The Pedro J. Gonzalez Papers

This independent feature film, produced during what has come to be known as the "Hispanic Decade," dramatizes the true story of Pedro J. González, the first Spanish-language radio host and recording star of 1930s Los Angeles, who was framed by the District Attorney's office and sent to San Quentin. Starring Oscar Chávez, María Rojo, Tony Plana, and Pepe Serna. The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 1988. A former telegraph operator for Pancho Villa, Gonzales comes with his wife to the United States to escape the political turmoil and economic hardships of life in Mexico. He manages to launch his own radio program in Los Angeles, "Los Madrugadores." It is not long before the corrupt district attorney, in his bid for re-election, buys airtime on Gonzalez show. The Spanish advertisements, read by the now-famous Gonzalez, turn out to be instrumental in mobilizing the Hispanic vote and ensuring the re-election of the district attorney. However, as the depression deepens, the Latino community becomes an easy scapegoat for the local right wing. Over half a million Latino workers, whose presence had been crucial in building the Californian economy, are deported. Gonzalez begins attending rallies and he uses his radio show to protest the treatment of Latinos. Suddenly, he is viewed as a threat by the establishment, which decides to silence him.