Woman of the Hour: Who was serial killer Rodney Alcala and what was The Dating Game?

In what seems like an unlikely intersection of grim reality and television entertainment, the harrowing tale of Rodney Alcala, a convicted rapist and serial killer who once appeared on the TV dating show "The Dating Game," is poised to reach a wider audience. This story finds new relevance and a fresh narrative angle through Anna Kendrick's directorial debut, "Woman of the Hour," which dives deep into the chilling true story of Alcala and his deceivingly charming facade. Rodney Alcala, known in the annals of American criminal history for his eerie moniker "The Dating Game Killer," was born Rodrigo Jacques Alcala Buquor in San Antonio, Texas, in 1943. His life took a dark turn that would later shock the nation and etch his name as one of the most infamous serial killers in the United States. His criminal activities spanned from the late 1960s until his arrest in 1979. His modus operandi included strangulation, rape, and beating, leaving a trail of tragedy and unanswered questions in his wake. Alcala's intelligence and photographic memory were as much a part of his arsenal as his camera, which he often used to lure unsuspecting young women and girls under the guise of taking their photographs. His charm and intelligence made him a master manipulator, enabling him to evade capture and suspicion for years. However, it was his appearance on the popular 1970s TV show "The Dating Game" that presented the most bizarre