The movie Boogie Nights offers a glimpse into the glitz and glamour, albeit often chaotic, of the 1970s and 80s porn industry. Many viewers might see the film as a sensationalized, fictional story. However, the undercurrent of darkness and danger hinted at in Boogie Nights has roots in a much grimmer reality, one inextricably linked to the life of John Holmes Pornography star, and his involvement in the horrific Wonderland Murders.
While Boogie Nights utilizes the vibrant soundtrack of the era and the over-the-top personalities of the porn world to create a compelling narrative, the true story of John Holmes is devoid of the movie’s nostalgic charm. It’s a descent into narcissism, drug abuse, and ultimately, a chilling crime that shook Hollywood. The film, though inspired by real events, only scratches the surface of the disturbing truth.
The original article in question penned by Mike Sager for the May 1989 issue of Rolling Stone, titled “The Devil and John Holmes,” provides a stark and unflinching account of this grim chapter in Hollywood history. Published during Rolling Stone‘s era of impactful journalism, before its later controversies, the article plunges into the depths of John Holmes’s life and the brutal murders that forever tarnished his legacy.
John Holmes was a porn star. Eddie Nash was a drug lord. Their association ended in one of the most brutal mass murders in the history of Los Angeles.
This chilling opening line from Sager’s article sets the stage for a narrative far removed from the superficial allure often associated with John Holmes pornography. Holmes, deeply indebted to drug kingpin Eddie Nash, found himself caught in a dangerous web of crime and desperation.
The article details the events leading up to the murders, painting a picture of Holmes as a man spiraling out of control due to his drug addiction. Desperate to repay his debts, Holmes concocted a plan to rob Nash, involving the “Wonderland Gang.”
…Holmes was into Nash for a small fortune. Now Holmes owed the Wonderland Gang, too.
“I leave the sliding door unlocked—this one,” said Holmes, pointing to the floor plan, “here, in the back. The guest bedroom. Then I leave. I come back to Wonderland. Tell you it’s all clear. Then you guys take him down.”
This excerpt reveals Holmes’s calculated betrayal of Eddie Nash. Driven by his addiction and mounting debts, he agreed to set up Nash for a robbery, a decision that would have catastrophic consequences. The plan was simple: Holmes would gain entry to Nash’s house under the pretense of buying drugs, unlock a door, and signal to the Wonderland Gang that the coast was clear.
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The article vividly recounts the botched robbery attempt by the Wonderland Gang, highlighting the amateurish and violent nature of the criminals involved. The excerpt below describes the chaotic scene as the gang confronted Eddie Nash and his bodyguard.
Arriving back at Wonderland just after dawn, Holmes announced the coast was clear.
Tracy McCourt turned right onto Dona Lola Place, drove 100 yards into the cul-de-sac, parked, cut the engine. DeVerell, Lind and Launius pushed aside the chain-link gate to Nash’s driveway and filed around to the right, behind the house. The sliding glass door was still open, as Holmes had said.
“Freeze!” yelled Lind. “You’re under arrest! Police officers!”
The robbery quickly devolved into violence and confusion. The gang’s ineptitude is evident in the accidental shooting of Nash’s bodyguard and their frantic search for drugs and valuables. This scene stands in stark contrast to the stylized crime sequences often depicted in films, underscoring the messy and brutal reality of the situation.
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The aftermath of the robbery was even more gruesome. Driven by rage and a desire for revenge, Eddie Nash, along with his associates, subjected John Holmes to brutal interrogation and torture to reveal the identities of the Wonderland Gang members. This led to the horrific murders of several individuals connected to the robbery at a house on Wonderland Avenue.
Gregory DeWitt Diles, six feet four, 300 pounds, barged through the front door of the house on Dona Lola, dragging John Holmes by the scruff of his neck.
“In here,” said Nash.
Diles shoved, Holmes skidded across the carpet. Nash shut the bedroom door.
This chilling excerpt foreshadows the violence that Holmes would face at the hands of Nash. The article paints a terrifying picture of Eddie Nash as a volatile and ruthless figure, capable of extreme brutality.
The true story behind the Wonderland Murders, as detailed in “The Devil and John Holmes,” is a far cry from the often-glamorized portrayal of the porn industry. It’s a cautionary tale of ambition, addiction, and the devastating consequences of choices made in the shadows of Hollywood. While Boogie Nights offers entertainment, Sager’s article provides a chilling and necessary reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath the surface of fame and fortune, particularly within the world that John Holmes pornography inhabited.
For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the real story that inspired elements of Boogie Nights and the tragic trajectory of John Holmes pornography career, Mike Sager’s “The Devil and John Holmes” is essential reading. It’s a gripping piece of true crime journalism that exposes the grim reality behind the sensational headlines and offers a stark portrait of a man consumed by his demons and forever linked to a horrific crime.
References:
Sager, M. (1989, May). The Devil and John Holmes. Rolling Stone. Retrieved from http://reprints.longform.org/the-devil-and-john-holmes
