Woman of the Hour true story: What happened to Rodney Alcala and Cheryl Bradshaw?
As a seasoned viewer and admirer of true crime documentaries, I must say that “Woman of the Hour” on Netflix is a chilling, yet captivating exploration of one of the darkest chapters in American history – the crimes committed by Rodney Alcala, also known as the “Dating Game Killer.
Note: this article contains discussion of sexual abuse and murder
Netflix’s series titled “Woman of the Hour” delves deeply into the appalling topic of violence against women, focusing on the heinous acts committed by Rodney Alcala, infamously referred to as the “Dating Game Killer”.
Anna Kendrick makes her directorial debut while also playing the role of Cheryl Bradshaw, an ambitious actor, in this film. Back in 1978, Cheryl had a fateful encounter on a TV show called “The Dating Game,” where she unwittingly matched with a notorious serial killer.
In this piece, we’ll explore the true events that sparked the film’s creation, and shed light on the fates of its principal characters.
Woman of the Hour true story
The central focus of the film might be “The Dating Game,” but in reality, “Woman of the Hour” encompasses a full decade, detailing some of Rodley Alcala’s heinous murders.
Identified as the “Dating Game Murderer,” Rodney Alcala honed his skills as a photography professional in Los Angeles following his graduation from the UCLA School of Fine Arts. He also studied under renowned director Roman Polanski during his time at New York University (NYU).
On September 25, 1968, he committed his initial criminal act, which involved brutally attacking and sexually violating an 8-year-old girl named Tali Shapiro. He enticed her to his apartment in Hollywood under the false pretense of knowing her parents.
He ran away to New York to avoid accusations, but was eventually traced and sent back to California. However, since Saphiro’s parents refused to let her testify in the trial, Alcala was merely found guilty of molesting a child and served a term of 17 months.
Less than two months following his release, he was apprehended once more for physically attacking a 13-year-old girl whom he had offered a ride to school. In 1976, Alcala completed an additional two years of imprisonment before being released again.
1978 saw Alcala appearing on the popular dating show, “The Dating Game,” hosted by Jim Lange. He emerged victorious in that episode, securing a date with bachelorette Cheryl Bradshaw. However, to his disappointment, she declined his invitation for an actual date. In contrast, the film portrays a rather uncomfortable and unsettling date between them.
By the close of the 1970s, Alcala posed as a renowned fashion photographer seeking models for his collection, deceiving more than a hundred young men and women in the process. Several of his subjects were subjected to sexual assault, strangulation, or brutal beatings.
What happened to Rodney Alcala?
He was arrested in July 1979, and convicted for the murders of six women and one girl.
Over time, during his prolonged legal disputes, detectives found evidence linking him to more murders than initially thought. For instance, in 2016, Wyoming prosecutors accused Alcala of murdering a 28-year-old pregnant woman whose body was discovered in 1982.
Investigators found links between Alcala and several of his victims through a set of stolen earrings he had kept as keepsakes or mementos, along with an assortment of photos he had taken.
During Alcala’s trial, as reported by The Guardian, Orange County prosecutor Matt Murphy stated that they were discussing a man who was searching for individuals across southern California with the intention of killing them due to personal pleasure.
In the early ’80s, two death penalties initially handed down to Rodney Alcala were later reversed. Decades passed, then extensive investigations followed. Eventually, in 2010, he was sent back to death row after being sentenced again.
After over a decade being postponed for execution, he unfortunately passed away due to natural reasons in the year 2021, at the age of 77.
What happened to Cheryl Bradshaw?
Cheryl Bradshaw was an aspiring actress living in LA in the 1970s, working as a drama teacher.
Following her appearance on “The Dating Game,” Cheryl encountered her selected suitor, Rodney Alcala. Immediately, she chose to call off their planned date. Since they had won as a matched pair on the show, they were scheduled for a tennis lesson the following day.
2012 saw me experiencing an unsettling illness, as I shared with The Sunday Telegraph, and let me tell you, the guy’s behavior was downright chilling. (Paraphrased from Newsweek)
“I turned down his offer. I didn’t want to see him again,” she added.
Following consultation with Ellen Metzger, the contestant coordinator for the show, she ultimately trusted her gut feelings and called off their arranged date. In an interview with ABC’s 20/20, Metzger remembered Cheryl expressing unease: “I can’t go out with this man; I sense some odd energy from him. He’s rather peculiar. I don’t feel at ease.
The planned event never took place, sparing Cheryl from a potential tragic outcome. Following that experience, she abandoned her dreams of acting and instead opted for a peaceful, domestic lifestyle, distancing herself from Los Angeles.
Woman of the Hour is now available to watch on Netflix.
Should this story have resonated with you, seek additional resources from Rape Crisis England and Wales, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending all forms of sexual violence and misconduct. You can find their information on their website or by dialing the National Rape Crisis Helpline at 0808 802 9999. For those in Scotland, Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
People residing in the United States are advised to reach out to RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which can be contacted at 800-656-4673.
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