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Lighting 100 candles for Marilyn in La-La Land

6th March 20266th March 2026 funtime65

Of course, she will remain forever ageless but this year they’ll be lighting 100 candles for Marilyn in La-La Land.

Like Bertie Taupin, who wrote the immortal lines for Elton John, I never knew you at all but like the millions of other Marilyn fans.

But I have managed to get as close that anyone now can by visiting your last resting place in Los Angeles.

Marilyn is, of course, all around us but nowhere more so than in LA.

Where you’re always likely to bump into her around the Walk of Fame or anywhere around Hollywood.

But because you can never get too much of a good thing we’re taking you today on our Marilyn tour.

With these whistlestop locations where you can pay homage to the Great Woman.

S0mething new

Still blowing up a storm: Marilyn’s famous move

The Academy Museum’s Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon is a new exhibition that will celebrate Marilyn Monroe as a visionary actor and image-maker, opening on May 31.

The exhibition will display hundreds of original objects, including posters, portraits, photographs, production documents, letters.

And rarely seen personal materials.

While the world premiere of ‘Marilyn: The Immersive Experience’ comes to Hollywood for a limited 16-week engagement from May.

Fans will be taken on a fully interactive, cinematic journey through the life of Marilyn, built by fans, for fans.

Every year’s blonde

And the quirky Hollywood Museum is where you want to go to find where Marilyn became a blond, in Max Factor’s world-famous make-up rooms.

The museum’s Marilyn Monroe collection includes everything from personal items and wardrobe to her limousine.

And, get this, her million-dollar honeymoon dress from her life with Joe DiMaggio, as well as when she entertained troops in Korea in 1954.

While, if you want to walk in her stiletto footsteps, and men you’re allowed to because this is Hollywood.

Then get yourself down to the TCL Chinese Theatre.

Where she put her signature, hand and shoe prints into cement at the famed Forecourt of the Stars.

While Marilyn’s Walk of Fame star is just a block away at 6774 Hollywood Blvd.

Marilyn’s maisons

So, you want to channel Marilyn where she actually lived, then the landmark Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel was Marilyn Monroe’s home for two years.

Just as her modelling career began to take off.

Marilyn stayed in one of the vintage 1950s Cabanas at the time of her first professional magazine shoot, at the Tropicana Pool.

The 750sqft Marilyn Monroe Suite features a loft-like open floor plan, kitchenette, and a balcony that overlooks the pool.

While Marilyn lived at the Beverly Hills Hotel, or ‘Pink Palace, several times during her career.

Marinade with Marilyn

And where she wined and dined too.

In the Fifties, Marilyn and Joe and Elizabeth Taylor, and Steve McQueen were just a few of the Hollywood legends that enjoyed drinks and appetizers in the Back Room of Musso & Frank Grill.

For their classic steakhouse fare and famous Martinis.

While the Formosa Cafe was famously billed as the place where ‘the stars dine.’

Its interior was lined with hundreds of autographed photos of its famous patrons.

Including Marilyn, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, James Dean, Humphrey Bogart, Marlon Brando, and Elizabeth Taylor.

The Formosa reopened in June 2019 after a stunning $2.4-million renovation.

A tour de force

Most of Marilyn’s movies were created at the historic FOX Studio Lot located in Century City and while this isn’t open to the public, visitors can head to the nearby Paramount Studio Tour for a look behind the scenes.

When young Marilyn (then Norma Jeane Mortenson) lived in Los Angeles Orphans Home Society, it is said she would look out her window at the water tower of RKO Studios (now Paramount Studios) and dream of stardom.

Goodbye Norma Jean

And, of course, Marilyn will live forever at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park, her final resting place.

And a Who’s Who of pop culture, including Marilyn, Truman Capote, Farrah Fawcett, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Dean Martin, Roy Orbison, Natalie Wood, Frank Zappa and many more.

Now we know that Marilyn, who is interred in a pink marble crypt (no. 24).

At the Corridor of Memories, has an unsavoury neighbour there in Hugh Hefner.

