REAL GHOSTS with REEL GHOSTS

THE DATE: September 5 (Sat)

THE TIME: 11:59 pm (midnight)

THE PLACE: The New Beverly Cinema (7165 W. Beverly Blvd.) map
THE MOVIE: The Entity (1981)

THE ADMISSION PRICE: $7.00

This is your chance to see this movie about ghosts in an actual haunted theater!

The New Beverly Cinema is said to be the home of a phantom projectionist, and an audience member apparition... (read more)

Note: As an added bonus, this film is also based on actual events that happened locally in Culver City, and documented by staff and students of the Psychology Department of UCLA.

GHOSTBUSTERS Screening!

Date: September 4, 2009 (Friday)
Time: 7:30pm

Place: Aero Theater
(1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica) map

Admission: $10.00

As part of a special 25th anniversary event for this movie, GHOSTBUSTERS II will also be shown with a discussion in between films with director Ivan Reitman.

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)

Doheny Mansion Tour | GHOULA Member Meet-Up! August 28th

FRIDAY NIGHT FRIGHT NIGHT

Where: Greystone Park (map)
When: Friday, Aug. 28th, 7:30pm-10:00pm
Admission: $15 per person (SOLD OUT!)

Wear your buttons!

GHOST(S):

Although the Greystone Estate (a.k.a "the Doheny Mansion") is probably best known as a location for hundreds of movies, TV shows, commercials, and print ads, it was also the site of one of Southern California's greatest solved (but really unsolved) mysteries. Ned Doheny and his personal assistant (and closest friend), Hugh Plunkett, were found dead (each with a bullet hole in their head) on February 16, 1929 in one of the guest rooms of this stately manor.

At the time, Plunkett and Doheny (along with President Warren G. Harding and Ned's father, oil tycoon Edward Doheny) were embroiled in the infamous "Teapot Dome" bribery scandal, so the sudden death of these two co-conspirators was big news at the time. The official story (as reported in the newspapers of the day) is that Plunkett went crazy one night and murdered his employer, and then turned the gun on himself. The reasons given for Plunkett's psychotic episode have ranged from a salary dispute to his recent divorce. (His ex-wife, incidentally, was an out-spoken believer of the paranormal.)

The homicide detective who arrived at the scene, Leslie T. White, later wrote an autobiography entitled "Me, Detective," in which he devoted a chapter to the injustice of the Doheny investigation. In addition to waiting a couple of hours before calling the police, the family (with help from the family's doctor) apparently staged the scene of the crime and the placement of the bodies as well as tried to disguise the time of death (which all contradicted the blood and bullet evidence). A proper investigation was never conducted. Despite the obvious tampering and the "rehearsed" eye-witness testimony from the family's housekeeping staff, the case was closed, and the bodies were immediately cremated (even though this practice was contrary to the family's religious beliefs). Over the decades there have been many theories and rumors surrounding this case. Whatever happened that rainy night (regardless of "official" reports) remains a true mystery.

It is these unanswered questions of this tragedy that most likely are at the heart of this historic house's haunting. Why else would the apparition of a man be seen walking the halls outside the scene of the crime? Is it the ghost of Ned Doheny, or is it Hugh Plunkett? Why does a pool of blood appear (then disappear) on the floor of room where the murders supposedly happened. Why just one pool of blood when there were two victims. Who's blood is it? And more importantly, what are the manifestations trying to tell us?

When visiting this landmark building and gardens, keep your eyes open. Any paranormal experience you have may provide the missing clue that finally solves this forgotten case, and ultimately allows the troubled ghosts of the Doheny Mansion the peace they deserve.


