Bouquet of Black Dahlias for New Line

The unsolved murder of the unfortunate Elizabeth Short–The Black Dahlia–has been enthralling Los Angelenos for decades. Steve Hodel, a former LAPD homicide detective, wrote a book, Black Dahlia Avenger, fingering his own father, Dr. George Hodel as the murderer. James Ellroy wrote the introduction, and the book stirred up a lot of local debate. He’s just sold the film rights to New Line, after being courted by dozens of directors. Jeff Katz, a New Line exec, is a true-crime freak and was determined to get the rights to the story.