But we’d rather dwell on Joe DiMaggio’s enduring love, where he had a half-dozen red roses delivered to her crypt three times a week for the next 20 years.

Why not do the same this year on her 100th birthday.

Major airlines fly out to LA and as we always recommend, flights out of Ireland come with pre-clearance and Aer Lingus will get you there direct.

Countries

La La Land goes AI Land

10th November 202510th November 2025 funtime65

It’s where we all go to reimagine our world which is why it’s almost inevitable when La La Land goes AI Land.

And not only because of the factory that is Silicon Valley up the road, which churns out these mad robotic tech-bro geniuses.

Who, never shy to flaunt their wares, are opening up a new AI museum, Dataland, in the City of Angels.

To show us the future of the human race.

And if you’re hearing echoes of floaty hippy Joni Mitchell ringing in your ears it’s not AI feedback.

‘They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum and charged all the people a dollar and a half just to see them.’

Only don’t be surprised if the tech-bros of the Oo Es of Eh are working on putting all the people in a people museum.

Some like it hot

Lying with Marilyn: West Village Morturary

Of course, in LA, you find out quickly that little is as you expect.

From the West Hollywood waiters who are not waiting for you.s

But canning the room for Martin’s Scorsese or Greta Gerwig to walk in.

To Marilyn Monroe, who greets you on the Walk of Fame.

The real Marilyn is, of course, at rest in Westwood Village Mortuary, where Playboy Hugh Hefner pushed in next to her.

Because, money buys you access in LA and the Next Big Thing which was what Marilyn was.

When Hefner bought nude pics of her to put on his first edition.

The Next Big Thing

The Next Big Thing we are told now is Artificial Intelligence.

And, of course, it very helpfully offers to write my life every day.

Although, I doubt if they could replicate my thoughts, words or deeds as I don’t even know them myself.

Which is the way it should be for all of us.

But because to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

I reckon I’ll pop by Dataland, the world’s first museum of AI Arts, which has Refik Anadol‘s fingerprints all over it.

When I’m next back in the City of Angels to see who I’m being replaced by.

Of course, it’ll cost more than a dollar and a half.

The tree museum

And as a sample of what’s on offer in Dataland, and we’re not making this up is what Joni was predicting.

Biome Lumina, the first collection powered by the Large Nature Model.

A generative AI system trained on 2.4 million ethically collected images of flora, fauna, and fungi.

Along with rainforest sound recordings, pigment analyses, and biosensor signals.

Dataland’s researchers have, of course, collected its 16 rainforest sites.

Equipped with LiDAR, photogrammetry, and environmental sensors that measure the heartbeat of the forest.

Billed as ‘a bold new frontier in generative art’.

Do the Data

Collectors are told they will be able to engage in dynamic conversations with the artwork.

Through a generative AI interface trained on environmental knowledge and datasets.

Now if you see a Bandanaman in Dataland at the Grand LA in Downtown LA.

We can’t guarantee that it’ll be the authentic but we promise you the real one wouldn’t be found dead there.

Because I have my heart set on the plot the other side of Marilyn Monroe

Our transatlantic airline carrier of choice Aer Lingus fly from our local airport here in Edinburgh.

Through Dublin with pre-clearance on a sample date from £675.

America, Countries, Deals, Europe, Food & Wine, UK

Czech Pilsner is the first among Urquells

14th August 202414th August 2024 funtime65

A toast to Scottish lager Innis & Gunn on winning gold in the Olympics of Beer, but patriotism aside Czech Pilsner is the first among Urquells for us.

Innis & Gunn’s successes in the Country and Taste Categories and silver in the Taste category at the World Beer Awards is deserved for a fuller lager.

With Scotland not known for its lager, whisky yes, but amber nectar.

With the electric fizzy Tennent’s the template for the less sophisticated Scottish palate.

Until, of course, you get out to see what proper lager is all about at the Nirvana of Nectar, Oktoberfest in Munich.

Not that any amount of Tennent’s can prepare you for steins of the finest Hofbrau, Lowenbrau or Paulaner.

