Haunted Los Angeles
Knickbocker Hotel which
is located at 1714 Avar Road, Los Angeles, CA 90028 is said to be haunted by many ghost. The Knickbocker was first opened in
1925 (1). Over the years, the hotel remained a fashionable place for celebrities to stay and hangout until the late
1960s when it had deteriorated to the point where it was home to various vagrants(1). In 1970, it was refurbished and became
an apartment complex for senior citizens(1).
The ghosts first start appearing soon after the hotel was first opened.
The very first was Rudolph Valentino had been a silent movie star. He was born Rodolfo Alfonso Raffaello Piero Filiberto
Guglielmi di Valentina d'Antonguolla in Castellaneta, Italy. He migrated to the United States on December 23, 1913 at the age
of 18 (2). His first role was as an uncredit dancer in 1914 in the film "The Battle of the Sexes" though he might been an extra
in some films before this which was D. W. Griffith (Another ghost who haunts the Knickerbocker hotel) production (3). He
would continue to work in films initially just in bit parts or uncredited roles but over time got more substanial roles until
1921 when he hit it big. The film was "The Shiek", it turn him into overnight star and one Hollywood's first sex symbols. This
would be his major role which he would forever be known for.
On August 15th Rudolph collaspe in his hotel in NYC (2). He
would die on August 23rd at age 31.
When he was alive, he used to frequent a bar in the Knickerbocker Hotel. It is said
his ghost still wanders the hotel looking for his favorite bar.
For years after his death different woman dressed in black would
visit his grave on the anniversity of his death and place a red rose on his grave. One of the women actually defaced Jayne Mansfield's
centograph because she not want her so close to her beloved Valentino.
William Frawley was a character actor in Hollywood.
He is best known for his work on "I Love Lucy" and "My Three Sons.' William Frawly had lived at the Knickerbock Hotel for over
30 years (4). He had moved to the El Royale Apartments several months before his death. On March 3, 1966, he had went
to see the movie "Inside Daisy Clove", he was coming back to his apartment with his male nurse when he collaspe on the sidewalk from
a heart attack (4). He was taken to the Knickbocker Hotel where he died. It is said that his spirit left his body and
decided to haunt the place he had called home to for over 30 years.
Another person who is said to haunt this hotel is D. W. Griffith.
He was a well known director in the early days of cinema. He was known for pioneering use of cameras (5). His best known
film was "Birth of a Nation" which due to his negative depection of blacks and their supports and the positive depication of
the Ku Klux Klan. On July 23, 1948, he was foind unconscience in his room at the Knickerbocker and would die in the
lobby of the hotel or on his way to the hospital (5). Ever since then it is said his spirit haunts various parts of the hotel.
Irene
Lentz was a American Costume Designer who met her demise at this hotel. She started out as actress in Mack Sennett comedies
(6). Then once she started desining clothes, she simply became "Irene". She worked with stars creating wardrobes for of
the leading ladies of the 40s and 50s. In 1962, she had only loved one who was Gary Cooper who had died in 1961 and was very
depressed about it (6). On November 15th, 1962, she chevked into the Knickerbocker Hotel under an assumed name where tried to
commited suicide by slashing her wrist when this failed she jump out her bathroom window and landed on the roof of the lounge where
died (6). Her body was found there the same day. I don't if her ghost has been sighted at the hotel or not.
References Used
(5) Wikipedia contributors
"D. W. Griffith" 25 October 2010. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
(6)
Wikipedia contributors. "Irene Lentz" 15 October 2010. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
