The Murder Behind the Movie
Anatomy of a Murder was a novel written by John D. Voelker (under the pen name Robert Traver) that was based on an actual murder and trial where he was the defense attorney. Mike Chenoweth (Big Bay Lumberjack Tavern bartender and winner of the centennial beard growing contest) was shot to death while working behind the bar.
Army Lt. Coleman A. Peterson placed seven rounds into Mike Chenoweth for allegedly raping and beating Peterson's wife. John Voelker was Lt. Coleman's defense attorney for the trial and Peterson was found 'not guilty by reason of insanity.'
Some reports have the Peterson's divorcing six months later and Lt. Coleman going to Korea. Another former juror thought that Lt. Coleman was killed in a plane crash three years after the trial in Alaska.
Whatever the case may be, John Voelker went on to write a fiction story based upon the 1952 murder entitled, Anatomy of a Murder. The book shot to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list and remained there for 66 weeks.
The movie, Anatomy of a Murder, won critical acclaim as well as seven Academy Award nominations.
Anatomy of a Murder Turns 50!
Anatomy of a Murder, written by John D. Voelker was published in 1958. Numerous events are scheduled across the state from Ishpeming (parts of the movie were filmed there), Marquette, on down to Lansing.
50th Anniversary Events
Get Your Copy of Anatomy of a Murder
Still Nifty at Fifty!
Anatomy of a Murder
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 11/28/2009)
For a novel hitting 50, Anatomy of a Murder, doesn't lack in intrigue and style. What better plot than a real-life murder and landmark court case? Read the book and then watch the movie. Decide for yourself if the book is better than the movie.
From Bestselling Novel to a Hit Movie
John D. Voelker spent about three months writing the novel, Anatomy of a Murder, on yellow legal pads. The book was published in 1958 and rose to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list and remained there for 66 weeks.Otto Preminger bought the film rights to the book in April of 1958 and nearly a year later in March of 1959 Preminger and his film crew shot the film on location in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. About 300 lucky U.P. residents were extras in the film and paid $10 per day.
The film garnered seven Academy Award nominations:
- Best Actor in a Leading Role - Jimmy Stewart
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Arthur O'Connell
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role - George C. Scott
- Best Cinematography, Black-and-White - Sam Leavitt
- Best Film Editing - Louis R. Loeffler
- Best Picture - Otto Preminger
- Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium - Wendell Mayes
Anatomy of a Murder movie trailer
Buy the Anatomy of a Murder movie and books
Anatomy of a Murder
Robert Traver was the pen name of Michigan Supreme Court Justice, John Voelker. He based his novel on the real murder up in Big Bay, Michigan at the Lumberjack Tavern.
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 11/28/2009)
Anatomy of a Murder
I love Jimmy Stewart movies and this one does NOT disappoint. Great twist at the end!
Amazon Price: $14.94 (as of 11/28/2009)
Anatomy of "Anatomy" The Making of a Movie
Great insight from a native Yooper who was lucky enough to be in the movie as an extra.
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 11/28/2009)
Anatomy of a Murder: From the Soundtrack of the Motion Picture (1959 Film)
I enjoyed the funky jazz numbers playing in the background throughout the film.
