Documentary Film Brought Glaspell Case to Des Moines
Filmmaker William Rock showcased his adaptation of the historical murder mystery at the historic Varsity Cinema.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Documentary
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Filmmaker William Rock screened his new independent documentary, which explores the 1901 murder case of John Hossack, at the Varsity Cinema in Des Moines. The event served as part of the Susan Glaspell Writers & Critics series, highlighting local history.
Why it matters
The project returns the story of Margaret Hossack to its Iowa roots after extensive research into the historical case reported by Susan Glaspell. It allows the community to engage with a local tragedy through the lens of modern cinematic interpretation.
The production team spent 6 years developing the film project before its recent debut. The screening drew 200 people to the local venue.
The players
William Rock
He is an Iowa-based filmmaker who directed the adaptation of Susan Glaspell's work.
Susan Glaspell
She was a writer who covered the Hossack murder case for the Des Moines Daily News and authored the play Trifles.
John Hossack
He was the victim of a 1901 murder case in Warren County that inspired historical literary works.
Margaret Hossack
She was the wife of the murder victim who was convicted in the case before a hung jury resulted from an appeal.
The details
Director William Rock utilized research from iowacoldcases.org and historical reports written by Susan Glaspell for the Des Moines Daily News to construct his adaptation. The film recounts the 1901 murder of John Hossack in Warren County and the subsequent legal trial of his wife, Margaret Hossack.
Timeline
1901: John Hossack was murdered in Warren County.
1916: Susan Glaspell published the play Trifles.
1970s: The work of Susan Glaspell was rediscovered.
Summer 2020: William Rock began researching the murder case.
Sept. 23, 2026: The film screened at the Varsity Cinema.
Industry Dynamics
This independent film follows a trend of regional filmmakers reviving historical true crime narratives to explore local cultural heritage. The project utilizes archival research and academic partnerships, signaling a shift toward community-focused documentary production in Iowa.
Residents in the area can engage with the work of an Iowa-based artist through academic programming like the Susan Glaspell Writers & Critics series. The screening provided a direct opportunity for the public to participate in a post-film panel discussion with the production team.
The takeaway
This project highlights how local cold cases continue to inspire artistic expression across generations. Viewers can support regional storytelling by attending film series that focus on the intersection of state history and creative media.
Further reading
Learn more about local historical film projects on the Documentary section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times-Delphic.
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