Sunday, October 31, 2010

Sunday's Secret Location | The Ruins of the Bess Houdini Estate

Haunted Films in Haunted Places | Houdini Silent Short Films @ 7:30pm (Halloween!)

For the daring film viewer only! Join GHOULA and Echo Park Film Center as we brave the haunted ruins of the Bess Houdini estate in Laurel Canyon for a screening of Houdini short films on the anniversary of his death.

You will face mildly daunting parking scenarios... winding roads uncharted by gps...you may encounter uncomfortable seating... you may feel a chill creep across your delicate cheeks as you shiver...and wait... and watch. This film screening is not for everyone....but it is FOR YOU.

Here's a map to the intersection of Laurel Canyon and Willow Glen Road, just one block up from Laurel Canyon and Lookout Mountain. Look for parking on Willow Glen Road (Watch out for the phantom carriage!).

WARNING:
The little "A" that appears on the google map is not our exact location....just come to the intersection at Willow Glen and look for us!

WARNING: Do not go to the house that claims to be the Houdini Mansion, we won't be there! We'll be on the ruins of the estate where his beloved wife lived for many years.

Don't forget a chair and/or blankets! See you there...

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Haunted Films at Haunted Places!



Date: October 31 (Sunday, Halloween)
Time: 7:30
Movie: "Haunted Silent Shorts"

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 bill will feature selected shorts from the silent era pulled from the EPFC's own collection of films.

Oct. 24th's Screening


It takes more than a little rain to keep these Phantom film fans from our screenings. After being shut down because of last week's rain, this determined group (about 40 people) wasn't going to let it happen again. After a brief presentation about the Griffith Park Curse by author Michael Imlay, and a discussion of the park's many ghosts, the movie played (outdoors) amidst the trees as the the rain drizzled, and the coyotes circled the group. Cheap thrills were then had, in the climax of the film, when a skeleton (plastic) appeared next to the screen. Luckily the evening festivities ended just as the rain started to pour.

The ghosts said to haunt this city park are numerous. From men on horseback to women dressed in white. It is said that these are the oldest ghost stories in Los Angeles with sighting dating back to the 1800's. And even today, it is said that there are so many sightings still, that the ranger's office has a special form just for ghostly encounters.


GHOULA's youngest sinister cinephile.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Sunday's Secret Screening Location!


Location: The entrance to Griffith Park
@ Los Feliz Blvd. & Fern Dell Dr. (map)
(also where an ancient burial ground is said to be)

Come out for our fourth (really the third) free outdoor screening tomorrow (Sun, 0ct 24, @7:30pm) and see "House on Haunted Hill" (the 1959 original) at the base of the actual haunted hill of the title. Also, hear about this local landmark's dark history (and ghost stories) from Michael Imlay, author of the upcoming book "The Feliz Curse: An Early Los Angeles Tale of Ghosts, Greed and Griffith Park."

Note: There is no parking on Los Feliz Blvd or Fern Dell Dr, so try the other neighborhood streets in the area.