Oct. 10th Screening

The legendary Count Smokula (the vaudevillian vampire) sang soulful songs of his homeland, Smokeslyvania (with his accordion of death), while standing in front of the San Fernando Valley's most famous Gothic castle. His Svengali-like powers were strong that night as the crowd of 40 sang along and clapped into the night. Then, as the gathered phantom fans hushed, the ghost stories of this local landmark were told. Afterward, the movie Haunted Castle was screened in front of an actual haunted castle.

Castle Park may be a place for family fun during the daytime, but late at night, after the park closes, golfers of another kind appear. According to the night shift, most of the paranormal activity occurs along the northern border of the property, parallel with the southern bank of the Los Angeles River. One encounter involved a giggling little boy, playfully hiding and peeking up from behind the bushes (next to the miniature castle) who vanished when told that the park was closed. Other sightings of this mischievous lad have occurred in the Castle's arcade and the restrooms. Also, a woman dressed in black with her head down has been seen near the fake "haunted house" on the 6th hole of course #3 walking along the fence. She then disappears when a flashlight is shined on her. The origin of these ghosts (as past down through the decades) is that one night, while playing a round of mini-golf, a mother and her child met with an unfortunate end (apparently without any of the staff noticing). The next morning, both were found at the bottom of the central pond with head injuries. Whether these deaths were the result of a tragic accident or foul play is still a mystery. Although no one has ever verified this story, the legend still persists to this day. It is also interesting to note that this tale is not unlike the legend of "La Llorona" ("The Weeping Woman"), the ghost of a crying Mexican mother (dressed in black), who wanders the banks of rivers and other bodies of water in the South-Western United States and Mexico, grieving for her own drowned children. Could there be a connection?

For more info about Count Smokula
(or to buy his CD) go to
http://www.countsmokula.com/
(photos by Kristin Bedford)
Ghostswanted: Putt-Putt Poltergeist

(more info on this haunted location)

October's SPIRITS with SPIRITS

GHOULA meets for cocktails in haunted places on the 13th of each month. “SPIRITS with SPIRITS” is a casual gathering of regional ghost hunters and those that just like ghost stories. Open to all, from the curious skeptic to the passionate phantom pursuer. Make friends, and toast a ghost! Let's put the “Boo!” back into “booze.” All those who attend will receive a free G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you already have one, please wear it so others can find you.

THE DATE: October 13th, 2010 (Wednesday)
THE PLACE: Gallery Bar, Biltmore Hotel
(506 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles) Map
THE TIME 8:00pm to 11:00pm

THE GHOST(S):

When the Biltmore Hotel opened in 1923, it was the largest hotel west of the Mississippi. Five years later they expanded, and built the world's largest ballroom. Everything about this place is big and ornate, from the repeating angel motif carved into the moldings (to represent Los Angeles) to the hotel's nautically-themed health club and indoor pool, which was modeled after the decks of the (famously haunted) Queen Mary. Even the ghost stories are numerous and bigger than life.

Most famously the ghost of legendary murder victim, Elizabeth Short (better known as "The Black Dahlia") has been seen (wearing a black dress) through out the lobby, elevators, and halls of this famous hotel. The bar is said to be last last public place she was seen alive.

There is also a lost little girl that has been seen in the lobby, who vanishes into thin air when staff approach her to help.

There are two ghosts trapped in the basement, a young red-haired woman, and a solemn nun, who probably dates back to the late 1800's when St. Vincent's College occupied this land (which later became Loyola Marymount University). Or, could this be two sides of the same ghost? Could the nun actually have red hair under her habit?

The oddest apparition that has been reported in the hotel is that of a well-dressed male phantom that loiters on various floors, but always near an ice machine. When a hotel guest approaches (and steps around the "man") to fill his ice bucket, he will feel a hand slide into his pocket (as if an attempt to steal it contents or "pick-pocket"). Once caught in the act, the phantom man vanishes into thin air.

