The Chilling True Story Behind 'Woman Of The Hour': 5 Shocking Facts About The Dating Game Killer

The 2024 movie *Woman of the Hour*, directed by and starring Anna Kendrick, has brought one of the most chilling true crime stories of the 1970s back into the spotlight. The film dramatizes the unbelievable but real-life event where a contestant on the popular television show *The Dating Game* unknowingly chose a prolific serial killer as her date. The true story is a terrifying glimpse into how easily a charming facade can mask a monster, and the sheer luck that saved one woman's life from the man known as the "Dating Game Killer." This article dives deep into the facts, the people involved, the killer's ultimate fate, and the shocking details that the film only begins to explore. The information below is accurate and up-to-date, reflecting the latest details surrounding the case and the killer's death.

The Central Figures: Biography of the Killer and the Contestant

The "Woman of the Hour" story revolves around two key individuals whose paths fatefully crossed on a television soundstage in 1978: the contestant, Cheryl Bradshaw, and the bachelor, Rodney Alcala.

Rodney James Alcala (The Killer)

• Born: August 23, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas.
• Nickname: "The Dating Game Killer."
• M.O. (Modus Operandi): Known for luring women by claiming to be a professional photographer and asking to take their pictures. His victims were often strangled and sometimes sexually assaulted.
• Crimes: Convicted of seven murders in California and New York between 1971 and 1979, including 12-year-old Robin Samsoe. Authorities believe the true number of victims could be as high as 130.
• Trial: Alcala famously acted as his own attorney during one of his trials.
• Death: Died of natural causes on July 24, 2021, at the age of 77, while on death row at Corcoran State Prison in California.

Cheryl Bradshaw (The Contestant)

• Role in 1978: An aspiring actress and drama teacher living in Los Angeles.
• Show Appearance: The bachelorette on a 1978 episode of *The Dating Game*.
• The Choice: She chose Bachelor Number One, Rodney Alcala, based on his voice and answers.
• The Critical Decision: After the show, she met Alcala backstage and, finding him "creepy" and unsettling, refused to go on the prize-winning date. This decision is widely credited with saving her life.
• Life After: Bradshaw largely disappeared from the public eye after the incident, though her terrifying experience remains the focal point of the *Woman of the Hour* movie.

The Infamous 1978 Dating Game Appearance

The core of the *Woman of the Hour* real story is the episode of *The Dating Game* that aired on September 13, 1978. At this time, Rodney Alcala was actively engaged in a horrific killing spree that had already claimed multiple victims. He was a fugitive from justice, having previously been convicted of the attempted kidnapping of a young girl. The show's format required Cheryl Bradshaw, the bachelorette, to ask three hidden bachelors a series of questions to determine who she would choose for a date. Alcala, as Bachelor Number One, used his charm and quick wit to win her over.

Alcala's Chilling Answers

The questions and Alcala's responses are a masterclass in dark irony, especially in retrospect. When asked, "What is the best time of day for you?" Alcala replied, "Evening, because that’s when I feel the most sexy." His answers were often flirtatious and slightly edgy, which was exactly what the producers and the audience of a 1970s dating show were looking for. The tension in the film comes from the audience's knowledge of the killer's true nature, while Bradshaw remains oblivious.

The Moment That Saved Her Life

Despite his charming performance on-screen, the reality of meeting Alcala backstage was starkly different. Cheryl Bradshaw later recalled that his behavior and "vibes" immediately unsettled her. She found him to be "creepy" and "weird," and she refused to go on the date. The date, a trip to a nearby amusement park, would have put her alone in a remote location with a man who had a proven history of violent sexual assault and murder. Her intuition, as depicted in the film, was the single factor that prevented her from becoming another one of Alcala's victims.

The Shocking Scale of Alcala's Crimes and His Final Years

The true horror of the "Dating Game Killer" case lies not just in his television appearance, but in the sheer scale of his criminal career. This depth of his depravity provides the topical authority that elevates the story beyond a simple anecdote.

A Potential Victim Count of 130

While Rodney Alcala was only convicted of seven murders, law enforcement officials and prosecutors have long suspected he was responsible for far more. His confirmed victims included 12-year-old Robin Samsoe, Jill Barcomb, Georgia Wixted, Charlotte Lamb, and Jill Parenteau, but investigators estimate the total number of victims could reach 130 across California and New York. This makes him one of the most prolific serial killers in American history.

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The Discovery of the Photo Cache

Perhaps the most disturbing piece of evidence in the Alcala case was the discovery of a storage locker containing thousands of photographs he had taken of young women and girls. Many of these individuals were posed in suggestive or compromising positions. Police released hundreds of these photos to the public, hoping to identify the subjects and determine if any of them were additional, unknown victims. The release of these photos generated a massive wave of fear and renewed interest in the case, illustrating Alcala's predatory method of using photography to lure and document his targets.

The Death of the Dating Game Killer (Latest Update)

Rodney Alcala spent decades appealing his convictions and serving time on death row. In a significant and recent development, Alcala died of natural causes on July 24, 2021, at the age of 77. His death brought a definitive end to the legal saga of the Dating Game Killer, though the chilling legacy of his crimes and the terrifying near-miss of Cheryl Bradshaw continue to resonate today, most notably through the release of the film *Woman of the Hour*.

The *Woman of the Hour* movie serves as a powerful reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk beneath a polished, public-facing exterior. The true story of Cheryl Bradshaw is a testament to the power of a woman's intuition in a situation where a serial killer was actively seeking his next victim on a popular television show.