A new movie documenting one of the most notorious manhunts in Upstate New York history is premiering in Syracuse this weekend.

In 1968, convicted rapist Robert Garrow, Sr. was paroled in Syracuse, N.Y. after being given early release for being a model inmate. In the summer of 1973, Garrow went on a killing spree, starting with killing a Syracuse schoolgirl, Alicia Hauck, and hiding her body in Oakwood Cemetery. He then went on to murder three campers in the Adirondacks and launched a 12-day manhunt, the biggest of its time.

Robert Garrow

Garrow was convicted of four murders, although authorities believe he may be responsible for as many as 27. The three days Garrow took the stand in court are the center of a film by the same name to premiere at the Landmark Theatre at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 15.

Writer and director of the movie ‘Garrow’, Lori Kelly-Bailey, grew up in Mineville, N.Y. where Garrow was also raised. Her family lived on Joyce Road just below where Garrow’s family lived and Kelly-Bailey’s father went to school and worked with Garrow for a short time in the local mines.

“There was always a connection to the Garrow family, living in a very tiny little mining town where everyone knows everyone else’s business. I have been following his story and his family’s dynamic for quite some time,” said Kelly-Bailey.

Kelly-Bailey said she is more of a drama writer and didn’t want to just make another ‘Dateline / documentary style’ movie surrounding this story. She spent two years researching Garrow; looking through court documents, crime photos, speaking with law enforcement, and even Garrow’s own family members.

“This is the first time in about 40 years the family has spoken out about these events,” said Kelly-Bailey.

The movie was filmed around the Adirondacks and it is the second time Kelly-Bailey has used it as a film location. She said making films in Upstate New York is the absolute best.

“There are so many locations and people and places and things to use that gets you out of the union areas of the city. It is quite pleasant to film up there,” said Kelly-Bailey.

In the court scenes, Kelly-Bailey said the dialogue between the attorneys and Garrow’s character are directly from the court documents. As Garrow describes the crimes he committed, the screen fades back to reenactments of his crimes.

Kelly-Bailey said they made the film on a dime and to her pleasant surprise, it has been selling out its showings around Upstate New York and the Northeast. People whose lives were affected by Garrow’s crimes have attended some of the previous screenings.

Prosecutor Norman H. Mordue, of Syracuse, won the case in the murder trial of Robert Garrow Sr. in Lake Pleasant in 1973. Now the chief federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York, Mordue will be in attendance at Friday’s premiere. Also in attendance at the Syracuse showing will be defense attorney, Frank H. Armani.

Future screenings of ‘Garrow’ will be later this month in Indian Lake and Plattsburgh. It will be available on DVD beginning June 1.

Where: Landmark Theatre, 362 S Salina St., Syracuse, N.Y. 13202

When: Friday, March 15 at 8 p.m.

Tickets: $20 tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Platinum tickets are available for $100 which will include an after party hosted at the Landmark. Attendees will meet and greet cast and crew, enjoy h’ordeurves, and cash bar.