The attempted rescue of Kathy Fiscus in San Marino, CA (Los Angeles area) was the biggest local story of my childhood. That tragic event put fledgling, local television on the map. Channel 5 (and perhaps ch.11) covered the events continuously, preempting all programming. The young reporter, Stan Chambers, spent his entire 50+ year career at channel 5, but always has been remembered best for those days and nights.

"The Well" is a 1951 movie inspired by that tragedy, but uses it as a polemic against racial intolerance, something not a part of the true story.

Another flick "Ace in the Hole" ("The Big Carnival") came out about the same time, although not based on Kathy Fiscus but an earlier tragedy. That film focused on the hucksterism attendant with the rescue attempt.