The L.A. Criminal Dynamic
One of the things that makes police work in Los Angeles tricky, Vincent Bugliosi says, is that anyone is likely to know anyone else.
In other cities, social connections are more predictable. A cop who knows who you are, where you live and how you work has a pretty good idea who you are likely to know. But drugs, sex and showbiz act like SoCal wormholes, connecting the famous with the obscure.
–Roger Ebert, Wonderland movie review. Oct. 24, 2003. Chicago Sun-Times.
Although Roger (RIP) only gave the film Wonderland 2 stars **, and no thumbs up, he rather succinctly describes the L.A. criminal dynamic in a few quick sentences. Bugliosi and Ebert are right on the money. I don’t think that the Wonderland saga would have made a bigger splash anyplace else on the planet, as it did in Los Angeles. This is the same with other famous and even a few not so famous cases.
When I am reading about other crimes in L.A., a celebrity of some sort always seems to pop up. Even with Helter Skelter and Manson. That’s what makes the place so damn awesome. That is why the Wonderland tale is so intriguing. It would not be the same if it happened in Spokane or Houston. No way in hell.
You can read the rest of Roger’s otherwise shitty review here. RIP dude.
As always, thanks for visiting.
Not one… but two stars, you jackass!
Localarts, 
krislyn, and 
Localarts 11:12 am on May 6, 2013 Permalink |
If Howard Cook’s men would have arrived first, I doubt we would be discussing this.
John 1:52 pm on May 6, 2013 Permalink |
Yes, it would just be another drop in the bucket. I was reading about another case recently, and the lady said that L.A. is a magnet for the talented, the losers, the winners, the scumbags, you name it. Growing up mostly in Texas, L.A. was always this beacon…. shining out on the west coast, calling the dreamers to their fate. Therefore, I was not at all surprised to read recently that seemingly most runaways and street kids in L.A. are from the Houston area. I didn’t doubt that for a second when I read it.
krislyn 8:37 pm on May 6, 2013 Permalink |
i read some of your older posts and wanted to comment on a few, however they are are old.
just some comments (sorry im new at this site). i have researched many things on wonderland and i got to day this is the best info site ive seen. like everything combined.
1. the movie was actually filmed outside only on Wonderland ave. the inside of the house and the motels were studio sets.
where john walks out of the house its actually two houses south they film at. u can tell also by loooking at white driveway wall is directly behind the house. this shows when david lind first drives up. that house is 2 houses down and u can tell the neighbors house has a blue door downstairs next door u see in the movie. its stated also on IMBD site.
also Val and Dylan Mcdermit slept in the real wonderland house on the night of the murders during filming they claim it was judt eerie.
2. i read this blog a few years back that Misty Dawn (laurie ) had up. i cant find it now but a fan asked if John saiid he forgave Dawn
and he told her he hated her and is scum. i asked Dawn via facebook her opinion on that and she saod no that he went through her on his death andshe truley felt
he loved her and cared for her amd never was upset with her and he was sorry. Dawn will charm anyone and say anything to keep someone there.
it was quite interesting.
John 9:32 am on May 7, 2013 Permalink |
Excellent! I could tell in the movie that it was a similar house but couldn’t figure out. I will watch again to check that out.
I read where Misty Dawn was there when Holmes slipped away into Wonderland and died. She said his eyes were open (I hate that, and hope I never see a dead person with their eyes open!)… well, she said she tried to close them like in the movies, but they wouldn’t stay closed. Spooky, no thank you, I’ll be in the waiting room! LOL
Localarts 11:33 am on May 7, 2013 Permalink |
Nothing but the finest on this forum!!
krislyn 8:45 pm on May 6, 2013 Permalink |
oops i meant John would say anything ….
krislyn 10:03 am on May 7, 2013 Permalink |
your welcome. Dawn is very nice and open on Facebook. although she is very busy she will answer any questions if she hasnt answered them before. in interviews etc.
ive driven to tje wonderland house numerous times. you could see the diff from the actual house and the house they used ifor the outside decor of Wonderland. if u have a huge SUV thatsrreet is tiny and its a pain to maneuver out of. HOW people didnt hear more tjan just screams is beyond me.
also in the movie where the “wanna be” Tom Lange is looking at pics of the crime scene in the beginning and is in the police station . if u stiill frame on those and look. they are the actual crime seen..they are pretty much the same as u can see on any website. the one of susan in the bed is rthe real susan bandaged up ..but the one that interest me tjat ive never seen was Ron in the bed far right…havung been movved flat blankets off and his head is turned the other way. i only seenthe typical pics u find on sites of the crime scene. if u pause and look you will see him in a different position looking like they are about to pick him up. . good stuff (sorry for typos on my phone)