The Black Dahlia

[querelle]

Is anyone else as fascinated by the Black Dahlia as I am? I just finished re-reading James Ellroy's excellent book (3rd time) and have just found out that Brian De Palma has a film in production right now starring Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Hillary Swank, and Mia Kirshner as Elizabeth Short. It's slated for a September release and I for one can't wait to see it. For those of you who don't know this true crime story, this is very a informative site:

http://www.bethshort.com/

Q

[Taverner]

1. I remember getting ahold of "Hollywood Babylon" when I was a kid

And being really disturbed by her murder scene pictures....

Really disturbing stuff for a kid

[idgiehkt]

2. Sylvia Browne claims to have 'talked' to her in one of her books

It's really quite fascinating, a sad story, as she tells it.

I think Sylvia Browne is something of a reactionary, she spoke of Madaleine Murray O'Hare in that book as basically the devil incarnate or something.

[Taverner]

3. I trust Psychics about as far as I can throw them

Basically goofy religion designed to con the greiving....sick as hell in my opinion

[idgiehkt]

4. i remain neutral

I don't think Browne knows as much as she claims, and she acts like a reactionary, which I don't care for. If there is a God I don't think he or she would be mad about atheists being atheists, I think he/she would completely understand why people would want no part of religion, as much as it spirituality has been corrupted and distorted by the 'devout'.

But I've had some out of the way experiences, so I believe in that realm and I believe that we have capabilities in our brains that we are forced to suppress, mainly out of fear of religious persecution. I think alot of people believe that, and people like Brown profit from it. She just seems to have a very black/white, unimaginative world view.

And I just went to that website, and those photos are disturbing. Poor Elizabeth Short, that is just terrible. Bless her heart.

[Frank Cannon]

5. I'm a big follower of the Elizabeth Short case

I used to live not too far away from where she was found. And it really fascinated me that for so hideous a crime, the police were never ever able to find anyone who was connected to it. It really made me think that there was some intervention from "the powers that be" not to solve it, although I'm pretty sure the detectives on the ground were absolutely dedicated.

And I really enjoyed Ellroy's book. But it really bothers me that Josh Hartnett is the lead in this. Not only does he NOT fit the physical description of the lead character in the book, but his acting abilities make Keanu Reeves look like Gregory Peck. It's an absolute miscarriage of casting. DePalma is hit-and-miss-but-mostly-miss as well, so maybe I'll pass.

[adriennui]

8. there were cover-ups

prominent men involved with pornography and deviant sexuality. (see true confessions).

[SeattleGirl]

6. The Black Dahlia case is a very fascinating one

I've seen several programs on A&E about her.

[adriennui]

7. i'm fascinated by the dahlia as well

try to rent "true confessions" which has the dahlia as a subplot. deniro plays a priest in 40's LA and robert duvall is his brother, a semi-corrupt cop. i think it is one of the best genre movies made....it's very noirish.

[querelle]

11. Thanks adriennui

Will look for that movie this weekend.

Q

[tjdee]

9. So what makes this interesting? Is there something I'm missing?

Not the original post/poster, LOL.

I went over to the site....I'm just not seeing what was so different about this unsolved murder than any number of others, except she was an aspiring actress who dressed in all black ? and may have slept with Marilyn Monroe?

Confusion.

[querelle]

10. What Makes the Elizabeth Short Case So Fascinating

Is the state of her body when it was found. She was bi-sected at the waist, horribly mutilated, and completely drained of blood and washed before being dumped in an empty lot. She also had been cruelly tortured before being killed.

I know that there are many many unsolved murders, but this one seems to stand out because of the sadistic and vicious actions of the murderer(s).

Q

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

12. Have you seen the BBC documentary on Ellroy called "Feast of Death"?

It's part biopic and part book-readings, but the title refers to the dinner get-togethers Ellroy has with ex-LAPD homicide cops discussing unsolved cases. Of specific interest to the Black Dahlia case is a fantastic section where Larry Harnisch 'solves' the case to the group. It seems that the film has aired on Showtime & the Sundance channel if you've got them, but it's possible it's torrentable.

http://www.modestyarbor.com/feast.html

There's also another Dahlia related film coming out shortly -- this one's a low/no budget retelling as a horror/thriller
http://bloodshotpictures.tripod.com/id11.html

[querelle]

13. Thanks!

Those web sites are a resource that I had not encountered before. I will look for the films on torrent sites. Thanks again Monkey see Monkey Do!

Q