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Spend the Afternoon With Hollywood's Dearly Departed On Cemetery Tours

Where: 6000 Santa Monica Blvd [map], Los Angeles, CA, United States, 90038
October 5, 2009 at 5:13 PM | by | Comments (0)

The cryptic, yet beautiful grounds of Los Angeles' Hollywood Forever Cemetery are known for hosting summertime screenings of classic movies like Cool Hand Luke, and occasional special events like last week's sunrise concert with Bon Iver. But don't let its role as an entertainment venue dwarf the fact that it's a resting ground for many Hollywood luminaries, with floral-strewn monuments to prove it. Take a moment to slow down as your stroll through Hollywood Forever, and might find yourself overcome by its sprawling history.

If you're not adverse to spending your afternoon in the company of massive headstones, then you can learn a little more about the site with a walking tour hosted by guide Karie Bible. Bible claims she could give a six-hour tour of the grounds and still not cover everything there is to know about Hollywood Forever, so you'll get your fill of informational tidbits, and then some. We promise the actual tour won't last that long, and it will cost you a pittance of $12.

"The Hidden Hollywood Tour" will zigzag you through the grassy landscape and introduce you to classic film icons, the people who helped build the town and its reputation before sulky starlets started taking over. If you're into crime lore and tales of illicit activity, then learning about the cemetery's Most Wanted residents, like San Quentin incarcerated screenwriter, actor, and author Edward Bunker, will sate your curiosity.

There is also a "Jewish Heritage Tour" that focuses on the cemetery's famous Jewish residents, including Academy Award-winning screenwriter Michael Kanin ("Woman of the Year"), rhyming fashion critic Mr. Blackwell, and mobster Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel. You'll also get access to the cemetery's Holocaust Memorial, Anne Frank tribute, and the Beth Olam Mausoleum with the price of admission.

Click here for more information and make date with Hollywood's dearly departed. You don't need a reservation to take part in the graveyard antics, so feel free to drop in when it suits you. The schedule of weekend afternoon tours through November is as follows:
Sunday, October 11th at 2pm
Saturday, October 17th at 12pm
Sunday, October 18th at 2pm (Hidden Hollywood)
Sunday, October 25th at 2pm (Hidden Hollywood)
Saturday, October 31st at 3pm
Sunday, November 1st at 2pm
Saturday, November 7th at 12pm
Sunday, November 8th at 2pm (Jewish Heritage Tour)
Saturday, November 14th at 12pm
Sunday, November 15th at 2pm (Hidden Hollywood)

Related Stories
· Karie Bible's Cemetery Tours [Official Site]
· Waking Up Among Hollywood Headstones to the Music of Bon Iver [Jaunted]

[Photo: vintagedame1]

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