Additionally, there is a man in a tuxedo that has been seen by bartenders over the years, but only in the reflection of one of the many mirrors in the bar room. When they look at the actual part of the room where he should be standing (or sitting) there is no one, but when they look back at the mirror, there he is.

There have also been reports of knocks coming from inside the walls. Apparently during a renovation, rooms were combined to create larger suites. In such cases, the extra bathrooms were walled in, instead of removed. So, every now and then, someone will hear desperate pounding on the other side, as if someone was trapped inside one of those hidden rooms.

The most well known ghost story amongst the employees is that of "Mrs. Baker," who it is said lived in the hotel for over sixty years. She apparently had a deal with the management, that she would only pay the prices (including all hotel services, food, and even rent) as they were set sixty years previous, when she originally moved in. This agreement was supposedly written into every contract for sale for every subsequent owner of the property. The legend goes that when she was old and senile, a previous owner (who wanted more money for her suite), unceremoniously moved her into retirement home, where she died shortly there after. Ever since then, her elderly ghost continues to occupy her old suite.

Why do so many of the spirits that reside in the hotel seem to be trapped here?

Is it any mystery that when the film Ghostbusters needed a location for the very haunted "Sedgewick Hotel" (the home of "Slimer"), the location mangers turned to the very haunted Biltmore?

(to see last month's location...)

Haunted Films at Haunted Places (3 of 5)

Date: October 17 (Sunday)
Time: 7:30
Movie: "House on Haunted Hill" (1999)
Location: A real Haunted Hospital

GHOULA is working with the EPFC's Filmmobile to present a series of free outdoor screenings every Sunday in October at a different haunted site. Each evening will consist of a "haunted" movie, guest speaker, a discussion of the location's ghost(s), and maybe some other activities. (Don't forget to bring a chair.)

(Note: GHOULA and the EPFC Filmmobile will only disclose the actual location 24 hours before showtime. So, check out their facebook page for the exact directions to this screening, or just check out the GHOULA site the day before.)

This Sunday's movie, "House on Haunted Hill" (1999) is an odd (but fun) remake of the 1959 classic. In addition to adding more blood in the scenes, the producers inexplicably set the story in a hospital on a hill (as opposed to a "house" like the title suggests). Geoffrey Rush (who must reprise the role created by the great Vincent Prince) delivers his own great scenery-chewing performance that surely would make Vincent Price's corpse smile. It is also interesting to note, that this time around the main character designs theme park attractions for a living. Is this a nod to the influence William Castle (the creator of the original "House on Haunted Hill) had on the development of Disneyland (for more info...)

Future "Haunted Films at Haunted Places" will feature...

October 24th, "House on Haunted Hill" (1959) @ the original haunted hill.
October 31th, "Haunted Silent Shorts" @ a haunted 1920's hotel.

Sunday's Secret Screening Location!

Location: Castle Park

Come out for our second free outdoor screening tomorrow (Sun, 0ct 10, @7:30pm) and see "Haunted Castle" at this actually haunted castle. Also, hear about this local landmark's ghost stories in the very place where the apparitions have been seen. Then, after the picture (its a short movie) join us for a round of "Paranormal Putt-Putt." ($4.50 for 18 holes)

The screen will be within Castle Park adjacent to Course #1

This miniaturized merry-land, originally called GOLF LAND II, first dropped its draw-bridge for the public in July of 1975 at a cost of $705,000, and covered five acres of land owned by the city of Los Angeles, but never developed because of its “undesirable nature." Due to its highly visible site at the north-west corner of the intersection of the 405 and 101 freeway (the busiest interchange in the world), most Angelinos know this place even if they have never set foot inside the fanciful oasis. For the uninitiated, this miniature golf kingdom consists of a mighty castle surrounded by three royal courses designed by the putt-putt savant, William Rameson, who not only figured out each hole, but also designed all the fanciful structures. Over the years, it has been the home to various celebrity miniature golf tournaments.

