FILM · 2007 · USA
An American Crime
19 archived facts 1 topic 1 source Last reviewed Oct 2026
All facts (19)
- #001
Paula Baniszewski, Gertrude Baniszewski's real-life daughter, was released from prison and changed her name. She eventually found work as an assistant guidance counselor at a school in Iowa, where she worked for 14 years before anyone learned of her real past. She was fired immediately.
- #002
This film was the second attempt to bring Sylvia Likens's story to the screen and the first one to succeed. Attempts were made in the early 1980s to make a film about Sylvia, but they were abandoned because of fierce opposition from Sylvia's sister Jenny. Efforts to tell the events of 1965 in a film were only revived after Jenny's death in 2004.
- #003
The film was shot in chronological order so that the actors could experience what Sylvia actually went through.
- #004
Richard "Ricky" Hobbs, the 14-year-old who wrote on Sylvia's stomach with a hot needle, died of lung cancer on January 2, 1972, at the age of 21, one day before Sylvia's 23rd birthday.
- #005
Most of the cast were completely unaware of the real Likens murder until they read the script.
- #006
It was released in the same year as The Girl Next Door (2007), which is based on a novel inspired by the Sylvia Likens murder.
- #007
Catherine Keener initially turned down the role of Gertrude Baniszewski, but when she could not get the story out of her mind she met with director Tommy O'Haver and agreed to make the film.
- #008
The film is largely based on the actual court transcripts of the trial.
- #009
The house where the crimes took place was at 3850 East New York Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. It has since been demolished.
- #010
Elliot Page was the only choice to play Sylvia Likens.
- #011
It is based on a true story that took place in Indiana in 1965.
- #012
The film contains several historical inaccuracies, such as Sylvia's body being found in the upstairs bedroom rather than in the kitchen as in real life. Gertrude also had seven children, while in the film she says she has six.
- #013
In the final scene, a vision of Sylvia appears in Gertrude's prison cell and Gertrude asks her for forgiveness. The real Gertrude Baniszewski expressed no remorse and never took responsibility for Sylvia Likens's death, claiming she was not sure what happened because she was using drugs at the time.
- #014
Real photographs of Sylvia can be found online, particularly crime-scene photos.
- #015
Jenny Likens eventually married and found a job. She struggled with what had happened. She died of a heart attack after a pizza delivery driver knocked on her door. Jenny had become a recluse because of the trauma she experienced.
- #016
Ellen Page and Evan Peters also appeared in the X-Men films; Page played Kitty Pryde, also known as Shadowcat, and Peters played Peter "Quicksilver" Maximoff.
- #017
Scout Taylor-Compton and Jeremy Sumpter had a fling during the making of this film.
- #018
Hayley McFarland, Scout Taylor-Compton and Hannah Leigh all played small roles in the Gilmore Girls TV series; Hayley played April Nardini's school friend, Scout played Dean's sister and Hannah played Charlotte, one of Emily Gilmore's maids.
- #019
Director Tommy O'Haver is a native of Indiana, the state where the crime took place.
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