Amazon Price: (as of 11/28/2009)
Cast of Anatomy of a Murder
- James Stewart . . . Paul Biegler
- Lee Remick . . . Laura Manion
- Arthur O'Connell . . . Parnell Emmett McCarthy
- Eve Arden . . . Maida Rutledge
- Kathryn Grant . . . Mary Pilant
- George C. Scott . . . Asst. State Atty. Gen. Claude Dancer
- Orson Bean . . . Dr. Matthew Smith
- Russ Brown . . . George Lemon
- Murray Hamilton . . . Alphonse Paquette
- Brooks West . . . Dist. Atty. Mitch Lodwick
Info provided by IMDB.com
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Come Visit Beautiful Marquette, Michigan
Intro to Anatomy of a Murder
Upper Peninsula News Headlines
Get the latest headlines from the Marquette Mining Journal.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byClips from the Detroit Premier of Anatomy of a Murder
More Books by Robert Traver
John D. Voelker (Robert Traver) was a much noted fisherman
1
Trout Magic by Robert Traver
Trout Magic is a warm, joyous, and maverick look at trout fishing and its attendant tall tales, strange happenings, and all-around fishing lore. Traver recounts the story of a mysterious "dancing fly, " speaks pointedly about "kiss-and-tell" fishermen, debunks fly fishermen as the "world's greatest snobs, " lets us in on the fishing story Life missed, and takes us along on his strangest fishing trip. We meet the unforgettable Danny McGinnis, guide, and other choice....0 points
2
Trout Madness by Robert Traver
Trout Madness was John D. Voelker's (aka, Robert Traver) fifth book (to be followed by his equally popular, Trout Magic). Here, for the delight of his many fans and friends, are twenty-one stories gleaned from the lifetime of glorious fishing - as true as can be expected of a fisherman. They cover the whole range of the trout fishing season, from The First Day ("Entire expedition got half shot and retired in vast disorder") to The Last Day ("Only eight more months to the magic fir...0 points
5
People Versus Kirk by Robert Traver
Robert Traver is best known for his memorable ANATOMY OF A MURDER, but all of his books exhibit carefully structured plots and fine craftsmanship.
Set in rural Michigan, this tale of a love triangle resolves its tensions in mortal violence. The story is more than a simple whodunit, and the means by which the mystery unravels leads the reader through a complicated maze.
"Powerful and moving. Traver's control is masterful." (B-O-T Editorial Review Board)
0 points7
Danny and the Boys: Being Some Legends of Hungry Hollow (Great Lakes Books) by Robert Traver
Rugged is the word for Danny McGinnis--and his "boys." It is the Depression, they all live together, refugees from the outside world, in a little logging shack in Hungry Hollow, on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Hollow is long logged out and now the main activities center on fishing, hunting, shooting the breeze, moonshine and periodic rampages through the town.
They turn a dollar any way they can, play pranks on each other and the townspeople, practice their rugged democracy in a traditional A...
0 pointsRelated links for more information and insight
- The Jimmy Stewart Museum
- This site is a virtual extension of the museum located in Jimmy's birthplace of Indiana, Pennsylvania. Join us online as we celebrate the life and career of an American icon.
- Detroit News - When Hollywood Came Calling
- In March of 1959 a Hollywood crew invaded Michigan's Upper Peninsula to start filming the 1956 best seller, "Anatomy of a Murder." The author, Michigan Supreme Court justice John D. Voelker, wrote the novel under the pen name Robert Traver.
- Michigan History Article
- This article highlights the life of Anatomy of a Murder author and Michigan Supreme Court Justice, John D. Voelker as well as the real murder behind the film and book.
- More About Big Bay
- Hunt's Guide to Michigan's Upper Peninsula has a nice long summary of Big Bay and the surrounding area. Nice information if you ever fancy a trip up to some real beautiful country.
- Thunder Bay Inn
- Although not the site of the actual murder, the bar/restaurant of the Thunder Bay Inn was used as the location of the murder in the film.
The current bar and grill was actually added on to the inn because the film needed a set for the scene of the murder.
Get Into the Novel, Anatomy of a Murder
Learn more about the book and its author, John D. Voelker
Read some of John D.Voelker's papers online via the John D. Voelker Collection at NMU. You'll see some in-depth looks at various parts of the novel's construction and the how and why of the way certain parts were written.Download a Reader's Guide to Anatomy of a Murder for some "behind the scenes" information about the book and movie. The guide also includes a brief biography of John D. Voelker. Also of note are discussion questions for book clubs (or even the One Book, One Community style mass reading is suggested) are included as well.
by AllThingsMichigan
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