Thing is though that once savoured you’ll never go back to electric fizzy beer.

And so began a life mission to road test as many different lagers.

Across the world’s great lager-drinking nations of the world to find out which is best.

So here are my alternative podium, my 1-2-3, or top of the froths if you will.

Czechs mate

Look at the head on that: Zatec, Czech Republuc

Pilsner Urquell: And any reason to flag up the oft-repeated claim that the Czechs drink more lager than any other country in the world per head of population.

And that Czech Pilsner is the first among Urquells.

Our Bohemian friends don’t just drink it, they also bathe in it.

And dedicate astronomical clocks to it and have competitions measuring the girth of their beer bellies, as they do in Zatec.

And if you want to try something more left-field then the Loket Ruby beer was so good I took as much of it back with me in my luggage as I could.

Best of the Fest

Hofbrau: And a big-up to the classic Bavarian beer in an attempt to get my ban lifted from 1986.

For trying to split up Bayern and Nuremberg female football fans from fighting, for which I copped a broken nose.

Hofbrau, which is protected under the German Purity Law, is the quintessential Bavarian beer.

But don’t take the word of a tipsy Scot coralled by Aussies and Kiwis. Ask, of all people the Swedes.

During the Thirty Years’ War in 1632, Munich was besieged by Swedish troops but they came up with a wizard wheeze to get them to stop.

They offered the Swedes 23,168 litres from the Hofbräuhaus to spare their city.

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby: And a 24-hour bar in Munich

These days the celebrated Hofbrauhuis is the best place to clink your steins and sing Ein Prosit.

While your own award-winning Travel Editor is clearly being seen in a different light.

With Ruby Lilly and Ruby Rosi dropping me what they’re offering which is a 24-hour bar service for residents.

With rates from €331 per room per night during Oktoberfest, or from €123 at other times.

Check the Ruby Hotels website for rates, booking and the Oktoberfest Guide.

Beers to American IPA

Avery day’s a school day: With Travis in Colorado

American IPA: OK, I’m cheating here because every time I find a favourite American lager I go to another state and am knocked out by a new one.

I’ve been knocked over by lagers from Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles, perfect prep.

For your La La Land trip to see Los Angeles Angels baseball game.

Through Denver, which bills itself as the beer capital of the US.

And where because it’s the Mile High City you get twice as drunk for half as much.

And Colorado and Avery Brewing Company where Travis works as a beerologist.

Tracing ancient booze from the Biblical times… and I still want his job.

Down to Texas and its Shiner Bock which will salve even the salsaiest Tex-Mex food.

Popping into Mississippi and sopping up your soul food and grits.

Before paying tribute to Old Sam himself, Samuel Adams in Boston, the birthplace of the American Revolution and the American story at Samuel Adams Tap Rooms.

America, Countries, Food & Wine

Sideways look at California Wine Month

2nd August 20242nd August 2024 funtime65

To this day we can never buy this bottle without commenting f*****g Merlot… but let us explain on our Sideways look at California Wine Month.

Sideways is the cult movie where a groom-to-be and his best man take an oenophiles’ road trip through California.

Connecticut’s own Paul Giammati’s repressed character Miles delivers an immortal line about SoCal students favourite Merlot.

When pal Jack (Thomas Haden Church) asks him to make up a double date.

And wine snob Miles reluctantly agrees but says ‘I am not drinking any f*****g Merlot.’

Stomp of approval

Californians, of course, drink from the vine all year around but they deem September to be Wine Month.

And our friends we have met and wined and dined with in the Golden state have laid out the table for us.

Only they want us to work for our supper.

Hitting the right key: Entertainment with your wine

Visitors are invited to trample the grapes underfoot while marvelling at the sight of colourful hot air balloons floating over the vineyards.

And there is, of course, no shortage of vineyards in Temecula Valley, an hour and a half south of LA.

With wineries including Callaway Vineyard & Winery, South Coast Winery, Europa Village, Temecula Carriage Company, Ponte Estate Winery, Somerset Winery, and more.

