Bearhug Productions schedules 2027 release for Tricky Sam documentary

Bearhug Productions announced that the three-part documentary series Tricky Sam will receive a theatrical premiere on April 10, 2027. The production, written, directed, and produced by James Jones Jr., releases its first trailer on October 23. The film examines the life of Milton Covel, a figure known in parts of eastern North Carolina as Tricky Sam or Duke Buddy, and investigates why his stories have persisted for generations.

Jones stated that his interest in the subject began in childhood. He recounted hearing stories from his grandfather, who described Covel as a man capable of leaving listeners frightened yet fascinated. Jones noted that he later discovered Covel was his grandfather's second cousin, a connection that provided a personal motivation to investigate the accounts he had heard growing up.

The documentary highlights that the name Tricky Sam was not used universally across the region. An interviewee in the trailer explained that residents of Belhaven and Washington primarily knew the man as Duke Buddy. This person noted that locals in that specific area would rarely use the name Tricky Sam, indicating that the legend's identity varied by geography and family lineage.

Jones sought out individuals with direct family ties to Covel, including daughters residing in Belle Haven, North Carolina, and first cousins in their 80s. These relatives provided accounts of events they claimed to have witnessed with their own eyes. The film presents these narratives as witness recollections and local folklore rather than established historical facts.

One recurring account involves a car that allegedly operated without an engine. An interviewee described instances where Covel was stopped for speeding and authorities found nothing under the hood. However, testimonies differed on the details. Some witnesses reported finding a chicken under the hood, while others insisted there was absolutely nothing there. Jones uses these discrepancies to explore how community legends evolve through retelling.

The film also addresses the emotional impact Covel had on his relatives. One family member described a mixture of affection and terror, stating she was absolutely terrified of him despite knowing he was her cousin. Another relative recalled that their father, who died in 2022, continued to receive phone calls from people claiming to have seen Covel walking around, suggesting the legend remained active in the local consciousness.

Jones incorporates the religious and cultural traditions associated with the stories, specifically focusing on rootwork and hoodoo. He connected these practices to the history of African Americans and the impact of enslavement on spiritual beliefs. Jones argued that many churchgoers practice traditions without fully understanding their origins, which often trace back to root work.

Brad Boyd, an Aurora native and co-producer, portrays Covel in the documentary. Boyd said he grew up hearing the stories but had never seen the man. He described the role as a separation from his own identity, turning the character on when the lights came up and off when they went down. Boyd acknowledged that the unsettling nature of the stories occasionally lingered, causing him to check if Covel was riding behind him after leaving the set.

The trailer closes with the question, "What would the devil pay you for your soul?" Bearhug Productions stated that venue and ticket information for the April 2027 premiere will be announced at a later date.