True crime as fiction: The real story behind Netflix film Woman of the Hour

As a gamer with a keen interest in true crime stories and a soft spot for dark narratives, I eagerly anticipate the release of “Woman of the Hour” next month. Having played numerous games based on real-life serial killers, I’ve learned to appreciate the chilling intrigue that surrounds these stories. However, the tale of Rodney Alcala, aka “The Dating Game Killer,” stands out as one of the most bizarre and unsettling cases I’ve encountered.

Today, it’s common to see real-life crime stories being adapted into movies and TV shows. For example, Ryan Murphy transformed the chilling tale of Jeffrey Dahmer into a Netflix series, which was later followed by his portrayal of the crimes committed by Erik and Lyle Menendez. Interestingly, it’s said that “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” was based on a true story as well.

In the upcoming month, Netflix will unveil another movie inspired by true events, titled Woman of the Hour. This Netflix production marks Anna Kendrick’s first directorial endeavor, and she will also take on the central character, Sheryl Bradshaw.

Although we’re eager to find out how the movie adaptation unfolds, the original story of Rodney Alcala, also known as “The Dating Game Killer,” is undeniably strange. So, let’s delve into this intriguing narrative.

In his younger days, Alcala appeared to be an ordinary individual. He studied at Montebello High School in Los Angeles, where he was often recognized for his intelligence, popularity, and having numerous friends. Notably, he was part of the yearbook team and participated in track events. All in all, he seemed like a typical teenager.

Straight out of high school, Alcala enlisted in the Army, and his superior officer didn’t view him as typical. Instead, he perceived him as cunning, disrespectful, and even aggressive towards young females. When he went absent without leave (AWOL) in 1964, he was assessed and diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.

In 1968, Alcala’s initial known criminal act occurred when a passerby spotted a man enticing an 8-year-old girl into his apartment. Fortunately, the driver alerted the authorities, who arrived to find the child, although severely injured from being struck with a steel bar and sexually abused, still alive. However, Alcala had already fled the scene, making his way to New York where he adopted the name John Berger and enrolled at NYU.

Subsequently, a tragic event unfolded – the brutal rape and murder of Cornelia Crilley, a young woman of 23 years. This crime was committed in her own residence, where she was sadly strangled. However, before he could be implicated in this heinous act, he was apprehended for charges related to Los Angeles and returned to California. Regrettably, the child he had assaulted had relocated to Mexico with her family, thus limiting the charges against him to child molestation, a crime for which he served 17 months.

Two months following his release from prison, an unfortunate incident occurred where he physically attacked a 13-year-old girl. He spent an additional two years behind bars and was eventually granted parole. Shockingly, his parole officer consented to him traveling to New York City, which is suspected to be the location where he murdered Ellen Jane Hoover.

From 1977 to 1979, Alcala kidnapped, sexually violated, and killed at least four young women. In February of 1979, he stopped to pick up a 15-year-old hitchhiker named Monique Hoyt. He raped her and struck her with a rock, but she managed to flee.

1978 saw Alcala working for the Los Angeles Times, frequently assuming the role of a fashion photographer. He captured numerous photos, including many nudes, of multiple young women and men. Authorities suspect that some of these photographed individuals could potentially be linked to unsolved cases.

1978 saw Alcala competing on a popular dating show titled “The Dating Game.” He portrayed himself as a thriving photographer with hobbies like skydiving and motorcycle riding, even taking home the grand prize. However, the woman who selected him, Cheryl Bradshaw, found him unsettling and decided not to meet up as planned.

Some criminal analysts believe that being rejected might have triggered a deadly downward spiral in him, since he murdered at least three women following his television debut.

1979 marked the end of his crime rampage, as he was apprehended in June following the murder of Robin Christine Samsoe, who was only 12 years old. He eventually faced execution, but passed away in prison at the age of 77.

In a rephrased form, the sentence could read: The crimes committed by Rodney Alcala were extensive and it’s believed he may have murdered numerous women beyond what police were able to confirm. It’s intriguing to consider how much detail Woman of the Hour might delve into about his story, given that the segment related to a game show represents only a minor aspect in the broader context of his criminal history.

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2024-09-25 14:25