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...)