John Curtis Holmes was an icon of the hardcore porn industry in the late 1970’s, having achieved fame and fortune with his movies, sex, drugs and money. But his life was tragically cut short when he became involved in one of the most horrific murders of the last three decades – the Wonderland Murders.
On July 1st 1981, four people were found brutally murdered in a Los Angeles apartment complex. It quickly emerged that John Holmes had been part of a drug deal gone wrong at the same residence on that fateful evening. He was later charged with burglary and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the crime, although he eventually pleaded ‘no contest’ to lesser charges.
The subsequent investigation revealed a sordid tale of drug addiction, greed and violence that would shock even those who had seen it all during Hollywood’s darker days. The Wonderland Murders have since inspired countless books, documentaries and other films about this notorious case.
Perhaps most famous is ‘Wonderland’, a documentary directed by fiction filmmaker James Cox which gives an intimate portrayal of John Holmes’ rise to fame as well as his involvement with the events leading up to the murders. It contains interviews with law enforcement personnel who worked on the case as well as survivors from some of the drug-fueled nights when things got out of control.
If you’re looking for an intriguing insight into one of Hollywood’s most notorious cases then be sure to check out ‘Wonderland’. It’s an absorbing journey through John Holmes’ dark past that will keep you glued to your screen until its shocking finale.
