George Reeves’ Ghost

Reeves as Superman

In the 1950s the actor, George Reeves was best known for his portrayal of Superman in the television series, Adventures of Superman.

Reeves died at the age of 45, from a gunshot wound to the head. He was found dead in his bedroom at 1:59 a.m. on June 16, 1959, in his home in Los Angeles’ Benedict Canyon. It was just three days before his marriage to a young socialite.

The cops ruled his death a suicide but others felt it was an accident or even murder.

Home on Benedict Drive

Reeves was a personable and charming actor that was liked by most people who knew him. But it appears he had a darker side.

Those who support the theory he committed suicide point to the fact that by the late 1950s Reeves was having trouble finding work as an actor after his popular series ended. It appeared he was to be forever stereotyped as the caped crusader.

But this belief left out two important aspects of Reeves's life at the time of his death. He had just begun a career as a Hollywood television director, and he had recently put his personal life in turmoil when he left his lover of several years—a woman eight years his senior.

George Reeves with Toni Mannix

His mistress, Toni Mannix, had bought the Benedict Canyon home for him. She became extremely jealous when Reeves dumped her for a younger woman-- Lenore Lemmon who he intended to marry.

Mannix, a one time showgirl, was married to Eddie Mannix, a former MGM vice president who was in good with the cops and had connections to organized crime. Hence, the speculations that Reeves’s death may have been a murder, that the police conveniently covered up.

Some point out that Toni Mannix had Reeves murdered because she was a scorned lover. But others feel it might have been her husband who did not like being shown up by "an actor." 

Lenore Lemmon

To add to the confusion, Reeves's state of mind at the time of his death was muddled. Lemmon told the cops one story—while other’s who attended the party she threw at the home—the night Reeves died-- conflicted with her account of what happened.

George Reeves’s death today still remains an unsolved mystery. But what happened after his death has been well documented over the years.

For over a decade, Toni Mannix had trouble selling the home on Benedict Drive. It quickly gained a reputation for being haunted by George Reeves.

People who believe the murder theory point to this reason as to why his spirit lingers.

One young couple who rented the home was entertaining guests one evening in the living room when everyone heard noises coming from upstairs.

They followed these sounds to Reeve’s ex-bedroom, where his body was found. This room that was kept neat, was now in complete disarray. The bed linens had been torn off the bed, and clothes were strewn across the floor.

When this group returned to the living room they discovered that all the drinks that they had left on the coffee table, were now in the kitchen.

Later, this couple discovered their German shepherd barking furiously at the door to Reeve's old bedroom. They watched as he cowered and slinked away with his tail between his legs. When they opened the door, they found the bed had been moved across the room.

Early one summer morning, around 3:00 a.m., they both saw Reeves ghost in his ex-bedroom. He was wearing his Superman costume. They moved out of the home that same morning.

After this, other renters claimed to hear a single gunshot in the middle of the night, as well as smelling gunpowder in the Reeve’s bedroom.

The young couple was not the only witnesses to encounter Reeve’s apparition. A film crew and actors making a documentary about Reeves also saw him standing in his full Superman attire in his old bedroom.

Reeves bedroom window.

At one point two sheriffs were called out to watch the Benedict Canyon home because there were so many complaints from neighbors. These reports included people hearing screaming, gunshots, and seeing the lights go on and off in the house in the middle of the night. The home was empty at the time.

These neighbors also reported seeing Reeves apparition standing on his front lawn.

Here is a brief video, about George Reeve’s death.

Buster Keaton’s Ghost

Keaton on stage with his parents.

Joseph Frank Keaton earned the name “Buster” after a family friend watched the 6-month-old child tumble down a flight of stairs in a boardinghouse and escape unscathed.

Joining his parents on stage at the age of 3, Buster spent the next 15 years performing—he attended school just once for one day—during these years.

In 1917 he joined his mentor Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle in making two-reelers—these films are classics today. More information about Arbuckle is located here.

