The Ghost of William Castle?

Location: Stories Books & Café Presents
Date: October 27 (Thursday)
Time: 7:30pm

The Return of the Late Legendary Horror Filmmaker William Castle
With a Reading From His New Novel
From the Grave: The Prayer
By His Own Flesh and Blood, Terry Castle

All Ages Welcome!
Halloween Tricks & Treats Including
Demonstration of Castle Family Secret Recipe for Blood

Known for his ingenious marketing gimmicks, legendary horror film producer and director William Castle (1914-1977) has returned from the dead with his first new work in decades, From the Grave: The Prayer (Volume 1), a novel for young adults. Due out this Halloween season in early October 2011, the 75,000-word book set in Hollywood and Southern France is a compelling thriller infused with history, suspense, and horror.

EMERGO-a-go-go!

When, House on Haunted Hill was originally released in 1959, Director William Castle promised that a ghost would appear in the theater while the movie played. On October 22nd at the Aero Theater in Santa Monica, a skeleton flew high above the audience, around the auditorium, dived down at unsuspecting patrons, and even spoke, mimicking the dialogue on screen. The "skeleton" was designed by Jesse Kingsley, and manipulated by master puppeteer, Eli Presser.

"Best Emergo ever!"
-- Terry Castle (daughter of William)
"That was the Rolls-Royce of Emergos"-- Steve Bickel (original Emergo operator)

(to read more about this screening... )

Old Fashsioned Ghostly Fun!

Panorama of Horrors Spook Show

Date: October 28 (Friday)
Time: 8 pm, 11pm
Place: The Velaslavasay Panorama
1122 West 24th Street, Los Angeles
Tickets: $10

Before the Comics Code Authority sanitized the industry in the mid-‘50s, kids gobbled up horrific tales of murder and the occult in comic books. The Captured Aural Phantasy Theater bring select masterpieces of pre-Code Comic Book terror to life in the Panorama of Horrors Spook Show. The show is built around radio program-style performances of vintage comic book stories and other pop culture gems, along with live sound effects, music and projected art. The evening also includes short acts, a seance, sultry singing, prizes, and live music. This show is packed with thrills such as 1953’s Mad Hate of Dr. Zart! and music by members of the ghastly surf band “The Noble Gasses”!

Nurtured in Chicago, Captured Aural Phantasy Theater is now in Los Angeles and is dedicated to producing high-quality live, filmed and recorded entertainment.

Arrive early for your Zombie Makeover! And come in costume!

Wicked Lit 2011

(Note: This is not a GHOULA event. It is a ghost-themed event happening in Los Angeles that we feel may be of interest to our members.)

This year's show will be at Mountain View Mausoleum and Cemetery, and features theatrical adaptations of classic horror literature being performed as a walking production throughout the grounds of the cemetery.

The scope of Wicked Lit is to create and produce new stage plays based on classic horror literature. Wicked Lit launched its inaugural production in 2009 at the haunted Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills and has also produced a sold-out show at the Biltmore Hotel in conjunction with the Theatre Communications Group National Conference in 2011.

This year they will return to Altadena for this Halloween season after a sold-out run at Mountain View in 2010. In addition to the creating fully realized productions, Wicked Lit has presented over 70 staged readings of new plays at theatres, libraries, schools, and festivals all over Southern California. These readings have taken place in communities throughout Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties.

Production A
Press performances: October 21, 22, and 23 at 8pm
Featuring Charles Dickens' The Chimes, H. P. Lovecraft's The Unnambale, and Edgar Allan Poe's The Cask of Amontillado

Production B
Press performances: October 28, 29 and 30 at 8pm
Featuring Robert Louis Stevenson's The Body Snatcher, M. R. Jame's Casting the Runes, and Mark Twain's A Ghost Story

Mountain View Mausoleum and Cemetery
2300 N. Marengo Ave
Altadena, CA 91001
DO NOT ENTER FROM FAIR OAKS

You can find more information about Wicked Lit here.

