Ghost of the Week: The Woman in the Tower

G.H.O.U.L.A. EXCLUSIVE!

The Beverly Wilshire Hotel is easily the most iconic piece of architecture in Beverly Hills. Its exterior is even used in movies such as Pretty Woman and Beverly Hills Cop as a symbol for the city itself, much like the Eiffel Tower is to Paris or Big Ben is to London. This Historic Hotel’s reputation is built on that very perception.

But, is it haunted? If you ask the management, they will tell you it’s definitely not. However, if you can talk privately with any member of their housekeeping staff, you will get the truth. The Beverly Wilshire has two very prominent ghosts occupying different ends of the hotel.

Residing on the eighth floor of the Wilshire Tower section, you’ll find a female apparition with long flowing blond hair. She has been seen on numerous occasions gracefully gliding about with her white gown billowing behind her. Some witnesses have even spotted her peeking out from around corners or poking her head out through open doors as if curious about her surroundings.


While the hotel was built in 1928, it appears this blond ghost is a very recent addition. It is because of this, many of the employees believe she is the spirit of a woman who died a few years ago, but lived most of her life in a posh suite on the eighth floor. Since her passing, that suite has been closed to the general public, and is currently only available for private VIVIP (very important VIP) parties. Is it these disturbances to her tranquil domain that cause the spiritual disturbance on the eighth floor? Again, don’t ask the management.

The Beverly Wilshire Hotel is located at 9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills. As for the other prominent ghost… stay tuned. It will be featured in a future “Ghost of the Week.”

TOWER THEATER'S GHOSTS

WHERE: The Tower Theater
(802 S. Broadway, Los Angeles) Map
STATUS: Dormant (occasional rock concerts)

THE GHOST(S):

The French Renaissance inspired Tower Theater has the distinction of being the oldest "movie theater" in Los Angeles (since October 12,1927). That is to say, the oldest theater that was specifically built as a cinema, as opposed to a live theater that was converted to show movies. It also has the distinction of being the first theater in Los Angeles to screen "The Jazz Singer," the first "talkie" (motion picture with recorded synchronized sound) Its said that during that movies' run, the theater was filled with depressed actors, who realized that this film marked the end of their careers (either because of accents, or their now obsolete acting style).

However, despite the "sadness" that still permeates that room, the ghostly actress (in a white dress) said to haunt this building is thought to have been a stage actress (who performed floor shows between screenings) and not one from the silver screen, because her sightings are generally around the stage and basement "dressing rooms."

These "live shows" apparently were not very common at this location, and the stage and backstage were not built to accommodate them. So, this tale seems unlikely. It is also believed she was killed in a fire that occurred in the basement even though a fire at this location has never been documented (which is not to say it didn't happen). That said, there was a "legitimate" theater ("The Garrick") at this location that was torn down to build the Tower, so perhaps this female phantom is connected to that building and predates the Tower.

Interestingly, a former usherette was murdered (shot twice in the head) in 1929 after she finished her shift at the Tower. So then again, perhaps she is the girlie ghost that has been seen here. Maybe, she is forever stuck doing her rounds one last time before leaving for the night.

Given this theater's "movie" history, it is not surprising that the other commonly seen ghost is that of a male projectionist seen in the projection booth. In addition, a location scout who visited the theater claims that a "hand" grabbed him while he was trying to ascend the stairs from the restrooms to the lobby with such force, it pulled him backward.

So, if you ever have the chance to see a live show at this creepy venue, make sure that the person brushing up against you is actually there.

http://www.towertheaterla.com/

If you know of another ghost story (or another version of a story mentioned), or if you have personally experienced something strange at this theater, please leave a comment.

(to read about another haunted theater in the L.A. area...)