Paul Drexler, Author
Murder to Movies
The Real Story Behind Hollywood’s Darkest Films
Ever seen a movie "based on a real crime"
and wondered how much of it was true?
Murder to Movies
The Real Story Behind Hollywood's Darkest Films
Murder to Movies shows that truth in crime is often stranger than fiction. Three people died because of a dance. A Snowball lie killed an entire family. Teenagers stole over $3,000,000 just to get designer clothes.
We’re fascinated by unsolved crimes such as the California's Zodiac and the Korean Zodiac, which were made into classic movies by Oscar-winning directors. We are intrigued by crimes that changed history, the assassination of Rasputin that led to the Russian revolution, and Sada Abe, the Japanese murderess, whose crime is still talked about only in whispers.
Murder to Movies contains cases spread over one hundred years and four continents. The criminals and victims are from all classes and ages. They include a Japanese prostitute, a Scottish aristocrat, fifth in line to the throne, the Jamaican outlaw who inspired “The Harder They Come,” the teenage psychopath behind James Cagney’s most famous roles, and the most infamous unsolved case of the 20th century.
Notorious San Francisco
True Tales of Crime, Passion and Murder
San Francisco, a city founded in part by criminals, was once one of the most dangerous cities in America. Its Barbary coast was called “a unique criminal district that was the scene of more viciousness and depravity, but it possessed more glamour than any other area on the American continent.”
Notorious San Francisco brings back the glamorous depravity and noir atmosphere that made it the premier location for murder thrillers like “The Maltese Falcon,” “Vertigo,” and “Zodiac.” This book contains more than 20 compelling tales of serial killers, deadly women, con men, masters of escape, and unsolved mysteries.
Most of these unusual cases are largely unknown and have never appeared in book form. Included are cases that are still mysteries today, including the mysterious tale of the Zodiac Killer, complete with a new analysis and a startling new theory on the murder.
Author
Paul Drexler
Paul Drexler is the author of Notorious San Francisco: True Tales of Crime, Passion and Murder, published in 2019. His second book, Murder to Movies, will be published by Genius Books in July 2026.
Other credits include a true crime column for the San Francisco Examiner, the Oscar Lewis Award for his writing on San Francisco, and SFPD Homicide: Case File -The Body in the Bay, the award-winning true crime video game.
Mr. Drexler enjoys hearing from readers.
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out. You can reach Mr. Drexler at info@murdertomovies.com.