Book the film was based on

This film is supposedly based on the book "Nightline" by Michael Curtis, which was a fictionalized account of the "Hillside Strangler" case.

I cannot find the book listed anywhere other than being quoted for this film. Is this book written under another author name or title? Was it a short story? It would have to been written in 1980 or earlier.

Anyone know?

Robert Hammer, the director, briefly discusses "Nightline" by Michael Curtis on the DVD commentary track.

"Nightline" was neither a book nor a short story, but was a screenplay which was never published (the film has a 1979 copyright date, so "Nightline" was likely written before then).

Hammer's remarks indicated that said original screenplay included other aspects and elements (he mentions that it featured, among other things, a car chase) which, due to budgetary constraints, did not make it into the filmed version.

He also mentions that the film was originally going to have a somewhat different ending.

In the filmed version, it ends with a shot of the killer dead, floating in Dr. Gale's swimming pool.

In the original version, however, after Lt. McCabe and Dr. Gale go back inside the house, the film ends with another shot of the swimming pool, only now it is EMPTY (implying that the killer is still alive, thus paving the way for a possible sequel).

If you have access to the DVD, I would recommend checking out the commentary track. It has a lot of interesting info on it (I thought so anyway).

Hope this helps.


Thanks, and have a great day.

Sam

reply share

add reply

formatting help