The Tallahatchie Bridge was an old iron bridge. It collasped in the 70's. An quick witted old geezer bought the metal from the county, cut it into small pieces and sold them for a buck each as souveniers of the bridge as made popular in the song.

The Carroll County picture show did exist for a few years. After the song, the citizens of Carrollton hung a sign on the building: The Carroll County Picture Show of "The Ode to Billie Joe".

The movie, directed by Max Baer,Jr.(Jethro Bodine) was filmed in Leflore Co., MS. near Greenwood. IMO it was a lousy flick.

And, yes, tupelo honey is a product from the tupelo tree. Sweet and tasty.

I liked the song then (1967) and I still do. I can't see it being on a worst song list when you consider the tons of TERRIBLE stuff that has been produced. "DOA" by Bloodrock comes to mind, when I think of worst songs. But, I certain that there is someone out there who likes even THAT!

khandu