Free (Haunted) House Tour

The Date: June 6, 2010

The Location: Charles F. Lummis Home and Garden

200 East Avenue 43, Los Angeles [MAP]

Note: This event is not hosted by GHOULA. This is just a local (ghost related) event that exists independently that GHOULA wants its members to know about. As such, docents and staff at this event may not wish to discuss this landmark's haunted history.

The Ghost(s):

It is said that Hitler gave orders not to touch the Jewish ghetto in Prague (the only such place not destroyed by the SS). The reason this community was spared was because Hitler was planning to build a museum for "the extinct race" there. Obviously, Hitler never succeeded. However, Charles Lummis did build the American equivalent of that idea (even if this was not its intended purpose), when he started the South West Museum (built not far from his house) using his collection of Native American artifacts.

Although, Charles Lummis was a tireless activist for "Indian" rights, his collection and that museum, sadly is both a treasure trove and a sterile reminder of a culture that really doesn't exist outside of these exhibits (especially back in the museum's hey-day back before the collection was broken up). Legend has it that Native American belongings that were sold to collectors out of desperation, carry with them a curse. Therefore, is it any wonder that this Museum has had a very troubled history of safety issues (located on top of a hill), money issues, and management issues?

Is it also any wonder that both the museum, and the nearby Lummis House are said to have ghosts? Dark figures are said to walk around both properties. The Lummis House was built between 1898-1910, using stones found on the riverbed in the Arroyo Seco. This strange almost folk art-like house is said to be a precursor to the "craftsman" movement in local Architecture. Among the many curiosities of this odd "castle" are the "photo negative" windows, the inaccessible second floor (no stairs or fixed ladders), and the haunted basement (where most of the sighting occur).

http://www.socalhistory.org/

LOST: Haunted Hotel #1

As part of GHOULA's mission to preserve the haunted history of greater Los Angeles, periodically GHOULA will spotlight a haunted building from our great city that is no longer with us, in an effort to prevent these stories from being forgotten (even if their ghosts are also no longer with us).

THE AMBASSADOR HOTEL

(3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles) Map

THE GHOST(S):

Opened in 1921 (demolished in 2005), the Ambassador Hotel (built on swamp land) was one of the first serious threats to Hollywood as a "playground for the stars" as celebrities searched for new areas where they could avoid the growing numbers of tourists. The hotel's own tropical-themed "Coconut Grove" night club (on the ground floor) became the new oasis for movie folk that wanted to be left alone. That said, unfortunately despite the glamour, elegance, and notable guests of this former landmark (and The Coconut Grove), the hotel was most famous for being the site of Robert Kennedy's assassination, which also marked the beginning of the end for this pink palace.

After those tragic events, the Ambassador slid down to the fate of all historic buildings in Los Angeles (before they are demolished), becoming a "film location" with its luxurious ballroom becoming a sound stage. Occasionally however, it did regain its former glory when a production would shoot a "period piece" there, filling the halls with actors in vintages costumes. But, these moments were fleeting. Ironically, the movie "Bobby" about the assassination of Robert Kennedy took so long to get funding, the production was forced to "rebuild" the Ambassador (since the hotel was demolished shortly before production began).

There are two strange stories that have been often repeated about the building. First, The Coconut Grove used to have caged canaries throughout the dinning room. Because of the heat, noise, and gas lighting, many birds would die in the course of a night. So, cages filled with additional (spare) canaries were kept in storage to replace the dead ones as their little bodies were discovered. It is unknown how many hundreds (probably thousands) of birds died in that one room over the years.

Secondly, aside from the usual "cold spots" and electric anomalies, there were tales of a ghostly "woman dressed in white" figure that would appear in a fourth story window (seen from outside), who would lean out that window, and then disappear. Was she a suicide victim? Was she going to climb out the window? Was see trying to get some one's attention outside? Was she calling for help? To this day no one knows who she was, or why she haunted the hotel (and that specific room)... And sadly, since the hotel is gone, no one will probably ever find out the truth? Then again, maybe she'll take up residence in the new building on this site. Only time will tell.

If you know of another ghost story (or another version of a story mentioned), or if you have personally experienced something strange at this theater, please leave a comment.

REAL GHOSTS with REEL GHOSTS

THE DATE: May 28 & 29
THE TIME: Fri: 9:45; Sat: 5:25 & 9:45
THE PLACE: The New Beverly Cinema
(7165 W. Beverly Blvd.) map
THE MOVIE: Ghostbusters (1984)
THE ADMISSION PRICE: $7.00

Your chance to see this movie about ghosts in an actual haunted theater!
(Note: this event is not hosted by GHOULA)

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

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)

LOST: Haunted Theater #2

As part of GHOULA's mission to preserve the haunted history of greater Los Angeles, periodically GHOULA will spotlight a haunted building from our great city that is no longer with us, in an effort to prevent these stories from being forgotten (even if their ghosts are also no longer with us).

THE CARTHAY CIRCLE THEATER
(6316 San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles) Map

THE GHOST(S):

Outside of the Chinese Theater in Hollywood, no other movie palace exemplified the glamour of the Hollywood ideal like the Carthay Circle Theater (opened in 1926). The "Chinese" and the "Circle" were the only two theaters in Southern California to host premieres with the over-the-top fanfare (otherwise only seen in the movies, themselves), featuring red carpets, search lights, and bleachers filled with screaming fans. These two theaters set the standard that award ceremonies desperately try to copy to this day. However, unlike its themed Asian counterpart, the Carthay Circle (so named because of the shape of its auditorium) was pure American, with an Old West inspired decor that continued from its interior to the Gold Rush themed fountain located in the traffic island in front, which by the way, still exists today (despite being a subject of vandalism and hate crimes). But, the most bizarre element of this "Spirit of the American West" theme was the giant custom curtain that paid tribute to the tragic Donner Party, who resorted to cannibalism to survive.

Aside from that graphic depiction of one of the most macabre moments of the Golden State's history, there was something even more surreal behind the curtain. It is said that the ghost of a vaudevillian performer, who died of a heart attack during a floor show on that stage, haunted the backstage area of this famous theater. Now, that the theater has been demolished, and an office building has been erected on that spot, unfortunately there have been no further sightings of a ghost in baggy pants with a seltzer bottle.

http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1158/

If you know of another ghost story (or another version of a story mentioned), or if you have personally experienced something strange at this theater, please leave a comment.