James Ellroy's Feast of Death

You could watch this on HBO for a time, and also read the accompanying book he wrote. "Feast of Death" is a documentary/true crime and investigation into what happened to Ellroy's mother, Jean Ellroy, who was murdered around the same time as the occurrence of the infamous Black Dahlia murder.

Having seen some of his work, I was interested in the true story of his mother Helen, a nurse in the 1940's who was also a party girl, found dead in a rather sad situation. It almost gives anyone a loss for words to describe, anyone that is, except Ellroy. He turned the nightmare into his writing career. He was 10 years old at the time of his mothers murder.

In this film he has a dinner with assorted L.A. detectives, a few actors (including Nick Nolte). They discuss the murder cases from the Black Dahlia era, what the Los Angeles area was like, attracting transients, dreamers, alcoholics, addicts and all....an interesting montage created by people who lived in the area.

Ellroy currently hosts "City of Demons: Los Angeles". A true crime hour show on channel ID (Investifgation Discovery). He reviews infamous homicides, the Lana Turner scandal, Marilyn Monroe's death, the Hillside Stranglers. He certainly has a niche here. He is a sardonic character without doubt, and clearly enjoys his place as L.A. crime commentator. He also talks to his alter ego, a American bull terrier named Barko. Well worth watching.