Queening it at Long Beach

Did you know that ships were not allowed to pick up survivors during World War II? And that applied to one of the biggest ships of all time - Queen Mary - when it sliced into its escort ship (there's an irony) and left 300 drowning. It had been zig-zagging to avoid Nazi destroyers, the bosun's locker was holed and water rushed in.

Built in 1934, it was retired to Long Island CA in 1967 as a hotel without parallel. But visitors say they can hear ghostly pounding on the lower decks and cries of drowning sailors. Of course, it could be sound effects and played to invite conjecture. Everyone loves a sailor they say but the Queen Mary sailed on and left breaking hearts and minds behind.

Rules is rules even for Queens!

Contributed by Barbara Turner

Paranormal Activity and marketing

Paranormic Activity, a film written and directed by Oren Pele, has already achieved the highest gross profit for a 'documentary-video-form independent film ever! Its original budget of $11,000 has made over $100,000,000 in box office receipts since its release on October 16th 2009, nationally.

The story is about a couple experiencing a haunted presence in their home. How many times has this theme been used? So what is the secret to it's phenomonal success?

Marketing, similar to that of that of 'The Blair Witch Project' which  grossed more than a million dollars on a mere $15,000 budget. The short advertising clips released on television, featured very little of both the films but instead concentrated on the audience reaction; screams, horror (even men!) disbelief, and even exits to escape the fear of the unknown to come! 

The hand-held camera is the viewer; another secret weapon. The horror docu-genre is quite new but astoundingly effective which is why it has been used again, as in 'The Last Broadcast.' Compared to evoking fear by the late Master of Suspense (Britisher Alfred Hitchcock....Psycho, Rear Window, Dial M for Murder etc) but cornering this particular market, Oren Pele has few equals.

The ghosts and spirits would approve! It's free publicity for them!

Contributed by Barbara Turner

Haunted castle in Romania

Looking at the world’s most haunted places, you realise that the States have six and England, three in the Top Ten. And India? None. I wonder why. Perhaps you can tell me?

While you think about it, let me tell you about the only one in Romania.

Built in the 15th century in Transylvania, it is called Bran Castle but we know it as Dracula’s Castle, linked to Bram Stoker’s horror story, ‘Dracula’.

Much better name, Bran is so ordinary. Vlan the Impaler lived there until he died in 1476. As his name suggests, he did pretty nasty things to his prisoners.

Today, Prince Dominic of Tuscany lives there, The Romanian government said he could in 2006. Why doesn’t he live in Tuscany?

I can guess. Today it is light, bright, and no need to scale the walls anymore. A lift has been installed. I ascended to Vlad’s balcony and marvelled how things had changed. No more inpaling.
Tea and cakes are served and the Prince can sometimes be seen waving rather embarrassingly to his subjects. One or two wave back.

Most look for evidence of Dracula and thirst for Vlad!

Contributed by Barbara Turner