"Haunted" Films at Haunted Places! (2 of 5)

Date: October 10th (Sunday)

Time: 7:30 Movie: "Haunted Castle" (1921)

Location: An actual Haunted Castle

GHOULA is working with the EPFC Filmmobile to present a series of free outdoor screenings every Sunday in October at a different haunted site. Each evening will consist of a "haunted" movie, guest speaker, a discussion of the location's ghost(s), and maybe some other activities. (Don't forget to bring a chair.)

(Note: GHOULA and the EPFC Filmmobile will only disclose the actual location 24 hours before showtime. So, check out their facebook page for the exact directions to this screening, or just check out the GHOULA site the day before.)

This Sunday's movie, "Haunted Castle" is the earliest surviving example of horror pioneer, F.W. Murnau's work (that has been released to video). Of his 21 films, nine are lost, nine are with us and on video and three exist only in archives. At a weekend gathering in a castle, a man suspected of murdering his own brother (but never convicted) shows up suddenly. His brother's widow also shows up with her new husband and resents the man's presence but for reasons other than what we assume. There are family secrets and our anti-hero is here to expose them and the real murderer.

Check this site 24 hours before this event to get directions to the haunted location of this evening's screening.

Future "Haunted Films at Haunted Places" will feature....

October 17th, "House on Haunted Hill" (1999) @ a real haunted hospital.

October 24th, "House on Haunted Hill" (1959) @ the original haunted hill.

October 31th, "Haunted Silent Shorts" @ a haunted 1920's hotel.

Haunted Lit!

Meet “Weird Hollywood” in a haunted bar!

(Their "ladies room" is said to be haunted)

Date: October 5 (Friday)

Time: 8:00pm

Location: Boardners bar

1652 North Cherokee Ave., Hollywood (map)

The newest in the “Weird” series of books is officially out today, this one focusing on the weirdest city of all… “Weird Hollywood.” (including a section on local ghost stories).

This Friday night, writer Joe Oesterle, a number of the book’s subjects, and other special guests will be at the legendary Boardners bar off Hollywood Blvd. to mingle, sign books, and share some of the weirder tales Los Angeles has been host to.

CreepyLA is co-hosting this crazy shindig and we’d love all of our readers to stop by and check out this free event.

Confirmed appearances so far include:
Karie Bible (from Film Radar, and more notoriously rumored to be the Lady In Black)
Scott Michaels (celebrity death expert, owner/operator of Dearly Departed Tours)
Count Smokula (horror host, songwriter)
Dennis Woodruff (yeah, that guy with the cars)
Richard Carradine (GHOULA founder, author of The Park After Dark: An Unauthorized Guide to the Happiest (Haunted) Place on Earth)
Christopher Dennis (Hollywood Blvd.’s “Superman”)
Steve Goldstein (author of LA’s Graveside Companion: Where the VIPs RIP)
Donna Lethal (sassy Hollywood afficionado and writer)
Lynn Garrett (founder, Hidden LA)
David Markland (creator, CreepyLA)
Pending: Angelyne (billboard queen)
Pending: Legendary celebrity interviewer and public access host Skip E. Lowe
More to be added – feel free to check back here for additional updates, or visit the event’s Facebook page.

Grab a copy of the book at your nearest Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, or directly from Joe at the event.

The Oct. 3rd Screening.

As the sun set over the boulevard of broken dreams, a group of thirty people braved the weather, and the narrow, winding roads of the Hollywood Hills, only to abandon their cars and walk up a dirt path to a secret location under the haunted "H" of the world famous Hollywood Sign. Their purpose was to enjoy the magic of cinema (courtesy of the EPFC Filmmobile) on the very spot said to be haunted by Peg Entwistle. The tales of her ghost were shared. David Markland, the creator of Creepyla.com (that night's guest speaker) told those in attendance his favorite creepy places in L.A., as well as the Halloween highlights to look forward to this October. Then, as if it were pre-ordered, the fog rolled in, and the wind whistled, to create the perfect atmosphere just as the movie began.

