With the growing popularity of the History Channel's Haunted History, the Science Fiction Channel's Ghosthunters, and the Travel Channel's Most Haunted and other Friday night offerings, cable networks are finding quite a niche in paranormal programming. Regardless of whether they're just telling stories or actually investigating cases, the number of viewers for these documentaries seem worthwhile. Ghosts of California, which is an independent release, tells stories of some of the Golden State's most famous haunted sites. Anyone who is intrigued by ghost folklore should find it engrossing, but those with a casual interest might find it boring.

To show the many ghosts that traverse California, this 2003 documentary covers phenomena reported at the Winchester Mystery House, Alcatraz, Bodie State Historic Park, Hotel Del Coronado, and the Whaley House. With the exception of Bodie, these haunted sites have been so heavily documented; it's hard to believe there is much more to say about them. To give Lynn Stevenson—who wrote, directed, produced, and edited this project—due credit, she does come up with some fresh details on these well-researched locations.

The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose is California's most famous haunted house. Once, a newly hired office worker at the Winchester House took a tour and was surprised to see the figure of an old woman sitting in one of the rooms. When she asked the guide why they had someone dressed like Sarah, the guide explained that they don't have any reenactors on the tours.

If anyplace in California should be haunted, it would be Alcatraz, a small island found in San Francisco Bay. People claim to hear a banjo playing around the cell where Al Capone was believed to be held and youth groups who have stayed overnight in the prison claimed to feel very uncomfortable around the cell used by Robert Stroud, "the birdman of Alcatraz."

The most interesting subject by far was that of Bodie State Historic Park, which can be found in the Eastern Sierras off Highway 395 between Bridgeport and Mono Lake. Not surprisingly, most of the phenomena is heard at nighttime, when party sounds come from the Oddfellows hall and the DeChambeau Hotel. Rod Duff, who works at the park, said a visitor had asked if that old woman should be in the schoolhouse. They went back to the schoolhouse and found no woman there. It was still locked up and no alarms had been set off.

The Hotel Del Coronado, aka "The Del," is on Coronado Island in San Diego. Kate Morgan, a 19th century guest, killed herself with a shotgun wound on the outside steps of the hotel. Since then, another guest claims that she and another young lady in gay '90s fashion acknowledged each other as they entered their neighboring rooms. Afterward, the first realized the woman "in costume" had a very ethereal quality to her. Room 3327 has also had reports of unusual flickering of lights and playing with the bedclothes.

The most actively haunted building in California has to be the Whaley House, which can be found in the Oldtown district of San Diego. Parapsychologist Martin Wolfe has spent a lot of time in it and exhibits some of the many spirit photos he has taken. At one time, he started playing an organ on exhibit in the house and felt someone who could not be seen touching him.

While this 58-minute documentary stays on its topic, the formatting of the various segments is a bit inconsistent. Stevenson does bring another parapsychologist, Larry Montz, in to talk about his investigations at the Winchester House, Alcatraz, and the Del, but there is none to speak on Bodie. The segment on the Del has reenactments, whereas the others do not. However, Stevenson does bring in some first-hand witnesses to describe their experiences, which is excellent. Some are details that bring new insight on the phenomena occurring in the places.

The presentation lacks a slickness, but the information is conveyed just fine. There are lots of long, quiet shots on each of the haunted locations, giving viewers a good idea of what it would be like to visit them. Sometimes the editing is a little abrupt, especially when blending the music by Ross Danielson. Narration done by Derek Bodkin is articulated well and touched up with an echo effect.

Although this documentary briefly mentions the town's disfavor of a prostitute, there is nothing else to consider to decide on whether or not this is appropriate for children. It is a subject that is probably best not presented to smaller ones, as it might keep them from sleeping at nights.

As for extras, this DVD includes three slideshows of the spirit photos taken at the Whaley House and a long list of haunted sites throughout the Golden State, including the ones covered in this documentary a few dozen that are not. Unfortunately, the list includes the addresses of private residences, where it is unlikely the occupants want ghosthunters lurking about, and has some outdated information, since the LeBaron Hotel has changed its name six or seven years before this documentary was released. It is now the Wyndham Hotel of San Jose. There are no foreign language or closed caption options available.

For anyone who enjoys a good true ghost story, Ghosts of California is fascinating watching. Because of its apparent low budget, it's a toss-up as to whether anyone with a casual interest in the subject will enjoy it. This paranormal documentary does provide great visuals for those heavily written about in books. Definitely recommended for those interested in the paranormal, particularly when it takes place in California.



More California ghost folklore:

The Incredible World of Gold Rush Ghosts (The Big Picture), by Nancy Bradley and Robert Reppert

Ghost Hunter's Guide to the San Francisco Bay Area, by Jeff Dwyer

Ghost Stories of California's Gold Rush Country and Yosemite National Park, by Antonio R. Garcez

Ghost Hunting in Mother Lode Country, by Hilber H. Graf
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977542028&nav=MyGather

Haunts of San Jose, by David Lee

San Francisco Ghosts, by Mark Lyon

Haunted Houses of California, by Antoinette May

California Ghost Notes, by Randall Reinstedt

Ghost Notes, by Randall Reinstedt

Ghost Stories of California, by Barbara Smith

Ghosts of San Francisco, by Kathryn Vercillo

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12