In the summer of 1973, a notorious criminal was on the loose in the Adirondacks. Robert Garrow led police on a 12 day manhunt. It was the largest and longest authorities every searched until last year's prison escape in Dannemora. In this Capital Region Close Up, Karen Tararache takes us North, into the mountains.
Port Henry, N. Y. -- Take a trip to Port Henry and you'll find some idyllic streets.
"We used to grab sleeping blankets and sleep on the lawn under the stars," Johnny Ray said.
It's the kind of place where businesses sell goods made in the mountains and the children live a life, seemingly undisturbed. So it's interesting that amidst all this tranquility, there was once a time of, "Murder On The Mountain."
"A serene area in the Adirondacks, destroyed by something so horrific," Ray said.
It is the set of a short feature film written and directed by Lori Bailey.
"In researching found out that my dad actually lived in his neighborhood they went to school together," Bailey said.
The movie, "Murder On The Mountain," is based on Robert Garrow.
"My sister and I played in the area between the two homes never thought a thing of it. He walked through there -- it could have been us. It could have been anybody," Bailey explained.
Garrow was a serial killer active in this area in the early 1970s.
"A lot of people don't know the story," Ray said.
Actor Johnny Ray portrays Garrow.
"For me this scene is probably the most disturbing scene because nothing really is happening, but this is not going to end well," Ray said.
For now, the plan is to showcase Garrow's troubled childhood and early crimes. Like this scene based on actual events.
"He picked up two young girls here in this area and took them off into a wooded cemetery. We stop short of showing anything, everything in the movie is implied," Bailey said.
Later if the film does well, Lori and producer, Joel Plue, plan to re-create Garrow's trial and subsequent prison escape. In the meantime, the crew is taking advantage of everything Upstate New York has to offer.
"It's so user friendly. We're hoping this film is another example of why you should come up here and shoot," Plue said.
"Murder On The Mountain" is set to be released sometime this Halloween.
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