Valley of the Heart's Delight Set for October Premiere

Valley of the Heart's Delight Set for October Premiere

New Film Is Fictionalized Account of Controversial 1933 Brooke Hart Kidnapping / Murder in San Jose and Subsequent Public Lynching of Two Men Accused of the Crime

Media Note: Movie Trailer Available online at http://www.valleyoftheheartsdelight.com

SAN FRANCISCO, July 19 /PRNewswire/ -- 74 years ago, in a small idyllic northern California town, a crime-upon-crime took place: an event so shocking that even now, its reality and impact remain stunning. Writer / producer John 'Miles' Murphy has shattered a silence that has lasted nearly three quarters of a century with his controversial feature film Valley of the Heart's Delight (http://www.valleyoftheheartsdelight.com/, 98 minutes, Fixed Idea Films). Murphy's fictionalized account depicts one of the most unique -- and largely forgotten -- criminal and political conspiracies in United States history: the lynching of two un-arraigned men before a mob of thousands in a downtown San Jose park following its sanctioning by the Governor of California and a relentless drumbeat of media.

"Thanksgiving week 1933, two men accused of kidnapping and murder were convicted in the court of public opinion and executed by their fellow citizens," says Murphy, underscoring the fact that his film is based on the only eye-witness account of the original Brooke Hart kidnapping. "This event remains the only time in United States history in which both the jury and the executioners included members of the law enforcement community, elected and public officials, business and civic leaders, the press and a mob estimated between 5,000 and 10,000 of the victims' fellow citizens. For the last 70 years, an entire community, including many still alive today, have held this event as a conspiracy of silence."

In straightforward narrative fashion, Valley chronicles the kidnapping of the scion of a wealthy San Jose retailer. The crime, subsequent manhunt and media frenzy ignite a firestorm of suspicion and rage in idyllic, Depression-era San Jose. Confronted by overwhelming evidence of a conspiracy to solve the crime without adequate investigation, a principled young reporter takes on the powers-that-be to prevent the lynching of two men he believes are innocent.

Before his work as a screenwriter / filmmaker, Murphy founded and directed a community mental health program while an adjunct professor at San Jose State University, and was a founder of the internationally-recognized University of Phoenix. Murphy, 61, who makes his home in San Francisco, learned about the story while a student from a man whose father witnessed the assault on the jail and subsequent lynching.

"My research revealed a singularly compelling history of how a community of good, decent citizens can participate in an unspeakable crime with the leadership and approval of civic and business leaders, law enforcement, and elected public officials," said Murphy, who is not hesitant about the controversy his film is likely to ignite. "People with familiarity of the event have never questioned the guilt of the two men lynched for the kidnapping of Brooke Hart, but there certainly exists both a morally convincing and factual case for their innocence."

Valley of the Heart's Delight stars Gabriel Mann, Bruce McGill, Diana Scarwid, and Emily Harrison, with Tom Bower and Pete Postlethwaite. Directed by Tim Boxell from a screenplay by Miles Murphy, Valley is produced by Miles Murphy. Scott Rosenfelt and Billie Grief are executive producers. Director of Photography is Hiro Narita, A.F.C./A.S.C. Production design is by Douglas Freeman. Editing is by Jay Boekleheide. Costume design is by Cathleen Edwards. The Theme is by Richard Gibbs, with a score by Nicholas O'Toole. Line Producer is Richard Quan. The film has been honored for Best Cinematography by the 2006 Boston International Film Festival and with the Silver Remi Award from the 2006 Houston International Film Festival.

Valley of the Heart's Delight will open on Friday, October 26 in San Jose, California at the Camera 7 Cinemas (Pruneyard Shopping Center, 1875 Bascom Avenue, Campbell) with concurrent showings in Los Angeles, New York and throughout Northern California (venues TBA)

Media Contacts: David Perry & Associates, Inc. / David Perry

(415) 693-0583 / cell: (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Fixed Idea Films

CONTACT: David Perry of David Perry & Associates, Inc., +1-415-693-0583,
cell, +1-415-676-7007, news@davidperry.com

Web site:

http://www.valleyoftheheartsdelight.com/

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