WHERE: The Royal Theater11523 Santa Monica Blvd. West LA (Map)
STATUS: Active (regular screenings)
THE GHOST(S):
Some places are haunted by spirits that are seen many times by various witnesses over the decades. Then, there are locations that are only visited by a ghost once, and the tale of that dramatic moment is then repeated, and past along, for the years that follow.
One such occurrence happened at the Royal Theater on LA's West side. Even though this theater, previously known as the Tivoli Theater, seems to date back to the 1920's when the area (not just the street) was called Sawtelle, this ghostly incident happened in the 1990's, according to those that tell this tale.
An elderly woman, who was late meeting her elderly husband for a screening (which had already started by the time she arrived), past through the empty lobby (their prearranged meeting spot) into the darkened theater, and searched for her husband. As her eyes adjusted to the limited lighting, she found where he was seated and quietly joined him in the empty seat next to him. Though they didn't say a word to each other during the movie, they held hands through most of the film.
When the picture ended, and the auditorium's lights went on, she discovered the seat next to her (formerly occupied by her husband) was empty. She didn't see him anywhere, but assumed that he went to the restroom before the credits rolled on the screen to beat the crowds.
She waited in the lobby outside the Men's Room. Eventually, after a while, she asked an employee if he could go in and check on her husband. To her surprise, the restroom was empty. When she asked is any of the staff had seen her husband, and gave a description, she learned the truth...
Her husband had a heart attacked in the lobby and was pronounced dead by paramedics before the movie even began. Although, his body had been taken away by ambulance before his wife arrived at the theater, it seems his spirit lingered long enough so that they could watch one last movie together.
http://www.laemmle.com/viewtheatre.php?thid=1
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 LA area... )
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Friday, January 19, 2007
PANTAGES THEATER'S GHOSTS!
WHERE: 6233 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood (map)
STATUS: Active as an entertaiment venue
GHOST(S):
By 1929, when Alexander Pantages acquired the the front portion of the A.G Bartlett estate (six year's after Bartlett's death), the exotic plants from around the world that Bartlett had collected to bolster Hollywood's appeal, had either died from neglect, or moved to the nearby (and at that time new) Hollywood Bowl, despite attempts to incorporate them into the garden surrounding a large hotel to be built (which obviously never was) at that location.
Although this beautiful paradise was paved over, it could be argued that Pantages built a theater that is just as beautiful, and also increases Hollywood's appeal. It was the last and largest movie palace built in Hollywood, and some claim it was the first Art Deco theater in United States. Eventhough it still bears Pantages' name, he unfortunately didn't own it for very long after it opened in 1930. Due to the expenses involved defending his name against a fragulant (but well publized) rape charge, Pantages had to abandon thoughts of the 12 stories that were to be built above the Hollywood theater (like the other buildings at Hollywood & Vine), and sell the property.
During the 2000 restoration, it is said a painter working on the interior of the auditorium, complained that a "man in a hat" walked along the scaffolding (stepping off from the balcony), and stood over the shoulder of the painter, closely inspecting his work. When the painter turned to face his visitor, the "man with the hat" vanished into thin air. Shortly after, the same incident happened to an electrician, who was also up in the scaffolding to inspect the wiring. Both workers quit following their encounter. The identity of this "man in the hat" is unknown, but it either thought to be Bartlett, Pantages, or Howard Huges keeping an eye on things.
Howard Hughes acquired the theater in 1947, and moved his operations into the upstairs offices. He even built a door that went from his office to the back of the balcony, and it is said that he would sit in the last row and watch the same movie play over and over all day. Although this movie marthon ritual would later in life get out of control with stints that would go for days in a locked screening room, the seeds of this mania started at the Pantages theater. To this day, during reheasals inside this historic playhouse, a man will be spotted (from the stage) sitting in the last row of the balcony. When security is sent up to eject the tresspasser, no one is ever found. Sightings of Howard Huges are so common in this place that the historical marker on a street light in front of the building even mentions his ghost.
Additionally, staff members have told stories of a phantom man that walks up the aisle during a performance (as if to exit through the back) only to vanish as the usher holds the door open for him, as well as phantom women seen walking in the balcony (eastside) or the Ladies Room (off of the lobby).
There was also a widely reported event, where a disembodied female voice was heard singing into a microphone set up on the stage, when no one was on, or near, the stage.
http://www.pantages-theater.com/pantages_theater_los_angeles.php
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...)
STATUS: Active as an entertaiment venue
GHOST(S):
By 1929, when Alexander Pantages acquired the the front portion of the A.G Bartlett estate (six year's after Bartlett's death), the exotic plants from around the world that Bartlett had collected to bolster Hollywood's appeal, had either died from neglect, or moved to the nearby (and at that time new) Hollywood Bowl, despite attempts to incorporate them into the garden surrounding a large hotel to be built (which obviously never was) at that location.
