Weird Hollywood: Your Travel Guide to Hollywood's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets

Weird Travel Guides

by Joe Oesterle, Mark Moran (Foreword), Mark Sceurman (Foreword)

Known as the “Movie Capital of the World,” Hollywood is chock-full of offbeat characters, peculiar activities, and strange sightings. With California resident and humorist Joe Oesterle as your guide, meander through bizarre back alleys and darkened theaters, observe the kitschy Singing Chairs of Santa Monica (a pair of 15-foot-tall harmonizing thrones), and take a walk down the haunted Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Weird Hollywood also offers readers a hellaciously fun, historical journey into Tinseltown suicide, murder, and mayhem. And who better to preface the tour of this wacky municipality than the Voice of Hollywood himself: Gary Owens.

Genres: Travel, History, Nonfiction, Paranormal

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 5, 2010

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Is it even necessary to place the term 'weird' before a place like Hollywood, California?" -- rhetorical question by the author, on the inside cover flap

While I was a fan of Weird Pennsylvania (from the same Weird Travel Series line of regional oddities books) back in 2016 - it is my state of birth / residency - I can't say I felt much of the same affection or appreciation for the later entry Weird Hollywood. (Also, this book positively screamed out for the sly title Hollyweird, but whatevs.) There were a couple of notable segments - an interview with radio DJ and announcer of TV's Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In Gary Owens, who sounds like the coolest guy in town (he picked up the tab during the lunch interview with the author, PLUS he switched into his Space Ghost voice - that stalwart cartoon hero he voiced in the mid-1960's - without needing a request); as well as former child actor Johnny Whitaker speaking in heartfelt tribute about his Family Affair series co-star Brian Keith, who committed suicide after receiving a grim cancer diagnosis - but otherwise there was a lot of so-so material that was too kitschy for my tastes, or just forgettable.

[Chy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. There were a few interesting stories, but most of them were just... meh.

[Rex Libris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun collection of the odd, whacky, and otherwise not quite normal people, places, and buildings in Hollywood. All of the "Weird" books in the series are fun reads. The most frustrating about the books is reading about all the great places you can visit but will probably never get around to seeing!

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly superficial, lacks depth, some of it is interesting, some parts have been better told elsewhere

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look @ Hollywood & other Southern California locales.

We are treated to stories about: Movie Stars, Movie Moguls, Famous & unique architecture, ghosts, legends, murder, suicide, mayhem, trials, and more.

Many stories although short, include the websites of the contributor so that the reader may read more about the subject.

I found the book to be lacking, I prefer more details when reading non-fiction.

[Kathy (Kindle-aholic) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-treads quite a few stories from Weird California.

I think I enjoyed the chapters on the ghost stories and the unsung Hollywood heroes and legends the most.

If you have an interest in stories about Hollywood and it's surrounding areas, this is a fun book. You aren't going to get a lot of in-depth info, but you do get a taste.

[Amber the Human · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sister-in-law and her fiance got this for my husband and I for Christmas. Definitely right up my alley. If you live in LA, this book is a must have. If you love facts, this book is a must have. As someone who lives in LA and loves facts, this book is great. Now to go to all the placed mentioned in it.

[Sheila Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another interesting and intriguing installment in the Weird collection. I like the way the editors provide information on various topics and histories instead of limiting the book to just one (ghosts, monsters, etc) like so many others do. This method provides a more well-rounded introduction to the weirdness of the region.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've collected a lot of "weird stuff around Los Angeles" books over the years, but this is one of my favorites.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book probably isn't for everyone, but I thought it was a fun read. I've never been to Los Angeles, but this makes me want to go just so I can check out some of the places mentioned in the book.

[Damera Blincoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are my guilty pleasures. I simply can't get enough, lol.