Walking Tall - Hoax?

[fourheels]

Appears that Buford Pusser's story about his wife's death may have been a lie. Turns out he may have killed her, himself

Late crime-busting sheriff Buford Pusser inspired Hollywood. Investigators say he killed his wife

Tennessee authorities say a cold case investigation reveals that a sheriff who inspired a Hollywood movie about an organized crime-busting law enforcement officer actually killed his wife in 1967 and led people to believe she was murdered by his enemies

abcnews.go.com

 

[nycfan]

Appears that Buford Pusser's story about his wife's death may have been a lie. Turns out he may have killed her, himself

Late crime-busting sheriff Buford Pusser inspired Hollywood. Investigators say he killed his wife

Tennessee authorities say a cold case investigation reveals that a sheriff who inspired a Hollywood movie about an organized crime-busting law enforcement officer actually killed his wife in 1967 and led people to believe she was murdered by his enemies

abcnews.go.com

My uncle and cousin loved that movie. Wild that they reviewed it so long after the fact.

 

[SmilingJack]

It was such a popular movie that they did a copycat one filmed in NC. Rocks was probably the best one.

 

[nycfan]

 

[SnoopRob]

I'm curious what, if any, public reaction there will be to this info being made public?

 

[Mulberry Heel]

Appears that Buford Pusser's story about his wife's death may have been a lie. Turns out he may have killed her, himself

Late crime-busting sheriff Buford Pusser inspired Hollywood. Investigators say he killed his wife

Tennessee authorities say a cold case investigation reveals that a sheriff who inspired a Hollywood movie about an organized crime-busting law enforcement officer actually killed his wife in 1967 and led people to believe she was murdered by his enemies

abcnews.go.com

I remember seeing Walking Tall back in the 80s on VHS. It was pretty good, and may be the best thing Joe Don Baker ever did, although I do have a soft spot for his failed 1975 movie Mitchell, as it's my favorite Mystery Science Theater episode. That's pretty surprising that after all these years the truth finally came out. If this story is true, and it appears to be, Pusser was no better than the crooked thugs and ruthless courthouse gang that he supposedly challenged as sheriff. The death of his wife at the hands of his corrupt enemies was a key point of the movie.

 

[Carolina Fever]

Appears that Buford Pusser's story about his wife's death may have been a lie. Turns out he may have killed her, himself

Late crime-busting sheriff Buford Pusser inspired Hollywood. Investigators say he killed his wife

Tennessee authorities say a cold case investigation reveals that a sheriff who inspired a Hollywood movie about an organized crime-busting law enforcement officer actually killed his wife in 1967 and led people to believe she was murdered by his enemies

abcnews.go.com

 

[fourheels]

I remember seeing Walking Tall back in the 80s on VHS. It was pretty good, and may be the best thing Joe Don Baker ever did, although I do have a soft spot for his failed 1975 movie Mitchell, as it's my favorite Mystery Science Theater episode. That's pretty surprising that after all these years the truth finally came out. If this story is true, and it appears to be, he was no better than the crooked thugs and ruthless courthouse gang that he supposedly challenged as sheriff. The death of his wife at the hands of his corrupt enemies was a key point of the movie.

Don't forget Baker's role as the Whammer in the Natural

Fellow Parrotheads probably know this but Jimmy Buffett had a run inwith Pusser after Jimmy got drunk and climbed on top of Pusser's Cadillac. He made reference to the incident in at least three songs including "Presents to Send You" off of his A1A album and "Close Calls" off of his last album released shortly after Jimmy's death in 2023.

 

[nycfan]

I guess Joe Don Baker actually nailed Buford a decade or so later in Fletch …