Do you know this movie, inspired by the Black Dahlia murder?

I saw it years ago, so I'm sketchy about the details. As I recall, a young artist "meets" a woman long-distance (through the internet?). They talk often on the telephone, planning a future visit when she will come and meet him in person. She tells him she wants him to paint a picture of her based on a photograph she sends him. After he paints the picture, she persuades him to alter it, making the subject appear to have been cut in two. Afterward, the woman in the photograph is found murdered, posed exactly like the painting--so naturally the artist becomes the prime suspect. The film was probably made in the 1990s.

Do you know this movie, inspired by the Black Dahlia murder?
G'day Allan S,





Thank you for your question.





So far, there have been a couple of telemovies based on the Black Dahlia case.





They are:





* A 1975 TV movie about the case, Who Is the Black Dahlia by Robert Lenski and starring Lucie Arnaz is a highly fictionalized version of the murder. Many details were changed because several people, including Short's mother and Red Manley, who brought Short from San Diego to Los Angeles, refused to sign releases for the studio.





* A 1988 episode of the TV detective thriller Hunter depicts Rick Hunter and Dee Dee McCall discovering a case similar to the Black Dahlia murder when a skeleton that has been cut in half is found during demolition of a building constructed in 1947. Hunter and McCall are joined by a retired detective who worked on the Elizabeth Short case. The murderer in the recent case turns out to be Short's murderer as well. (A disclaimer at the end of the episode explains that the Black Dahlia case remains open and unsolved on the books of the Los Angeles Police Department.)





As well, there is a film in pipeline based on the case. Neo-noir author James Ellroy based his 1987 book, The Black Dahlia on the crime. A film by Brian De Palma, based on the Ellroy novel, began production in Bulgaria in May 2005. Also titled The Black Dahlia, the movie will star Josh Hartnett, Aaron Eckhart, Scarlett Johansson, Hilary Swank, and Mia Kirshner as Elizabeth Short, and is planned for release in September 2006.





I attach some sources for your reference.





Regards
Reply:if my memory serves me right ....the black dahlia...is based on a true story of a want 2 be actress .she was murdered in the 50's...like i said i am not 100 % sure ?
Reply:no
Reply:Nope.I did follow the case when they discovered recently who she was though. Peace.
Reply:I've heard it too... I think you've got the right idea about the actual murder but I'm not so sure about the painter!!! The murder is SO gruesome (the murder happened decades ago -- I've seen the photos on a TV documentary).... apparently she (Elizabeth Short) was cut in half and all her internal organs are removed... can't wait till the movie hits our screens in Australia!!
Reply:the internet shows that a TV show/ movie played in 1975 " Who is the Black Dahlia"





Also, there is one that is being done this year 2006











just a thought of mine, it looks like the artist was not really communicating with Black Dahlia (Elizabeth Short). 1947 would be in the satge of penpals - witing letters by post mail. it is very common in the net these days but also it could have been possibly very much done in the old times to use someones name or personallity in creating long distance relationships - make believe relationships can be done easily when you don't really see the real person. OR the Black Dahlia could have been very close to someone that she has shared every little detail that she has been telling or asking the artist and that close friend was jealous.