Larry Austin: Murder at the Silent Movie Theatre
Explicit content warning
01/22/24 • 49 min
Larry Austin had three loves: "Murder She Wrote", his cat (Sir Purity) and silent films. The idea that anyone could have anything against the 74-year-old theatre owner seemed unfathomable. So the community was shocked when he was gunned down in the lobby of his own theatre in what appeared to be a robbery gone wrong. Detectives found the whole situation odd. For one thing, Larry didn't put up any resistance when the shooter demanded cash yet the gunman shot him anyway. And as for all that money? Well, the gunman left without it. Kinda strange if you're trying to rob a place...
Episode Sources:
Silent Movie Theatre / Cinefamily / Fairfax Cinema / Brain Dead Studios
“Silent Movie Theater Keeps Film Goers Happy” by Gloria Willard, NPR, Feb. 27, 2006
Bizarre Los Angeles, Oct. 20, 2012
“Author Jeanne Boylan on "Portraits of Guilt” CNN, Jun. 12, 2000
“Killer of Silent Theater Owner Gets Life Term” by Julie Ha and Agnes Diggs, LA Times, Apr. 21, 1999
“Real Murders of Los Angeles: Murder on the Marquee” S1E1, Oxygen, Oct. 6, 2023
“The Palace of Silents” - available to rent
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Creeptastic theme music by:
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Larry Austin had three loves: "Murder She Wrote", his cat (Sir Purity) and silent films. The idea that anyone could have anything against the 74-year-old theatre owner seemed unfathomable. So the community was shocked when he was gunned down in the lobby of his own theatre in what appeared to be a robbery gone wrong. Detectives found the whole situation odd. For one thing, Larry didn't put up any resistance when the shooter demanded cash yet the gunman shot him anyway. And as for all that money? Well, the gunman left without it. Kinda strange if you're trying to rob a place...
Episode Sources:
Silent Movie Theatre / Cinefamily / Fairfax Cinema / Brain Dead Studios
“Silent Movie Theater Keeps Film Goers Happy” by Gloria Willard, NPR, Feb. 27, 2006
Bizarre Los Angeles, Oct. 20, 2012
“Author Jeanne Boylan on "Portraits of Guilt” CNN, Jun. 12, 2000
“Killer of Silent Theater Owner Gets Life Term” by Julie Ha and Agnes Diggs, LA Times, Apr. 21, 1999
“Real Murders of Los Angeles: Murder on the Marquee” S1E1, Oxygen, Oct. 6, 2023
“The Palace of Silents” - available to rent
Join our Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast
Follow us!
IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok
Send us an email:
Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
Previous Episode
The Savage Murder of Sally Anne Bowman
CW: This episode contains heavy discussion of rape and sexual assault.
18-year-old Sally Anne Bowman had two main goals in life: appear on the cover of Vogue Magazine and perform at the Royal Albert Hall with famed actor/singer Michael Ball. As a student at the BRIT School - which boasted such alumni as Adele, Tom Holland and Jessie J - along with winning a modeling contest to become the face of SWATCH, it seemed Sally was well on her way. But in September of 2005 after a girls' night out, Sally's life was brutally taken from her...just steps from her front door.
Episode Sources:
“Crimewatch UK: The Killing of Sally Anne Bowman”
“A MUM'S DEFIANCE" by Ben Griffiths, The Sun UK, Mar. 10, 2018
“TWISTED KILLER’S CONFESSION” by Sara Kamouni, The Sun UK, Jul. 30, 2017
“The boyfriend and first suspect” by Helen Pidd, The Guardian, Feb. 22, 2008
“Boyfriend: We had a big row but I did not kill Sally Anne” by John Twomey, Express, Feb. 7, 2008
“A petty row then I left Sally Anne yards from home” by Paul Cheston, The Standard UK, Apr. 12, 2012
“Sally Anne Bowman killer Mark Dixie jailed for more attacks” BBC, Nov. 24, 2017
“Sally Anne tried to defend herself” This is Local London, Feb. 8, 2008
“Boyfriend of model denies argument led to murder” by Helen Pidd, The Guardian UK, Feb. 6, 2008
"Girl who dreamed of being Croydon's next top model” by Paul Cheston, The Standard UK, Apr. 12, 2012
Next Episode
Walt Disney: The Magic and Menace
We're embarking on a turbulent journey through the life of one of the most influential figures in entertainment history – the man behind the magic, Walt Disney (1901-1966). Walt was a pioneering American entrepreneur, animator, film producer, and creator of one of the most renowned entertainment companies in the world. But the beloved creator of Mickey Mouse faced a slew of criticism around accusations of gender bias, antisemitism, opposition to unions, retaliation, and an overbearing demeanor. We explore his life, the formation of the Disney company, and the not-so-magical side of Walt Disney.
Episode Sources:
Join our Patreon!
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Follow us!
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Send us an email:
Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
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