Seriously, I don't know what I would do without Netflix on Pj's X-Box. It is so fabulous! This week's Fashion and Film Friday pick is The Black Dahlia. When I first saw previews for this movie, I was really excited because the costumes looked amazing but since I heard nothing but terrible reviews for The Black Dahlia, I didn't watch it till this morning.

The Black Dahlia is based on the true story of the gruesome murder of L.A. beauty Elizabeth Short. In January of 1947, her body was found in a park, cut in half and mutilated. The Black Dahlia murder remains unsolved and is one of the most intriguing and publicized murders in LAPD history.


Elizabeth's Short's story is quite intriguing as well. She was a small town girl who left home to try to start a career as an actress. Rumor has it that she was nick named "The Black Dahlia" after a popular movie of the time "The Blue Dahlia" and the fact that she was often seen dressed in all black. It was reported by people who saw her and knew her that she had relationships with many men and women. She left her room one evening, reportedly to visit a gentleman and wasn't seen again until the next morning when her body was found.

For more information about Beth Short, her murder and investigation, visit The Black Dahlia Web Site. There are gruesome photos of the crime scene on this site, but the webmaster took care to make sure that you don't have to see them if you don't want to.

Anyways, I watched The Black Dahlia this morning and it was very long, very boring and left me thinking "eh". The movie is actually based on a book by James Ellroy and has very little to do with Beth Short or the murder.




The Black Dahlia follows two policemen, Bucky Bleichert and Lee Blanchard who are involved in a love triangle with the beautiful Kay Lake.


When the body of Beth Short is found, they both become obsessed in trying to solve the case as their personal and professional lives fall to pieces. Bucky finds himself very attracted to a wealthy girl who looks very much like Beth Short and finds that she may have connections to the murder.



Like I said, it wasn't thrilling, but this isn't the AFI top 100 list. Here's it's all about fashion! The costumes and hair for The Black Dahlia were lovely which is no surprise as they were designed by Jenny Beavan. Beavan designed costumes for Sense and Sensibility, Jane Eyre, Ever After, Emma, Cassanova and Sherlock Holmes. Look out for more of Jenny Beavan's divine costume talents in the Sherlock Holmes sequel.