MGM short, narrated by Carey Wilson, that explores the rumor that John Wilkes Booth did not die in that barn in 1865, but rather escaped and lived for many years. The story starts with the 1903 deathbed confession of a man named David E. George that he was Booth. Before he can elaborate on his story, however, he falls into a coma. As the minister present at his bedside wonders aloud if Booth really did survive, narrator Wilson takes us back to 1865 to revisit the events from Lincoln's assassination to Booth's death in a barn on Garrett's farm to the examination of Booth's body afterwards. From there we get into full-blown conspiracy theory territory as Booth's alleged escape is detailed. I've seen this theory discussed on a variety of mystery & conspiracy TV programs, as well as in a few books. But it's interesting to see something from the '30s exploring it. This was directed by Jacques Tourneur, who would obviously go on to bigger things. It's an entertaining short about an interesting subject. If nothing else, it shows modern viewers that conspiracy theories have been around for a very long time.
Review of The Man in the Barn
