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Was this film a negative influence in the criminal community?


I grew up in the 70's and I remember hearing about many children being abducted by criminals throughout the remainder of the decade. I can't help but wonder if this movie inspired many real-life kidnappers. I do realize that many psychopaths will commit crimes without being influenced by the media. However, would John Hinckley have attempted to kill Ronald Reagan if he did NOT become obsessed with the film: "Taxi Driver?" The subject of child-kidnapping is still controversial and perhaps this is why "The Candy Snatchers" (and other films with similar plots such as "Bunny Lake is Missing") were virtually forgotten for the longest time. Just my "two-cents."

Sincerely,

Steve :-)

Keep the faith!

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Well, this film was based loosely on a real case that happened in the late '60's. Hinckley was a damn nut who would have been set off by anything, no matter what. Bunny Lake was a pretty good film,BTW.

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Hi "activista."

I agree with your statements about Hinkley. Chances are, he would've committed crimes even if Scorsese had never directed "Taxi Driver."

Yes, "Bunny Lake is Missing" was a good film. Many people feel Keir Dullea was miscast, but in my opinion, his performance was wonderful. However, I'm glad the proposed remake with Reese Witherspoon was never filmed. Certain films are "period-pieces" and classics. They SHOULD NOT be remade.

I didn't know "The Candy Snatchers" was based on a true story. Can you recommend any websites that mention the case that inspired the film?

Thank you in advance!

Sincerely,


Steve :-)


Keep the faith!

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Google Barbara Jane Mackle, the Emory University (Atlanta) student who was kidnapped in winter 1968 from a nearby Rodeway Inn where her mother was staying in preparations to take her home for the Kristmas holidays. Get it? Krist? Nah, few would. Krist was the main kidnapper involved. They knocked on the motel door about 4am and said they were the police. Once inside, they chloroformed Mom and took Mackle, who was already sick with the Hong Kong flu, to a nearby location. She was buried in a shallow pit in a special box with food, water laced with sedatives, and a pipe installed for air.

The kidnappers, one a chick from Central or South America (?), were caught and given light sentences. She was then deported while Krist (who served seven or eight years) eventually went to med school and practiced for a few years, after which he was arrested again for something I forget but not as bad as napping a kid. He was let out again, then violated parole by almost fleeing the country but was caught and is now serving 40 months in a Florida prison. He gets out in 2015, July, I think. Someone needs to be waiting for this aho when he gets out and bury him for three days. Then put him in solitary and force him to watch this movie repeatedly until he is 75, or goes insane, whichever is sooner. I think he's 68 now.

The world economy will crash in 2016, so for now, have fun!

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Thanks for the history "King_of_Fuh." Fascinating stuff!

I'm surprised the producers of "The Candy Snatchers" didn't exploit the connection between their film and this case. After all, the character of "Leatherface" was partially based on an infamous necrophile/serial killer named Ed Gein (from Wisconsin) who NEVER used a chainsaw while killing his victims. But if you listen to the prologue of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" ('74) narrated by John Larroquette, the producers act as if the events in their movie took place in Texas.

I got the best solution for the Krist problem. Put him in the same cell with Charles Manson. They will end up killing each other, sooner or later. They definitely can't drive one another insane, they're both crazy to begin with!

Take care!

Sincerely,


Steve :-)


Keep the faith!

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Same cell as Manson - great idea!

The world economy will crash in 2016, so for now, have fun!

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You bet!

Sincerely,


Steve :-)


Keep the faith!

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The real story actually had a lot happier ending! I doubt anybody saw this film, so I doubt it influenced anybody. There was all kind of messed up crap that happened in the 70's. I think the movies were just a reflection of that. Who knows what caused it?

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"lazarillo", I do the agree, the 70s was a strange decade indeed!

By "happier ending", I assume the "buried" girl survived and her kidnappers were captured by the authorities?


Sincerely,


Steve :-)


Keep the faith!

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There is a Wikipedia article on the Barbara Jane Mackle case which inspired the movie "The Candy Snatchers":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Jane_Mackle

And yes, Mackle survived the ordeal, and the kidnappers were caught and did time in prison.

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Thanks for the info "ZolotoyRetriever!" I will read the article soon.

It's good to know the story does have a happy ending! The victim survived and the perpetrators were prosecuted.

Take care!

Sincerely,


Steve :-)


Keep the faith!

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There was also a really good two-part 1990 TV film based on the Mackle case called 83 HOURS 'TIL DAWN---unfortunately, it dosen't seem to be on the tube, but here's a trailer from it:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epg6BdQqa5A

I recall seeing this back in the day with my family ( we loved us some thriller movies) and thinking that it was good.

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