In this episode, we dive into the true story behind one of the most infamous trials in Australian history: the Lindy Chamberlain case. We compare the real events surrounding the disappearance of baby Azaria Chamberlain in 1980 with the Hollywood Adaptation, Fred Schepisi’s A Cry in the Dark (1988; also known as Evil Angels), starring Meryl Streep. How accurately did the film portray Lindy and Michael Chamberlain, the media frenzy, and the controversial trial that followed? Join us as we explore the facts, myths, and lasting cultural significance of a story that shocked the world and still sparks debate today.

Primary Sources:

• Bryson, John. Evil Angels: The Case of Lindy Chamberlain. Summit Books (1987).
• The Guardian (2012)
• The Guardian (2017)
• BBC (2023)

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Theme: DARKNESS (feat. EdKara) by Ghost148

In this episode, we peel back the layers of Gus Van Sant’s darkly satirical To Die For (1995) and the true story that inspired it: The 1990 murder of Greg Smart, orchestrated by his wife, Pamela Smart. Nicole Kidman’s icy portrayal of Suzanne Stone – an ambitious small-town woman willing to kill for fame – captivated audiences, but how closely does it mirror Pamela herself? We explore the real case: Pamela’s relationship with teenager Billy Flynn, the media circus that surrounded the trial, and how the coverage shaped public perception. We also look at what the movie gets right, what it dramatizes, and how Pamela Smart continues to make headlines decades later. Was To Die For a biting commentary on media obsession, or a Hollywood distortion of a tragedy that still divides opinions today? That’s up for you to decide.

Primary Sources:

• Sawicki, Stephen. Teach Me to Kill: The Shocking True Story of the Pamela Smart Murder Case. (2019).
• NBC News (2006)
• Seacoast Online (2021)

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Theme: DARKNESS (feat. EdKara) by Ghost148

In our season five premiere, we put Steven Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can (2002) under the microscope and compare it to the real-life story of Frank Abagnale Jr., the infamous con man whose wild exploits inspired the film. How much of Leonardo DiCaprio’s slick, globe-trotting portrayal matches reality, and how much is pure Hollywood invention? We dive into Abagnale’s early scams, his claims of passing as a pilot, doctor, and lawyer, and the FBI’s pursuit led by agent Joe Shea – the real counterpart to Tom Hanks’s character Carl Hanratty. We also examine how Abagnale reinvented himself after prison, becoming a security consultant, and question how reliable his own version of events really is. Was Frank Abagnale truly the “greatest con man of all time,” or has he been conning us all along?

Primary Sources:

• Logan, Alan. The Greatest Hoax on Earth: Catching the Truth While We Can. (2020).
• Frank Abagnale’s Website

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Theme: DARKNESS (feat. EdKara) by Ghost148