Paranormal Fundraiser Event

Date: Saturday, October 22
Time: 12:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Casa Del Mexicano
2900 Calle Pedro Infante, Los Angeles, CA
Admission: $15.00

(Note: This is not a GHOULA event. This is a ghost-themed event happening in Los Angeles, the we feel may be of interest to our members.)

Created By
Frank Beruecos, Dawn Gomez Epi

Joining the event will be:
3AM Paranormal
Planet Paranormal
Gian Temperilli
NOPS (North Orange County Paranormal Society)
Donn Shy
Kathryn Willson
Eastside Paranormal Investigations
Beyond Paranormal Investigations
Mindstsate Magazine
Mr. Wayne Poe (So. Cal Paranormal Investigators Documentary)
S.U.R.G.E Paranormal to present Tech 101
Afterlife Investigations
Inland Empire Ghost Hunters

SCHEDULE -DOORS OPEN AT 11:00AM
11:30am - 12:30pm - Meet and Greet
12:30pm - 12:40pm - Introduction - Frank Beruecos & Dawn Gomez
12:40pm - 12:55pm - History of Casa Del Mexicano - Martha & Ruben Soriano
1:00pm - 1:55pm - Planet Paranormal
2:00pm - 2:55pm - Syd Shultz
3:00pm - 4:00pm - 3AM Paranormal
4:00pm - 4:30pm - Break
4:30pm - 5:00pm - Donn Shy
5:00pm - 5:55pm - A.J Barrera
6:00pm - 6:55pm - Gian Temperilli
7:00pm - 8:00pm - S.U.R.G.E Paranormal
8:00pm - 8:30pm - Kathryn Wilson
8:30pm - 8:40pm - Closing - Frank Beruecos & Dawn Gomez

La Luz de Jesus Seance

For one night only!
La Luz de Jesus Halloween Séance
with mentalist Mark Edward

(Note: This not a GHOULA event. This is a ghost-themed event happening in Los Angeles, we feel is of interest to our members)

On Sunday, October 30th from 7 - 9 PM, @ La Luz de Jesus Séance.

Mentalist Mark Edward (a regular performer at The Magic Castle) will be communicating with some of the deceased artists featured in our 25th Anniversary Exhibition.

RSVP for a chance to sit at the séance table!
info@laluzdejesus.com

Friday's Secret Screening Haunted Location!

Location: Haunted Forrest of Altadena
The north end of Lake Ave @ East Loma Alta Drive, Altadena (map)
Behind the big gate (pictured above)

Come out for this year's first free outdoor screening tomorrow (Friday, 0ct 21, @8:00pm) and see "Haunted Forest" at this real haunted forest like the one in the movie. (For more info about the movie...) Also, hear about this local landmark's history (and ghost stories) from Skylaire Alfvegren from SoCal L.O.W.F.I.

Don't forget to bring chairs and flashlights.

Altadena's Haunted Forest (sometimes called "The Enchanted Forest" or "The Super-Natural Cemetery") is Southern California's own version of the fictional story told in "The Blair Witch Project." The wooded area under Echo Mountain, where a large mansion (built in 1915) once stood has supposedly claimed the souls of many hikers that have just mysteriously disappeared when entering these grounds.

The land was originally owned by Oregon lumber tycoon, Charles Cobb, who was said to be a Mason, as well as a member of other secret societies. Local lore claims he (with others) performed strange rituals out in these isolated woods, perhaps summoning dark forces, and even torturing and sacrificing humans (who are also said to buried under the estate).

A year before Charles Cobb died, a woman who was hitchhiking her way to the 1939 World's Fair in San Francisco, and who accepted a ride from a butcher from San Diego, found herself at the large gates to the Cobb Estate. The butcher brought her to this spot, with the apparent intent to murder her there. While he was bludgeoning her with his metal sausage-stuffer, the Cobb's housekeeper called the sheriff. When, the sheriff arrived, they were both unconscious, and she was still alive. The butcher maintained that the last thing he remembered was driving through Whittier, as if he were in a trance that brought him to the Cobb Estates large iron gates.

