The Uninvited Wedding Guest

When I was fourteen years old, I picked up the hobby of photography and began putting my profession portfolio together in hopes to start a career later on. I was quickly able to bring attention to my art and gain clients. In the summer of 2008, one of my cousins asked if I would be the photographer at her wedding. The ceremony would be held at the old Silent Movie Theatre on Fairfax Avenue in Hollywood. Growing up in Los Angeles, I hadn't thought to look up the history of the place, as I assumed it to be just another novelty of the movie tourism appeal. Little did I know that I was walking into a location well known to still be the home of two of the previous owners, and possibly others. 

Opened in 1945 by the first owner, John Hampton, he lived in the attached upper floor apartment with his wife before death. In bringing back to life the black and white films he treasured so dearly, he paid the ultimate price with his life, from the deadly toxins used in his at home bathtub experiments, necessary for their restoration. He was diagnosed with cancer in 1970 and later died in 1990. Lawrence Austin was quick to take over but didn't last long as he was shot and killed during a show in 1997. 

As somewhat of a recent horror tale, sightings of full body apparitions have been spotted by a few (including the new owner Charlie Lustman), but it may take a few more years before it becomes as famous as some other attractions in the downtown area. I didn't expect much when I walked under the Vine covered outside announcement board, but as soon as I entered the lobby, I felt as though I had walked into a dark pit of a sadness. Even with the lights turned on, the room could not be illuminated. It was as if the eyes of movie stars past were silently observing me from their places in frames on the walls. I had begun to take pictures from the moment I had arrived, but each one was coming out blurred and distorted, no matter the settings on my camera.

Going up the winding staircase, my cousin was using the apartment quarters as a bridal dressing room. All of the bride’s maids fluttered around her in a mad rush to put on her dress and make up. It was not the usual air of happiness that inhabited a room of woman before a wedding. The room was still filled with the old fashion love seats, clothing, and paraphernalia of the previous owners. A full length antique mirror on the far side of the room seemed to be a emitting a cold air from it. I continued to snap pictures while trying desperate not to look, as a sense of dread overwhelmed me. Against my efforts, it was impossible not to notice the woman in the mirror, blonde hair in a neat bun, and a long pink gown. Her expressionless face just stared. I quickly rushed downstairs and told no one of the situation not wanting to risk ruining the wedding.

The rest of the ceremony went as planned, though all the pictures came out with strange orbs and colorful wisps of light behind the guests. I have found no written account of who the woman in the mirror may have been. But if you’re ever in Hollywood around Halloween, maybe you should visit. It is said to be the spirits’ favorite night.

By Angelina Paige

Posted in: ghost, haunted places in america, oddities, paranormal, scary ghost stories