Dave Distler, local Geauga County resident and author of numerous historical writings, was the subject of an article we posted back in September of 2013. You can find the full article here.
Dave, whose daytime job is at Junction Auto Family in Chardon, wrote a book in 2007 which was, in-part, the basis for a new documentary film. Back in the ’90s, while researching his Indiana family history, he encountered the story of the Reno Gang of Jackson County. “Surprised I had never heard or read about the world’s first train robbery in Indiana in 1866, I began to research the Reno Brothers and was shocked to read about their violent demise at the hands of respectable townspeople which include three of the five Reno brothers.”
The book followed, and now the creation of a docudrama titled The Legend of the Reno Brothers (LOTRB) which debuted on September 7 and 8 in Scottsburg, IN, located near the spot where the Reno Brothers’ most lucrative train robbery occurred. Dave was present at the initial test screenings which allowed audiences to critique the film and submit written feedback to be incorporated before the final cuts.
On December 12, 2013, Dave shares,”A major milestone has been reached! Our pals Chris and Jeff Grau of Lake Erie Video Productions, our DVD tech gurus [from Chardon, Ohio], just presented us with the master DVD of LOTRB. Here is Chris and Jeff wishing us luck with the film they helped put on disc. December 12, 2013: 145 years to the day the Reno Gang was lynched in the New Albany jail. Thanks, guys!”
Dave had recommended Chris and Jeff to Tony Susnick, the writer and director of the film from Louisville, Kentucky, based upon the Grau’s efforts producing commercials for the Junction Auto Family dealership.
Via the internet, Tony and the Grau brothers exchanged video and sound files. Jeff spearheaded the significant task of technical editing and formatting for DVD presentation. This new way of independent filmmaking is routine for Lake Erie Video, technical leaders in a variety of multi-media formats.
The Legend of the Reno Brothers DVD can be purchased through Amazon. You can also follow LOTRB on Facebook as well.
A big congratulations to both Dave and the Grau brothers for their significant contributions in the producing and release of this accurate historical film!