After Cobb's death, nuns took over the property until it was eventually purchased by legendary comedian Groucho Marx and his family, who intended on turning the land into a cemetery as a business venture. The cemetery never happened (at least not in that form), and today it is a park maintained by the Forestry Service for everyone (even spirits) to enjoy.

It appears that this area has been associated with ghost stories ever since the 1950's when local teens would dare each other to go into the scary abandon mansion.

According to legend, there is a ghost in chains that wanders these nature trails looking to feed on the life force of unlucky hikers that cross its path. Could this be a tortured victim of a long ago satanic ritual, or some renegade demon summoned by Cobb's coven? It is said that people hear disembodied screams and see glowing orbs floating down the paths, which are thought to be the spirits of this dark entity's victims. The orbs are thought to be the phantom flashlights of hiker's still trying to find their way out of the bewitched woods.

However, there are also stories that in the 1890's prospectors mined this area for gold. Northern California's folklore is filled with stories of ghosts that protect their gold deposits, or "ghost lights" that mark a location of hidden gold (this phenomenon is even referenced in the novel Dracula). Could that be the true nature of the haunted forest's mysterious glowing orbs?

Come out and join us, and maybe you will find out for yourself.

Haunted Films @ Haunted Places (1 of 2)

Date: October 21 (Friday)
Time: 8:00pm
Movie: Haunted Forest (2007)
Location: An actual Haunted Forest (details to follow)

For the second year, GHOULA is working with the EPFC's Filmmobile to present a series of free outdoor screenings on the last two Fridays 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 Friday's movie... "Haunted Forest"

In the forest, only the trees can hear you scream. A vengeful tree spirit wreaks havoc on visitors to a mountain forest to avenge a crime committed 200 years before.

(for more info about the location...)
Future "Haunted Films at Haunted Places" will feature...

October 28th, "Haunted House Silent Shorts" @ an actual Haunted House.

Highlights from Oct's SWS!

A big thank you to the staff of the world famous Comedy Store. They could not have made us feel more welcome. Personalized guided tours of the infamous haunted basement, as well as entry to the comedy show, and free passes to their "Haunted Midnights" event (every Friday night in October).

For those that came, the basement tour is just a teaser for the fun in store if you come back for their "Haunted Midnights." Needless to say, there are ghosts (and ghost stories) about the whole club, which you will see on the midnight tours, including one of the supposed "gun turrets" from the club's notorious gangster days. Also, they will be sharing little known ghost stories like "The Woman in White." Could she be a former glamorous patron or maybe the nurse, who preformed the illegal abortions in the basement. Come out and find out.

Plus, our friends at Paranormal EXP will share the evidence they gathered from a recent investigation of the building. All this and a themed comedy show free to those that came to SPIRITS with SPIRITS ($15.00 otherwise).

So, show your appreciation for the kindness they showed GHOULA, and support this local business that is not shying away from their haunted history.

P.S. For what it is worth, one of the members present, claimed that there was a time when a friend of his (a comic) was homeless, and squatted in the basement for months, unbeknownst to the management or other staff. Could some of the claims of noises in the basement be him?

(to read more about this location's ghosts... )

Haunted Midnights @ The Comedy Store

Haunted Midnights at the Comedy Store
Join them every Friday Night in October for an evening of ghoulish delights culminating in a flashlight tour of Hollywood's most haunted building.
(for some of the ghost stories of the Comedy Store...)

Audio and Video Proof!
(from our friends at Paranormal EXP)
Spooky Tales with your host Skitzo
The Dark Powers of Mentalist Brent Webb

(Note: This event is not hosted by GHOULA, but is something we feel our members should know about.)

For tickets and info go to http://www.comedystore.com/

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 (square) G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you already have one, please wear it so others can find you, without asking the staff.

