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Anna KendricksnewNetflixtrue-crime filmWoman of the Hourrelives a haunting true-crime story, but the real-life Rodney Alcala, a.k.a.
the Dating Game killer, was more terrifying than the film lets on.
I watched his face turn purple, Rowan toldPeopleearlier this year.
He punched me between my eyes with a belt buckle.
I saw stars shooting, and I dropped to my knees.
During the attack, she said, I wasnt praying to live.
I was praying to die.
According toPeople, Alcala was still assaulting Shapiro when police arrived and subsequently fled.
Shed been stripped naked and strangled with her own stockings, with a bite mark on her breast.
Without any solid leads or forensics, the case remained cold for decades.
(Rodney mentions the upcoming gig to Charlie soon after they meet in the film.)
According to48 Hours, two campers recognized his photo on an FBI poster.
Alcala was arrested and extradited to California in connection with the outstanding warrant for his assault on Shapiro.
Instead, Alcala served less than three years after pleading guilty to the lesser charge of child molestation.
Not much is known about the real Cheryl Bradshaw.
Im called the banana, and I look really good.
When she asked him to be a little more descriptive, he added, Peel me.
Some of what we see in the Netflix films version ofThe Dating Gameis true to real life.
For instance: Alcala did brag to fellow contestants that he always gets the girl.
Still, Kendrick and screenwriter Ian McDonald also add a few dramatic flourishes.
In real life, the prize was only tennis lessons and a trip to Californias Magic Mountain theme park.
But its the movies version of what happens after filming that seems to be a complete invention.
Theres weird vibes that are coming off of him.
I am not comfortable.
Is that going to be a problem?
As one would hope, Metzgers response was simply, No.
That, too, makes it into the film, although Monique has been renamed Amy.
Alcala pleaded guilty in 2012 to the murders of both Crilley and Ellen Jane Hover.
