In RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES! Harold Schechter discusses several films and the true crime cases that inspired them. This book appealed to me for so many reasons. I always enjoy a Harold Schechter with that mix of history and true crime told in a very engrossing way. I’ve seen many of the films discussed in RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES! and it’s fascinating to hear what inspired some of them – especially the real events from the 1920s and 1930s.

I’m a horror film fan and in an online group were we group-watch classic, as well as B movie horror films. One of my favorite slasher films is SCREAM. I had heard what Kevin Williamson’s inspiration when we wrote the screenplay, but in this book, Harold Schechter goes into detail in describing the real-life events and the real monster behind the film fiction. Another film discussed is Alfred Hitchcock’s FRENZY. Although I enjoy Hitchcock’s films, this was one I’ve never seen. I never cared for the period it’s set in or the sexual predator subject matter. However, even without seeing the film, it’s interesting to hear about the real-life parallel. Schechter discusses other Hitchcock films including ROPE, PSYCHO, and SHADOW OF A DOUBT. With PSYCHO, I was already familiar with the real-life inspiration for Norman Bates, as well as the film TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE after reading Schechter’s earlier book – DEVIANT - focused on murderer Ed Gein. The villain in SHADOW OF A DOUBT is compared to murderer Earl Leonard Nelson – whom Schechter discuss at length in his earlier book BESTIAL. For readers unfamiliar with these earlier books, RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES provides an intriguing snapshot with historical context.

Two films that I haven’t watched but only heard of are profiled here – THE HILLS HAVE EYES and THE HITCH-HIKER. I always thought THE HILLS HAVE EYES was too outlandish and terrifying to be based on anything in reality but I guess I was wrong. I should have known better since Wes Craven – the director – is known for basing some of his horror films on real events. THE HITCH-HIKER and, I would also say the 1980s film THE HITCHER, are based on a real psycho who was set on traveling the country and terrorizing those unlucky enough to pick him up.

My favorite sections in this collection of true crime tales involve the stories behind ANATOMY OF A MURDER, CHICAGO, DOUBLE INDEMNITY, and MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS. The actual events ANATOMY OF A MURDER is based on are just as sordid, if not a smidge more so, than the film version. The murderesses discussed in relation to CHICAGO and DOUBLE INDEMNITY are a wild bunch, and the bizarre attitudes about women and crime of the time detailed by Schechter are just as compelling as the women’s lives and loves. Agatha Christie is one of the first authors to get me into reading mysteries, so I always try and catch any film adaptations of her work. In this book, the author compares the different versions of MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS with each other, the original novel, and the Lindbergh baby kidnapping. I agree that the best adaptation was the 1974 version – except for the performance on the main sleuth.

RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES! is a must-read for film buffs and true crime fans alike. The list of “Books Consulted” at the end is a potential treasure trove for follow up reading. I look forward to Harold Schechter’s next book.

Book Summary