THE DATE: October 13th, 2011 (Thusday)
THE PLACE: The Comedy Store
8433 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood (Map)
THE TIME: 8:00pm to the witching hour

NOTE: There will be no cover charge for those coming to the famous Comedy Store for SPIRITS with SPIRITS. Also, our group will have access to the notorious haunted basement, as well as other surprises. Because there is limited space in the club, it's best to RSVP. (to RSVP find us on Facebook, or email us at ghoulahq@live.com)

THE GHOSTS:
The "Sunset Strip" is generally defined as the part of Sunset Blvd that connects Hollywood to Beverly Hills. Anyone who has driven down the Strip on a Saturday night (or watches TMZ) knows that this area represents the wild side of Tinseltown, where Angelenos go to party. This street's raucous reputation seems to date back to the 1920's, and possibly even further to the era when outlaws and bandits like Tiburcio Vasquez rode through here.

It is thought that Sunset Blvd was created back in 1780 and up until 1984, this infamous section of it was still unincorporated land, as in it was officially not part of the city of Los Angeles.. Thus, the Strip was outside the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Police Department. As a result, from the 1920's and up, it was a safe haven for casinos, brothels (both gay and straight), burlesque theaters, and speak-easys, which explains the high concentration of historic night-clubs that still stand along this winding section of Sunset.

The building that the Comedy Store occupies is no exception. Before this legendary comedy club, and the larger than life people associated with it, occupied this location, other equally grand clubs and characters occupied this spot. In the 1920's, the Club Seville operated out of this address with its themed "Arabian Nights Room" and its "Marine Room," which featured a dance floor made of crystal with fountains, fish, and colorful lights underneath it (fifty years before "Saturday Night Fever"). Other less memorable night clubs followed from Marcel's to the futuristic-sounding Spectrum 2000.

However, the most famous club previously at this site was Ciro's restaurant, where the Hollywood elite would come to drink and socialize, possibly before visiting Hollywood's most notorious brothel next door. It is widely suspected that gangster, Mickey "The King of the Sunset Strip" Cohen, used this glamorous hot-spot as his base of operations. There are even claims that the building still has the peep-holes and hidden gun stations left over from the bloody turf tensions of the "Sunset Wars" of 1947.

Additionally, a popular legend states that the basement was used by Cohen and his cohorts to beat and/or murder their enemies, and possibly dispose of the bodies under the floor. Likewise, there has been claims that illegal abortions were conducted down there for Ciro's dance girls, and possibly the neighboring prostitutes, who found themselves in a "family way." Stories like these are often given by charlatan psychics and ghost hunters, since there is generally no way to verify them, but given the area's lawless history, such tales seem quite plausible for this location.

It is commonly believed that the ghosts and spiritual unrest of today's Comedy Store stem from this dark era of the building's history. Witness' claim that a mysterious man in a brown leather World War II bomber jacket has been seen in the office upstairs as well as the kitchen and other locations in the club. He often appears to be hiding or crouching before vanishing into thin air. Could this be one of Mickey Cohen's victims?

Additionally, there are claims of disembodied moans, voices, cries and even snarls coming from the infamous basement, as well as phantom men in suits in the back of the main room, and a presence believed to be a former hit-man that employees refer to as "Gus." Chairs are said to slide across the floor by themselves. One witness even saw an ashtray float above a table.

However, the most famous story about the ghosts of the Comedy Store involves comedian Sam Kinison, a former preacher, whose loud, frenzied style of delivery always seemed to stir up paranormal activity. Strange audio and electrical problems would only occur during his sets, including mysterious hisses over the speakers that sounded suspiciously like someone repeatedly chanting "It's him!" One night after such problems, Kinison challenged the ghost from on stage to stop playing around and to make its presence known to everyone. At that moment, the lights in the club went out instantly, leaving everyone in pitch blackness. After a beat, the lights came back on by themselves. Everyone in the room gasped.

Lastly, there are two curious stories concerning the pavement just outside the Comedy Store's entrance. First, in 1960, a gas line under Sunset ruptured and large blue flames shot out of every crack in the sidewalk along the facade of the building. Though the curtain of blue flames didn't actually touch the building (or cause any damage), everyone inside was trapped until the firemen could figure out how to stop the eerie-looking fire.

