The Manson Family on Film and Television

Book excerpt: For half a century the Manson Family has captured the public imagination--the lurid, inexplicable violence in a glamorous Hollywood setting, the bizarre and lengthy trials, and Charles Manson's strange charisma and willingness to embrace the role of evil icon. For years, the story has been documented, dramatized and lampooned in dozens of films and television programs. This comprehensive study examines the various on-screen portrayals, from factual accounts based on prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi's true crime classic Helter Skelter to prime-time TV dramas to a claymation spoof and even hardcore porn.