Friday, October 30, 2009

William "Billy" Wilkerson's Ghost

The Man Who Invented Las Vegas Book Cover

Image via Wikipedia

 

In late 30's and 40's, William Wilkerson founded several nightclubs along the Sunset Strip, among them was the Ciro's and Cafe Trocadera. These two industries alone helped earn William Wilkerson the nickname "Father of the Sunset Strip".

William Wilkerson was also a ladies man. He had a eye for female talent. One of the female talents he discovered was Lana Turner.

Though Wilkerson had founded several nightclubs, his real baby was the 'Hollywood Reporter' which was founded in 1930. The Hollywood Reporter was the first Hollywood-based daily trade newspaper covering the entertainment industry.

In 1936, Wilkerson created a beautiful office for the Hollywood Reporter. A visitor would describe entering a long hand-finished wood hallway with floor-to ceiling mirrors that led to a marble fireplace and a grand staircase to Wilkerson's offices on the second floor. The hallway was Wilkerson's domain. He loved walking up and down it, looking into the offices. Wilkerson put is heart and soul into the Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood Reporter is where his heart and spirit remain. Though he died in 1962, the remodeling of his former offices seem to have Wilkerson pacing the halls again.

In 1992, the Hollywood Reporter moved to larger quarters. But the following year, another paper took over the space. The other paper is called the L.A. Weekly. Before the L.A. Weekly moved in Jerry Brake, a construction worker, worked on the building's seismic upgrading. Brake set up offices in the front hall, watched as the interior of the entryway was gutted and stripped back to brick. Everything was demolished except for Wilkerson's office on the second floor.

During construction, Brake usually was alone in the building. On occasion, at his desk, he would catch movement from the corner of his eye like a shadow of someone going by his door.  During those times, Brake would dismiss it as a trick of light. The lighting had been strung, casting eerie shadows across the floor. One night when Brake was by himself in his office, he felt a tap on his back. He looked to see who it was but no one was there. Brake went out of his office and looked up and down the hallway. Nothing. Brake walked past a room to the left of his office and saw a figure in the corner. Brake looked past it, to a mirror that stood in front of them both, but he only saw himself in the mirror. When he looked back towards the figure, it was gone.

A few days later, Brake was again alone in the building. He heard a noise and went towards the sound down the hall towards the stairs. Brake clearly heard footsteps in front of him and ran after them. When he came around the corner, he could of sworn he saw a figure but the lighting was bad. Brake went to check the rest of the building to find the figure but didn't find it.

Brake told a co-worker the story when suddenly the co-worker went white and pointed to an open side door. The co-worker stammered he saw a man there with gray pants and black shoes.

The thing was it was pouring rain outside and the floor was dry. After that incident, the co-worker never came back to work.

As the remodeling progressed, the grand staircase was removed, an elevator was the only access to the second floor. Late one night, the architect, Ted Powell, was in Wilkerson's office talking with a woman. The two were alone in the building. Suddenly the pair heard what sounded like a broom handle on the ceiling under them. It was no easy feat because the ceiling was nine feet high. Both took the elevator down, searched around but found no one. Just as they became sure it was nothing, both heard footsteps above them in the office. Both made a quick exit out of the building.

Brake stated that out of the 15 different things he saw he dismissed 10 of them as his imagination. But there was five time, he couldn't dismiss it, Brake swore he felt the presence of Wilkerson in the room.

Hope you enjoyed this recounting of Wilkerson's ghost. Have a Happy Halloween everyone.

*I found this story on the Britannica Blog.  It was written by Laurie Jacobson. I did my best at putting the story in my words instead of hers.  You can find her version at: http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2009/02/haunted-hollywood-9-wilkerson-the-hollywood-reporter-10-oscar-related-ghost-stories-in-honor-of-the-academy-awards/

 

 

 

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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Friday, October 23, 2009

Perry Mason-The Case Of The Restless Redhead

 

 

Okay, so I love these old classics. I definitely loved Perry Mason. I loved the way he won his cases. They don't make lawyers like Perry Mason anymore.

Yes, I will be putting up 4 more episodes of 'Perry Mason'. Enjoy this old classic. You can see more of the 'Perry Mason' episodes on 'Perry Mason' CBS.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Perry Mason (TV Series)

Perry Mason et Della Street

Image via Wikipedia

 

     'Perry Mason' is an American TV series that is produced by Paisano Productions. The series ran from 1957 to 1966. It was based on the book series written by Erle Stanley Gardner.

     'Perry Mason' was originally one of the longest running lawyer series at one time.

     In 1973, CBS brought back 'Perry Mason'. This one ran for only one season. It starred Monte Markham as Mason instead of Raymond Burr.

