THE TRUE STORY OF BRYAN JENNINGS DUESENBERRY
A WEST VIRGINIAN COAL MINER

PROJECT BACKGROUND

A depiction of a West Virginian coal-miner and his family's story of poverty, dignity, and death in a docudrama film set in 1940s Sabraton and Pursglove, West Virginia.

The film describes in rich detail specific documented events surrounding the Pursglove, West Virginia mine disaster of 1942. The documentary aspect of the film is well researched and includes abundant information not previously included in a semi-recent high-profile West Virginia mine-disasters publication.

The true family story aspect of the film surrounds a coal miner, Bryan Jennings Duesenberry, his wife Ethil, and their five daughters Patty, Billy, Jackie, Bonnie, and Katie.

After working just two weeks as a new-hire coal-miner, roof bolter Bryan Jennings Duesenberry perished among others in the Pursglove mine disaster of 1942. He was a simple man, doing what he could do to feed and house his family in Sabraton, West Virginia.

Bryan Jennings Duesenberry was the grandfather of film director and author Dr Marc Debiase. A richly detailed story as recalled by Bryan's youngest daughter Patty, Marc's Mother, is brought to life in dramatic detail. The family lifestyle and events of the times that led up to Bryan taking a new job in the coal mine are depicted.

A previous publication on West Virginia mine disasters entitled, "They Died in the Darkness" by Lacy A. Dillon failed to mention Bryan Jennings Duesenberry and a handful of others among the victims of the Pursglove mine disaster. Author Marc Debiase's brother David has been a coal miner for nearly 30 years now. David and his fiancee have both extensively researched and referenced official reports on the Pursglove mine disaster of 1942 in an attempt to learn about the tragic death of his Grandfather and those other forgotten men. The results of the research coupled with the recollections of Bryan's youngest daughter Patty are brought together to tell this family's true story.

Wife and children of coal miner. West Virginia - circa 1939
Library of Congress - no known restrictions

EARLY CASTING CALL

Actors are encouraged to send resume including acting experiences, bust and full body photos to author for pre-call considerations.

Actors must have own period circa 1940 costumes and will not be paid to participate in this project unless a grant submission to the West Virginia Humanities Council is approved.

Please send your interests to: founder@morgantownhistory.org