COUDERSPORT –– People are planning to come from Chicago, Cleveland, California, Florida and elsewhere for the inaugural “Eliot Ness Fest: Touched by the Untouchable,” slated for the July 20-22 weekend in Coudersport.
The event celebrates the life of the famous crimefighter who spent his final years as a businessman in that community. Ness’s exploits as a federal agent in gangland Chicago were portrayed to millions on a TV series and major motion picture, both titled, “The Untouchables.”
“Potter County Historical Society is sponsoring a weekend that mixes Roaring ‘20s fun and lively street theater with fascinating history programs, a salute to law enforcement, a vintage car show (1921-32) that’s unprecedented in the region, and many other events spread out over three days,” officials said in a news release.
Among notables coming to speak are Scott Leeson Sroka, an assistant U.S. Attorney and grandson of Joe Leeson, one of the famous “Untouchables” commanded by Ness; A. Brad Schwartz, co-author of an upcoming book shedding light on Ness’s battles against Al Capone’s criminal outfit; and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, where Ness got his start in law enforcement.
Attendees will be able to enjoy lunch during “Pasta with Capone,” a speakeasy-themed gathering spot known as “Jack’s Place,” which will host a Roaring ‘20s dance and costume contest and other activities.
Walking tours and narrated bus rides will highlight local points of interest related to the Prohibition era in northcentral Pennsylvania and Ness’s Coudersport years. Visitors can follow the path of “Eliot’s Last Walk,” which led to his sudden death of a heart attack at his Third Street home in May 1957.
Two programs at the Coudersport Theatre will reveal Ness’s performance in transforming Cleveland to a model city and his pursuit of a maniacal serial killer, “The Mad Butcher,” who was never apprehended.
Sunday’s finale is a program titled “Meet the Real Eliot Ness,” where entertaining insights about the man himself will be shared Scott Leeson Sroka, A. Brad Schwartz, Ness biographer and Potter County Commissioner Paul W. Heimel of Coudersport and local residents who knew Ness when he was a Coudersport resident in 1956-57. Festival organizers are tight-lipped about the identity of “special guests” who are expected to pop in during Sunday’s show.
Those wishing to stick around the air-conditioned theater after the program can enjoy episodes of the popular early-1960s television show, “The Untouchables” starring Robert Stack, on the big screen.
“Volunteers who have stepped up to organize the festival for the Potter County Historical Society report that it’s creating a buzz across the country,” event officials said. “They expect a turnout in the thousands and believe Eliot Ness Fest will grow to become one of the region’s top annual attractions.”
Organizers are particularly excited about one of the entries in the Vintage Car Show. It’s a 1924 Rolls-Royce Roadster once owned by a prominent Chicago publisher Col. Robert McCormick, whose investigative reporter was assassinated by gangsters. Fearing that he was next, the publisher had his car bullet-proofed.
Several local businesses are getting in on the act, most notably the historic Hotel Crittenden. Ness and sportswriter Oscar Fraley convened at the Crittenden in late 1956 and 1957 to write the manuscript for the book, “The Untouchables,” an embellished account of Ness’s battles with the Chicago underworld that spawned the television series and movie.
A local shop will be offering trademarked souvenirs from the inaugural Eliot Ness Fest. There’s also a new book that will roll off the presses in time for the festival. Titled, “Behind the Badge: The Untold Story of Eliot Ness” by Paul W. Heimel, the book reveals details of Ness’s life and career, as well as his years in Coudersport
Details on the festival can be found on Facebook or eliotnessfest.com.
