Walters State Community College to Host Screening of "Bell Witch: The Movie"

Cinemarr Entertainment and Walters State Community College has send us information regarding the upcoming screening of "Bell Witch: The movie". The screening will take place this upcoming Saturday at the Conner-Short Center on the Sevier County Campus in Sevierville, TN.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: http://www.bellwitchthemovie.com/

Walters State Community College invites the public to enjoy a free screening of “ Bell Witch: The Movie www.bellwitchmovie.com ” at 7 p.m. on Oct. 29 in the Conner-Short Center on the Sevier County Campus.

The screening actually marks the first showing of the “Bell Witch: The Movie” on the big screen in the Sevier County, where it was filmed. Almost 300 people were involved, many cast as extras.

The movie is based on a true story that has captured the attention of ghost hunters for more than a century: the Bell Witch of Tennessee. The ghost tortured the Bell family of Robertson County for a generation. Family members even blamed the Bell Witch for poisoning family patriarch John Bell.

Shane Marr of Sevierville’s Cinemarr Entertainment/Big River Pictures directed the film. Dr. Larry Clifton, assistant professor of speech, served as a consultant on the project. Both will be on hand to answer questions.

Special guests for the showing include the movie’s stars J.D. Hart and Donna Pearson, who play John and Lucy Bell, and Beverly Jones, who plays Kate Batts. Executive producers Steve and Doris Marr will also be attending.

Phil Campbell, who makes a great gossip in the movie, will also be attending the showing. Others expected at the showing are Emily Brosbst, Billy Ballentine, Ken Porter, Carey Jones, Dan Haynes and Marvin West, who plays an undertaker.
“We were able to find quite a bit of documentation to support the legend,” said Clifton, who helped with research and promotion of the film.

“Andrew Jackson was even scared of this ghost. There are so many books and documents that refer to the Bell Witch. This movie follows those details.”

During the early 19th century, the Bell Witch first appeared as a strange beast or a ghostly figure. She eventually began making noises and speaking, even dictating family decisions. Daughter Betsy broke off an engagement because of a barrage of attacks from the spirit. At her last appearance, she promised to visit John Bell’s closest living descendent in 107 years. As the movie’s marketing materials claim, “she’s way overdue.”

The movie relies more on suspense than the violence that is part of many horror films.

“With a proliferation of ‘slasher’ films filled with sex, violence and vulgar language, it’s becoming harder than ever to find movies that are appropriate for families. We wanted to make a movie that told this terrifying and true story that was appropriate for the widest variety of viewers,” Marr said.

While the Bell Witch isn’t seen in the movie, she is heard. The voice is Betsy Palmer, who establisher herself as a horror film icon when she played Jason’s mother in the original Friday the 13th movies.

Clifton spent time in Robertson County near the property where the legends originated. So, does he believe in the Bell Witch?

“I would not want to be on that property after dark,” is his simple answer.
The audience will actually enjoy a double feature that evening. The winner of Walters State’s Cliffy Short Film Competition will be announced right before “Bell Witch” begins. The contest, named in honor of Clifton, challenges the college’s students to create a film about any topic. Entries are limited to five minutes. The winning entry will be shown immediately before “Bell Witch.”