Ossining Filmmaker Produces “To Kill a Mockingbird” Documentary

Ossining resident Mary McDonagh Murphy is enjoying the fruits of her labor. The video production house owner is now screening her new documentary about the book “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Murphy's new film delves into the life of the book's author, Harper Lee. The motion picture also analyzes the book's history and the impact that it has had on American society. “It's been an incredible experience and the response from people who see the movie is overwhelming and very moving to me,” said Murphy. “People really respond to it... The people that come to talk to me afterwards—is what's really meant quite a lot to me.”

The next showing of the documentary “Hey, Boo: Harper Lee & To Kill a Mockingbird,” will be shown at All Saints Episcopal Church in Briarcliff Manor on October 23 at 3 p.m. The film showing is following by a Q&A and book signing.

Murphy is a former CBS News television producer who worked at the network for two decades before starting up her own production company in Ossining back in 2005. While at CBS she worked on a prime-time documentary on the Irish Republican Army. After she started her own production company she produced a PBS documentary called “Cry for Help” which aired nationally in April of 2009.

Murphy says her “To Kill a Mockingbird” documentary is her first completely independent project. The documentary was a result of her blood, sweat and tears—from script to screen. Murphy even financed the entire project herself.

The Ossining filmmaker has been doing a lot of speaking events these days. She has been booked at libraries and schools to speak about “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Murphy says educators are using her documentary as a teaching tool. “My movie really shows the context in which the novel was published. And I think that it has become valuable for people to look at that,” said Murphy. “Students are very interested in knowing as much as they can about Harper Lee. And my movie has extraordinary access to Harper Lee's sister, who has never given much in the way of interviews.”

Murphy has also written a book on "To Kill a Mockingbird" titled “Scout, Atticus & Boo.” The book is a collection of interviews regarding Harper Lee's book, with celebrities and writers. Those interviewed include: Tom Brokaw, Rosanne Cash and Oprah Winfrey.

Patch wants to know if you have read the book "To Kill a Mockingbird" or seen the movie? Please tell us what you think about how watching the movie or reading the book affected you. Please write your comments in our comments section.