Citation

Hagin B. J. Pop. Film Telev. 2010; 38(1): 44-51.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/01956050903578414

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The urban legend about “snuff films,” in which people are really murdered on camera, has been circulating since the mid-1970s. This article critically examines the standard historical account of the emergence of this myth, which focuses on a single example in the context of exploitation films and pornography, and constructs an alternative account using Hollywood films.

Keywords: death in films; Hollywood; journalism; pornography; snuff films; television