The full Ponte

The stomping is pretty much what it says on the barrel.

So you step into a vat and start stomping.

And all with a background of live music, dining, dancing and even a Lucy lookalike competition.

Now our Californian chums have kindly laid out the swathe of fancy accommodation options for our road trip.

And keeping in the spirit of Sideways we thought we’d perm the romantic getaways for you.

Air Miles

As a sample booking the non-members 22nd Annual Grape Stomp at Ponte Winery brings 20% off the standard room rate for non-members which you can access via their site.

And because we can’t just zip down the coast like Miles and Jack, we do the next best thing.

And fly Aer Lingus Smart with pre-clearance from Dublin from €819.81.

Something to think about then as you sip your f*****g Merlot wherever you are.

It’s how they do it in the Golden State, it’s a Sideways look at California Wine Month.

Countries

I’m a star in North Berwick, a star in LA

4th May 20244th May 2024 funtime65

With apologies to Nancy Gallant for mangling her sentiments but me, I’m a star in North Berwick, a star in LA.

What twists of fate dictate that my second trip out to La La Land is from the town that time forgot…

Rather than directly from Dublin is well trailed.

But rather than a leisurely coach ride from leafy Greystones, Co Wicklow into Dublin Airport.

And an Irish breakfast in Aer Lingus’s excellent 51st & Green lounge I’ve been slumming it.

Master of the Travelodge

At a Travelodge at Glasgow Airport where last night I was stuck behind the all-you-can-eat football fans couple.

And again this morning when I was worried all I’d be left with would be dried scrambled eggs and shrivelled sausages.

Thankfully they’d slaughtered extra pigs and the hens they were a-laying.

The oul’ Travelodge is basic but my traditional Scottish Chicken Tikka Masala and pint of Stella sufficed.

And at £19 and another £9.95 for the Full Scottish the next morning I could avoid Weatherspoons’ fare the next day.

As with all things Herself’s advice to avoid cutting corners had worked.

And so I’d forked out £50 to go through the night before.

Take the layover

Rather than get up with the sparrow’s fart for a 6am train from North Berwick to Edinburgh that probably wouldn’t have come.

And would have left me stranded in east Scotland when I should be on the West Coast of America.

As it’s transpired I was early enough at the airport to get to stand in the check-in queue for an hour.

While they figured out how to power up one of the two computers while the printer was also playing up.

Dublin all-clear pre-clear

All of which wasn’t lost on Curmudgeon from California who believed the flight was his alone.

Anyway I’m on my way and will not have any more stress allayed by pre-clearance in Dublin.

While my British pals had to wait an hour and a half.

Throw in too a half-empty Aer Lingus flight with killer views of the Greenland ice cap and I’lm a happy bunny.

Knowing that the world’s still in good shape and I’m off to the sun where it never rains in Southern California

As I was saying I’m a star in North Berwick, a star in LA.

America, Countries

The Lar Angeles Story

2nd February 20242nd February 2024 funtime65

I’m curbing my own enthusiasm here as I get excited for the return of Larry David to our screens in what I’m calling The Lar Angeles Story.

Larry David, the curmudgeon for our times, paints high-end LA life with a brush stroke that is unparalleled.

Now having brushed up against high rollers there, in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica I have had some experience here.

But New Yorker Larry brings most of his angst upon himself.

By not clueing into the idiosyncratic LA way of life.

Although he has a point about pig parking where drivers leave bigs spaces between cars when parking, a gag he takes over on holiday to Italy.

A natural in LA

These words: With Natasha Bedingfield in Anaheim, California

But while New Yorkers are all about the angle in LA it’s the image.

And I proved a natural when I availed of the hair dye table.

Down in Huntington Beach at the Snoop Dogg beach party.

Where I purpled up and hit the zeitgeist when Natasha Bedingfield played for us back in Anaheim.

And she picked me out from stage as she played a rockin’ version of Prince‘s Purple Rain which the Great Man would look down proudly on.

While she doubled down on her compliment later at our meet and greet.

