Filmmaker Unveils Three-Part Series on Eastern North Carolina Folk Legend

A trailer for a new documentary series released on October 23 explores the life of Milton Covel, a figure known across eastern North Carolina by names like Tricky Sam and Duke Buddy. Bearhug Productions announced that the three-part film, written and directed by James Jones Jr., will have its theatrical premiere on April 10, 2027. The project aims to examine the man behind the local legend and the reasons his story has persisted for generations.

Jones grew up hearing stories about Covel from his grandfather, who described a reputation that left listeners both frightened and fascinated. Jones noted that Covel was his grandfather's second cousin, a family connection that provided a personal motivation for the investigation. He stated, "I was extremely kind of, I was scared of him, but I was curious of wanting to know more about these stories." The filmmaker sought out relatives and eyewitnesses to gather direct accounts of their interactions with Covel.

The documentary highlights regional variations in the legend, noting that residents of Belhaven and Washington often referred to Covel as Duke Buddy rather than Tricky Sam. One interviewee in the trailer explained that the name Tricky Sam was not commonly used in those specific towns. These naming differences reflect how the stories were transmitted through family networks and local memories, shifting slightly as they moved from one community to another.

One of the most persistent narratives involves a vehicle that allegedly operated without a motor. Several witnesses recounted stopping Covel for speeding and finding no engine under the hood. However, the specific details of what was found vary among the accounts. Jones noted that some individuals claimed to have seen a chicken under the hood, while others remembered the space as being completely empty. The film presents these discrepancies as part of the oral history rather than attempting to provide a single factual explanation.

The series also examines the spiritual and cultural contexts surrounding the legend, including connections to rootwork and hoodoo traditions. Jones explored how African American spiritual beliefs were shaped by the history of enslavement and the subsequent interpretation of Christianity. He observed that many people in churches practice rituals without fully understanding their origins, linking these practices back to broader cultural roots. The film places Covel's story within this larger framework of belief and community memory.

Brad Boyd, an Aurora native and co-producer, portrays Covel in the dramatic reenactments. Boyd grew up hearing the stories without ever seeing the man, often feeling that anyone acting strangely might be the legend in person. He described the process of embodying the character as a separation from his own identity, turning the role on and off with the filming lights. The trailer concludes with a question about the price of one's soul, reflecting the darker elements of the folklore.

The production combines interviews with family members and longtime residents with these reenactments to create a portrait of the legend. Venue and ticket details for the 2027 premiere have not yet been released, but the film is intended to preserve the firsthand memories of those who knew the stories. The project treats the accounts as witness recollections and local folklore, capturing how a single individual's history became a shared regional narrative.