November 26 Marks Anniversary of Notorious California Lynching

November 26 Marks Anniversary of Notorious California Lynching

Valley of the Heart's Delight based on 1933 Thanksgiving Week Incident in San Jose http://www.valleyoftheheartsdelight.com

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Seventy-four-years ago, the media provoked the public to commit a horrific crime: "The crowd is gathering! Lynching tonight in St. James Park," KQW radio station in San Jose, California broadcast incessantly. The day before, California Governor James "Sunny Jim" Rolph told the attorney for one of the accused men: "If they lynch those fellows, I'll pardon the lynchers," and informed reporters that he would refuse to call out the National Guard. Royce Brier of the San Francisco Chronicle won a Pulitzer Prize for his reportage of the event. On November 26, 1933, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, a mob estimated from 5,000 to 15,000 men, women, and children jammed St. James Park to cheer an assault on the Bastille-like Santa Clara County jail and the lynching of two men --two men that Bay Area screenwriter/producer John D. 'Miles' Murphy depicts as innocent in his critically acclaimed film, Valley of the Heart's Delight (http://www.valleyoftheheartsdelight.com/) now playing in the Bay Area.

"Valley of the Heart's Delight is based on the only verified eyewitness account of the kidnapping of retail scion Brooke Hart that resulted in the lynching," Murphy explains. "These eyewitness accounts were consciously disregarded by law enforcement that arrested two men instead of the five seen with the kidnap victim one half hour after his disappearance."

Murphy, also just published his non-fiction book on this event, Jury Rigging in the Court of Public Opinion (http://www.juryrigginginthecourtofpublicopinion.com)/ "It is the only time in American history in which both the jury and the executioners included members of law enforcement, public officials, business and civic leaders, thousands of middle class citizens, and the governor of a state."

Valley of the Heart's Delight has attracted critical acclaim from its limited release in Northern California

"Like the Ox Bow Incident and (Fritz Lang's) Fury, a strong, unforgettable look at mob rule ... powerful, great period detail. A fascinating ... story of money, murder, muckraking and mobs."

--Jan Wahl, KCBS Radio/KRON TV (3 out of 4 hats)

"A heartbreaking and disturbing period piece about power, corruption, and media manipulation. Tautly directed, beautifully shot ... "Riveting performances by three of the finest character actors in the business: Pete Postlethwaite, Bruce McGill, and Tom Bower."

--Michael Snyder, Sirius Radio/ Six Degrees Magazine

"Reminiscent of a Raymond Chandler novel. The cinematography is crisp and excellently detailed ... taut and well-paced. All film noir conventions are carefully put in place."

--Albert Goodwyn, Bay Times

"Nearly three quarters of a century later, even the suggestion in a fictional drama that the lynched men were innocent inspires mean-spirited condemnation," Murphy noted citing a recent San Jose Mercury News column which characterized his fictionalized drama as "dishonest". "Let's find an independent forum and place the 'honest' version of the absolute guilt of the two men against the reputedly 'dishonest' version that factually documents their innocence and let the chips fall where they may."

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.S.C. Production design is by Douglas Freeman. Editing is by Jay Boekelheide. 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 (2006) from the WorldFest Houston Film Festival.

Valley of the Heart's Delight is currently playing in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose.

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

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

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Valley of the Heart's Delight

CONTACT: David Perry of David Perry & Associates, Inc., +1-415-693-0583,
cell, +1-415-676-7007, news@davidperry.com, for Valley of the Heart's Delight

Web site:

http://www.valleyoftheheartsdelight.com/
http://www.juryrigginginthecourtofpublicopinion.com/

-------
Profile: intent