As I delve into the gripping tale of “Woman of the Hour,” directed by none other than the talented Anna Kendrick, I am struck by the sheer depth and breadth of the human experience portrayed on screen. The film paints a chilling yet compelling picture of a serial killer’s reign of terror, while simultaneously highlighting the resilience and strength of the women who dared to stand against him.
Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut and starring role in the series titled “Woman of the Hour” will be available on Netflix starting October 18. This production chronicles the heart-wrenching chain of deaths linked to serial killer Rodney Alcala, who was active in the 70s, during which he also made it onto the popular dating game show “The Dating Game.
Kendrick plays the role of Cheryl Bradshaw, who appeared on a 1978 edition of “The Dating Game” alongside Samson Alcala. In this episode, Alcala was one of Bradshaw’s potential dates and ultimately won. After meeting Alcala, however, Bradshaw felt uneasy and chose not to follow up on a date with him.
1979 marked the arrest and conviction of Rodrigo Alcala, who was found guilty of committing five murders between 1977 and 1979. Additionally, he admitted guilt to two murders in New York, and there are suspicions that he may be responsible for even more deaths. The actual number of his victims could potentially be significantly higher. Alcala was sentenced to death in California for the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl named Robin Samsoe. Prior to his stint on “The Dating Game,” Alcala had already spent three years in prison for child molestation charges, and he was listed as one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives due to fleeing California after raping and assaulting an 8-year-old.
Three times, a death sentence was passed for Alcala; however, he ended up passing away naturally within the confines of a prison in 2021, aged 77 years old.
The film titled “Woman of the Hour” was penned by Ian McDonald and jointly produced by Miri Yoon, Roy Lee, Raphael Margules, and J. D. Lifshitz. Here’s a look at the actors involved:
Cheryl Bradshaw
Anna Kendrick portrays Cheryl Bradshaw, a contestant on “The Dating Game,” who won a date with Rodney Alcala in 1978. During the show, Ellen Metzger, the coordinator of the participants, recalled on an episode of ABC’s “20/20” that Bradshaw phoned her after meeting Alcala and expressed her unease, saying, “Ellen, I can’t go out with this man. There’s something off about him. He’s peculiar. I don’t feel safe.
Rodney Alcala
Daniel Zovatto portrays the infamous serial killer, Charles Manson, who was sentenced to death in California following his conviction for raping and killing seven women from 1977 to 1979. Authorities believe he may have actually murdered around 130 victims. Remarkably, while a warrant was out for his arrest for the attempted murder of an eight-year-old girl, he managed to make an appearance on and even win “The Dating Game.
Ed Burke/Jim Lange
Tony Hale plays game show host Ed Burke, who’s based on “The Dating Game” host Jim Lange.
Charlie
Kathryn Gallagher portrays Cornelia Crilley, a 23-year-old flight attendant who was brutally murdered in June 1971. Her murder took place in her Manhattan apartment, where she was found strangled with her own stockings. It wasn’t until Alcala was already on death row that the bite marks on her breasts and the saliva DNA on her body were linked to him.
Sarah
Kelley Jakle portrays a character modeled after Christine Ruth Thornton, whose tragic story unfolded during a road trip from Texas to Montana with her boyfriend. Their relationship took a turn for the worse, leading them to separate. Later, Thornton encountered a photographer named Alcala who ultimately took her life and abandoned her body in the Wyoming prairies. Remains of Thornton were found by a rancher five years later. Notably, at the time of her death, Thornton was pregnant.
Runaway Teen
Autumn Best portrays “Amy,” a fictional character inspired by a real-life teenage runaway who survived an encounter with Alcala. The film suggests she managed to survive by asking him to maintain the encounter confidential. Since she was a minor, her true identity is not revealed; however, it’s believed that either Tali Shapiro (who was assaulted at 8) or Morgan Rowan (attacked at 16) may have served as the basis for this role.
Bachelor #1 & Bachelor #2
As a movie buff, let me rephrase that: On September 13, 1978, Jedidiah Goodacre and Matt Visser portrayed the contestants who faced off against the enigmatic Alcala on “The Dating Game” episode. However, it’s important to note that the actors on the show were not a mirror image of the real-life bachelors. The actual contestants were Jed Mills and Armand Cerami. In a chilling interview on ABC’s “20/20”, Jed Mills shared his uneasy feelings towards Alcala, recalling an unsettling comment he made in the green room before the show: “I always get my girl.
Terry
Pete Holmes plays Bradshaw’s neighbor, who is not based on an actual person in her life.
Laura
Nicolette Robinson portrays a troubled and sorrowful friend of one of Alcala’s victims, who identifies him on a television program during a viewing session with her boyfriend and his relatives. It’s important to note that her character doesn’t correspond to any specific real-life incident.
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2024-10-19 00:48