Here is another episode of Death Valley Days with a story that is completely fictitious presented as historical fact. "Death Valley Days" has a long history of making up stories loosely based on historical events and presenting them as historical narratives of facts.
As for this episode, there is nothing in the historical records to support the story line of the Governor of California blocking the wedding because he was jealous and wanted to marry Josefina himself. The entire story line, except for the names and the fact that the couple eloped, is pure fantasy from the minds of the writers.
To compound the errors, the bell is called the "Penance Bell", not the "Elopement Bell", and it is not housed in the fancy bell tower shown at the end of the episode. In fact, it hangs from a wooden beam supported by wooden ladders at either end in the dusty courtyard of a monastery at ground level.
This is a nice story of love and commitment, but don't be fooled into thinking it is anywhere close to historical fact, and because the program tries to present it as such, it gets two stars.
As for this episode, there is nothing in the historical records to support the story line of the Governor of California blocking the wedding because he was jealous and wanted to marry Josefina himself. The entire story line, except for the names and the fact that the couple eloped, is pure fantasy from the minds of the writers.
To compound the errors, the bell is called the "Penance Bell", not the "Elopement Bell", and it is not housed in the fancy bell tower shown at the end of the episode. In fact, it hangs from a wooden beam supported by wooden ladders at either end in the dusty courtyard of a monastery at ground level.
This is a nice story of love and commitment, but don't be fooled into thinking it is anywhere close to historical fact, and because the program tries to present it as such, it gets two stars.