Although this beautiful paradise was paved over, it could be argued that Pantages built a theater that is just as beautiful, and also increases Hollywood's appeal. It was the last and largest movie palace built in Hollywood, and some claim it was the first Art Deco theater in United States. Eventhough it still bears Pantages' name, he unfortunately didn't own it for very long after it opened in 1930. Due to the expenses involved defending his name against a fragulant (but well publized) rape charge, Pantages had to abandon thoughts of the 12 stories that were to be built above the Hollywood theater (like the other buildings at Hollywood & Vine), and sell the property.
During the 2000 restoration, it is said a painter working on the interior of the auditorium, complained that a "man in a hat" walked along the scaffolding (stepping off from the balcony), and stood over the shoulder of the painter, closely inspecting his work. When the painter turned to face his visitor, the "man with the hat" vanished into thin air. Shortly after, the same incident happened to an electrician, who was also up in the scaffolding to inspect the wiring. Both workers quit following their encounter. The identity of this "man in the hat" is unknown, but it either thought to be Bartlett, Pantages, or Howard Huges keeping an eye on things.
Howard Hughes acquired the theater in 1947, and moved his operations into the upstairs offices. He even built a door that went from his office to the back of the balcony, and it is said that he would sit in the last row and watch the same movie play over and over all day. Although this movie marthon ritual would later in life get out of control with stints that would go for days in a locked screening room, the seeds of this mania started at the Pantages theater. To this day, during reheasals inside this historic playhouse, a man will be spotted (from the stage) sitting in the last row of the balcony. When security is sent up to eject the tresspasser, no one is ever found. Sightings of Howard Huges are so common in this place that the historical marker on a street light in front of the building even mentions his ghost.
Additionally, staff members have told stories of a phantom man that walks up the aisle during a performance (as if to exit through the back) only to vanish as the usher holds the door open for him, as well as phantom women seen walking in the balcony (eastside) or the Ladies Room (off of the lobby).
There was also a widely reported event, where a disembodied female voice was heard singing into a microphone set up on the stage, when no one was on, or near, the stage.
http://www.pantages-theater.com/pantages_theater_los_angeles.php
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...)
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Westwood Memorial Park Ghost!
WHERE: Westwood Village Memorial Park
1218 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles (map)
THE GHOST(S):
Witnesses at Westwood Village Memorial Park claim that a super-natural pink fog sometimes forms in front of the pink-stained marble marker of screen star, Marilyn Monroe.
Tucked away in a small cemetery, which in itself, is fittingly tucked away behind a (possibly haunted) movie theater, one can find the final resting place of the legendary blonde bombshell. Since Marilyn's spirit is one of the most ubiquitous ghosts in Hollywood (along side the ghost of silent screen star Rudolf Valentino) and has being seen at just about any location she had a connection with in this city, it makes perfect sense that her crypt would also be counted as one of the many places said to be haunted by the spirit of this larger than life sex symbol.
Then again, since her famous form, which inspired both the shape of Coca-Cola's trademarked bottle and the Disney character, Tinkerbell, has never actually materialized, just this strange pink ectoplasm, maybe it isn't her at all. Perhaps these formless blobs are the restless spirits of others there, who like Marilyn died under mysterious circumstances. Some of the tragic figures interned at this address include Bob Crane, Dorothy Stratten, Karen Carpenter, Natalie Wood, Dominique Dunne and Heather O'Rourke (both of them victims of the supposed "Poltergeist Curse"), and Victor Killian (who is said to haunt the Chinese Theater in Hollywood). Janis Joplin was cremated here. Don Knotts, although not a tragic figure like the others, is buried here and is best remembered by ghost-hunters for starring in arguably the best "haunted house" movie ever made,"The Ghost and Mr. Chicken." Additionally, almost a thousand other celebrities are there in this very tiny graveyard.
Legend has it that when baseball superstar, "Jolt'n" Joe DiMaggio, chose this location for Marilyn (his ex-wife), he picked it because of its remote and hidden location. He wanted a place, where her fans wouldn't bother her, not realizing that the presence of her remains would forever attract other celebrities and tourists. So much so, that Marilyn's marker has been permanently stained pink from all the fans (wearing red lip-stick), who have kissed it.
(to go back home...)
1218 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles (map)
THE GHOST(S):
Witnesses at Westwood Village Memorial Park claim that a super-natural pink fog sometimes forms in front of the pink-stained marble marker of screen star, Marilyn Monroe.
Tucked away in a small cemetery, which in itself, is fittingly tucked away behind a (possibly haunted) movie theater, one can find the final resting place of the legendary blonde bombshell. Since Marilyn's spirit is one of the most ubiquitous ghosts in Hollywood (along side the ghost of silent screen star Rudolf Valentino) and has being seen at just about any location she had a connection with in this city, it makes perfect sense that her crypt would also be counted as one of the many places said to be haunted by the spirit of this larger than life sex symbol.
