If you’re looking for a thrill on Halloween, you may want to visit some of these scary sights . . .
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel was built in 1927. Legend has it that the place is haunted. Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift both are said to haunt the place. Clift stayed there for three months to film From Here to Eternity (eternity?) and there is a mirror in the lower level elevator that some claim reflects the sad face of Marilyn Monroe, who died at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive in Brentwood. A cold spot in the “Blossom Room†is not traceable to draught or vents. Since a remodel in 1985, the security manager has reportedly kept a log of sightings . . .
The Queen Mary is widely reported to be haunted. Lights flicker, doors slam on the G-deck. An old woman appears to dive into the empty pool. A mini-skirted woman disappears behind a pillar near it, and sounds of water splashing and shouting arise from the pool deck. A ship’s officer walks the bridge. Dishes and utensils vanish from the galley where a cook was killed in a brawl during WWII when it was used by the military. The engine room is haunted by a man with a black beard, chains rattle and dangle in mid-air, balls of light move throughout the walls.
In Santa Monica, the Georgian Hotel was built in 1933. Called the Lady Windemere, the Art Deco structure was considered the most modern hotel of its time.
In its heyday, the hotel was home of one of L.A.’s first speakeasies. Celebrities like stars Clark Gable and Carol Lombard, gangster Bugsy Siegel and Roscoe “Fatty†Arbuckle, silent film comedian, frequented the establishment. Arbuckle was tried and acquitted for the murder of starlet Virginia Rappe who became ill at a weekend party. Arbuckle was having at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. The hotel doctor said she was intoxicated; in fact, she had peritonitis from a ruptured bladder, and Arbuckle was tried in the Hearst press with torrid allegations of sexual misconduct.
Loud sighs and gasps from nonexistent guests are heard at the Speakeasy restaurant after hours. A voice from nowhere greets employees with “Good Morning.†Footsteps are heard in the restaurant and apparitions haunt the dining room floor.
1428 North Genesee Avenue is the home of Nightmare on Elm Street; one of the most famous scary homes in recent Hollywood memory.
Alfred Hitchcock died at 10957 Bellagio Road in 1980. The director of some of the world’s scariest films, he could still be directing from beyond.
Lionel Barrymore lived at 800 No. Roxbury Drive. It has been reported that his ghost slams doors and flicks lights on and off for eternity.
The former Café Four Oaks at 2181 Beverly Glen Boulevard was a speakeasy and a bordello in the 1920’s. A former resident was said to have been decapitated by a jilted lover in the 1800’s. Their presence is haunting.
The Comedy Store on Sunset Boulevard is the home of more than laughter. Mobsters previously owned the club, called Ciro’s. At least five of their victims reportedly haunt the complex.
A ghostly light, in human form, walks the grounds, and haunts Chester Place, Mount St. Mary College. It is suspected to be the ghost of Edward Doheny. Ghost nuns are seen walking the halls of the dormitories at 12001 Chalon Road. It is said that the college is built upon Indian burial grounds and stolen buried treasure.
The house at 7708 Woodrow Wilson Drive inspired the house in Ghostbusters; Dan Ackroyd lived there, as did former residents Mama Cass Elliot (who died choking) and actor Natalie Wood, who’s death is unsolved.
Silent film star, Bessie Love, also lived in Laurel Canyon. Her home at 8227 Lookout Mountain Avenue is said to be the sight of apparitions and strange voices that prompted the star to move out of the residence.
At 3099 Mandeville Canyon Road, the Mexican hacienda that served as the exterior for the series “Hart to Hart†with Robert Wagner and Stephanie Powers was the former home of Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck. It, too, is said to be haunted by poltergeists.
2320 Bowmont Drive was Katherine Hepburn’s house. Boris Karloff later purchased the home. Hepburn reported seeing a ghost at the poolside apartment and there were several reports of apparitions in the main house.
Pacific Avenue and Windward Avenue is the conjunction of mysterious happenings. The ghost of the man who developed Venice, Abbot Kinney, patrols his streets with a watchful eye, especially along Pacific and Windward.
Last, but not least, everyone who is going trick-or-treating should know about the Witch’s House at 516 Walden Drive. It is the authentic Trick or Treat headquarters!