     Ray Burr returned as Mason in TV movies that aired from 1985-1995.

Cast

Raymond Burr-Perry Mason

Barbara Hale-Della Street

William Hopper-Paul Drake

William Talman-Hamilton Burger

Ray Collins-Lieutenant Arthur Tragg

Richard Anderson-Lieutenant Steve Drumm

Wesley Lau-Lieutenant Andy Anderson

Facts

  • Each episode was practically the same. The first part of episode shows prospective victim as deserving to be murdered. Mason's client is accused of the victims murder. Mason dramatically demonstrates the quilt of another character.
  • In a few episodes, B7urger and Tragg are shown assisting Mason and Drake in catching the killer.
  • All but one episode of 'Perry Mason' was filmed in black and white.
  • In 'The Case Of The Sardonic Sergeant', neither Burger or Tragg appeared in the episode.
  • Perry Mason's office phone number is MA5-1190 (MA meaning Madison exchange.) The Madison exchanged covers Hollywood and Huntington Park areas. Mason's office is downtown Los Angeles.
  • In 'The Case Of The Fugitive Nurse', Lieutenant Tragg offers Mason's phone number to Mrs. Morris.
  • The series was stapled in syndication to TBS and recently to the Hallmark Channel. 'Perry Mason is still shown in local markets and distributed by CBS.
  • In 1973, CBS attempted to recreate 'Perry Mason' but it only lasted half a season. The recreation was called 'The New Adventures of Perry Mason'.

Perry Mason TV Movies

     Dean Hargrove resurrected Mason's character in a series of Television movies for NBC in 1985. Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale reprised their roles as Mason and Della. William Katt, Hale's real life son, played the role of Paul Drake's son.

     There were a total of 30 movies. When Raymond Burr died in 1993, Paul Sorvino and Hal Holbrook starred in the final four episodes titled 'A Perry Mason Mystery'.

 

  1. Perry Mason Returns (1985) (TV)
  2. Perry Mason: The Case of the Notorious Nun (1986) (TV)
  3. Perry Mason: The Case of the Shooting Star (1986) (TV)
  4. Perry Mason: The Case of the Murdered Madam (1987) (TV)
  5. Perry Mason: The Case of the Lost Love (1987) (TV)
  6. Perry Mason: The Case of the Scandalous Scoundrel (1987) (TV)
  7. Perry Mason: The Case of the Sinister Spirit (1987) (TV)
  8. Perry Mason: The Case of the Avenging Ace (1988) (TV)
  9. Perry Mason: The Case of the Lady in the Lake (1988) (TV)
  10. Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lesson (1989) (TV)
  11. Perry Mason: The Case of the Musical Murder (1989) (TV)
  12. Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin (1989) (TV)
  13. Perry Mason: The Case of the Silenced Singer (1990) (TV)
  14. Perry Mason: The Case of the Defiant Daughter (1990) (TV)
  15. Perry Mason: The Case of the Desperate Deception (1990) (TV)
  16. Perry Mason: The Case of the Poisoned Pen (1990) (TV)
  17. Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Fashion (1991) (TV)
  18. Perry Mason: The Case of the Glass Coffin (1991) (TV)
  19. Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster (1991) (TV)
  20. Perry Mason: The Case of the Ruthless Reporter (1991) (TV)
  21. Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Framing (1992) (TV)
  22. Perry Mason: The Case of the Heartbroken Bride (1992) (TV)
  23. Perry Mason: The Case of the Reckless Romeo (1992) (TV)
  24. Perry Mason: The Case of the Skin-Deep Scandal (1993) (TV)
  25. Perry Mason: The Case of the Telltale Talk Show Host (1993) (TV)
  26. Perry Mason: The Case of the Killer Kiss (1993) (TV)

Perry Mason Mysteries (1993)

  1. A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Wicked Wives (1993) (TV) (starring Paul Sorvino)
  2. A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Lethal Lifestyle (1994) (TV) (starring Hal Holbrook)
  3. A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Grimacing Governor (1994) (TV) (starring Hal Holbrook)
  4. A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Jealous Jokester (1995) (TV) (starring Hal Holbrook)

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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Pretty Woman - Hollywood Beauties

I quess you couldn't tell I like some of the old time classic stars. This vid was put together by gloomyscout.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Friday, October 2, 2009

The Rifleman-Get The Point?

 

 

     I thought this video was amusing and had to share it. It was put together by cowgirltoot.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Bat Masterson - "Who'll Bury My Violence?"

I vaguely remember seeing episodes of 'Bat Masterson' when I was young. But I loved watching the reruns when they were on.