Crime of the Century. Poster of the 1996 movie and cover of the 1985 book, The Airman and the Carpenter
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The Airman and the Carpenter
Ludovic Kennedy, 1985
movie vs book
Mark Rydell, 1996

This movie portrays the infamous 1932 kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindberg’s infant son, as well as the controversial investigation, trial, and execution of the accused, Bruno Richard Hauptmann. Throughout the film, the viewer is presented with a disturbing portrayal of a corrupt police force, desperate to solve the case, who resorts to framing an innocent man by creating false evidence, bribing and threatening witnesses, and suppressing evidence that could exonerate him.


Arkansas. Poster of the 2020 movie and cover of the 2008 book
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Arkansas
John Brandon, 2008
movie vs book
Clark Duke, 2020

Drug dealer Kyle Ribb is promoted to move product wholesale in Arkansas, part of a loose criminal organization run by a man named Frog. He explains that Kyle and Swin are to work under him, living on the park grounds with cover identities as park employees while they traffic drugs across the southern U.S. Swin begins dating Johnna, a nurse who brings him to a curio shop run by an eccentric owner.


Boxcar Bertha. Poster of the 1972 movie and cover of the 1937 book, Sister of The Road
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Sister of The Road
Ben L. Reitman, 1937
movie vs book
Martin Scorsese, 1972

The film narrates the tale of Boxcar Bertha Thompson and ‘Big’ Bill Shelly, a pair of train robbers deeply in love, whose lives become intertwined with the struggles of railroad workers in the Southern United States. However, their lives take a dramatic turn when Bertha is accused of being involved in the murder of a wealthy gambler, forcing them to become fugitives on the run from the law.


Stillwatch. Poster of the 1987 movie and cover of the 1984 book
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Stillwatch
Mary Higgins Clark, 1984
movie vs book
Rod Holcomb, 1987

Senator Abigail Winslow, a potential vice presidential candidate, is the subject of an in-depth interview by television journalist Patricia Traymore, who relocates to Washington. She relocates to the home where she grew up and where her father attempted to kill and murdered her mother. With the aid of Lila Thatcher, a psychic neighbor, she hopes to confront the past and uncover some information about this awful occurrence. Senator Winslow is holding certain information back in the interim.


Gold Coast. Poster of the 1997 movie and cover of the 1980 book
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Gold Coast
Elmore Leonard, 1980
movie vs book
Peter Weller, 1997

Karen’s married to Frank, a millionaire who has no morals and a hypocrite. it’s alright for him to fool around but not for her. So when she has an affair and brags to him about it, he vows to get back at her. When he dies after having one of his trysts, he leaves her millions of dollars but in trust, and also he has left instructions that if his wife gets involved with someone that they should be warned off.