Arbuckle and Keaton

Starting in 1921 Buster produced his own films. He had become one of the greatest comedic actors of the silent film era. His comedy and wild stunts are still watched today with appreciation.

In his film Sherlock Jr. in 1924 when he walks up to a projected image in a movie house and walks into the image on the screen it became one of Hollywood's memorable film moments.

He was a genius when it came to creating gags that involved mechanics. He always did his own stunts.

His most famous stunt—was standing deadpan as a hinged 3-story house front fell around him as he stood in a window gap –there was only an inch and half clearance between this frame and his unprotected body.

In another stunt, he broke his leg during the filming of The Electric House in 1922.

In a stunt, he did for Sherlock Jr. as he dropped from a rope he was blown off train tracks by water rushing out of a railroad refill tank. It wasn’t until later he learned his neck was broken.

Both these stunts are highlighted in the video below.

Like many comedians, Keaton also had a darker side. He was known to drink too much, like his father before him.

It was supposedly a “drunken incident” with Louis B. Mayer in the early 1930s that led to Keaton’s dismissal from a contract, he had with MGM.

This sent him on a downward spiral that ended his film career —another factor was the invention of talkies.

In the 1960s he returned to film appearing in a series of “beach party” movies. Even though this was thought to highlight how far he had fallen Keaton himself stated he enjoyed this work.

In 1960 the Academy Awards gave Buster Keaton an honorary Oscar for his film achievements.

Buster Keaton's villa.

At the height of his career in 1925, Keaton had a 30-room Italian villa built on Pamela Drive in Beverly Hills. This home was surrounded by ten acres.

His gardens had remote-controlled streams stocked with trout. The front of the house had a sixty step marble staircase lined with statues that led to a 50-foot Romanesque marble pool.

To make grand entrances for his friends Keaton rigged his living room drapes so he could swing down from a second-floor balcony.

Keaton had this home built for his wife Natalie Talmadge and two sons who moved into the house with Natalie’s mother.

Buster with Natalie

After the birth of her second son, Natalie decided she didn’t want any more children, so she moved into a separate bedroom. The marriage ended in 1932 in a bitter divorce. Partly became of Keaton’s drinking and party because of his extramarital affairs.

Natalie changed their son’s last names to “Talmadge” and didn’t let them have any further contact with their father. She never remarried and died an alcoholic.

Keaton also lost his beloved home in 1933 after their divorce.

After Keaton’s death in 1966, the subsequent owners of the villa felt Keaton’s ghost haunted this property. His ghost became a “slightly annoying presence” for these owners—for his spirit is playful.

Pamela Mason divorced the English actor James Mason in the mid-1960s. She was one of the first high profile clients of Marvin Mitchelson, the divorce lawyer who pioneered the right to palimony.

Pamela before and after divorce.

Pamela like her husband was an actor. She starred with her husband in a television series called The James Mason Show.

Mason lived in Keaton’s former house for 25 years. During this time she was plagued by the lights mysteriously turning off and on and the telephone wires malfunctioning.

Buster’s ghost also fiddled with the water faucets, doors, wall hangings and any other object he could move to gain her attention.

Pamela Mason had a fatal heart attack in this house in 1996. Some believe her ghost has joined Keaton’s in haunting the property.

This villa has ironically been used in recent years as a “Haunted House” attraction during the Halloween season.

The following short video is a compilation of Keaton’s best film stunts.

Jennifer Love Hewitt’s Haunted Home

A while back I wrote a post about how the television set where Ghost Whisperer was filmed was haunted. Ghosts were spotted standing behind actors in scenes that were reviewed afterward. More about this is here.

Jennifer Love Hewitt

Jennifer Love Hewitt was the star of this show and she was not a novice when it comes to ghosts.

Hewitt lived in a house that she felt was haunted. She called in a paranormal investigator, Mary Ann Winkowski to help. Winkowski states she can communicate with the deceased.

What Winkowski found was an earthbound spirit--a young man--had taken up residence in Hewitt’s home.

