A Halloween-centric Interview with Hollywood Forever’s Tour Guide

Here’s a special Halloween treat! I’ve long meant to interview film historian Karie Bible for Spellbound. She and I became friends on LiveJournal, the Tumblr of the Aughts. We bonded over our shared love of classic film. It’s been a pleasure watching her career develop and grow. She’s published two books, guest lectured at various venues like the RMS Queen Mary and the Homestead Museum, appeared on Turner Classic Movies, and programs Los Angeles area silent film screenings as part of the Retroformat Coalition. Most importantly for this interview–she’s the first and only official tour guide of Hollywood Forever Cemetery. We chatted about her unusual job.

How did you become a classic film lover?

I was born on Halloween and shortly before my birthday one year I saw DRACULA on television. I was terrified and thrilled by it and must have slept with my parents for months afterwards. It started my lifelong passion for film.

You made the leap from fan to film historian and in the process became the official tour guide of Hollywood Forever Cemetery. What inspired you to bring your knowledge to the public in that unique way?

I moved to Los Angeles in 2000 and paid a visit to Hollywood Forever. I fell in love with it instantly. I asked if they had a tour and it turns out they didn’t. I thought “Well maybe I could do it!” I love film history so much and this seemed like a great way to share that with others.

Was it hard convincing Hollywood Forever to let you offer tours there?

Fortunately they were very open to the idea. Historian Marc Wanamaker is a friend and mentor to me. I told him about wanting to do a tour there. He introduced me to Tyler Cassity who owns it. I did plenty of research and gave Tyler a sample tour. He approved and said I could do it. I’ve now been giving tours there several times a month since 2002.

Since people look for Halloween-themed fun in October, you’ve said it’s your busiest month. About how many people take your tour in October, and do you have to add extra tours to accommodate the increased interest?

I add some extra tours on Sundays during the Halloween season. I don’t even know how many people take the tour each October. It varies and also depends on the weather. Sometimes it gets very hot here in October and it is tough to walk around for 2 1/2 hours in 90+ degree heat.

Do you alter your presentation for Halloween season?

Not really. The tour already features several stars who worked in the horror genre including Vampira, Fay Wray, and Peter Lorre. Since it is still a working cemetery, I have to be very careful to be respectful about the way things are handled.

Let’s talk about horror movies! Tell me more about some of the creatives resting in your cemetery who worked in that part of the business.

Vampira was the first person to host horror films on television and appeared in the PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE. Fay Wray was the first “Scream Queen” of Hollywood. She appeared in a series of horror films in the early sound era including THE VAMPIRE BAT, DOCTOR X, MYSTERY OF THE WAX MUSEUM, and of course KING KONG. Peter Lorre was sometimes referred to as the “Master of Menace” and starred in the horror classic MAD LOVE. (It also co-starred Hollywood Forever resident Frances Drake and was shot by Gregg Toland, who is also a resident.) Lorre also starred in THE BOOGIE MAN WILL GET YOU, THE BEAST WITH FIVE FINGERS, and THE RAVEN.

What are your top five favorite classic horror films?

That’s such a hard question. I love so many films for so many reasons. I’d have to say NOSFERATU, THE MAN WHO LAUGHS, DRACULA, BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, and THE WOLF MAN.

You co-authored a book packed with seasonal publicity campaigns of movie stars, HOLLYWOOD CELEBRATES THE HOLIDAYS: 1920 – 1970. The section on Halloween is my favorite. Was there any one Halloween image you were very excited to include in your book?

Absolutely! I found a Halloween photo of Madge Bellamy from 1921 on eBay. It was an original photo from the era and in mint condition. I bid on it, but I was afraid it would go for a ton of money and I had no chance. Amazingly I won it! I found out late at night and as it turned out the seller lived in Los Angeles about 20 minutes from where I live. I put an overcoat on over my pajamas and drove over there to pick it up! It is such a beautiful photo and I’m so happy we were able to get it for the book.

Will you ever write a book about your experiences as a cemetery tour guide to the stars?

A historian that I really admire named Allan Ellenberger is writing a comprehensive book about Hollywood Forever as we speak. He is an incredible historian and I learn so much from him. I am going to be interviewed for the book and will even be supplying a few photos. I highly recommend his blog Hollywoodland by the way. You can really get lost in it.

If you’d like to visit Hollywood Forever and take Karie Bible’s tour, you can find more information about types of tours, dates, and times on her site.

Interested in reading Karie Bible’s books? Support this blog at the same time! Click on a book cover below to purchase it through my Amazon Affiliate link.