On July 1, 1981, one of the most brutal murders in history occurred in Hollywood – the Wonderland Murders.
The case, with its ties to drugs, sex and notorious names like John Holmes and Eddie Nash, has captivated true crime enthusiasts for decades.
Now, best-selling author Michael Connelly (“Boss,” “The Lincoln Lawyer”) and Emmy Award-winning director Alison Ellwood (“Laurel Canyon,” “The Voice”) are bringing Wonderland to life The Holocaust and the Secret History of Hollywood brings this chilling story to life.
We were excited to speak with Connery and Elwood about their collaboration, our fascination with the crime, and how they turned an infamous Hollywood story into a riveting visual experience.
For anyone who has followed the Wonderland case, or those discovering it for the first time, this series is sure to be an eye-opener and insight into Hollywood’s murky past.
“A visual story begging to be told”
Connelly, whose audio podcast about Murder in Wonderland inspired the series, was convinced early on that it was a story that needed to be seen.
“I just think of it as more of a visual story,” he shared. “I mean, both of those things had the same producers, so One Traveller Productions felt like they could go further as a documentary.”
Working with Elwood was a natural choice. “They had sex with Alison and brought it to her,” Connelly explained. “We took her from the sublime to the filthy without even leaving Laurel Canyon.”
Despite the jarring subject matter, it worked, and Connery said the decision to bring the story to the screen paid off. “I didn’t even expect Alison and her team to be able to delve into the archival material.”
Elwood, who just completed the critically acclaimed Laurel Canyon series, agreed that Dive into Wonderland was a stark contrast.
“To me, this story is a negative representation of the beautiful, positive, pastoral image of Laurel Canyon’s music scene,” she noted. “With the introduction of cocaine, it started to dissipate.”
Hollywood style true crime story
“Wonderland Murder” has long fascinated true crime fans, in part because of the cast of characters involved.
Porn star John Holmes’ career is in decline due to drug addiction and he finds himself embroiled in a deadly feud between drug dealers and kingpins including Eddie Nash.
While this legendary setting first captured people’s imaginations, “Wonderland” delves deeper into the ripple effects of crime on Hollywood.
As Connery describes it, “Hollywood’s secret history” is at the heart of the story.
“It’s really a story about Hollywood’s high society and the underworld, and these people who are the middlemen primarily through drugs,” Connery explains. This documentary lifts the lid on a city where success, fame and crime are inextricably linked.
And, as Elwood points out, crime itself is indicative of broader social shifts. “This is not just a true crime story. This is about society, about social change,” she added.
“The introduction of cocaine had such a huge impact and you could see it in the change in the atmosphere around these families.”
Michael Connelly “The Detective of Unrequited Love”
One of the unique elements of the docuseries is Connery’s on-screen detective character. While the best-selling crime novelist is no stranger to the genre, taking on the role of interviewer for the series is a completely new experience for him.
“I’ve been writing about detectives my whole life, so I think it’s obvious that I wish I were one,” Connery joked. “Alison gave me that shot.”
Elwood saw potential in Connelly’s deep knowledge of the case and his rapport with his interviewees. “In the podcast… you can see that cat-and-mouse situation with Michael trying to get information out of Scott [Thorson],” she explained. “I wanted to capture that visually.”
Connery’s relationship with the detective on the original case also adds a layer of authenticity. “I’ve had many face-to-face interactions with them over the years,” he noted.
But perhaps most fascinating is the evolving dynamic between him and Thorson, a key figure in the Wonderland murders and one-time Liberace’s lover. “When I first spoke to him, he was in jail…and then he got out of jail but was on probation and couldn’t leave his apartment in Las Vegas.”
Eventually, interviews with Thorson moved to face-to-face interviews, including scenes filmed at the iconic Musso and Frank restaurant in Hollywood.
“I was a little nervous about it,” Connelly admitted. “We call him an unreliable narrator… You never know what he’s going to come up with, how shocking it might be, and then we have to turn around and try to prove or disprove it.”
Unreliable Narrator: Scott Thorson
Thorson’s role as the series’ mystery is undeniable. He was the link between Hollywood royalty like Liberace and the criminal world, but his credibility has always been questioned.
For Elwood, deciding when and how to introduce him to the series was a challenge. “The trickiest thing is trying to figure out the structure of how it works,” she explains. “If we introduced Scott too early, you wouldn’t have the mystery of ‘Who is this guy?'”
Finally, Tosun appears at the end of the first episode, allowing his story to weave in and out of the main narrative.
“He wasn’t discovered by the police until eight years after the fact,” Elwood added, giving viewers plenty of time to build the conspiracy before revealing his legendary account.
Fascination with Hollywood’s underworld
What makes “Wonderland” unique is its exploration of the darker side of Hollywood. Why are we still so obsessed with Hollywood? Crimes committed in Hollywood never go away.
Connery compared the Wonderland Murders to other notorious cases. “This story… permeates all levels of society, from the street drug trade to the upper echelons of Hollywood.”
The documentary series doesn’t shy away from showing how these worlds collide. Connelly stressed that unlike the Manson murders, the victims in this case had a different perspective.
“This was a horrific crime, four people were murdered in a very violent manner,” Connolly said. “That alone is a big deal. But I mean, this case had tentacles all over Los Angeles. Laurel Canyon actually.
He continued, “But it also touches the innocent lives destroyed by potent epidemics. You can trace potent epidemics in Los Angeles back to at least Eddie Nash’s mansion. To me, that’s storytelling. important component.
The series emphasizes that not all victims are involved in criminal activity. Some were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, highlighting the randomness and danger of life in Hollywood’s underworld.
Dig for new information
Despite decades of reporting, Connelly and Elwood’s work managed to reveal new details about the case.
“We discovered something new,” Connelly revealed. “We met with the cold case team … and we had to share the information they had. We expanded that beyond the podcast.
One of the most striking revelations is that no one was ever brought to justice for the actual murder. While Eddie Nash, a key figure in planning the killings, was sentenced to three years in prison, Connelly noted “he was not in the house at the time.”
“The men who killed these four people have never been brought to justice,” Connelly said, emphasizing the ongoing mystery surrounding the case.
Stories that still resonate today
With the release of Once Upon a Time , its themes remain relevant today. The obsession with true crime, the dark allure of Hollywood, and the human cost of fame and fortune is timeless.
This crime and others like it always fascinate people.
As a detective himself, Connery doesn’t rule out the possibility that the series might even lead to new developments in the case. “This documentary series…may make people change their minds and call the police and so on.”
Whether it brings new revelations or simply captivates viewers, Once Upon a Time is bound to make viewers question the myths and realities of Hollywood’s dark past.
“Wonderland and the Secret History of Hollywood” will premiere on MGM+ on September 8.
