The flashing lights from the emergency vehicles turned off as thecoroner arrived. Search and rescue zipped up the body bag as police marked off the area.
Living a short distance from the base of Sunrise Mountain gave me a clear view of the scene. Three weeks had passed since the incident but suddenly there were strange happenings and flying objects in my home.
As I drove to Caesars Palace to work that evening, I was still shaken by the sight of my kitchen cabinet doors opening and closing independently.
The opening number of “Mame” was a fun cocktail party. I was a drunken aristocrat paired with Susan Hayward. We talked aloud on stage to create the authentic sounds of a party.
I explained to Susan, “Everything on the top shelf in my pantry landed on the floor with a loud crash. The day before, a large painting hung by a wire was sitting on the floor. The nail was still in place.”
What she said next was a surprise, but it made perfect sense. Susan said, “Marlene, you have a poltergeist in your home! Here is what you must do! In a loud, firm voice, you must tell it that it is not wanted there, and it must leave! Get out of my home now!
I repeated those words the next day. Although they were closed, the poltergeist left through the sliding glass doors, making a loud rattling noise. The poltergeist never returned.
I was excited to share the good news with Susan. She never explained how she knew what to say and how do to make the poltergeist leave.
I have been told that when there is an unsolved murder, it’s possible that the person’s spirit may enter a nearby home. I felt it was a mischievous character rather than a threat.
Susan Hayward had a warm, sincere personality that captured not only the audience, but she touched the lives of every cast member.
Susan was a sensational performer and a loyal friend. She epitomized the meaning of a true star!
