Atomic Redhead @ The Chateau

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting up with Janey (blogger supreme) at the Chateau Marmont. Almost eight years had passed since I last saw her (at the Disneyland Hatbox Ghost reappearance). The Chateau had been on her bucket list for two reasons: she appreciates all things vintage and Gram Parsons is her favorite musician (she’d already stayed at the Joshua Tree Inn). The weekend she had booked her visit I was going to be in Hollywood for a photo shoot - the perfect storm! We texted back and forth to make our Chateau lunch arrangements, and I was overjoyed to discover that she was staying in a room I’d never been in before. Hallelujah! Naturally, I had to document this momentous occasion. Janey put on a few finishing touches as I prepared to take some photos of her first Chateau Marmont stay.



The Chateau is not everyone’s taste; people’s reactions as they first experience it serve as a litmus test for me. So far, my close friends have fallen in love with it; Janey was no exception.



Finally, Janey emerged, ready for her closeup. I adore her energy and especially her ability to make vintage seem fresh.



Window with a view:



Relaxing in the living room of her suite with her partner, Patrick:



The large Chateau keys are not easily lost.



Janey will be the first to admit this is a completely posed shot. While she appreciates all things vintage, she is no Donna Reed in the kitchen. She focuses her energies and talents into other arenas!



I don’t drink much soda, but with Janey’s winning smile, I would definitely buy a Coke after seeing this shot!



Notice the shock on Patrick’s face as he sees Janey “cooking.”



A Twix bar served as the final choice; she must have burned whatever was simmering in that pot.



I showed the two a few semi-hidden gems in the hotel, beginning with the gym on the seventh floor.



I had never noticed before that this phone is truly vintage, complete with a rotary dial.



The sun was out as Janey relaxed poolside.



The three of us enjoyed a delicious lunch afterwards. Thanks to Patrick for capturing our reunion.



Gram Parsons shot the cover of his GP album in the same room where we dined. Janey pulled back the curtains to see what was behind them.



It was wonderful to meet up again with these two. Hopefully it won’t be another eight years before that happens again. Head over to Janey’s blog NOW to read her beautifully written account of her Chateau stay. She definitely passed the litmus test.

See more Chateau Marmont photos at my main website.

Halloween at the Mansion!

The final day of my Halloween Haunted Mansion celebration begins quite appropriately in the ballroom. Plenty of cake for the revelers who don’t appear to be able to handle their liquor.



The organist who continually plays upon Captain Nemo’s organ is another favorite tableau of mine.



The Pepper’s ghost illusion of the dueling portraits is another brilliant gag:



Then we reach the attic. Once Constance and her looney story took over, I lost interest. Other than the shadow of the ghost who plays the piano. Ever noticed him?



Oh please make this hot mess of a projection go away.



The Hatbox Ghost at the end of the attic scene does bring me a large amount of joy. I’ll give the Disney Corporation that one as a “win.”



Once we slide back down the hill in our doombuggy, we encounter the poor cemetery caretaker and his undernourished dog:



“Grim Grinning Ghosts” by X Atencio is one of those songs that’s welcome to live in my head ANY time:



The hitchhiking ghosts: that iconic trio that has raked in a few bucks in merchandise for the Disney Corporation:



As you leave, be sure to notice the homage to Cocteau’s “Beauty and the Beast”:



Little Leota was probably the most intriguing part of this attraction when I was a little kid. “How did they do that?!?”



Happy Halloween to all! Take it easy on the candy and I’ll see you next month!

See more Disneyland Haunted Mansion photos at my main website.

Haunted Mansion Holiday Ride-Thru

To help prepare you for the upcoming holiday weekend, how about taking a spin through this year's Holiday overlay at the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square? This time I only had the opportunity to ride it once, so I didn't quite get the coverage I typically do. Pardon the lapses in some of the rich details that abound!



The video effects in the elevator seem to get better every year.



It's always great to see Jack Skellington.



It was somewhat slow when I road it, so I was able to get this shot of the Portrait Hallway without any guests. Shocking!



Too much time in the portrait hallway forced me to rush into my doom buggy. No time to snap photos in the loading queue save one!



I caught my breath by the time I got to the corridor with Zero and the hallway of mirrors.



The Conservatory is the perfect shade of green at the Holidays.



Madame Leota needs to slow down; she makes it next to impossible to take a decent shot in the Seance Room!



Three of the cards floating overhead:



A nice panorama of the ballroom; I can almost smell the gingerbread!



Up in the attic there are fluorescent presents for days.



My name never makes the list up here.



I can't get enough of the Hatbox Ghost. Here are four consecutive snaps of the little devil.









Jack takes over as we bring it all home. Love the little pumpkin head light on the end of Zero's nose!



Sally is a very nice addition to the graveyard.



Still, I miss the harmony of the Grim Grinning Ghosts. The pumpkins just don't cut the mustard.



Oogie Boogie...just as obnoxious as ever.



Do I prefer the regular Mansion? Heck yes. Am I ok with this annual overlay? Sure...why not. A little bit of change is good, just as long as I know that the original is coming back in January!

More Haunted Mansion Holiday through the years photos at my main website.

Holiday at the Mansion, Pt. 3

I took a number of attic shots, but still missed the painting of Elvis. Sigh…

A great portrait of Jack and his dog, Zero:



closeup:





The luck of good timing!



I still don't see my name on this list.



The Hatbox Ghost was still there (yay!) with a few festive touches added to the area.





Jack and Zero (barely seen on the right) welcome you to the cemetery.



Oh how I'd love to photograph this area with just a little more light!







This is one of my favorite sights in the cemetery.









Oogie Boogie never fails to disappoint here…but I sure do miss the Hitchhiking Ghosts.



It's nice to see Sally with a little movement/animation.





Hope you enjoyed this year's Haunted Mansion Holiday Tour!

More Jack, Oogie, and Hattie at my main website.