The trials of the Manson family became a kind of public theater which a number of current and future filmmakers found themselves caught up in. Joan Didion bought a dress for a Manson girl to wear to court, Dennis Hopper visited Manson in prison, and a young John Waters attended the trial and took inspiration for his legendary film, Pink Flamingos.
Show Notes:
Welcome to the final episode of our ongoing series, Charles Manson’s Hollywood. As we speak, we are working on putting together our next, non-murdery season. It will begin some time in September — follow us on Twitter for updates.
This episode featured contributions from Moises Chullian, who played Richard Nixon; and, of course Nate DiMeo, concluding his run as Charles Manson. Special thanks to all of our guests on this series, including Wiley Wiggins, Max Linsky, TS Faull, Sam Zimmerman, Noah Segan and Ram Bergman.
A final note about sources: Vincent Bugliosi was the prosecutor of Charles Manson and his family. Bugliosi, who died this summer, went on to write a book about Manson and the trial, called Helter Skelter. For forty-something years, when people want to learn more about the Manson murders, the first place they turn to is Helter Skelter. Where at all possible over the course of this series, I have avoided using Helter Skelter as a primary source, in keeping with the stated mission of this podcast to explore secret and/or forgotten histories, which usually means looking for information that most people either don’t know or don’t remember.
In addition to the basic sources used elsewhere in this series, this episode drew from Joan Didion’s The White Album and John Waters’ book Role Models. I’ve excerpted from the audiobooks of both books. The White Album is read by Susan Varon and Role Models is read by John Waters.
Other sources for this episode include:
Charles Manson’s trial testimony
Charles Manson’s fiancee wanted to marry him for his corpse
The episode also includes a clip from the Dennis Hopper film American Dreamer, which you can watch on YouTube, and one from Jann Wenner’s December 1970 interview with John Lennon, which Rolling Stone has made available as a podcast.
Episode Breakdown:
Intro: “Album Tag Song” by Dennis Wilson; “Modern Heavy Guitar Line” royalty free loop; “Sinister Mood Guitar Effects” royalty free loop
Manson family informants; Susan’s taped testimony, initial plea deal, and grand jury testimony; grand jury indictments; Charles Manson’s perp walk: “Wonder Cycle” by Chris Zabriskie”
Charles Manson as boogeyman for anti-hippie critics; Tex evades extradiction; Mary Brunner’s testimony against Beausoleil; un-incarcerated Manson girls still faithful; new recruits to Manson family; Charlie’s pre-trial in-court antics: “If I Can’t Dance It’s Not My Revolution” by Quantum Jazz
LA Times’ story on Helter Skelter; Manson talks to Rolling Stone; Family members ask reporters to contact The Beatles; The Beatles break up: “Starlight” royalty free track
Charlie tries to become a rock star from behind bars; Squeaky threatens Dennis Wilson; Phil Kauffman releases Manson’s album “Lie” but nobody wants it: “Descending Guitar Line Rock Guitar Riff” royalty free track
The trial begins; Charlie’s Rolling Stone cover story; Charlie carves “X” into his forehead, releases statement in court; Charlie and Manson girls try to brinbe baliff; Manson girls carve X into their foreheads; Ruth Ann Moorehouse feeds Barbara Hoyt an acid-tainted hamburger in Hawaii: “Arpeggio FX Guitar Spacey” royalty free track
Barbara Hoyt and Juan Flynn testify: “Sad Eerie Music” royalty free loop
Linda Kasabian testifies; Richard Nixon says Manson is guilty: “Dances and Dames” by Kevin MacLeod
Linda Kasabian’s relationship with Joan Didion; Didion’s “sentimental narrative”; Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson sitting in Manson courtroom; Dennis Hopper visits Manson in jail; Charlie explains the “X”es; Dennis Hopper making The Last Movie; American Dreamer; “Out of the Skies, Under the Earth” by Chris Zabriskie
John Waters attends Manson trial while in LA for Multiple Maniacs premiere; Waters’ fascination with Sharon Tate and the Manson family; Waters attends Manson family robbery hearing, is inspired to make Pink Flamingos: “Readers! Do You Read” by Chris Zabriskie
Susan, Leslie and Pat not allowed to testify to the jury; Charlie’s statement: “Sensual Rhythm” royalty free track
Leslie’s attorney Ronald Hughes disappears; closing arguments and guilty verdicts: “Pretty Eerie Piano Transition” royalty free track
Sentencing phase; Lotsapoppa is alive!; Manson kids blame everything on Linda Kasabian: “Au coin de la rue” by Marco Raaphorst
Everyone is sentenced to death, but the sentences are commuted to life in prison; Clem Grogan is convicted but too stupid for a death sentence; Hollywood moves on without Manson; John Lennon on Charles Manson; the killers’ lives behind bar; Bugliosi’s Helter Skelter; Squeaky points a gun at Gerald Ford; “There’s Probably No Time” by Chris Zabriskie
Leslie Van Houten’s sentence is overturned, set free for six months, then found guilty; Dennis Wilson dies; Clem is released; John Waters’ interest in Leslie Van Houten; Waters advocates for Leslie’s parole: “Cylinder One” by Chris Zabriskie
Fates of Terry Melcher, Susan Atkins, Squeaky Fromme; Manson’s engagement to Star. “Undercover Vampire Policeman” by Chris Zabriskie
End credits: “Time Lapse” GarageBand loop; “The End” by The Doors