In 1962 Hollywood came to Southeast Missouri to make a movie starring William Shatner According to Wikipedia.org:
“The Intruder is a 1962 American film directed and co-produced by Roger Corman and starring William Shatner. It is adapted from a 1959 novel by Charles Beaumont. The story depicts the machinations of a racist named Adam Cramer (portrayed by Shatner), who arrives in the fictitious small Southern town of Caxton in order to incite white townspeople to racial violence against black townspeople and court-ordered school integration.
The film is also known under its US reissue titles as I Hate Your Guts! and Shame, and The Stranger in the UK release.”
Since the movie was set in a small Southern town, Missouri’s “Bootheel” region was a natural location. The movie was actually shot in the towns of Charleston, East Prairie and Sikeston.
According to Wikipedia:
“Before it was finished, local people objected to the film’s portrayal of racism and segregation.”
The July 24, 1961 issue of Sikeston, Missouri’s The Daily Standard published a story which covered the start of film production, included a quote from William Shatner, who when asked, “What do you think of Sikeston?”, replied by stating, “It’s a lovely little town with nice people. If I wanted to live in a small town, Sikeston would be my choice.”
It’s a lovely little town with nice people. If I wanted to live in a small town, Sikeston would be my choice.
William Shatner, quoted in the July 24, 1961 The Daily Standard newspaper
The movie, which is now in the public domain can be viewed below:
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