Produced by Sucker Punch Pictures, the film focuses on the life of Major Lewis Redmond, a 19th-century outlaw sometimes referred to as the “Jesse James of the Mountains.” At the time of his capture in 1881, Redmond was the most famous outlaw in the country. He was regarded as a hero in Southern Appalachia, but portrayed as a degenerate and cold-blooded murderer in the Northern press, said Suzanne McDowell, curator at the Mountain Heritage Center.

“The Prince of Dark Corners” will be shown this fall on public television in North and South Carolina.

Actor Milton Higgins portrays Redmond in the film. Higgins has acted in several of Carden’s dramatic works, and often directs and performs at the Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville. Neal Hutcheson, an independent filmmaker and chief production officer of Sucker Punch Pictures, served as producer and director for “The Prince of Dark Corners.”

Carden is a dramatist, folklorist and storyteller whose work has drawn wide praise for its authenticity and insight into mountain culture. In addition to “The Prince of Dark Corners,” his dramatic works include “The Raindrop Waltz,” “Land’s End,” “Nance Dude” and “Birdell.” His published works include “Mason Jars in the Flood,” “Belled Buzzards, Hucksters and Grieving Specters” and “The Raindrop Waltz.” His awards and honors include the 2006 Brown-Hudson Folklore Award.

Carden will present opening remarks for the Sept. 23 showing of the film.

The Mountain Heritage Center is located on the ground floor of WCU’s H.F. Robinson Administration Building. For more information, call the center at (828) 227-7129.

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Last modified: Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007