Product Description

From the myths of old Hollywood to recent on-screen accidents, the motion picture industry has long been associated with violent and untimely death. Hollywood has always been a magnet for suicides, murders, mysterious accidents and brutal mayhem; the simple fact is that, in the age of motion pictures, human death ahs become an inescapable part of show business. Hollywood Hex is a study of films that have, in one way or another, resulted in death and destruction. Some are directly responsible for the accidental deaths of those involved in their creation; others have caused tragedy indirectly by inspiring occult movements, serial killers, copycat crimes, psychotic behaviour in audiences, or bizarre and freakish coincidences. These "cursed" films include "The Exorcist", "Rosemary's Baby", "Twilight Zone - The Movie" and "The Crow"; films that have become notorious and compelling in their new role as inadvertent epitaphs, as documents on the subject of human mortality.

Subjects covered range from the earliest Hollywood suicides and jinxed movies, to the death cult of James Dean, to links with Charles Manson, Satanic churches, snuff culture and mass murders, plus the mysterious death of Bruce Lee and the equally strange demise of his son Brandon. In the tradition of Kenneth Anger's Hollywood Babylon, Hollywood Hex discloses and examines the dark, enigmatic connections between cinematic narratives and human catastrophe, forming a psychogeographic study of the Dream Factory which will fascinate the reader with its far-reaching implications.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #665049 in Books
• Published on: 1999-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Customer Reviews

Fascinating in depth exploration of death in the film biz
Hollywood Hex is fascinating reading and gives especially indepth analyses of events surrounding The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby, and Twilight Zone" The Movie. The Exorcist chapters describe in detail all the strange deaths and other incidents which occurred during and after filming. Not to mention the unprecedented audience reaction which is now legend (fainting, vomiting, insanity, etc.) The only conclusion is that something is happening beyond coincidence, the question is is it a "curse" or is it the power of suggestion. This section also gives very insightful analysis into the film's theme and it's relation to the audience and human frailty. What's really troubling is the fact that in the end it's only a movie, but that fact is lost on so many in the audience, and unfortunately some in the cast and crew. Also of interest is the across the board condemnation of the film from Christians (you would think they would consider the film pro-Christian propaganda, but NOOOOO.)
Rosemary's Baby also has it's own "hex". Obviously the relation to the Manson murders, but also some deaths of cast and crew, and of course John Lennon at the Dakota entrance (where the film was set).
But the most disturbing chapter is Twilight Zone: The Movie which gives details of the negligence that killed Vic Morrow and 2 child actors. And all for a poor rip-off of a TV series.
When you read this book, you'll know show biz is dangerous biz. Onset accidents, wacko members of the public who threaten actors (whether or not they play the bad guy roles), drug ODs, crime victims, suicide. Finally any movie that seems more than just a movie should be attributed to the talent of the cast and crew...any other conclusion is irrational.

A book that grabs you from page one and never lets go!
Mikita Brottman has done it again! Following her charming andexquisitely detailed "Meat is Murder!", Brottman offers"Hollywood Hex", a book brimming with so much information your head will explode if you read too quickly. Intelligent, delightful, and quite simply, unsurpassable. Whether you like movies or just like to read, this book is recommended to everyone!