Hollywood Hex

Hollywood Hex examines notorious films from 1968-1994 that gained reputations for being cursed. Author Mikita Brottman investigates the deaths, accidents, and strange occurrences surrounding these productions, documenting the events that led to their dark legends. The book focuses particularly on Roman Polanski's Macbeth and William Friedkin's The Exorcist, exploring the tragedies and coincidences linked to these productions. Additional case studies include Rosemary's Baby and The Crow, among other films marked by on-set disasters, cast deaths, or disturbing patterns of events. Brottman, who holds a Ph.D. from Oxford and has written extensively about film culture, presents detailed accounts of each production's troubled history. Her research draws from industry sources, media coverage, and historical records to reconstruct these stories of cinematic misfortune. The work raises questions about the intersection of tragedy and entertainment, examining how real-world events transform certain films into cultural artifacts that transcend their original artistic intentions.

Readers describe Hollywood Hex as a catalog of real Hollywood deaths and tragedies, with a journalistic rather than sensationalized approach. Positives: - Clear, straightforward writing style - Well-researched details about lesser-known Hollywood incidents - Includes rare photographs - Avoids tabloid-style speculation Negatives: - Several readers note factual errors and typos - Some find the tone too detached - Multiple complaints about unclear chronology and organization - A few reviewers wanted more depth on each case Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (42 ratings) Amazon: 3.2/5 (8 reviews) Notable reader comments: "Documents the dark side of Hollywood without being exploitative" - Goodreads reviewer "Could have used better editing, but fascinating content" - Amazon reviewer "A reference book rather than a narrative - best read in small sections" - LibraryThing review "Dry but informative collection of Hollywood's tragic moments" - Goodreads reviewer

Dark Dreams by Randy Thornhorn An investigative look into how real-life murders influenced horror films and the connections between true crime and cinema.

Death Makes a Holiday by David J. Skal A cultural examination of death-related entertainment, superstitions, and rituals in American popular culture.

Hollywood Gothic by David J. Skal A chronicle of how Universal Studios' monster movies shaped the horror genre and reflected societal fears.

Cruel Sacrifice by Aphrodite Jones An exploration of tragic Hollywood deaths, unsolved mysteries, and the dark side of fame through documented cases and historical records.

Hollywood Death and Scandal Sites by E.J. Fleming A location-by-location study of Hollywood's most notorious deaths, crimes, and tragedies from the silent era to modern times.

🎬 Several films discussed in "Hollywood Hex" were withdrawn from theaters due to real-life murders that eerily mirrored scenes from the movies. 📚 Mikita Brottman is a professor at Maryland Institute College of Art and has authored multiple books exploring the intersection of psychology and popular culture. 🎥 The infamous "Poltergeist curse" detailed in the book involved the deaths of four cast members within six years of the first film's release. 🌟 Brandon Lee's tragic death during the filming of "The Crow" occurred almost exactly 20 years after his father Bruce Lee's mysterious passing. 🎞️ The 1976 film "The Omen" experienced numerous disturbing incidents during production, including the lead actor's son's suicide and a crew member being struck by lightning.