Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"Because Hollywood is a tragic place filled with broken dreams. And as we've learned, as a matter of fact, from our serious radio pilot, the more the more misery there is in somebody's life, the larger they'll haunt the area." — Marcus Parks
"Well, the Nicarbocker is also very famous for being the site of the annual Harry Houdini sayons. As we know from past episodes, Harry Houdini was a very big anti, I wouldn't say he's an anti-spiritualist, but he hated all of the, I guess, hoopla, the hollabaloo, the surround of the spiritualist movements of the 1800s." — Henry Zabrowski
"And the whites of the time must have hated the fact he was Latin, huh? Oh, no, no, no. He was Italian. Yeah, he just looked Latin. Oh, I see. But of course, the whites didn't have too high of an opinion of the Italians either." — Ben Kissel
The episode begins by establishing Hollywood's notorious reputation, tracing its origins back to a violent and unsavory past, including a massacre of Chinese immigrants in 1871. This dark foundation, combined with the broken dreams and personal tragedies of countless aspiring and established stars, is presented as the catalyst for the area's alleged paranormal activity. The hosts then explore specific haunted locations, focusing heavily on hotels like the Nicarbocker and Roosevelt, detailing ghost sightings, unexplained occurrences, and the lingering spirits of figures such as Rudolph Valentino and Marilyn Monroe.
The discussion delves into the tragic lives and deaths of various Hollywood personalities, including Francis Farmer, whose severe mental health struggles and subsequent treatment in asylums are recounted with grim detail. The narrative highlights how figures like D.W. Griffith, known for his racist film "The Birth of a Nation," also died at the Nicarbocker, adding another layer to its haunted history. The podcast emphasizes the struggles faced by actors, referencing the story of Lillian Millicent Paget-Whistell, a failed actress who committed suicide near the Hollywood sign, and Victor Killian, an actor murdered in a crime that remains unsolved.
Further exploration covers the alleged haunting of various studios, including Paramount, and the infamous Hollywood sign itself. The episode touches upon the idea of haunted objects, specifically a cursed ring once owned by Rudolph Valentino, which allegedly brought misfortune to its subsequent owners. The hosts also discuss the ghost of actor Lon Chaney and the unexpected haunting of comedian John Belushi at the Chateau Marmont, concluding with the story of Anna Nicole Smith at a Florida hotel, reinforcing the podcast's thesis that Hollywood's allure is intertwined with deep-seated tragedy and a pervasive sense of the supernatural.