Ahhhhh … there’s nothing quite like the spine-chilling Halloween season on a hot October day.  We’ve had record-setting heat in the City of Angels and the state is burning down, but that hasn’t stopped us from getting into the spirit.  This past week we had two great events at the shop, the first being the presentation and signing for the book “The Show Won’t Go On” with authors Jeff Abraham and Burt Kearns.  They did an amazing job of talking about their research and writing process, retelling some of the more historic stories. It was good, clean fun.  Well, our kind of fun.

 

 

 

We also opened up the “clubhouse” on Tuesday night for a presentation on my Rocky Horror Picture Show book that I wrote. I talked about how I became a fan, the interviews I conducted for the book, behind the scenes gossip and an exhibit of artifacts. Some very serious fellow fans showed up so we had a solid discussion about the stage show, movie and aftermath. Thank you to everyone who came out to these events. It was a pleasure to see everyone. 

 

 

Thank you, Elisa Jordan of LA Woman Tours for taking these photographs.

 

 

 

Speaking of our clubhouse - we had a midnight visitor who blessed our little museum with exterior artwork of a ghostly trio.  Honestly, our landlord FLIPPED, but I was able to convince them to let us keep it until Halloween.  It actually took more energy to convince them that we didn't do it ourself!  Street artist Meg Zany and a rock star I'll just call... Mave Davarro, were behind this fabulous caper.  We love them and we are pretty sure they like us too.  

 

Come by, it's not going to last long.  Don't forget your death certificate!

 

 

 

We’d also like to thank the folks at okwhatever.org for the article about our efforts to take care of the dead.  Technically, we can be considered a cemetery. True.  See?  For what it’s worth, we actually take this responsibility seriously and we are honored to do it. 

 

 

 

I was on an episode of True Crime Daily this week.  These guys were fascinating and it was an honor to be able to spend some time with them.  We shot a little bonus episode talking about the recently convicted Hollywood Ripper (and a very cool artifact I brought along) and Satanist Anton LaVey, who was a fascinating... character.  

 

 

 

Chris Nichols from LA Magazine recently spoke to me about the spookiest locations in the Hollywood.  The article appeared in the magazine and is now online. Chris has been a good friend to us at Dearly Departed Tours so I appreciate the coverage.  Many of the places I mention are still in business so please show them some love by giving them your business if you’re in the area. It’s not easy being a small business. (Especially in some specific areas … *cough cough* California.)

 

 

Did you hear the super awesome amazing news that a version of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood with 25 extra minutes is going to be released?  That sound exploding is my head.  Vapors.  Oh yeah, did I tell you that I worked on it?  I know.  I'll stop.

 

We still have some open spaces (but not many) for the Horror Film Location Tour. Richard hosts these tours and he even dresses up as a legendary Halloween (get it?) killer for photo opps.  Michael Myers forever!  Tickets.

 

And of course, our good friend Jill Marie Morris’s Halloween version of Hollywood Ever After is taking place on October 26 here at the shop. She’ll talk about legends of horror movies and do some private readings as well. We can’t promise any specific dead people show up, but someone always does. Tickets.

 

Love,

Scott and the Dearly Departed Team

 

 

Bonus:

 

 

A Rocky Horror Trivia Bit:  One of the background singers on the on the film soundtrack album was Clare Torey.  That means of the same women who sang the "Let's Do The Time Warp Again!" chorus, also sang the insane solo performance in Pink Floyd's Great Gig In The Sky.