -related tune most people know.  Made popular in a Broadway production, Leonard Sillman’s New Faces of 1952 as the Fall River Hoedown, the single was released by the Chad Mitchell Trio in 1961. The trio will be visiting the Lizzie Borden house this week- should be great fun for everyone. Hopefully they will sing a chorus in the parlor where a copy of the sheet music has been on the piano since the house opened as a museum in 1996.

    http://www.chadmitchelltrio.com/

    Lyrics by Michael Brown

    Yesterday in old Fall River, Mr. Andrew Borden died
    And they got his daughter Lizzie on a charge of homicide
    Some folks say she didn’t do it, and others say of course she did
    But they all agree Miss Lizzie B. was a problem kind of kid

       ‘Cause you can’t chop your papa up in Massachusetts
       Not even if it’s planned as a surprise
       No, you can’t chop your papa up in Massachusetts
       You know how neighbors love to criticize

    She got him on the sofa where he’d gone to take a snooze
    And I hope he went to heaven ’cause he wasn’t wearing shoes
    Lizzie kinda rearranged him with a hatchet so they say
    Then she got her mother in that same old-fashioned way!

       But you can’t chop your mama up in Massachusetts
       Not even if you’re tired of her cuisine
       No, you can’t chop your mama up in Massachusetts
       You know it’s almost sure to cause a scene

    Well, they really kept her hoppin’ on that busy afternoon
    With both down- and up-stairs chopping while she hummed a ragtime tune
    They really made her hustle and when all was said and done
    She’d removed her mother’s bustle when she wasn’t wearing one

       Oh, you can’t chop your mama up in Massachusetts
       And then blame all the damage on the mice
       No, you can’t chop your mama up in Massachusetts
       That kind of thing just isn’t very nice

    Now, it wasn’t done for pleasure and it wasn’t done for spite
    And it wasn’t done because the lady wasn’t very bright
    She’d always done the slightest thing that mom and papa bid
    They said, “Lizzie, cut it out,” so that’s exactly what she did

       But you can’t chop your papa up in Massachusetts
       And then get dressed and go out for a walk
       No, you can’t chop your papa up in Massachusetts
       Massachusetts is a far cry from New York

       No, you can’t chop your papa up in Massachusetts
          Shut the door, and lock and latch it, here comes Lizzie with a brand new hatchet
       Can’t chop your papa up in Massachusetts
          Such a snob, I’ve heard it said, she met her pa and cut him dead
       You can’t chop your papa up in Massachusetts
          Jump like a fish, jump like a porpoise, all join hands and habeas corpus
       Can’t chop your papa up in Massachusetts
       Massachusetts is a far cry from New York

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