The Series
STRANGLEHOLD "the Series" is a footnote to the feature documentary, STRANGLEHOLD: In the Shadow of the Boston Strangler. In an investigation, every bit of information makes it into a case file, unlike in storytelling, were select story lines are followed and others left on the cutting room floor. As a result, this web-based series is an attempt to self-produce and self-publish as much of the investigation of Phil DiNatale and his involvement as a lead investigator on the case of the Boston Strangler. Through the form of short videos, and in the vein of an investigation, this series is our families effort to get Detective DiNatale's story into the public sphere. Entirely self-produced and self-distributed, our aim is to tell Phil’s side of the investigation as it should be told, in full, while using cold hard documentation.
Introduction
In this introduction, filmmaker Myles Jewell and his Uncle/Producer, John DiNatale, talk about the release and intent of the web series, STRANGLEHOLD the Series, to promote the release of their feature documentary, STRANGLEHOLD: In the Shadow of the Boston Strangler.
(YouTube Version)Trailer
In this short trailer for STRANGLEHOLD “the Series,” the players of this true crime drama are revealed with a quick introduction to Phil DiNatale, his role in the case, and what this web based series will reveal.
(YouTube Version)Episode 001
In the first episode of STRANGLEHOLD: the Series, filmmaker Myles David Jewell and his Uncle John, introduce their role in producing this never seen before material. For the Uncle/Nephew team, Phil DiNatale's untold story needs to be put into the public sphere, and they are acting as conduits to piece together Phil's investigation from the depths of the homemade detective archive that Phil left behind to his family after his death in 1987. With John's investigative expertise, and a filmmaker nephew, the two explain why this web-based series has been produced. But why does the nephew/Uncle team need to tell Phil's story in full?
(YouTube version)Episode 002
In Episode 002, the audience begins to learn the origins of the DiNatale detective legacy. Charting the DiNatale family back to Salvatore DiNatale's immigration from Italy to the USA in 1897, and Sal's acceptance to the Boston Police Force in 1919, the family quickly became focused on being civil servants. With five out of the six brothers joining the Police force after WWII, it's easy to see how Phil DiNatale got his start as an investigator.
(YouTube version)Context: Boston 1950’s
In this “Context” episode, we feel it's important to give the viewer an understanding of what Boston was like in the 1950's. Before the case of the Boston Strangler broke, the mentality of Bostonians in the 1950's was typical of the entire country, and sets the stage for one of the great true crime stories of the 20th Century.
(YouTube version)Episode 003
Before there was a string of brutal stranglings in the 1960's, Phil DiNatale was mostly a mix between cop and father, and the one thing that would pull him away from his family was the thing he felt kept them the most safe- investigating crime.
(YouTube version)Detective Story
As part of the web series, there will be a slew of detective stories and anecdotes as told by Phil DiNatale. In “Know your area,” Phil explains the importance of being a beat cop, knowing one neighborhood and the people on the block.
(YouTube version)Detective Story 2
A Phil DiNatale detective story, “Bred to be a Detective,” shows how Phil's father would send him and all his brothers police pamphlets and papers while they were fighting abroad, so upon their return, they would be ready to take their police exam.
(YouTube version)Episode 004
With the city of Boston on the brink of hysteria after an initial five murders, the pressure was mounting for the cities finest. In Episode 004, Phil talks about the elusiveness of the first five murders. Detective DiNatale's son, John (also a detective), talks about Phil's meticulousness as an investigator, foreshadowing the importance of Phil's home made detective archive.
(YouTube version)Context: The Murders
In this “Context” episode, the thirteen Boston Stranglings are explained in brief detail according to date, victim, place and a few details of how the body was found.
(YouTube version)More videos to come on a monthly basis, so please check back and like us on Facebook