American Experience Season 17 Episode 12 The Massie Affair

In season 17 episode 12 of American Experience, titled The Massie Affair, viewers are transported to a Hawaiian courtroom in the 1930s for a notorious case that captivated the nation. The episode follows the story of Thalia Massie, a young woman who claimed to have been raped by several Hawaiian men. Thalia’s husband, a naval officer stationed in Hawaii, became furious at the perceived injustice of the Hawaiian justice system and took matters into his own hands.

The episode begins by introducing Thalia and her husband, Thomas Massie. Thomas is a self-proclaimed Southern gentleman who feels that he and his wife are above the people of Hawaii, whom he considers to be racially inferior. Thalia claims that she was kidnapped and raped by several Hawaiian men, and her husband is convinced that the Hawaiian police are not taking the crime seriously enough.

As the trial unfolds, the episode introduces the key players in the case, including the accused rapists, the judge, the prosecution and defense attorneys, and the journalists covering the trial. Viewers are given a glimpse into the racial tensions of the time, as white Americans in Hawaii held a sense of superiority over the native people and immigrants from Asia.

As the trial continues, it becomes apparent that Thalia’s story may not be entirely true. In fact, there is evidence that suggests that Thalia may have willingly had sex with one or more of the accused men. The episode delves into the complex legal issues at play, including the validity of confessions made under duress.

The Massie Affair was more than just a rape case, and the episode explores the ways in which it became a national sensation. The case was covered by journalists all over the country, and the trial was attended by a who’s who of famous Americans, including author Sinclair Lewis and Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo.

In the end, the trial ended with a stunning verdict, one that shocked the people of Hawaii and had repercussions throughout the country. The episode concludes by examining the aftermath of the trial, including the condemnation of Thomas Massie and his co-conspirators for their extralegal actions.

Throughout The Massie Affair, American Experience explores themes of race, class, justice, and revenge. It is a gripping tale of a true crime that captivated the nation and left a lasting mark on American history.