77 years earlier (at the same time of year), a sad, depressed, possibly drunk, unemployed actress left her home on Beachwood Drive and started walking up the road to the Hollywood sign. On that treacherous hike, that probably took her most of the night, she eventually made it to her destination, the fifty-foot letter "H" at the beginning of the internationally recognized Hollywood sign (then the Hollywoodland Sign). She climbed a ladder that was attached to the backside of the flat metal structure, and leaped to her death once she reached the top. It is thought that she did not die instantly, but instead lingered for hours in the brush below, where her corpse was eventually discovered by hikers. For a short time she was simply known as "The Hollywood Sign Girl," until her published suicide note was recognized by her uncle. Her name was Peg Entwistle. Miss Entwistle's note read

"I am afraid I am a coward. I am sorry for everything. If I had done this a long time ago, it would have saved a lot of pain."

When people tell her tale, they always point out the ironic twist that occurred shortly after her death. A letter arrived at her address, stating that she had landed the lead role in a new play about a woman who commits suicide. However, there's seems to be a bigger irony that very rarely is mentioned. This act of desperation over the lack of a show-biz career, ended up making her more famous (or infamous) than any of her working contemporaries. Not everyone can easily name the stars of the early 1930's, but most people know the Hollywood Sign Girl.

Her legend seems to grow with each passing year, and as it does, so do the stories of her restless ghost near the famous landmark. Most people describe her apparition as a young woman dressed in a 1930's style white gown walking along a trail (sometimes dazed). She is most commonly seen by hikers (not unlike those that originally found her body) and dog walkers in the very early or very late hours. Witnesses claim that she is accompanied by the strong scent of the gardenia flower (thought to be her favorite perfume). Some accounts even describe her reenacting her final moments stepping off of the top of the "H" only to vanish as she falls. She seems doomed to repeat the last moments of that last night over and over again, just as we also seemed doomed to repeat those last moments with each retelling of her story.

Sunday's Secret Haunted Location!

The Hollywood Sign is perhaps this city's only true icon (like London has "Big Ben" and Paris has the Eiffel Tower). If you cut to the Hollywood Sign in a movie, it easily establishes the location for any audience. Then again, it does spell it out for them.

This world famous landmark also has a ghost story.

Come out for our free outdoor screening tomorrow (@7:30pm) and hear the Hollywood Sign's ghost story in the actual location where the apparition has been seen.

We will be screening "Haunted Honeymoon" at the end of Canyon Lake Drive, where the trail begins under the Haunted "H." (map)

An easy way of getting there is to take Lake Hollywood Drive from Barham Blvd. in the Cahuenga Pass.

Park on the street, but please be respectful of the neighborhood. See you there!

Real Ghosts with Reel Ghosts!

THE DATE: October 31th (Sunday)

THE TIME: 11:00pm

THE PLACE: The Silent Movie Theater

(611 N. Fairfax Ave.) map

THE MOVIE: House On Haunted Hill (1959)

THE PRICE: $10.00

Come out and see a movie about ghosts in an actual haunted theater!

The Silent Movie Theater is said to be the home of a phantom projectionist and a disappearing/reappearing blood stain in the lobby... (read more)

Real Ghosts with Reel Ghosts!

THE DATE: Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 23, 24)

THE TIME: 9:20
THE PLACE: The New Beverly Cinema
(7165 W. Beverly Blvd.) map
THE MOVIE: Ghost Breakers (1940)
plus second feature Cat and the Canary (1939)
THE ADMISSION PRICE: $7.00

Your chance to see this movie about ghosts in an actual haunted theater! (Note: this event is not hosted by GHOULA, and is just an event our members should know about.)

The New Beverly Cinema is said to be the home of a phantom projectionist, and an audience member apparition... (read more)

Real Ghosts with Reel Ghosts!

THE DATE: October 23 (Saturday)

THE TIME: 8:00pm
THE PLACE: The Alex Theater
216 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale (map)
THE MOVIE: Hold That Ghost (1941)

THE PRICE: $13.50

Come out and see a movie about ghosts in an actual haunted theater!
The Alex Theater is said to be the home of phantom bride and ghostly couple... (read more)

Comedy Store Ghost Tours!

GREYSTONE GHOST TOUR!

