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.