The Killing of the Unicorn

The Killing of the Unicorn chronicles Peter Bogdanovich's personal account of his relationship with Dorothy Stratten, a young model and actress who rose to prominence through Playboy magazine. Bogdanovich, an established film director, documents their time together during the production of his film "They All Laughed" and the events leading up to her death in 1980. The book provides a critical examination of the Playboy empire and its founder Hugh Hefner, with Bogdanovich presenting his perspective on the culture and practices within the organization. The narrative includes detailed accounts of Stratten's introduction to the entertainment industry and her transition from Vancouver model to Hollywood actress. This memoir serves as both tribute and exposé, exploring themes of innocence corrupted by exploitation and the dark undercurrents of Hollywood's glamour industry. The book raises questions about power dynamics in the entertainment world and the human cost of fame.

Readers describe this book as a heartfelt but uncomfortable examination of Dorothy Stratten's life and death. Many find Bogdanovich's personal connection to Stratten makes the account more intimate but also potentially biased. What readers liked: - Detailed research and interviews - Inside perspective on Hollywood dynamics - Raw emotional honesty about grief - Clear timeline of events What readers disliked: - Author's self-involvement in the narrative - Defensive tone toward critics - Repetitive passages - "Too much blame placed on Playboy" - Multiple Amazon reviewers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (21 ratings) Several readers note the book reads more like a personal memoir than true crime. One Goodreads reviewer wrote: "The author's pain bleeds through every page - sometimes to a fault." Multiple reviews mention the writing style is uneven, alternating between journalistic reporting and emotional processing. The book remains out of print with limited availability.

And the Sea Will Tell by Vincent Bugliosi This true-crime narrative explores the murder of a couple on a Pacific island, delving into Hollywood connections and media sensationalism similar to the Dorothy Stratten case.

Picture Shows: The Life and Films of Peter Bogdanovich by Andrew Yule The biography chronicles Bogdanovich's career, relationships, and tragedies, providing context to the events described in The Killing of the Unicorn.

Star: The Life and Wild Times of Warren Beatty by Peter Biskind This biography examines the intersection of Hollywood power dynamics and personal relationships in the 1970s film industry.

Murder of Bob Crane by Robert Graysmith The investigation into the death of a Hollywood actor reveals dark undercurrents in the entertainment industry and the price of fame.

Hit and Run by Nancy Griffin, Kim Masters This examination of film producers Jon Peters and Peter Guber exposes the complex power structures and relationships in 1970s and 1980s Hollywood.

🎬 Bogdanovich directed "They All Laughed" specifically as a starring vehicle for Dorothy Stratten, who was murdered before the film's release in 1981. 📝 The book directly challenged Hugh Hefner's image, suggesting his Playboy empire contributed to the circumstances that led to Stratten's death. 🌟 Dorothy Stratten was only 20 years old when she was murdered by her estranged husband Paul Snider, who then died by suicide. 📚 The book's publication in 1984 came after Bogdanovich had married Dorothy's younger sister Louise, who was 20 years his junior. 🎥 The tragedy later inspired the 1983 film "Star 80," directed by Bob Fosse, though Bogdanovich strongly opposed the film's production and refused to watch it.