FRIDAY NIGHT FRIGHT NIGHT

Where: Greystone Park (map)
When: Fridays, October 22 & 29, Saturdays, October 23 & 30
Admission: $25 per person (SOLD OUT!)

Do you have the nerve to join the Park Rangers for a scary night time tour of Greystone Mansion? Learn about the strange activities that have occurred in this deserted mansion. Are the haunting rumors true? Find out for yourself…..if you dare.

REAL GHOSTS with REEL GHOSTS!

DATE: October
TIME: Various (check showtimes)
PLACE: Westwood Village Theater
961 Broxton Avenue Los Angeles (map)
MOVIE: The Hereafter (2010)
ADMISSION: $11.50

Your chance to see this movie about ghosts in an actual haunted theater! (Note: this event is not hosted by GHOULA, and is just an event our members should know about. Thus, the event staff may not answer any questions regarding their ghosts.)

The Villiage is said to be haunted by a phantom gunman (to read more about this theater's ghost...)

(for more info on this event...)

Haunted Fims at Haunted Places!

Date: October 3 (Sunday)

Time: 7:30

Movie: "Haunted Honeymoon" (1986)

Location: Hollywood's most famous haunted landmark

GHOULA is working with the EPFC Filmmobile to present a series of free outdoor screenings every Sunday in October at a different haunted site. Each evening will consist of a "haunted" movie, guest speaker, a discussion of the location's ghost(s), and maybe some other activities. (Don't forget to bring a chair.)

(Note: GHOULA and the EPFC Filmmobile will only disclose the actual location 24 hours before showtime. So, check out their facebook page for the exact directions to this screening, or just check out the GHOULA site the day before.)

This Sunday's movie, "Haunted Honeymoon" is the fourth feature film for which Gene Wilder wrote, directed, starred, and sang. Though it has never achieved the cult status of the other three, it is certainly bizarre enough to warrant a second look. This is the kind of movie that just when you think it can't get any stranger, it does (with the introduction of a were-wolf, or a transvestite, or a musical number). Also, Dom Deluise gives an inspired comedy performance which unfortunately earned him this film's only award, a Golden Razzie, the anti-Oscar for bad work in the entertainment industry. Not only is this movie really just Wilder's love letter to the classic Hollywood horror films of the 1930's, and is about the "show business" of that era, but it also features a "ghost" that is similar to the one seen at our secret haunted screening location.

Check this site 24 hours before this event to get directions to the haunted location of this evening's screening.

Future "Haunted Films at Haunted Places" will feature....

October 10th, "Haunted Castle" @ an actual haunted castle.

October 17th, "House on Haunted Hill" (1999) @ a real haunted hospital.

October 24th, "House on Haunted Hill" (1959) @ the original haunted hill.

October 31th, "Haunted Silent Shorts" @ a haunted 1920's hotel.

Real Ghosts with Reel Ghosts!

THE DATE: Friday & Saturday, Oct. 15&16
THE TIME: Fri: 7:30; Sat: 7:00
THE PLACE: The New Beverly Cinema
(7165 W. Beverly Blvd.) map
THE MOVIE: Rosemary's Baby (1968)
plus second feature Chinatown (1974)
THE ADMISSION PRICE: $7.00

Your chance to see this movie about ghosts in an actual haunted theater! (Note: this event is not hosted by GHOULA, and is just an event our members should know about.)

The New Beverly Cinema is said to be the home of a phantom projectionist, and an audience member apparition... (read more)

Although this is really more a movie about the devil than it is about the paranormal world of ghosts (though some believe they are the same), we mention this film because it is a famously cursed movie. Everyone involved (because of the involvement) had bad luck afterward. That curse has even been tied to Disneyland. (for more info...)

They're heeeeeere!

The So-Cal Para-Con is here! The Southern California Paranormal Convention is the BIGGEST paranormal gathering EVER in So Cal.

(Note: This is not a GHOULA event, but GHOULA will be participating,

so come by our table and say "hello.")