This man had been killed in a car crash, and he told Winkowski that he had been a big fan of Hewitt’s while alive. He had even attended high school with her--but Hewitt did not know him.

Winkowski discovered this man’s name and address.

Winkowski checked out his story and discovered he had attended school with Hewitt and had been killed in a car accident. The family told her he was a fan and that his bedroom was covered in posters of Hewitt.

Mary Ann Winkowski with Hewitt

Hewitt afterward stated she was actually comfortable with his presence for she felt his ghost “was looking out for her.”

This haunting is a classic example of why ghosts often remain behind. In this case because of a strong attachment to a person--even though the affection wasn’t mutual.

It was actually this haunting that inspired the creation of the TV show Ghost Whisperer, which aired from 2005 to 2010 on CBS.

Winkowski was a consultant on the show and Hewitt was an associate producer.

Mary Ann Winkowski since has written a book entitled When Ghosts Speak.

Lucille Ball’s Ghost

Lucille Ball started her acting career in the movies as a “glamour girl.” Films such as Ziegfeld Follies in 1946 showcased her beauty.

However, it was her role as Lucy Ricardo in the hit television series I Love Lucy that aired from 1951-56 that she created with her husband Desi Arnaz that highlighted her natural physical ability and genius for comedy. This show made her a huge star.

Episodes from all 3-television sitcoms that Lucille Ball starred in are still shown in syndication around the world--which is a tribute to her talent.

When Lucille Ball died during surgery, on April 26, 1989, at the age of 77, she was still living in her home located at 1000 North Roxbury Dive in Beverly Hills, California.

Lucille purchased this home when she was married to her first husband, Desi Arnaz.

What Lucille Ball house looked like.

Gary Morton, Lucille's second husband, sold the house several years after her death. The new owners had the house torn down. 

A friend of Lucille's drove past the property to see the home one last time. Walls were missing, and he could see Lucille's old bedroom. He then noticed a tall, slim redhead peering through the fence at the what was left.

She turned toward him, and he realized it was Lucy. She looked upset and confused. She then walked around the south corner of the house and disappeared.

Despite the fact, Lucille's home was destroyed there still have been reports of several strange happenings. It is felt Lucille Ball’s ghost haunts the new house that replaced hers.

Most of the activity occurs in the attic.

Lucille‘s ghost is said to be playful but seldom intrusive. It appears she hangs around because she loves her old neighborhood.

Her ghost is sometimes impulsive. One recent owner of the Roxbury home stated that her spirit spends a lot of time rearranging furniture and boxes that are stored in the attic.

She has never physically damaged anything but a variety of noises have been reported emulating from the attic. One witness claimed she heard the sounds of a party going on upstairs.

Another witness, a family member of the new owners stated she heard the I Love Lucy theme song playing softly in the attic--she listened to this song on more than one occasion.

Ball’s presence has always been accepted as being a natural part of the home. When it was suggested to the owner that an exorcism should be performed, he stated he could never do that to “Lucy.”

What new home looks like.

The home was put up for sale in 2010.

Lucille Ball’s ghost is also said to haunt the Hart building at Paramount Studios. This studio was once Desilu Studios-- where the I Love Lucy show was produced.

Night watchmen at this studio have reported seeing her spirit in this building’s upper floors. Her present is always surrounded by the scent of a flowery perfume.

The Ghost of William S. Hart

William Surrey Hart was an American matinee idol and silent screen star from 1914-1925. 

He often portrayed cowboy characters that were at first “bad cowboys” who then was transformed by the love of a good woman. 

William Hart stamp

Hart began his career on the stage in his 20s. He didn’t start acting in films until the age of 49. He moved to Hollywood and worked for Thomas Ince’s New York Motion Picture Company. 

On the Broadway stage, Hart was known as a consummate Shakespearean actor—in his later films; this experience was reflected in his fluid movements and fantastic facial expressions. 

The last Western Hart starred in was in 1925. This film entitled, “Tumbleweeds” is considered one of his best.