Then, in 1979, a relatively unknown comedian named Steve Lubetkin unsuccessfully tried to organize comedians to go on strike for higher wages. Depressed, and banned from this venue, he went to the top of the Continental Hyatt House (now known as the Andaz West Hollywood) and jumped 13 stories to his death, landing next to the Comedy Store's entrance. His suicide note said "My name is Steve Lubetkin. I used to work at the Comedy Store." Some have theorized that his sad spirit still haunts the premises, wanting to perform one last time.

Most believe that the Comedy Store is one of the most haunted buildings in Hollywood. Is it? Come out, have a drink, and find out for yourself.

http://thecomedystore.com/
(to read more about the ghosts of this haunted location... )
(to read about last month's haunted location...)

Best EMERGO ever!

HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (1959)
Date: October 22 (Saturday)
Time: 7:30pm
Theater: The Aero
1328 Montana Ave, Santa Monica
Admission: $11.00

"House on Haunted Hill" (1959) is the first of William Castle's Horror "gimmick films." When it was originally screened, a plastic skeleton (sometimes an inflatable skeleton) was hoisted over the audience in effort to scare the patrons. Most of the time, people just threw popcorn at it (but had great fun all the same). This trick would later be employed at Disneyland's Haunted Mansion (it's debatable whether its any scarier there).

This classic horror film has a special place in GHOULA's black heart. The very first GHOULA event was a screening of this movie (with Emergo) as a fundraiser for the preservation of the Ennis House (the movie's "House"). Also, this film was in the line-up of GHOULA's first year of its "Haunted Films @ Haunted Places" free outdoor fim series.

Now, GHOULA is pleased to announce its involvement with a special screening of the film at the Aero in Santa Monica. GHOULA has been asked by Terry Castle (William's daughter) to provide the EMERGO for this screening, where she will be introducing her father's masterpiece, and signing copies of "House on Haunted Hill: The Annotated Screenplay."

It is our understanding that this will be the most elaborate, and realistic, EMERGO ever attempted in a movie theater, and is definitely a sight that should not be missed by any true movie buff.

(to read more about our version of Emergo... )

Highlights from Sept's SWS

For a restaurant that is supposed to have a dark cloud over it, everyone had a great time, enjoying the wonderful food of the Plum Tree Inn. We hope this restaurant breaks the supposed curse and sticks around for along time.

Plus, not only did we all get our fortune cookie at the end of the meal (a Los Angeles invention no matter what they say in San Francisco), we were also treated to a ghost story from our waiter...

Although he made it clear that he, himself, did not believe in ghosts, he told us that someone supposedly died upstairs, on the second floor of the restaurant. He said many members of the kitchen staff have heard (late at night) the sounds of footsteps, or a commotion, coming from up there, however when they go to check it out,... there is no one there. He said that the second floor is vacant, and is always locked, and yet they keep hearing this "person" walking around the empty rooms.

Could this be the "worker" said to have been killed during a renovation? Is he still wandering around looking for something to fix?

The manager of the restaurant confirmed this story, and added that he has actually heard the footsteps himself, so he knows this tale is true. He said he is a firm believer in ghosts, but he is not scared of the restaurant's ghost, or ghosts in general, because as he put it, he is an honest man.

(To read more about the Plum Tree Inn's ghosts...)

(photo of one of our tables taken from David Markland's phone)

September'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 (square) G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you already have one, please wear it so others can find you, without asking the staff.

THE DATE: September 13th, 2011 (Tuesday)
THE PLACE: Plum Tree Inn
913 N. Broadway, Chinatown (Map)
THE TIME: 7:00pm to 9:30pm (closing time)

THE GHOSTS:
Is there a better place to dine on 9/13 than at 913 N. Broadway? (Incidentally, in decades past the street address of this same building was advertised as 911, which also seems appropriate since we just had the tenth anniversary of 9/11).

