There’s no haunting like show-haunting, like no haunting I know. In such a frightful month as October, audiences may be wondering about some widely-circulated movie ghost stories. Are there celebrity ghosts, who can be even more difficult to work with than the traditional murdered ghosts? Or might these gauzy ghosts in their own transparent way be hoping to up the distribution ante - for DVD? Or could it all be just a grave misunderstanding? We’ve unraveled a few of the more famous cases of Hollywood hauntings in an effort to either debunk or hype-up the legends.

Three Men and a Ghost-Boy?

One widely spread urban legend claims that a ghost boy is clearly visible during a scene from Three Men and a Baby, in which Jack Holden (Ted Danson) talks to his mother. Many viewers have claimed that with a pause and zoom feature you can locate two eerie images, including a boy peeking through the curtains and the shadow of a shotgun. Rumors abounded that the crew placed their set in a residential home, where many years ago a boy committed suicide. However, Snopes.com debunked this myth not only with the news that the film crew shot on a Toronto sound stage (not a residential home) but also with a detailed explanation on how the ghost boy in question was actually a stand up cardboard cutout of Ted Danson accidentally left in the final cut. Breathe a sigh of relief. There is nothing outstanding to see in Three Men and a Baby.

Poltergeist Deaths

Speaking of children and ghosts, the late cast of the movie Poltergeist might have something to say about this legendary “cursed” production. Young star Dominique Dunne was murdered by her boyfriend on November 4, 1982. Child star Heather O’Rourke died of septic shock due to surgery complications on February 1, 1988, in a condition that was first thought to be an ordinary flu. Julian Beck and real life shaman Will Sampson also passed away in 1985 and 1987 respectively, though it should be noted that both actors suffered from serious illnesses. Did the evil spirits win the war with the Freeling family in the end? Since most of the cast of the film is actually still alive (Um, Craig T. Nelson where are you?) chalk this cursed tale up to bad luck.

Ghosts in Los Angeles

Though there are many haunted houses throughout the world (yes, there is even haunted real estate) a large number of ghost stories emanate from Hollywood, California where celebrity hauntings continue to be reported inside homes, hotels and around famous streets. Some commonly cited locations include the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel where supposedly Montgomery Clift can still be heard rehearsing his From Here To Eternity lines and Marilyn Monroe still looks for (and appears in) mirrors; the old house from The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet (1822 Camino Palmero) and the residence that saw the mysterious death of Superman George Reeves, 1579 Benedict Canyon Drive.

Are these Hollywood ghost sightings true? Undetermined. As usual the stars love to put on a good show but can be shy when it comes to publicity.