Then again, since her famous form, which inspired both the shape of Coca-Cola's trademarked bottle and the Disney character, Tinkerbell, has never actually materialized, just this strange pink ectoplasm, maybe it isn't her at all. Perhaps these formless blobs are the restless spirits of others there, who like Marilyn died under mysterious circumstances. Some of the tragic figures interned at this address include Bob Crane, Dorothy Stratten, Karen Carpenter, Natalie Wood, Dominique Dunne and Heather O'Rourke (both of them victims of the supposed "Poltergeist Curse"), and Victor Killian (who is said to haunt the Chinese Theater in Hollywood). Janis Joplin was cremated here. Don Knotts, although not a tragic figure like the others, is buried here and is best remembered by ghost-hunters for starring in arguably the best "haunted house" movie ever made,"The Ghost and Mr. Chicken." Additionally, almost a thousand other celebrities are there in this very tiny graveyard.
Legend has it that when baseball superstar, "Jolt'n" Joe DiMaggio, chose this location for Marilyn (his ex-wife), he picked it because of its remote and hidden location. He wanted a place, where her fans wouldn't bother her, not realizing that the presence of her remains would forever attract other celebrities and tourists. So much so, that Marilyn's marker has been permanently stained pink from all the fans (wearing red lip-stick), who have kissed it.
(to go back home...)
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
NEW BELASCO THEATER GHOST!
WHERE: 1050 S Hill St, Los Angeles (map)
STATUS: active as entertainment venue
THE GHOST(S)::
This Belasco Theater, not to be confused with the other Belasco Theater in downtown, was the second Belasco theater. When it opened in 1926, Mr. Belasco moved his productions from his first location at 337 S. Main Street to this grander building. (Incidentally, the former location is also said to be haunted from its later incarnation as "The Follies.") This new theater was built along with (and next door to) the Mayan Theater, and it's old-world Spanish influenced architecture complements (while metaphorically at odds with) the Mayan new-world indigenous inspired design. Additionally, beyond the two cultures at war reflected by the exteriors, inside each building, the opposite ends of the theatrical spectrum were presented. Dramas in the Belasco, and Musicals/Comedies in the Mayan.
For about thirty years, these two theaters operated like downtown's version of "yin" and "yang." Until, this Belasco closed as a entertainment venue in 1952. Ironically, the building was later used for church services, while the Mayan began a sinful life as a porno theater.
It was during this second life (or should we say its resurrection) as a church that stories of a possible ghost began to surface. A former organist for the Metropolitan Community Church, who occupied this theater from the early 1970's to the mid 1980's, has said that members of the congregation often claimed to have heard phantom footsteps coming from the stage, or odd rustling sounds from back stage when the area was apparently empty.
Although, he personally never felt the theater was haunted and had an explanation for these mysterious happenings, his reasoning seemed even more bizarre than an official ghost story.
It was his belief that people actually heard a very elderly lady, who lived under the theater's stage (in what was once the "green room"). The organist assumed she was part of the previous church that had occupied this theater, and his church just inherited her. For a short time, there was an overlap between these two Churches when both operated out of this same building but at different times. This is when he first became aware of her. When the MCC eventually took over, the occasional sightings of her decreased, until she just seem to disappear.
To this day, no one knows her true identity, her connection to the building, or when she left the building (if she did). Perhaps, her spirits still lingers, and perhaps the old woman they thought they saw was never there to begin with
http://www.thebelasco.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...)
(to read about the ghosts of Los Angeles' other Belasco theater...)
STATUS: active as entertainment venue
THE GHOST(S)::
This Belasco Theater, not to be confused with the other Belasco Theater in downtown, was the second Belasco theater. When it opened in 1926, Mr. Belasco moved his productions from his first location at 337 S. Main Street to this grander building. (Incidentally, the former location is also said to be haunted from its later incarnation as "The Follies.") This new theater was built along with (and next door to) the Mayan Theater, and it's old-world Spanish influenced architecture complements (while metaphorically at odds with) the Mayan new-world indigenous inspired design. Additionally, beyond the two cultures at war reflected by the exteriors, inside each building, the opposite ends of the theatrical spectrum were presented. Dramas in the Belasco, and Musicals/Comedies in the Mayan.
For about thirty years, these two theaters operated like downtown's version of "yin" and "yang." Until, this Belasco closed as a entertainment venue in 1952. Ironically, the building was later used for church services, while the Mayan began a sinful life as a porno theater.
It was during this second life (or should we say its resurrection) as a church that stories of a possible ghost began to surface. A former organist for the Metropolitan Community Church, who occupied this theater from the early 1970's to the mid 1980's, has said that members of the congregation often claimed to have heard phantom footsteps coming from the stage, or odd rustling sounds from back stage when the area was apparently empty.
Although, he personally never felt the theater was haunted and had an explanation for these mysterious happenings, his reasoning seemed even more bizarre than an official ghost story.
It was his belief that people actually heard a very elderly lady, who lived under the theater's stage (in what was once the "green room"). The organist assumed she was part of the previous church that had occupied this theater, and his church just inherited her. For a short time, there was an overlap between these two Churches when both operated out of this same building but at different times. This is when he first became aware of her. When the MCC eventually took over, the occasional sightings of her decreased, until she just seem to disappear.
To this day, no one knows her true identity, her connection to the building, or when she left the building (if she did). Perhaps, her spirits still lingers, and perhaps the old woman they thought they saw was never there to begin with
http://www.thebelasco.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...)
(to read about the ghosts of Los Angeles' other Belasco theater...)
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