The Collector

Nowadays, stories about men, women and children being kept prisoner in strange circumstances--sometimes for years or decades--are so common that I'm certain Chuck will soon declare them "no longer weird."

But fifty years ago, such stories seemed more rare. One such inspired the classic novel by John Fowles, The Collector, which appeared in 1963.

The trailer of the film version can be seen above.

Fowles was inspired in part by a true story. I believe I've found that account, as seen below.

Enjoy the debut of what was to become a whole category of weird news.

Original article here.

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Who We Are
Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Comments

Oubliette - A time out place for the kids. Every home could use one.

I do admire the woman in the article describing how she would do her face up every day. Imagine the size of the makeup kit she needed for 103 days.

Posted by KDP on 04/02/12 at 12:17 PM

She sounded a little wacky too. PTSD perhaps?

Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 04/02/12 at 09:29 PM

It is only because the world is more connected, that we hear about such things. To imagine that these things were not going on is taking a very naive view of history.

Posted by Billy on 04/03/12 at 03:24 AM

Just as well she had her compact so she could keep her self respect a bit. Seriously what goes on in people's minds? Both of them seem a bit weird frankly.

Posted by dumbledoor on 04/03/12 at 05:43 AM

There are several instances of the guys jailed for these kidnappings talking about that book & movie as being their inspiration behind wanting to keep a person as a slave.
Very disturbing. Good thing they are both hard to find these days.

Posted by Rhi on 04/03/12 at 04:30 PM

It takes a very twisted person to use a horror movie as a how to tutorial.

Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 04/03/12 at 05:58 PM

Bridal had himself a serviceable bomb shelter in 1957, but he misused it. It is a shame to see Good turn to Evil.

Posted by tadchem on 06/28/13 at 08:02 PM

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