CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia was the setting for the 1955 film “The Night of the Hunter,” an adaptation of Davis Grubb’s 1953 novel inspired by a serial killer in the area. The film, actor Charles Laughton’s sole directorial effort, follows the story of Harry Powell, portrayed by Robert Mitchum, a self-styled preacher with tattoos that read “LOVE” and “HATE.” The character of Harry is based on the “West Virginia Bluebeard,” Harry Powers, a serial killer from the area.
The film introduces Harry at the Moundsville Penitentiary, where he meets Ben Harper, a man due to be executed for stealing $10,000 and killing two people. Ben has hidden the money and has made his family swear never to reveal its whereabouts. The story unfolds as a thriller and horror classic, despite being a critical and commercial failure when initially released.
After marrying Ben’s widow, Harry, who turns out to be a “lonely hearts murderer,” embarks on a quest to find the hidden money. The film is based on the 1953 book of the same name, written by Davis Grubb, a Moundsville native inspired by the local serial killer, Harry Powers. Powers, a Dutch immigrant, advertised himself as a wealthy husband, luring women to their deaths in West Virginia. He was eventually caught and executed in 1932 at Moundsville State Penitentiary.
Despite its initial failure, “The Night of the Hunter” has gained acclaim from renowned directors and critics, including Roger Ebert, who described it as “one of the greatest of all American films.” The timeless quality of the film was praised by Ebert, and other influential directors have cited it as an inspiration for their work. The film is available for rental and in Blu-Ray and DVD formats for those interested in exploring this classic piece of cinema.