Young Charlie by Hollywood & Crime

Wondery

How did Charles Manson become an evil, cunning monster? In August 1969, the world is shocked by the savage murders of movie star Sharon Tate and four others at the sprawling Hollywood Hills estate she shares with film director Roman Polanski. When the following night another couple is brutally slaughtered, panic spreads among Los Angeles residents. Four months later, the mastermind behind these vicious crimes is arrested, and the public learns the name that would haunt it to this day: Charles Manson. But few knew then – or now – the full story behind the making of a mass murderer. In this groundbreaking 6-part series, host Tracy Pattin is joined by internationally acclaimed actor Stephen Lang (Avatar, Don’t Breathe) to take listeners on a unique journey, investigating Manson’s unlikely path from his troubled childhood in rural West Virginia to the night he sent his out his followers to commit the most infamous crime in Hollywood history.

All episodes are available now. You can binge the series exclusively, and ad-free, on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription.

read less

Our Editor's Take

Residents terrified. Families frightened. Terror ensues. After the infamous Hollywood Hills murder in California, the world felt scary. Everyone wondered, "what kind of person would do such a thing?" They got their answer: Charles Mason. His name is now part of history. Although his identity is no longer a mystery, much of him still is. The public has always wondered what led him toward brutality and terror-until now. Charles Manson is synonymous with panic and infamous cult brutality. But one question about him remains-how did he become the monster he turned out to be? This podcast reveals the answer.

Podcast listeners can now know. Many podcasts have done episodes, seasons, and entire shows to dive into the mind of this cult killer. But this podcast isn't here to do that. Young Charlie by Hollywood & Crime will guide listeners down the true-story path of Charles Manson's childhood. This podcast tells his true story, filled with twists, turns, and tragedy.

From Wondery comes Young Charlie by Hollywood & Crime. Listeners will learn about what contributed to the making of Charles Manson. Tracy Pattin and actor Stephen Lang host Young Charlie by Hollywood & Crime. Together, they take listeners on a wild ride through the troubled upbringing of Charles Manson. Listeners will investigate the life of Charles Manson's childhood. They will dive into his rural upbringing in West Virginia. And, of course, listen to theories about what led him to become a brutal killer. So, why did Charles Manson become the killer he was? Young Charlie is here to reveal it all.

read less

True CrimeTrue Crime

Start Here

The Ketchup Bottle Bandits | 1

The Ketchup Bottle Bandits | 1

On the morning of August 9, 1969, the bodies of actress Sharon Tate and four other people were discovered at the sprawling Benedict Canyon home of Miss Tate and her husband, film director Roman Polanski. The victims had all been brutally murdered. The next day, the bodies of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were discovered at their home in Los Feliz. They had been murdered in a similar, gruesome fashion.In 1939, young Charlie Manson’s mother Kathleen is arrested in Charleston, West Virginia and jailed for robbery. After her release, she is unable to control her son and has him sent to the Gibault School for Boys in Indiana. Charlie runs away after only ten months. Then, after being arrested for burglary, he is given a second chance when a kindly judge sends him to the famous Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska. After just four days, he escapes from there as well.All episodes are available now. You can binge the series exclusively, and ad-free, on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription. Join Wondery+ here: https://wonderyplus.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episodes

The Ketchup Bottle Bandits | 1

The Ketchup Bottle Bandits | 1

On the morning of August 9, 1969, the bodies of actress Sharon Tate and four other people were discovered at the sprawling Benedict Canyon home of Miss Tate and her husband, film director Roman Polanski. The victims had all been brutally murdered. The next day, the bodies of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were discovered at their home in Los Feliz. They had been murdered in a similar, gruesome fashion.In 1939, young Charlie Manson’s mother Kathleen is arrested in Charleston, West Virginia and jailed for robbery. After her release, she is unable to control her son and has him sent to the Gibault School for Boys in Indiana. Charlie runs away after only ten months. Then, after being arrested for burglary, he is given a second chance when a kindly judge sends him to the famous Boys Town in Omaha, Nebraska. After just four days, he escapes from there as well.All episodes are available now. You can binge the series exclusively, and ad-free, on Wondery+ or on Amazon Music with a Prime membership or Amazon Music Unlimited subscription. Join Wondery+ here: https://wonderyplus.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Crazy Charlie | 2

Crazy Charlie | 2

By September 1969, police had interviewed over three hundred people and still had no viable suspects in the Tate or LaBianca murders. It didn’t help that the two separate police departments investigating the murders were not sharing information. And no connection had yet been made between those murders and the murder of Gary Hinman in July – or to the auto theft raid at Spahn Ranch near Chatsworth in August.By 1954, Charlie has spent seven of his nineteen years in six different “institutions.” After being paroled from number six, he meets and marries Rosalie Willis in West Virginia and decides to take his new bride to Los Angeles – in a stolen car.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How to Win Friends and Influence People | 3

How to Win Friends and Influence People | 3

In October, 1969, another raid at the Spahn Ranch led to the arrest of a family of hippies tied to a series of crimes. Their leader gave his full name as Manson, Charles M. AKA Jesus Christ, God. One of those arrested, Susan Atkins, told her inmates an unbelievable tale of murder and mayhem. If she were to be believed, “Sexy Sadie,” AKA Sadie Mae Glutz, was one of the Tate, LaBianca and Hinman murderers.Back in the penitentiary in 1957, Charlie studies Dale Carnegie’s popular self-help book and L. Ron Hubbard’s teachings about Scientology. Charlie will use what he’s learned from them and his fellow inmates in order to become a more successful pimp.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Summer of Love | 4

Summer of Love | 4

Susan Atkins shared with two inmates the gruesome details of the Tate–LaBianca murders, the murder of Gary Hinman, and her life with cult leader, Charles Manson. One of the inmates decided she had to tell someone and reached to the L.A.P.D.It’s 1967, and Charlie is right in the middle of San Francisco’s Summer of Love. Just out of prison, he relocates to Haight-Ashbury and starts building his following. His first disciple is the homely Mary Brunner, a lonely librarian from Wisconsin.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On December 4, 1969, prosecuting attorney Vincent Bugliosi interviewed Susan Atkins and was convinced he had a case to connect Manson and his followers to all the murders. And though Manson wasn’t present at any of the actual killings, Bugliosi knew that somehow Charlie had manipulated it all.In November 1967 Charlie’s decides to move his growing family of followers to Los Angeles, so he can become more famous than the Beatles. However, his first audition doesn’t go well. Not to worry. He has a direct line to the music industry. Two of his girls have just met drummer Dennis Wilson. A Beach Boy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coming Down Fast | 6

Coming Down Fast | 6

Susan Atkins horrified the Grand Jury on December 5, 1969 with her vivid, gruesome story of the Tate, LaBianca and Hinman murders. Other witnesses, including fellow Manson Family member Linda Kasabian, backed up and added to Atkins’ disturbing testimony.Charlie now knows for certain that the Beatles with their White Album lyrics are speaking to him directly and guiding his next moves. One thing leads to another – then on Friday night, August 8, 1969, Charlie tells his right hand man, Tex Watson, to take three of the women and head into L.A. Their assignment – “do something witchy.”See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where to find Episodes 2-6 of Young Charlie

Where to find Episodes 2-6 of Young Charlie

Young Charlie has moved. You can binge all six episodes ad-free right now by subscribing to Wondery+ in Apple Podcasts or the Wondery app: https://wondery.com/links/young-charlie/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.