Episode 285: The Cult of Synanon - Part 1
What began as a drug rehabilitation program soon transformed into a controversial community. Its unconventional methods gained nationwide coverage, attracting celebrity interest and political support. But over time, its boisterous leader shifted the group’s focus towards profit-making endeavors to fund his vision for a utopian society. This week’s episode is The Cult of Synanon - Part 1.
Books
Cults: Faith, Healing, and Coercion by Marc Galanter: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1989-97621-000
Cults: The Truth Behind the Worlds Most Shocking Cults by Nigel Cawthorne: https://www.powells.com/book/cults-the-truth-behind-the-worlds-most-shocking-cults-9781529401660
Cults Uncovered: True Storis of Mind Control and Murder by Emily G. Thompson: https://www.parnassusbooks.net/book/9781465489548
Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250621566/hollywoodpark
The Light On Synanon: How a Country Weekly Exposed a Corporate Cult-And Won the Pulitzer Prize by Dave Mitchell, Cathy Mitchell, Richard Ofshe: https://www.biblio.com/9780872236134
The Rise and Fall of Synanon: A California Utopia by Rod Janzen: https://a.co/d/4IYInSc
The Tunnel Back by Lewis Yablonsky: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Tunnel_Back_Synanon/34DaAAAAMAAJ?hl=en
Films and TV
Born in Synanon (Paramount+): https://www.paramountplus.com/shows/born-in-synanon/
Synanon (1965 Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059774/?ref_=tt_ch
The Synanon Fix: Did The Cure Become a Cult? (HBO): https://www.max.com/shows/synanon-fix/a27b5e0a-68eb-48e2-baa6-2b0f01d5b8be
Articles
Addicts Fight Home Closing, Los Angeles Mirror (March 23, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Assembly Votes 70-1 in Favor of Synanon Bill, Los Angeles Mirror (May 27, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Ban Upheld on Dope Addicts Aid Group, Los Angeles Mirror (July 26, 1960), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Bill to Help Synanon Introduced, Los Angeles Mirror (April 13, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Brown Signs Bill Legalizing Status of Synanon House, Los Angeles Mirror (June 21, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Council Won’t Outlaw Synanon Foundation, The Roberts News (February 25, 1960), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Court Gets New Protest to Synanon, Los Angeles Times (May 15, 1960), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Court Tells Synanon to Vacate, Los Angeles Mirror (April 14, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Decision on Narcotics Foundation Protested, Los Angeles Times (September 4, 1960), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Drug, Drink Rehabilitation ult Leader is Own Worst Failure, Indianapolis Star (December 14, 1978), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Drug Rehabilitation Center Gets New Lease on Life, Pasadena Independent (July 20, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Former Drug Addicts Wed in Rites at Synanon House, Los Angeles Mirror (June 27, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Foundation Charged with Code Violations, Los Angeles Times (September 20, 1959), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Four Charges Hit Group to Help Dope Addicts, Los Angeles Times (August 29, 1959), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Friday Programming on the Jack Linkletter Show, Los Angeles Times (July 19, 1959), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Jack Linkletter Aims for the Curious, Los Angeles Times (August 2, 1959), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Jail Term Delayed in Synanon Case, Valley Times (October 11, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Judge Postpones Synanon Ruling, Los Angeles Mirror (April 7, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Lawmaker Lauds Drug Cure Home, Los Angeles Mirror (March 27, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Medic Experts Differ on Synanon Program, The Roberts News (February 11, 1960), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Mid-Summer Madness, Independent (August 31, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Mother of 2 Shot Dead by Husband, Los Angeles Mirror (June 29, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Non-Profit Group Works to Aid Narcotics Addicts, Evening Vanguard (April 18, 1960), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Ordinance May Limit Dope Treatment Centers, Los Angeles Times (February 28, 1960), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Paul Coates on CBS to Cover Synanon, The Independent (August 22, 1959), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Paul V. Cotes, Los Angeles Mirror (January 31, 1959), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Santa Monica Foundation Helps Addict Subdue Craving for Dope, Los Angeles Times (January 10, 1960), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Santa Monica Mayor Sued by Synanon Duo, Los Angeles Evening Citizen (August 26, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
State Parole Officer Praises Synanon, The Roberts News (September 3, 1959), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Synanon At Home in Armory, The Roberts News (August 20, 1959), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Synanon Director Sentenced to Jail, Valley Times (September 23, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Synanon Directors Seek Reversal of Conviction, Los Angeles Times (April 10, 1960), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Synanon Greets Its First Baby, Los Angeles Mirror (May 2, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Synanon Head Sent to Jail, Los Angeles Evening Standard (December 1, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Synanon House Appears to Have Won Long Battle, Los Angeles Mirror (June 15, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Synanon Involved in Tot Custody Suit, Los Angeles Mirror (March 30, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Synanon Loses Key Court Test, Los Angeles Mirror (September 22, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Synanon Officials Found Guilty, Independent (March 24, 1960), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Synanon’s Ouster Will Be Sought, Los Angeles Mirror (April 3, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Synanon Spells Hope for Addicts, Los Angeles Times (January 3, 1960), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Synanon Trio to Ask New Trial, Los Angeles Times (March 27, 1960), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
Synanon Will Continue Battle to Stay Open, Los Angeles Times (July 31, 1960), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
They’re Wrestling Dope, Drink, The Miami News (June 14, 1959), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
What Happened to Synanon Founder Charles 'Chuck' Dederich? All About the Cult Leader Who Died in 1997, People: https://people.com/what-happened-to-synanon-founder-charles-dederich-8622934
What Was Synanon, the Violent Cult Featured in New Paramount+ Docuseries?, People: https://people.com/synanon-violent-cult-examined-paramount-docuseries-8416089
William Shatner Set as ‘Intruder’ Lead, Los Angeles Times (July 21, 1961), Newspapers.com (Subscription required)
