Long Island true crime adaptations: a Hollywood history - Newsday
On Monday, Netflix drops "Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer" — a three-parter on the Gilgo Beach murders. And while this is a documentary, there's a long Hollywood history of movies based on LI true crimes, like these 13.
From 1947 to '49, Raymond Fernandez and Martha Beck murdered 20 women at their Valley Stream apartment.
Starring Tony Lo Bianco (later in "The French Connection") and Shirley Stoler, this deeply strange and disturbing film can still be streamed on Max.
A cult following — but certainly not for "Lonely Hearts," the 2006 adaptation, which bombed big.
The movie that started it all: James Brolin and Margot Kidder in 1979's "The Amityville Horror." Credit: Ronald Grant Archive/Everett Collection/Mary Evans
Ronald DeFeo Jr. kills parents, siblings on Nov. 13, 1974, in their home at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville.
Needs no introduction but just in case — George and Kathy Lutz (James Brolin, Margot Kidder) quickly regret buying that house!
Critics were snooty, but ignored because this remains one of the most improbable success stories in cinema history.
Ann-Margret, left, and Claudette Colbert starred in 1987's hit TV movie "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles." Credit: Lorimar Film Entertainment/Everett Collection
On Oct. 30, 1955, Oyster Bay socialite Ann Woodward guns down husband William Woodward Jr.
This NBC two-nighter, based on the Dominick Dunne novel, focused on Ann — here named Ann Grenville (Ann-Margret) — and mother-in-law Alice (Claudette Colbert).
Critics/viewers were wowed by the presence of screen great Colbert, in her first starring role in 26 years (also her last).
In 1986, 17-year-old Newfield High (Selden) cheerleader Cheryl Pierson pays $400 to a classmate to kill her father who had been sexually abusing her.
ABC adaptation of book on the case may best remembered as David Schwimmer's first credited role. (He played a pal of the accused.)
Bad reviews, but decent ratings: It beat the opening night of NBC's mini "Around the World in 80 Days."
Alyssa Milano as Amy Fisher and Jack Scalia as Joey Buttafuoco in "Casualties of Love: The Long Island Lolita Story." Credit: Columbia Tristar/Domestic Television/Everett Collection
On May 19, 1992, 17-year-old Amy Fisher shoots Mary Jo Buttafuoco, later serves seven years; Mary Jo's spouse Joey (Amy's older lover) got six months for statutory rape.
"Amy Fisher: My Story" (NBC); "The Amy Fisher Story" with Drew Barrymore (ABC); and "Casualties of Love: The Long Island Lolita Story," (CBS) with Alyssa Milano as Amy and Brentwood's Jack Scalia as Joey.
Critics tripped over themselves in the race to condemn all three, but ratings were distressingly huge (ABC alone: 18.2 million).
From tragedy to triumph: Mackenzie Astin as Kevin McCarthy and Laurie Metcalf as his mother Carolyn in 1998's "The Long Island Incident." Credit: Barwood Films/Everett Collection
On Dec. 7, 1993, Colin Ferguson opens fire as LIRR train approaches Merillon Ave. station in Garden City, killing 6, wounding 19.
Mineola native Carolyn McCarthy (Laurie Metcalf) — whose husband Dennis (Peter MacNeill) was killed, and son Kevin (Mackenzie Astin) wounded — runs for Congress on a gun-control platform.
NRA's Charlton Heston slammed NBC movie as "a fraud" beforehand but viewers tuned out anyway (ranked 39th for the week). Bewildering title did not help.
Under the influence of drugs, teen Richard Allan Kasso Jr. kills a friend in Northport on June 19, 1984.
Vincent Kartheiser ("Mad Men") starred as the Kasso character, here named Ricky Cowen.
Never released — and who knows why, although you can watch on YouTube should you choose to draw your own conclusions.
In October 2001, 52-year-old financier Ted Ammon was found dead at his Easthampton home; his wife Generosa's lover later convicted of the murder in 2004.
With David Sutcliffe as Ammon and Poppy Montgomery ("Without a Trace") as Generosa.
Solid winner for Lifetime (around 5 million viewers).
Gilgo drama: Amy Ryan as Mari Gilbert and Thomasin McKenzie as Sherre Gilbert in Netflix's "Lost Girls." Credit: Netflix/Michele Short
Mari Gilbert looks for her missing daughter, Shannan, whose May 1, 2010 disappearance leads to the discovery of multiple serial murder victims at nearby Gilgo Beach.
Netflix movie with Amy Ryan as Gilbert. In Lifetime's movie a year later, Kim Delaney played her.
Netflix (and Ryan) get mostly solid praise ("Haunted and doggedly original drama" said Variety.)
THE GABBY PETITO STORY (2022)
Skyler Samuels as Gabby Petito and Evan Hall as Brian Laundrie in a scene from "The Gabby Pepito Story." Credit: Lifetime Television/Everett Collection
THE CRIME In August, 2021, 22-year-old Blue Point native Gabby Petito is killed by her fiance Brian Laundrie.
THE MOVIE Not-terrible Lifetime by-the-numbers biopic, with Skyler Samuels as Gabby.
THE VERDICT Director Thora Birch had to deflect criticism this was made too soon after the murder, or without the Petito family's consent; tepid ratings anyway.
Verne Gay is Newsday's TV writer and critic. He has covered the media business for more than 30 years.
