The Black Dahlia Murder: Was Orson Welles Involved?

The Black Dahlia murder is one of the most notorious and mysterious crimes in Hollywood history. On January 15, 1947, the mutilated body of Elizabeth Short, a 22-year-old aspiring actress, was found in a vacant lot in Los Angeles. She had been cut in half, drained of blood, and posed in a gruesome manner. Her face was slashed from ear to ear, creating a macabre smile. The killer had also removed some of her organs and washed her body before dumping it. The case attracted a lot of media attention and public fascination, but despite the efforts of the police and the FBI, no one was ever arrested or charged for the murder. The identity and motive of the killer remain unknown to this day.

But what if the killer was hiding in plain sight? What if he was one of the most famous and influential filmmakers of all time? What if he was Orson Welles, the genius behind Citizen Kane and The War of the Worlds?

That's the shocking theory that was proposed by Mary Pacios, a childhood friend of Elizabeth Short, who wrote a book called Childhood Shadows: The Hidden Story of the Black Dahlia Murder. In her book, Pacios claims that Welles had a mental disorder that made him act violently when he was frustrated with his creative work. She also claims that Welles designed a carnival funhouse set for his movie The Lady from Shanghai that featured mutilated mannequins and body parts similar to Short's injuries. She believes that Welles was obsessed with Short and killed her in a fit of rage, after meeting her at a Hollywood party.

But how credible is this theory? Is there any evidence that supports it? Or is it just a wild accusation based on speculation and coincidence?

Well, let's examine the facts and see if we can find any connection between Welles and Short.

First of all, did Welles and Short ever meet? According to Pacios, they did. She says that she saw them together at a party hosted by Rita Hayworth, Welles' wife at the time, in late 1946. She says that Welles was drawn to Short's beauty and charisma, and that he invited her to his studio to audition for a role in his upcoming film. She also says that Welles gave Short a nickname: the Black Dahlia, after a film noir that he admired. Pacios claims that she overheard Welles telling Short that he wanted to make her a star, and that he would take her to Mexico with him, where he was planning to shoot some scenes for The Lady from Shanghai.

However, there is no solid proof that this encounter ever happened. There is no record of Short being at Hayworth's party, or of Welles ever mentioning her name. There is also no evidence that Welles coined the nickname the Black Dahlia for Short. In fact, the origin of the nickname is unclear, but some sources suggest that it was given to her by the press or by some of her acquaintances, who were inspired by a film called The Blue Dahlia, which was released in 1946. The film was a crime thriller starring Alan Ladd and Veronica Lake, and it had nothing to do with Welles or his work.

Secondly, did Welles have a mental disorder that made him violent? According to Pacios, he did. She says that Welles suffered from a condition called intermittent explosive disorder, which is characterized by sudden episodes of impulsive, aggressive, or violent behavior. She says that Welles had a history of losing his temper and lashing out at people, especially when he was under stress or faced with creative challenges. She cites several examples of Welles' erratic and abusive behavior, such as throwing tantrums on set, smashing furniture, firing crew members, and even physically assaulting his colleagues and friends. She says that Welles was particularly frustrated with his film The Lady from Shanghai, which was plagued by production problems, studio interference, and marital troubles. She believes that Welles snapped and killed Short as a way of venting his anger and expressing his artistic vision.

However, there is no conclusive evidence that Welles had intermittent explosive disorder, or any other mental illness. While it is true that Welles was known for being temperamental and demanding, he was also respected and admired by many of his peers and collaborators. He was a visionary and a perfectionist, who often clashed with the Hollywood system and the expectations of the audience. He was also a charismatic and charming person, who had many friends and admirers. He was not a violent or sadistic person, who would torture and murder a young woman for no reason. He was a creative genius, who made some of the most innovative and influential films of all time.

Thirdly, did Welles design a funhouse set that matched Short's injuries? According to Pacios, he did. She says that Welles created a carnival funhouse set for his film The Lady from Shanghai, which was inspired by his childhood memories of visiting Coney Island. She says that the funhouse featured a hall of mirrors, a maze of doors, and a room full of mutilated mannequins and body parts. She says that the mannequins and body parts were arranged in a way that resembled Short's injuries, such as the severed torso, the bisected face, and the missing organs. She believes that Welles used the funhouse as a rehearsal for the murder, and that he left clues and hints in his film that linked him to the crime.

However, there is no clear evidence that Welles' funhouse set had anything to do with Short's murder. While it is true that Welles designed a funhouse set for his film, it was not as gruesome or detailed as Pacios describes. The funhouse was a surreal and symbolic representation of the film's themes of deception, betrayal, and illusion. It was not a realistic or literal depiction of a murder scene. The funhouse did not feature any mannequins or body parts, but only mirrors, doors, and lights. The funhouse was also not based on Welles' childhood memories of Coney Island, but on his admiration of a German expressionist film called The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, which was released in 1920. The funhouse was a cinematic device, not a criminal motive.

So, what can we conclude from this analysis? Was Orson Welles involved in the Black Dahlia murder, or was he just a victim of a baseless accusation?

The answer is most likely the latter. There is no solid proof that Welles ever met Short, or had any connection to her. There is no conclusive evidence that Welles had a mental disorder, or a violent personality. There is no clear evidence that Welles' funhouse set had anything to do with Short's murder, or that he left any clues or hints in his film. The theory that Welles was the killer is based on speculation, coincidence, and imagination. It is not supported by facts, logic, or reason.

The Black Dahlia murder remains one of the most fascinating and frustrating mysteries in history. It has inspired countless books, movies, documentaries, and theories. But none of them have been able to solve the case, or to identify the killer. The truth may never be known, or it may be hiding in plain sight. But it is not Orson Welles. He was a filmmaker, not a murderer. He was a genius, not a monster. He was innocent, not guilty.