A docudrama podcast series created by West Hollywood residents and produced by a WeHo-based company launches today.
The series, produced by Wondery, is called “Hollywood & Crime.” It will investigate the underworld of crime in the entertainment capital of the world, with each season covering a different series of cases. The first season will center on the Black Dahlia murder, premiering today, which is the eve of the case’s 70th anniversary.
At the beginning of season one is Elizabeth Short, a star-struck young woman whose body was found completely severed at the waist in January 1947 in Los Angeles. She would be forever remembered as the Black Dahlia, one of the most infamous unsolved murders in the U.S. to this day. However, few people know that more than a dozen other women died in similar circumstances around the same time.
The public has a deep interest in true crime, with shows like “Sword & Scale,” “My Favorite Murder” and “Seria”l flooding the iTunes charts. With “Hollywood & Crime,” Wondery introduces a new approach with a serialized docudrama podcast. Hosted by history connoisseur Tracy Pattin, “Hollywood & Crime” gives a new perspective to audio entertainment by adding vivid dramatization to provide a rich and stimulating audio that allows listeners to become immersed in post-war Los Angeles. Pattin is as well-known local writer who has contributed work to Visit West Hollywood and WEHOville. The series was created by her and Jon Ponder, another West Hollywood resident, who is known for his in-depth research into the history of old Hollywood and the Sunset Strip.
“The show will cover the investigations in chronological order in a format that allows listeners to learn the facts of each case as they were revealed at the time,” Pattin said. “We’re thrilled that “Hollywood & Crime” is being produced by Wondery, which is fast becoming the go-to platform for innovative audio storytelling. I can’t imagine a better fit.”
“Hollywood & Crime” is the fourth Wondery original, alongside the critically acclaimed series “Found,” “Terms” and “Secrets, Crimes & Audiotape. ”
”This show combines two of America’s biggest obsessions, Hollywood and crime, with Wondery’s passion for immersive audio drama,” said Hernan Lopez, founder and CEO of Wondery.
“Hollywood & Crime” will launch with a special preview on the feeds of true crime hit shows “Sword & Scale,” “Real Crime Profile” and “The Vanished,” which collectively reach over one million listeners per episode. New episodes will be available every Friday on all podcast outlets, including iTunes, Stitcher, and the Wondery app. The series is recorded, sound designed and mixed at The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood.
Really enjoying this series!