Back in 1934, it was a news story that swept the nation and even went international: The story of the arrest and trial of Eva Coo, a resident of Otsego County who was accused of murder. There have been books and a play about Eva Coo but now, there will be a film called "A Roadhouse Coup" produced, written and directed by Lori Kelly-Bailey of Tandem Cage Productions with Joel Plue as Line Producer, both of Oneonta. According to Kelley-Bailey, this movie will be filmed entirely on location in the areas in which Eva Coo lived, worked, and plotted to murder her victim. Those locations will be in Otsego, Herkimer and Delaware Counties.

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Eva Coo at the old Oneonta Police Dept. (Credit: Lori Kelly-Bailey)
Eva Coo at the old Oneonta Police Dept. (Credit: Lori Kelly-Bailey)
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Here's the film's official synopsis:

Oneonta, New York. 1925-1935. A bustling Railroad Community during the time of Prohibition and Prosperity. This combination would provide the perfect opportunity for local entrepreneur and brothel owner; EVA COO. 

Eva was a boisterous and witty woman, able to seduce and swindle many an unsuspecting gentleman out of his money, property and Insurance policies.
 
A most unfortunate scenario for one Harry “Gimpy” Wright.

Harry was a somewhat “simple” man whom Eva provided room and board to in exchange for a portion of his inheritance. When Eva discovered that Gimpy had spent a good deal of the money, she grew angry with him and his value decreased significantly. 

To no-one's surprise, Eva was listed as the benefactor on Gimpy’s life insurance policy, and so she hatched a plan to kill him and collect. 

On June 14th. 1934, Eva and her partner in crime, Martha Clift asked Gimpy to ride along and help them with an odd job on Crumhorn Mountain. Once out of the car, Eva hit him in the head with a heavy mallet, knocking him unconscious. The women then drove over his body several times until he was dead. Unfortunately, their perfect plan did not play out as they had hoped. Suspicions arose and an investigation ensued.

Eva was arrested, tried and convicted in Otsego County Court in August 1934.
She was sentenced to death by electric chair and was executed on June 27th. 1935.

The cast will be made up of a blend of Hollywood Actors, well-known local Politicians, community members and even descendants of individuals whose family members were in some way involved in the trial of Eva Coo. If you're looking to be immortalized on film, here's your chance. Producers are looking for adults (18-100) to be extras in the film. There will be an open casting call this weekend at Foothills Performing Arts Center in Oneonta on Saturday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. and Sunday from 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm.

Please bring a current photo of yourself. Follow signs and enter through the main entrance on Market Street. For more information about the movie and its producers, visit aroadhousecoup.godaddysites.com.

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