Ryder Film review: “Hey, Boo: Harper Lee and ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’”

Virtually every college student in America can remember being in junior high or high school and having to read Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

To this day, I have memorized the opening line of the book: “When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.” It had that
profound effect on me.

In “Hey, Boo: Harper Lee and ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’” the latest feature presented by Bloomington’s Ryder Film Series, director Mary Murphy delves into the story behind the printed pages of “Mockingbird,” exploring Lee’s childhood in the town of Monroeville, Ala. and asking famous authors and celebrities to talk about their reaction to the pivotal novel.

In addition, the film provides insight on the inspiration for some of the most famous characters in literature: Atticus Finch, Scout Finch, Dill Harris and the town recluse, Boo Radley.

“I fell in love with Scout. I wanted to be Scout. I thought I was Scout,” Oprah Winfrey said in the movie, speaking about her favorite character.

According to the film, Dill was based on her childhood playmate and next-door neighbor Truman Capote, author of “In Cold Blood.”

Lee drew on Capote’s mischievous yet polite manner to create the All-American little boy growing up in a small rural town.

One of the most interesting vantage points into Lee’s life came from one who was quite close to her: Lee’s sister, Alice Finch Lee. Finch Lee commented throughout the feature on things like Lee’s approach to sudden fame and her use of imagination.

Lee reportedly shied away from the cameras and preferred to keep to herself. Although she was a gifted storyteller even as a child, “Mockingbird” was her only novel.

“She didn’t think it would sell 500 copies,” Joy Brown said in the movie, who took Lee in after she moved to New York City with her husband to work as a flight attendant.
At one point toward the end of the film, Lee said in a radio interview, “All I wanted to be is the Jane Austen of south Alabama.”

The film also explores the impact the book had on the racial tensions of the 1960s. The novel was published in the summer of 1960, before the civil rights movement gained momentum.

“This was a very brave book to have written at that time,” novelist Scott Turow said.
The fact that a book written by a woman discussed racial issues so candidly was a direct slap in the face to the social hierarchy of the 60s.

“Little ol’ Harper Lee,” Winfrey said, “that’s pretty damn brave.”

Even the town historian said pointedly in the movie, “When people come (to Monroeville), we know what they are coming for.”

- anassim@indiana.edu


“Hey, Boo: Harper Lee and ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’”

The film can be viewed at 7 p.m. on July 1, 2, 8 & 9 in the upstairs area of the Fine Arts building.

Tickets for all shows are $5. Summer passes are available as well. For $20 you can see all films shown through Sept. 1.