Since the very beginning of "SPIRITS with SPIRITS," we at GHOULA have always wanted to go to a haunted bar/restaurant in Chinatown. Given, this area's dark history, and its many non-ghost legends (opium dens, brothels, lizard people, etc.), it always seemed like a perfect (super)natural fit for us. But, we were never able to get a ghost story out of any of the employees or patrons of these local restaurants. It seemed to be one part of town, we just couldn't crack... until a few days ago... (which was lucky for us since our other venue dropped out).

The Chinese culture has a rich history of spirit lore. It is said that their distinctive style of architecture uses curved, swooping roofs to keep the evil spirits on the outside. Such is also said to be the purpose of the stone "foo dog" statues flanking an entrance. Even in Los Angeles' Chinatown, the citizens used to organize a now forgotten large-scale "ghost festival" to appease and entertain the spirits.

However, in the the heart of Chinatown, the Plum Tree Inn does not have a curved, swooping roof. It does not have "foo dogs" protecting its entrance, and there has not been a "ghost festival" in this area for decades. There is however a three-piece tile mural (said to be the largest of its kind outside of China) featuring the "Palace in Heaven," a depiction of the after-life.

Do these ingredients form a recipe for evil spirits. Although, the management will deny (or ignore) such accusations, a source who wishes to remain anonymous says that the locals believe it is so.

How else can you explain the allegation that every change of ownership at this address is the result of one restaurant failing, vacating, and another starting from scratch in its wake. There have been so many unsuccessful owners and ideas here, from Club Brazil to New Grand East to Golden Palace to Ming's Pavilion to Gourmet Carousel to Plum Tree Inn, just to name a few. Some of these places were even very successful in another location, before or after they came here.

This concept of a "cursed" eatery, even extends to stories of a gang war that erupted here, and/or a workman who accidentally died in one of the past renovations as possible contenders for who haunts this place. Could those events create a darkness on the premises? Or, does the darkness create the events?

Although, GHOULA could not find any proof of either of those incidents (which doesn't mean they are not true), and the gang war story might have its roots in the fact that a former owner also owned the Golden Dragon, which became infamous because of the "Golden Dragon Massacre." Such a tale is possible since gang wars seem to be historically a popular pastime in Chinatown. We did however find other curious incidents in this address' history...

Back when it was Club Brazil in the 1940's ("The place everyone is talking about in Old Los Angeles"), a burglar who stole $8,000 from another club, on his way home broke into this establishment and mysteriously ransacked the interior, destroyed everything, and then left without stealing anything, as if he was just moved to do so.

When, the club became the New Grand East, one night in 1963 (at midnight) while the bar was full, the restaurant burst into flames, and burned to the ground. Luckily, no one was injured, but the puzzle of the origin of that sudden fire was never solved.

The most bizarre story connected to this location involves the former co-owner of the New Grand East, who in 1974, at 81 and nearly blind, was murdered on Halloween night in his home by three men wearing monster masks, who were 4 feet tall (yes, 4 feet tall). The "Trick-or-Treat Terrorists" as they where called by the newspapers, killed another man that night after forcing him to dig his own grave. The pint-sized psychos were caught the following year, when they attempted this sick ritual again, but their victim managed to escape.

Are there certain places that just seem to attract strange activity? Certain places that just seem to have a weird energy where business' can't take root. Come to the Plum Tree Inn, have a drink, sample their famous roast duck, soak up the atmosphere, join our betting pool as to how long this current incarnation will last at 913 N. Broadway, and decide for yourself.

By the way, 9+1+3=13

http://www.plumtreeinn.com/

(to read more about Plum Tree Inn's ghosts...)
(to read about the ghosts of last month's location...)

SOCAL Paracon II

When:
Sept 9 (Friday)
Sept 10 (Saturday)- GHOULA will have a table this day only!

Where: The Haunted Biltmore Hotel

(to read about the ghosts of the Biltmore...)