You can watch the film “Tumbleweeds” here.

Hart did all his own stunts, which resulted in many injuries. By the mid-1920s, Hart’s brand-- the gritty, rough clothed, rugged western star went out of vogue. 

Hart disgusted by “pretty boy” pictures refused to change with the times. A new and much more flashy cowboy western star, Tom Mix was now all the rage. 

Hart retired to Newhall, California where he had the architect, Arthur R. Kelly design and build a 22-room mansion, in the Spanish Colonial Revival style for him. Hart called his new home, “La Loma de los Vientos” meaning Hill of the Winds. 

He and one of his sisters who used a wheelchair moved into this home in 1928. Hart’s 265-acre Horseshoe Ranch was connected to this property.

Sketch of Hart 1929

Hart lived on this ranch for almost twenty years. In 1946, at the age of 81, he died—his sister passed away before him. 

Hart left his mansion and ranch to Los Angeles County. His estate is a museum today. 

Hart collected an impressive amount of Western art. This collection, which includes pieces by Charles M. Russell, Frederic Remington and Joe de Yong, are displayed in the mansion today. 

Hart’s home also has an impressive collection of Native America art, as well as all its original furnishings, etc. The ranch has an assortment of animals, including a herd of bison, which were donated to the museum by Disney Studios in 1962.

Since his death, there have been numerous sightings of Hart's ghost, and his sister’s spirit on the property. 

Hart often appears to people he is familiar with. Docents at the museum see him the most. 

The ghosts of Hart’s two Great Danes, which are buried on the property, have also been seen. One young visitor, when asked who he was playing with, replied, “the big doggies.”  

In the mansion’s kitchen, which is never used, there often is the smell of freshly brewed coffee. Docent’s find this very strange because no food or beverages are allowed inside the museum—not even in their office. 

Since the mansion displays a considerable art collection, there is a very sophisticated alarm system in place. But on countless occasions, motion sensors have been tripped during the night when the estate is locked up and secure. When people arrive to check it out—no one is inside the mansion. 

Since there is so much unusual activity on the property the docents keep a “logbook.” of all these experiences.

The Ghost of Sarah Henry

“I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.”

                                                Patrick Henry

When Patrick Henry gave this his most famous speech on March 23, 1775, * he was still grief-stricken because his beloved wife Sarah Henry had died the month before. 

Sarah and Patrick were childhood sweethearts. They married when Patrick was eighteen and Sarah was sixteen. It was this connection that would bring Patrick the most joy and most sorrow in his life. 

The tragedy that surrounded Sarah’s last few years has resulted in a haunting that has lasted over two centuries.

When Patrick married he was already a “failed merchant,” but Sarah’s dowry included a 600-acre farm, a house, and six slaves. So the two young newlyweds became planters. But in three years a fire destroyed Henry’s plantation. 

Patrick again became a merchant, but for a second time, he failed as a businessman. 

He then studied law in 1766 and this time he succeeded. His legal career took off, and the now prosperous lawyer bought one of the most imposing of the mansions in colonial America, Scotchtown, a 10,000-acre plantation located in Ashland, Virginia for his family.  **

Just months after the Henrys moved in Sarah gave birth to their sixth child, a son. Shortly after this, she started to exhibit signs of mental illness, her condition worsened steadily and resulted in her death in 1775 just four years later. 

Few records of Sarah’s condition survived, but some believe she suffered from “puerperal psychosis.” Which is a mental illness that often occurs after childbirth. It was during this time that Patrick had to make a difficult decision.

He viewed a public hospital in Williamsburg and was so horrified at what he saw he decided to keep his wife at Scotchtown where he could make sure Sarah received the attention she needed. 

In the last year of her life, Sarah’s condition worsened to the point where the family decided to keep her confined in two of the basement rooms at Scotchtown. It is said during this period she exhibited a “strange antipathy” toward her family. 

A servant was first assigned to monitor her behavior but when she started to inflict bodily harm upon herself a special “straight-dress” similar to today’s straightjacket was used to restrain her.

