Annual Marilyn Monroe Memorial

2009 Marilyn Monroe Annual Memorial Service

Date: August 5, 2009 (Wednesday)

Time: 11:00 am

Place: Westwood Memorial Park,

1218 Glendon Avenue, Westwood, CA 90024 (map)

Tucked away in a small cemetery, which in itself, is fittingly tucked away behind a movie theater, sits the crypt of Marilyn Monroe. Since this blonde bombshell is one of the most ubiquitous ghosts in Hollywood (along side the ghost of silent screen star Rudolf Valentino), it makes perfect sense that her final resting place would also be counted as one of the many places said to be haunted by the spirit of this larger than life sex symbol. Although, her famous form (said to be the inspiration for the Coke's trademarked bottle) has never been seen at this location, witnesses have claimed that a strange fog sometimes appears around her pink-stained marble marker.

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

For More Info:

http://themarilynmonroecollection.blogspot.com/2009/06/2009-marilyn-monroe-memorial-service.html

GHOSTBUSTERS Screening!

Date: August 1s, 2009

Place: Circuit City Lot
(Sunset Blvd. near Hollywood/Hillhurst, Silverlake) map

Admission: "Almost Free" ($5.00 suggested donation)

The Biltmore Hotel, the Central Library, and Dan Ackroyd's former residence are just a few of the local locations that have a connection with this comedy classic. (read more)

July's SWS Highlights

Thanks to all that came out. And a special thanks to The Cat & Fiddle Pub for all of their hospitality. Not only did they go above and beyond accommodating our large group, but many of the staff shared old photos, their fond memories of the former owner, Kim Gardner, and their own personal ghost stories, adding to the ones already posted, including...

---A dark figure seen in shadows of the doorway at the north/east end of the courtyard (where the patio gate meets the wall). This apparition is thought to be the energy of a man, who accidentally fell to his death from the second floor, while trying to scale the side of the building. The reason for this fool-hearty stunt is unknown.

---The spirit Kim Gardner, who has been strongly felt in a private room opposite the Casablanca Room (on the other end of the bar). This room was used during his life as a "family room" of sorts, where friends and relatives could relax. An informal wake for Mr. Gardner was held in this room after his death, and during the remembrances, a free-standing light apparently turned on by itself, shined very brightly, and then fell over, smashing the bulb. It is also in this room, that late at night, when locking up, people have seen feet pacing back and forth through the space under the door, despite no one being in that room when the door is opened.

We also heard a variation of the gangster ghost's story, in which instead of his body being pulled into a back room to be dealt with later, it was dragged into the alley and put with the bags of trash to be hauled away since there is a door in that room that leads to the back alley (which is said to be the entrance Roy Rogers used when dining with his horse).

Thanks again, to everyone that made it a great and unique night!

(to read about the SPIRITS of this location...)

July'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. 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, please wear it so others can find you.

THE DATE: July 13th, 2009 (Monday)
THE PLACE: The Cat and Fiddle Pub (6350 Sunset Blvd.) map
THE TIME: 8pm to the witching hour

THE GHOST(S):

This complex of Mediterranean/Spanish facades facing an inner courtyard first opened its doors to the public in October of 1927 and was designed by the architectural team of Gogerty and Weyl, who thanks largely to this "shopping court," the Blaine Building (6601 Hollywood Blvd.), and the Hollywood Playhouse (1735 N. Vine St.) became nationally recognized as the authorities on this unique style of regional architecture that is synonymous with Southern California.

Over the decades, the space that The Cat And Fiddle Pub now occupies has been home to many restaurants, including a commissary for a nearby studio and the famous Mouling's Mandarin/Shanghai-style restaurant, where one could have the undisputed best "Peking Duck" in town while listening to "Mr. Tahiti" tickle the ivories at the piano bar. Although, the names and owners have changed with each era, one thing has remained the same since the beginning. For whatever reason (perhaps the Gogerty and Weyl design), this restaurant/bar space has always been a place where the wealthy and the working class feel comfortable lounging for hours over a couple of drinks (especially on warm summer nights). Not only does that casual condition continue to the current "Cat and Fiddle," but is at the root of their longest lingering "lamentor of life."

The apparition of a well-dressed man has been seen many times in "The Casablanca Room." The room, itself, received its name because of the restaurant's role in the Humphrey Bogart classic film, (who incidentally was a frequent guest of the restaurant when it was called "Le Gourmet"). However, unconnected to "Casablanca" or Bogart, legend has it that during one of this restaurant's previous incarnations, a group of local mobsters were having a dinner party in that room when one of the guests opened fire and murdered another guest in front of the other diners. Not wanting to spoil a good time, the victim's bloody body was dragged into a back room, and the dinner party continued leisurely into the night as if nothing had happened. It is said that although the body was removed, his spirit has never left (maybe eternally reliving those last unsuspecting moments before death).

In addition to this mob-hit manifestation, employees of the "Cat and Fiddle" claim that after hours when the patrons have left, they hear the distinctive sound of a set of keys jingling in the restaurant, and yet, upon exploration, can never find the source of this phantom sound. Those that knew the beloved former owner, Kim Gardner (an unsung rock musician/artist of the "British Invasion"), before his passing in October of 2001 believe it is his spirit still keeping an eye on the successful tavern that he helped create. Or, maybe in death, like the other ghost, and like the "Cat and Fiddle's" clientele, he just enjoys hanging out and listening to one of the "best" jukeboxes in the city in one of the great landmarks of old Hollywood.

http://www.thecatandfiddle.com/

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

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