Lizzie Borden

[RottingCorpse]

In case you don't know about the case: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lizzie_Borden

Here's the deal: I've toyed around with writing a Lizzie Borden script for a couple years now, but the right concept has eluded me. This past week, I had the germ of an idea that I might sit down and try to work with. I might not either. Who knows?

What are the other Lizzie Borden movies out there? Has anyone seen them?

Also, A good, thorough book on the case seems tough to come by. Any suggestions?

[Matt]

It seems that a trip to the house itself in Massachusetts would be in order. Also, viewing copies of the court records. Source material would be better than any book.

[nacho]

Well, Wikipedia covers all of this:

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/famous/borden/index_1.html

Here are all the source books, though:

http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/famous/borden/bibli_7.html

edit:  Ah, after reading the Wikipedia article, looks like that's the most exhaustive resource.

[nacho]

Heh...

http://www.oddthingsiveseen.com/2007/11/lizzie-borden-bed-and-breakfast-part-i.html

[nacho]

Reading her inquest now... Talk about tame prosecution.

[RottingCorpse]

edit:  Ah, after reading the Wikipedia article, looks like that's the most exhaustive resource.

Wiki is?

[nacho]

Well, it's got all the crime library info, all the books I can find, and links to OTIS and other places, as well as the house itself.  Where you should go stay for a week, as Matt suggests, and soak up the owner's knowledge, which will probably be equivalent to earning a degree on Borden.

[RottingCorpse]

Getting Mrs. RC to stay there will be something of a chore, but yes, a visit is in order.

[nacho]

I'll go with you! 

Road trip!

[RottingCorpse]

Just ordered this which a huge collection of newspaper articles documenting the case and Lizzie's life after.

The Lizzie Borden Sourcebook

I also ordered the fictional Lizzie by Evan Hunter.

And the Borden House sounds like an awesome road trip.

[nacho]

Let's plan the road trip.  I can chart it by a bunch of weird roadside Americana shit.  Springtime?  Take a week or so off...?

[RottingCorpse]

I'm doing a big trip in February, so April would likely be best.

[nacho]

It's only 414 miles to her house, and a pretty straight shot on 95.  Which means US 29 could be an option... I'll see what my maps say, and then I'll try and unbox all of my haunted/weird America stuff and see what grisly murder sites are along the way.

The spring is preferred, since it's in Mass.  So, yes, April or May...

See how I just invited myself along in your life?  I'm moving into your basement next week.

[Matt]

I'm honestly surprised that there isn't a fantastic piece of nonfiction about the case where a reporter went in and dug up everything they could.

[RottingCorpse]

It's a pretty well documented case from a journalist standpoint. However, you're right that there's no definitive nonfiction account of the case.