Waking the Dead: Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills

For many, that first trip to the cemetery is a one-way ticket; once you go in, you go in for good.  Not quite ready to succumb to death's inevitable grasp, I'm already planning my return visit to Forest Lawn Mortuary in Hollywood Hills.  On my most recent grave-hunting expedition, I was kicked out (closing time) before I could see the final resting places of the Nelson Family - Ozzie, Harriet, and Ricky.  "You mean you never heard of him?  Where do you come from, outer space?!!"

Forest Lawn Mortuary - Hollywood Hills, CA

Frankly, I couldn't be more excited to once again haunt the lovely grounds of a cemetery that houses some of Hollywood's most famous spirits.  One in a chain of themed mortuaries, Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills' inspiration is Americana, employing giant statues of the founding fathers and a replica of the Old North Church.  While it may not be as big as its cemetery siblings, what FLHH lacks in size, it more than makes up for in patriotic fervor and A-List clientele.

"Pater Patriae" - Georgaeus Washingtonus

The first grave marker I noticed was that of Horace Heidt, a big band orchestra leader that did not get as much recognition as his contemporaries but who, nonetheless, knew how to swing.

Horace Heidt

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Like many other band leaders of the era, Heidt made appearances in films.  My favorite moment from the Jimmy Stewart/Paulette Goddard vehicle, Pot O' Gold, was a musical number called, "A Knife, a Fork, and a Spoon."

"A Knife, A Fork, and A Spoon" - Horace Heidt & His Musical Knights in Pot O' Gold (1941)

There are plenty more famous music makers in residence at Forest Lawn as well.

Lou Rawls
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Julie London & Bobby Troup
She gained acting fame playing Nurse Dixie with her husband on Emergency!,
but it is the sultry singing of the husky-voiced siren that sets our hearts aglow

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The most flamboyant melody man at Forest Lawn dropped the "Wladziu Valentino," choosing to be known by the mononymous moniker, Liberace!

The family tomb is grand but, all things considered,
it is rather understated - even with the signature.

Liberace
In the end, maybe too much of a good thing
was just too much of a good thing.
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It isn't all one big, Hollywood Hills jam session, however.  As irreverent as it seems, there are so many funny men at Forest Lawn that it is a veritable laugh riot as well.

Buster Keaton
An old headstone for the "Old Stone Face"
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Marty Feldman
"Walk this way."
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Stan Laurel
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Morey Amsterdam
With a career spanning eight decades, including vaudeville, 

television, and movies, we best love Morey as Cappy in 

Muscle Beach Party and Buddy Sorrell in The Dick van Dyke Show. 

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John Ritter
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Leon Ames
Sure, Ames tackled some tough roles, but my favorite characterizations of his 

were comic (see: The Misadventures of Merlin Jones and Meet Me in St. Louis).

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This is purported to be the largest historic mosaic in the world.

It's a wonder why more elementary school field trips aren't scheduled for Forest Lawn.

Yes, Forest Lawn has big murals, but it has even bigger stars; some of Hollywood's most celebrated figures invested in this prime Hollywood Hills real estate.

Bette Davis
When it comes right down to it, you can bet that I'm team Bette!
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Charles Laughton
I thought it was odd that Elsa Lanchester was not laid to rest in close proximity
to her husband.  As it turns out, she wished her ashes to be scattered at sea.
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Sandra Dee
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George Raft
In a way, Humphrey Bogart owes his career to George Raft.
Bogart took all the roles that Raft, at one time the bigger star, turned down.
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So this is something of a tease.

The blank marble vault in the center of the photo used to house

the remains of the most famous comedienne in history, namely

Lucille Ball.  A few years after her interment, her children decided 

to move her back to Jamestown, NY and the familty crypt.

Lucille Ball
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Speaking of Lucy, my first introduction to the final few stars we will feature here came via I Love Lucy/The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour!

Clyde Beatty
It would have taken me so much longer to learn about one of the 20th-Century's
greatest circus showmen had Lucy not been such a kleptomaniac!
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Ernie Kovacs & Edie Adams
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The appearance of real-life couple, Kovacs and Adams, on The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour would mark the end of the on-and-offscreen pairing of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz; the day after filming was completed, divorce papers were filed.  Adams has said that a pall of sadness hung over the set.  I think it factored in her somewhat-melancholy rendition of the love song "That's All." 

"That's All" - Edie Adams in The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour

That's all.

Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills

6300 Forest Lawn Dr

Los Angeles, CA

(800)204-3131

forestlawn.com/hollywoodshills

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny