Tom Ogden

I love ghost stories and Old Hollywood. Throw the two of them together, and I am so there. I could hardly contain my excitement when I discovered a copy of Haunted Hollywood: Tinseltown Terrors, Filmdom Phantoms, and Movieland Mayhem in the Library’s catalog.

The narrative is divided into three sections, as indicated by the title. Odgen repeats stories that he’s heard/researched from the silent film stars like Mary Pickford; Douglas Fairbanks, Sr.; and Thelma Todd through modern day where some the studios and actors’ hangouts are reportedly haunted.

There is nothing creepy or interesting about these stories. My first clue should have been “retold by Tom Odgen.” They aren’t even well enough written to provide a narrative arc.

BUT I did learn a lot of Old Hollywood history, which is why I give it 2 out of 5 stars.… (mer)

The author is a very good storyteller. He's taken old ghost stories and urban legends and redone them or retold them as the cover states. Broken into three sections the first section focuses on the greater Chicago area. Which of course includes Resurrection Mary. Then a tour across the US going from West to East. Which has more from the Hollywood area than anything else, Valention's dog, Marilyn Monroe. He jumps way across the country and there's stories about the Gettysburg battlefield. Another about Edgar Allan Poe. Then he makes the leap to foreign countries. One about the Highland Vampire or another where a man who has visited Egypt believes he has fallen under the Mummy's Curse. All in all fun. Good campfire type ghost stories.… (mer)