BOOs Alert!

THIS JUST IN: Haunted Linda Vista Hospital in LA WEEKLY

http://blogs.laweekly.com/stylecouncil/2011/08/zak_bagans_paranormal_challenge.php

BOOs Alert!

THIS JUST IN: Paranormal Posse Profiled on Patch

http://studiocity.patch.com/articles/studio-city-team-investigates-paranormal-phenomena

84th Annual Rudolph Valentino Memorial

Note: This event is not hosted by GHOULA. This is just a local (ghost related) event that exists independently that GHOULA wants its members to know about. As such, docents and staff at this event may not wish to discuss this landmark's haunted history.

Where: Hollywood Forever Cemetery
6000 Santa Monica Boulevard (map)
Date: August 23 (Monday)
Time: 12:10 pm

One can read about Valentino's many achievements and super stardom elsewhere, but what is of interest to local ghost hunters about this silent film celebrity is the ubiquitous nature of his ghost. Valentino is said to repeatedly haunt many buildings and places throughout Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Downtown. Even the ghosts of his horse and favorite dog have been spotted over the years

The reason for these many sightings probably stems from two facts from his time in Southern California. First, because of his popular and fun-loving nature, there are not many places locally that he didn't visit, stay at, dance at, entertain at, or was entertained at (both before and after stardom). Secondly, he (along with his wife) were outspoken believers in the spirits, and participated in many demonstrations of seances. Incidentally, he has also been known to show up at many more seances after he departed.

Although Hollywood Forever Cemetery is easily one of the most haunted local cemeteries, ironically his ghost has not been seen there. But, it has been seen in the neighboring Paramount studios (some have even claimed his ghost goes through the adjoining wall as if going into the cemetery). Though Valentino may not haunt the premises, the ghost of a "women in black" has been seen periodically visiting his marker, and disappearing around a corner. The identity of this "woman" is difficult to determine, since over the decades, many women (including one who still does these duties today) have also donned that same mourning outfit and repeated the ritual of visiting his final resting place. The idea of Valentino's "woman in black" seems to be a local tradition past down through the generations (as well as something often imitated).

So, come out and celebrate the life (and after-life) of one of the silver screen's most unique stars.

For more info...

http://allanellenberger.com/book-flm-news/84th-annual-valentino-memorial/

Highlights from August's SWS

Thank you all for coming out to the haunted Pig N Whistle. Thank you to the staff for sharing their personal ghost stories with our group.

In addition to the ghosts mentioned previously, according to the stories told that night, there is a little girl, who is covered in dirt that has been seen throughout the restaurant. When the witness gets close enough to talk to her, she vanishes. She has even been known to open and close doors at the end of the night, when staff is trying to close the restaurant. Could this be the little girl that was supposedly killed in a fire at this location? Is the dirt actually soot?

There also have been sightings of a human form, who is only seen as a shadow cast on the office window that looks down into the restaurant. Employees will look up and see the shadow moving, as if someone is in the office, working late, only to discover later that the office has been empty, and locked.

(to read about more ghosts from this location...)

It should also be mentioned that our SPIRITS with SPIRITS fell on the same evening as a "zombie walk" (a parade of people dressed and acting like zombies) down Hollywood Blvd. Needless to say, after the "zombie walk," some zombies stumbled into the Pig N Whistles for a drink. It should further be mentioned that the cocktail known as the "Zombie," was invented at a (no longer there) club around the corner from Pig N' Whistle, which makes this bar the closest place to the drink's birthplace, where you can enjoy this infamous beverage.

So, it was an evening of...
SPIRITS with SPIRITS, and ZOMBIES with ZOMBIES.

Club founder with youngest member and some zombies

August'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 (square) G.H.O.U.L.A. button. If you already have one, please wear it so others can find you, without asking the staff.

