More Crime-Time Specials

“The Hillside Stranglers”--to air tonight on NBC--kicks off a flurry of upcoming TV movies/miniseries/feature films based on real-life crimes.

Next will be the British Broadcasting Corp.’s two-hour documentary, “The United States vs. Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald,” to air sometime in June in syndication. An L.A. channel has not been selected. It is yet another re-examination of the Green Beret physician who was convicted of the murders of his wife and two young daughters.

And looming on the not-too- distant horizon:

“A Family of Spies,” about mega-traitor John Walker and his decades-long espionage career. Based on Pete Earley’s book of the same title. Due on CBS next November.

“Blind Faith,” based on Joe McGinniss’ current best seller about a handsome, all-American New Jersey insurance mogul convicted of killing his wife for insurance money. John Gay (who also adapted McGinniss’ best-selling “Fatal Vision” for a miniseries), is writing the four-hour project for NBC.

“Small Sacrifices,” based on Ann Rule’s book about Diane Downs, a Washington state woman who attempted to murder her young children as a “sacrifice” to her fiance. One died and two were severely disabled. Due on ABC next season.

“Manson--In His Own Words,” based on Charles Manson’s apologetic, self-aggrandizing autobiography.

“A Fine American Family,” about Steve Benson, the murderous tobacco heir who was convicted of killing his mother and stepbrother at their Naples, Fla., winter home.

“The Mormon Murders,” about Mark Hofmann, who killed two devout Mormons to cover the incriminating trail of his forgery ring.

“Total Hit,” about San Antonio policeman Farrell Tucker, who was tried--and acquitted--for the shooting death of his best friend, a rogue cop named Steven Smith. John Kander and Harvey Kahn are producing for CBS.

Also in various stages of development: “Murder in the Age of Aquarius,” from Steven Levy’s book about a murderous Philadelphia guru (tentatively for CBS); “Trackdown,” the saga of alleged night stalker Richard Ramirez (for CBS); “Soldiers of Misfortune,” about ad-for-hire murderer John Wayne Hearn (for CBS); “Careless Whispers,” from Carleton Stowers’ book about an Iranian emigrant who turns to a killer for hire in an insurance scheme (for CBS).

In addition, “A Gathering of Saints,” from Robert Lindsey’s book on Mark Hofmann and the so-called “Mormon murders” (in development as a feature film at 20th Century Fox); still another project about Jeffrey MacDonald--a four-hour miniseries tracing the killings through the eyes of private eye Ted Gunderson, who maintains that MacDonald is innocent (in development at Paragon Films); and a project from producer Gary Hoffman for ABC based on Jack Olsen’s upcoming book, “Doc,” about a Wyoming physician convicted of raping his patients during gynecological exams.

Publisher’s Weekly recently reported that Olsen got a five-figure option against a purchase price of $50,000 an hour for the first two hours of broadcast time, $75,000 for each subsequent hour, plus 5% of profits.