Date: Saturday October 2, 2010
Time: 10:00 am- 9:00 pm.
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center
WEST HALL, Rooms 403 A/B.
(1201 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles)
Park in the WEST HALL LOT. Parking is $12.

General admission: $35 (Investigation + Admission: $75)

SPECIAL EVENTS
Exclusive ghost hunt at LINDA VISTA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL immediately following the convention with special guest investigators Christopher Saint Booth (The Haunted Boy: the Secret Diaries of 'The Exorcist'" documentary), Rex Williams (Destination Truth), Douglas Carnahan (XTreme Hauntings Live), Thomas Durant (occult specialist and demonologist) and David Harvey (both paranormal investigators). Tickets are limited and on sale now with only a few left, so get yours now at www.SoCalParaCon.com!

GUEST SPEAKERS
Christopher Saint Booth- SyFy Channel Documentary Film Maker.
Rex Williams- Medic for SyFy Channel's hit show "Destination Truth."
C.R. Sanders & Courtney Armstrong- Producers of the A&E Biography Channel's #1 tv show "My Ghost Story."
Thomas Durant- Occult Specialist and Demonologist.
Don Staggs- Psychic-Empath and Paranormal Investigator.
Douglas Carnahan- The Haunted Truth Radio Show host and Xtreme Hauntings Live host.
David Harvey- Paranormal Researcher, Investigator and Historian.
Stefan Brigati- Founder of Pacific Coast Paranormal
Mark Nelson- Psychic and Psychometry Readings
Syd Schultz- Founder of City of Angels Paranormal and Paranormal Boot Camp events.
Donn Shy- the Paranormal Publicist and Investigator
Lisa Craft- Author, Investigator, and fellow at the Pangea Institute for Science, Education and Conservation.
Marie D. Jones- Author and Psychic Investigator
Michael & Marti Parry- Spirit Communicators and Gallery Readings
Tuesday Miles- Psychic, Researcher and Case Manager
Gian Temperilli- Author and Investigator.

A vendors hall will be open for shopping, games and photo ops. A Team Showcase area will be available for those wishing to learn more about Paranormal Investigation Teams and meet several located in Southern California and discover some of the evidence they have captured. For a complete list of vendors, please visit http://socalparacon.com/Vendors.html.

For more information, please visit http://www.socalparacon.com/.

Real Ghosts with Reel Ghosts!

THE DATE: Monday, Oct. 25

THE TIME: 9:00pm

THE PLACE: The New Beverly Cinema

(7165 W. Beverly Blvd.) map

THE MOVIE: The Ghost Breakers (1940)

plus second feature The Cat and the Canary (1939)

THE ADMISSION PRICE: $7.00

Your chance to see this movie about ghosts in an actual haunted theater! (Note: this event is not hosted by GHOULA, and is just an event our members should know about.)

The New Beverly Cinema is said to be the home of a phantom projectionist, and an audience member apparition... (read more)

Highlights from Sept's SWS

Thank you to all who came out (we filled the place). Also a big thank you to the owner for opening her doors on a Monday just for us. A good time was had by all. As it turns out, this little neighborhood bar had another ghost-themed event (a book signing) the night before. So, the spirits were all warmed up for us.

(to read more about the ghosts of this tavern...)

Real Ghosts with Reel Ghosts!

THE DATE: October 23 (Saturday)
THE TIME: 2:00 & 8:00pm

THE PLACE: The Alex Theater

216 North Brand Boulevard, Glendale (map)

THE MOVIE: The Haunting (1963)
THE PRICE: $13.50

(NOTE: This is not a GHOULA event. So, the staff may not share the ghost stories connected to this theater. This is just a ghost-themed event that GHOULA wants its members to know about.)

Come out and see a movie about ghosts in an actual haunted theater! The Alex Theater is said to be the home of phantom bride and ghostly couple... (read more)

One of Bud and Lou's best, Hold That Ghost finds the team as gas station attendants who inherit a haunted tavern, where they (along with several travelers) spend a hilariously spooky night complete with murder, dead bodies, and a mysterious moving candle!!