(a illustrated recreation of "murder/suicide" created for the L.A. Times)

For more info:
http://www.beverlyhills.org/attractions/greystone/friday_night_fright_nights.asp

REAL GHOSTS with REEL GHOSTS

THE DATE: August 21, 22 (Fri & Sat)

THE TIME: 9:25 pm

THE PLACE: The New Beverly Cinema (7165 W. Beverly Blvd.) map
THE MOVIE: Blithe Spirit (1945)

THE ADMISSION PRICE: $7.00

This is your chance to see this movie about ghosts in an actual haunted theater!

The New Beverly Cinema is said to be the home of a phantom projectionist, and an audience member apparition... (read more)

August's SWS Highlights

Thanks to the small, but loyal, group that braved the many obstacles created by the Downtown Art Walk to see the historic King Edward Saloon. When this event was planned, it was thought that the Art Walk would entice many people, who would otherwise be squeamish about going into L.A.'s Skid Row to visit one of the oldest bars in this city. Little did we know, that this "bad" part of town would be crawling with thousands of art lovers, making traffic (vehicular and pedestrian) and parking impossible.

That said, the few that made it through the hordes of bodies, where treated to the many unusual moments created by the unique space, including a random patron buying our group a round of drinks for no apparent reason, another anonymous patron charging his cell phone in the outlet near our table, forcing us to tap on the glass of the "smoker's chamber" every time his phone rang. For those who have never been to this bar, there is a smoke-filled, adjoining glass room where smoking is allowed.

In addition, our group was treated to some great ghost stories from Craig's recent visit to Riverside's very strange and Gothic Mission Inn.

A ghoul time was had by all.

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

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. 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: August 13th, 2009 (Thursday)
THE PLACE: The King Edward Saloon
(121 E 5TH St @ Los Angeles St.) map
THE TIME: 8pm to the witching hour

THE GHOST(S):

The King Edward Saloon, a.k.a. The King Eddy Saloon, a.k.a. The King Edward Bar, just might be the oldest bar in Los Angeles (despite Coles's claims), opening their doors for business in 1906. President Theodore Roosevelt (when staying at the adjoining hotel) is said to have frequented this bar after hours (for his safety). Though there have been many changes in the neighborhood, and Prohibition (when its operation moved into the basement), this tavern has endured. It also remains the last survivor of the fabled "skid row bars" of Los Angeles.

This historic bar (even if it is mostly ignored and forgotten) occupies the South-East corner of the even more historic King Edward Hotel, designed by Parkinson and Berstorm (Parkson later designed many L.A. landmarks, including Union Station, City Hall, and Bullocks Wilshire). When this building first opened, it not only proudly boasted that all the materials that went into the construction orginated from Los Angeles, but that due to its unique design was "absolutely fire-proof."

Those features aside, this saloon has another reason to brag. It is home to one of the great archetypal ghosts of America, the "vanishing hitchhiker." This apparition/urban legend has been seen in some form all over the United States (the most famous one being "Resurrection Mary" outside of Chicago), and even locally different versions of this story have been connected to the San Fernando Mission and Mulhulland Drive.

The Kind Eddy's version of this tale is that an awkward woman (possibly inebriated) introduces herself to a male patron at closing, and asks for a ride to her home in the Belvedere Garden section of East Los Angeles. The man, either with the best or worst intentions, agrees and even offers his coat to the shivering woman. On route, she demands that the driver pull over at the Evergreen Cemetery, where she mysteriously jumps out of the car and disappears into the dark grave yard. When the driver goes to look for her (and his jacket), he finds that she has completely vanished into thin air. As he leaves, he notices his jacket draped over a tombstone bearing the same name as the one she gave.

Is this ghost story a true haunting? Is it just another urban legend? Or, is it a hoax perpetuated by a woman with a sick sense of humor? Go to the the King Edward Saloon and find out for yourself.

"Ah well, the hell with you Camilla. I can forget you. I have money. These streets are filled with things you cannot give me. So down to Main Street and to Fifth Street, to the long dark bars, to the King Edward Cellar, and there a girl with yellow hair and sickness in her smile."

--John Fante (from Ask The Dusk, 1939)

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

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