On September 15, Universal releases Brian De Palma's "The Black Dahlia," a film starring Josh Hartnett and Scarlett Johansson, based on the James Ellroy novel. That weekend, the bloggers of acclaimed crime history website 1947project will be cruising the streets of Los Angeles in their luxury Crime Bus, giving passengers a crash course in the complex and fascinating Elizabeth Short murder case.
Since January 1947, this iconic mutilation murder has lingered unsolved at the forefront of the American imagination, with dozens of books, films, TV shows and websites dedicated to solving the slaying of the ambitious young woman from Medford, Mass. who came to Hollywood hoping to make it, and ended up cut in two in a vacant lot. Suspects have included famous men like Norman Chandler and Orson Welles, crazed lesbians, twisted drifters and more than one writer's father, but still the mystery abides.
On the Real Black Dahlia Crime Bus, Kim Cooper and Nathan Marsak give a guided tour to more than two dozen scenes from the real and imaginary history of the Black Dahlia case. Along the way, passengers will explore the social history of postwar Los Angeles, several popular Dahlia theories will be debunked and a little known but likely suspect will be introduced. The tour will introduce passengers to the real Elizabeth Short and some of the peculiar characters who knew her in life or become obsessed with her in death.
1947project has quickly built a reputation for the most eclectic and well researched crime history tours in the Southland, with its popular Pasadena Confidential and Nightmares of Bunker Hill Tour, and feature stories in The Los Angeles Times, Pasadena Weekly (cover story), LA Alternative Press (cover story), BBC News, Pasadena Star-News, KNX News Radio and a "best of LA" nod from Los Angeles Magazine.
Passengers on this eye-opening, funny and informative tour will leave with a new understanding of the Black Dahlia case and the 1940s in Los Angeles. It is highly recommended for natives and newcomers, crime and history buffs and anyone who likes to seek out the unexpected.
Here are some recent comments from Crime Bus passengers: "What an interesting way to see the city." (Jennifer Smith); "Thoroughly enjoyed the Pasadena tour. It was really fun, thought-provoking and interesting." (Sheryl Smith); "We had a great time and are looking forward to more Crime Bus Tours as they become available." (Jill Black); "Folks like you make this city great." (Randy Lakeman).
For more info on the blog or Crime Bus tour, visit
http://www.1947project.com
The Real Black Dahlia Crime Bus Tour debuts on Saturday 9/16/06 and repeats 9/17. Tickets are $47/person and include a cup of Black Dahlia flavored gelato from master ice cream artisan Tai Kim's Scoops shop. Visit us online to reserve your seat on the bus.
Also scheduled: Halloween Horrors Crime Bus Tour, Saturday 10/21/06--the darkest Crime Bus tour yet, not recommended for children.
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