Tales of the Bizarre

GUERRILLA: THE TAKING OF PATTY HEARST, (aka NEVERLAND: THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SYMBIONESE LIBERATION ARMY), Patty Hearst, mug shots taken September 19, 1975, 2004,

Do You Remember the Patty Hearst Kidnapping?

51 years ago, Patricia Hearst’s kidnapping turned into a 15 month odyssey until the FBI nabbed her.
Head shot of aspiring actress Elizabeth Short, a murder victim nicknamed the Black Dahlia

Tales of the Bizarre: 78 Years Later, We Still Don’t Know Who Killed the Black Dahlia

The gruesome Elizabeth Short murder, which remains unsolved, has been a cold case for 78 years.
THE LITTLE RASCALS/OUR GANG COMEDIES, Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, late 1930's.

Carl Switzer, Who Played Alfalfa in ‘Our Gang,’ Was Murdered Over $50

A new book hopes to set the record straight on the child star.
Frank Sinatra with his son Frank Sinatra Jr.

The True Story of the Kidnapping of Frank Sinatra Jr.

Learn the wild story of when Frank Sinatra’s son was kidnapped 61 years ago at the age of 19.
American gospel and soul singer Al Green in concert, circa 1970

50 Years Ago, Singer Al Green Was Attacked in His Bathtub

What a tragic tale!
Portrait of American author Edgar Allan Poe (1809 - 1849) against a green background and under an embossed presentation of his last name, probably taken from a cigar box, 1900.

The Mysterious Death of Poet Edgar Allan Poe

This was the last time the master of macabre was seen alive since his death 175 years ago on Oct. 7, 1849.
Dimes in front of the White House collage

Why Did People Send Truck Loads of Dimes to the White House?

Fun Fact: it is how the March of Dimes foundation started.
image from the 1954 movie

The True Stories Behind Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Rear Window’

What was the inspiration behind the 1954 James Stewart thriller as it celebrates the 70th anniversary.
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (1797 - 1851), British writer best known for 'Frankenstein', and second wife of poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.

The Inspiring But Tragic Life Of ‘Frankenstein’ Author Mary Shelley

Possibly even more interesting than the story within Frankenstein is the story of its author
1967 Wire Photo Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin daughter Svetlana Alliluyeva in NYC

Tales of the Bizarre: Whatever Happened to Stalin’s Daughter, the Cold War’s Most Famous Defector?

Pop culture history lesson on Stalin’s daughter Svetlana, better known in America as author Svetlana Alliluyeva, or, later, as Lana Peters.
Mickey Mouse Club Dennis Day

Man Sentenced for Death of Mickey Mouse Club Member Dennis Day

What a tragic story.
circa 1948: American actor Robert Mitchum (1917-1997) holds a book of matches while smoking a cigarette outdoors

Tales of the Bizarre: Robert Mitchum Was Released From Prison in 1949 for WHAT?!

This wouldn’t happen in most places today.
Author, screenwriter and playwright Truman Capote photographed in his United Nations Plaza residence in 1980

Tales of the Bizarre: Truman Capote’s Ashes Were Auctioned Off in 2016

Find out how much they sold for!
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 27: Director Roman Polanski attends the

Roman Polanski Facing Defamation Charges By British Actress in France

At age 90, Roman Polanski is still facing legal woes of past allegations.
Charlie Chaplin collage

Tales of the Bizarre: Charlie Chaplin’s Body & Coffin Were Stolen Two Months After His Death

It was a shocking turn of events.
THE RAINS OF RANCHIPUR, Lana Turner, 1955

New Book Claims Lana Turner Killed Mobster Boyfriend In Self-Defense

Her daughter took the fall but did Lana actually commit the crime?
(Original Caption) Adolf Coors III (above), Chairman of the Board of the one of the nation's largest independent breweries, disappeared February 9th, leaving several bloodstained clues that led authorities to believe he may have been kidnapped. The 44-year-old Coors is shown in a photo from files. Coors' carryall truck was found parked on a bridge over Turkey Creek on a road he normally used to drive to his office at Adolph Coors Co. here. There was blood on the front seat of the truck, on a bridge railing and on Coors' cap, which was found in the dry creek bed along with his eyeglasses.

Tales of the Bizarre: The Kidnapping & Murder of Beer Baron Heir Adolph Coors III

It is a heartbreaking part of the Coors brand legacy.
Iconic ruby slippers from

Tales of the Bizarre: Mobster Comes Out of Retirement for ‘Wizard of Oz’ Ruby Slippers

A ‘Wizard of Oz’ mystery is finally unraveling.

J. Edgar Hoover and Shirley Temple. Hoover was Director of the FBI from 1924 to 1972. Shirley Temple was a famous movie star as a child beginning in the mid 1930s

Tales of the Bizarre: The Day J. Edgar Hoover Gave Shirley Temple a Tear Gas Pen

He thought it was his duty to protect the child star.