Patrick remained loyal to his wife to the end. He made attempts to keep his wife’s condition secret. He even used a secret stairway in the back hall of Scotchtown when visiting his wife in the basement. 

But despite his discretion word spread quickly around the large plantation about the mistress’s condition. In colonial American people who suffered from mental illnesses where misunderstood. People didn't view it as an illness but instead being possessed by “evil spirits.” 

This is probably the main reason Patrick tried to keep Sarah’s illness secret. But as word spread across the plantation many servants, slaves, and workers refused to come near the mansion let alone enter it.

When Sarah died in February of 1775, she was buried in an unmarked grave on the plantation. It was a custom at the time to bury people with mental illness in secret. This again was connected to the belief that the mentally ill where possessed by demons. 

To this day the location of Sarah’s final resting place is not known. In 1777 when Patrick Henry was elected the first governor *** of Virginia he sold Scotchtown because it held too many bad memories for him. But it seems Sarah’s ghost remained.

A lot of strange things have occurred at Scotchtown over the years. The house itself for many years was abandoned and allowed to slowly deteriorate. During this time many neighbors saw lights at the windows, which looked like candlelight. 

A female ghost was seen by a group of children and adults wearing a long flowing white dress floating along the back of the house. This same spirit was seen making its way from the basement of the house to one of the outer buildings that housed the servants.

Patrick Henry’s great-great-great granddaughter felt the house was haunted and would not stay overnight. Mary Adams as a child lived at Scotchtown from 1933 to 1940 she heard unusual noises frequently. 

She and a group of her young friends saw a woman in a long, white gown inside the house, the figure disappeared in front of them. She and others heard chains being dragged across the attic floor.

In 1958 the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities purchased and restored Scotchtown.

Since a cradle used by the Henrys that is kept on the first floor has moved on its own. A tea caddy and the top of a teapot were moved while the house was empty. A candle that dates from the Henrys time in the home was moved during the night when the house was closed. 

The door to the basement is never locked, but sometimes it will not open. Witnesses state it is like someone is holding it on the other side.

In recent times more strange activity has been witnessed. 

On Halloween night in 1990, a policeman took a report from a neighbor who witnessed candlelight in the window after the mansion had been closed for the day. This female witness reported that as she entered the grounds, the candlelight disappeared but that she then saw a transparent figure of a woman walk past one window holding a candle. 

The police are often called to the estate because the alarm system and motion detectors are set off without explanation.

During tours of the house, visitors have also experienced strange activity. One docent took her group into the room directly above the basement rooms where Sarah was confined. As she told the visitors about Sarah’s last tragic years, they all heard a loud shrill scream coming from the rooms below. The group scattered quickly. 

Visitors have also reported feeling as if someone is watching them or standing behind them while they are in the basement.

A portrait of Joseph Shelton, Shelton was Sarah’s maiden name, hangs at Scotchtown. Many people have reported that the eyes of this man seem to follow them while they are in the room. In the attic, strange swarms of wasps and flies have collected at one window.

Another odd phenomenon at Scotchtown is connected to the two basement rooms were Sarah died. 

Ever since the mansion was renovated there have been attempts made to paint the walls in this area. Professional painters have been hired, top quality paint has been used, but regardless the color will not adhere to the walls. It is stated the paint literally “burns” off the walls, and there is no scientific reason for why this occurs. So even today the walls in these two rooms are dreary and in need of fresh paint.

*  Patrick Henry’s speech helped move America toward American independence.

**  Scotchtown was initially built in 1719 and is a one-story house that is 80 feet long and 40 feet wide. It has eight rooms on the main floor and eight rooms in the basement. It also has a large attic.

***  Patrick Henry served 5 terms as governor of Virginia. He remarried in 1776 to Dorothea Dandridge. Between his two marriages, he had seventeen children. Large families were ordinary because many children died of illness. Six of Patrick Henry’s children died before him.