THE DATE: August 13th, 2011 (Saturday)
THE PLACE: The Pig N Whistle
6714 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood (Map)
THE TIME: 8:00pm to 11:00pm

THE GHOSTS:
Fleeing the aftermath of the great 1906 San Fransisco earthquake and fire, hotelier John H. Gage, moved to Los Angeles and started fresh, opening the first Pig N Whistle "high class candy and luncheon place" in downtown within two years. This new business was such a success that many more followed, until there were Pig n Whistle restaurants up and down the west coast from Seattle to San Diego. It has even been suggested that their humorous dancing pig logo influenced pop culture, as the inspiration for Walt Disney's Three Pigs and/or Warner Bros' Porky Pig.

It's hard to imagine today, but there was a time when movie theaters didn't have elaborate concession stands. So, these clean, family friendly places (with an emphasis on candy, ice cream, and pastries) would be strategically located next to theaters to entice the movie-going public. This culinary and confectionery concept worked so well that when the depression hit, these simple businesses where able to ride the coat-tails of the unaffected film industry. Yes, no matter how poor people were, they scraped together enough pocket change to escape into the celluloid fantasies of the era (with treats from the neighboring Pig n Whistle.)

Thus, as theaters began to be built in Hollywood, that musically-inclined swine with his little flute followed, creating its first Tinseltown location adjacent to Grauman's Egyptian Theater in 1927, whose elegant interior (advertised as their "most beautiful shop") also featured an elevating pipe organ to entertain diners. This glamorous setting was an instant hit, attracting families and movie stars alike. Soon, another location was to pop up a block away next to the El Capitan (Today, fittingly a ice cream shop operates on that site).

Ironically, the depression seemed to be this restaurant chain's high point, over the next two decades their business dwindled, their restaurants disappeared, and the empire collapsed. World War II would prove difficult with the rationing of food and other limitations, but ultimately the public's tastes just changed with the introduction of TV, drive-in theaters, drive-thru restaurants, fast food, and suburbia. These fancy parlours with many varieties of sundaes just seemed like relics of the past.

The Pig N Whistle at the Egyptian was closed in 1952, gutted, and anything remaining was damaged by an eventual fire. Luckily however, most of it's hand carved seating and fixtures were rescued from the trash, finding their way around the corner to a new home in the (haunted) Italian restaurant, Miceli's.

Over the years, other restaurants and shops occupied this spot until 2001, when night club impresario Chris Breed (with partner Alan Hajar) brought that familiar cartoon pig and that whistle back to town, essentially recreating the elegant decor from old photos, and converting the soda fountain into a proper bar. It should also be noted, that despite the original kid friendly environment, after prohibition, alcohol was available at Pig N Whistle locations with ads that proclaimed they had "beer served right!"

Once again, Hollywood's Pig N Whistle arose from the ashes back to its former glory like the mythical phoenix, just as the idea of this whimsical restaurant chain, itself, was born out of the ashes of San Francisco. However, it also seems strangely appropriate that this location's most popular ghost story was also born out of ashes. The legend that has been past down through employees is that the ladies room (and more specifically maybe a painting in the ladies room) is said to be haunted by a woman, who lost her young daughter in a fire at this location in the 1950's. Now in death, her spirit comes back apparently searching for that lost daughter. According to the legend, little girls who go to this restroom unaccompanied by an adult, say that a strange woman appears, and reaches out to touch them (perhaps longing to embrace a child again). When the scared children escape and tell someone, no woman is ever found.

Additionally, the bar's staff has told GHOULA that there are strange noises late at night, a dark shadowy figure in the basement, and one chandelier that swings by itself while the others remain still. Lastly, shortly after the Pig n Whistle reopened, it was reported that Chris Breed took a nap in the back late one night, and was awoken by ghostly pipe organ music coming from the restaurants newly renovated (empty) main room (where the long gone Pig N Whistle pipe organ once entertained patrons).

Is this playful pied-piper-piggy place filled with phantoms from the past? Come out, have a beer "served right" and find out for yourself... if you dare.

(to read more about Miceli's and its ghosts...)
(to read about more ghosts from Pig N Whistle...)
(to see last month's haunted location...)