Star of David

Bandanaman; The star and the duck in Hollywood

Not that I’d want to tell Larry David how to act and interact…

He is surrounded by more stars than the Walk of Fame in Hollywood.

Like the rest of you I’ll just sit back and smile at his efforts on Sunday.

And remember much of The Lar Angeles Story is ad-libbed.

And look forward to getting back out there later this year.

America, Countries

Holy Hollywood Batman

23rd April 202323rd April 2023 funtime65

Holy Hollywood Batman, shine the Bat Signal on that sign… there’s something happening this year.

Well, a lot actually, as Hollywood marks 100 years of its iconic sign.

Our friends from LA, who clearly hang with the Caped Crusader, have brought us up to date with the celebrations.

And pointed us in the direction of Batman’s Cave which Batfans will tell you he carved out in Batman Begins.

And which LA tells us is one of the best vistas to see the Hollywood sign.

It’s a sign

Now those of you who follow my meanderings, you loyal Bandanini and Bandanettes, will already know how close I got to the sign.

From my Starline Tours bus on my Weekend with Marilyn.

Missing out on our party’s hike up to the Griffith Observatory because of a 24-hour bug.

But availing of the hospitality of the Kimpton La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood and binge watching Golden Girls.

Star status

Starline have the inside story on Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice Beach and it’s all light.

With their mantra ‘Starline doesn’t do politics’.

They do do one-hour Hollywood Sign tour, with views of Lake Hollywood.

The vista of Downtown LA and the tinsel town glamour of Hollywood Boulevard.

Walking or bussing it aren’t the only way of getting within sight of the Hollywood sign, of course.

Get there how you can

With Bikes and Hikes doing what they say on the tin.

And Sunset Ranch Hollywood offer guided horseback riding tours with spectacular views of the Sign day and night.

While if you want to go all action you can always take a helicopter over the hills.

The Group 3 Aviation will see you flying out of Van Nuys Airport on a 35-minute Hooray for Hollywood Tour.

While Orbic Air takes to the skies from Hollywood Burbsnk Airport on a ten-minute tour.

And that includes bird’s eye views of Universal Studios Hollywood and the Griffith Observatory.

Bat crazy

And, of course, if you want to see Batman himself and join in his adventures then you’re only a stone’s throw away.

From Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood.

Where every September 17 they hold an annual Batman Day.

And who knows you could even mock yourself up in a scene.

With a Hollywood sign background and a bubble quote: Holy Hollywood Batman.

CalAerfornia Dreamin’

Of course you need to know how best to get there and where to stay.

And we always recommend availing of Aer Lingus’s pre-clearance through Dublin.

We’re advised too of the best hotels to stay at from which to get the money shots of the Hollywood Sign.

And often the best place to start is at boutique hotel specialists Kimpton.

Hotel signs

The Kimpton Everly Hotel: Right in the heart of Hollywood glitz and glamour the Everly offers views from the rooftop and select guest rooms.

Thompson Hollywood: The chic rooftop pool, dining experiences and event spaces at the laid back, yet refined Thompson Hollywood offer impressive vistas.

Loews Hollywood: An urban oasis at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, Loews Hollywood a collection of guest rooms and meeting spaces offer the best observations.

W Hollywood: On Hollywood Boulevard, W Hollywood offers expansive vistas from their rooftop pool and lounge, guest rooms and suites, and event venues.

America, Countries

Hundred years of Hollywood sign

13th January 2023 funtime65

There are a million stories of those who went searching for fame in Tinsel Town guided by a hundred years of that Hollywood sign.

Since LA publisher Harry Chandler put it up as a billboard.

For his property development Hollywoodland.

The great and the good and the not so good have all played their part.

In the life of the sign over the last 100 years.

Hefner’s Hollywood

With Hugh Hefner in particular getting his mucky fingerprints on it.

Hefner it was who stumped up his ill-gotten money to save the sign at least twice.

While celebrities of the time including Angels baseball team Gene Autrey ‘The Singing Cowboy’, Andy Williams and Alice Cooper stumped up.

To own individual letters.

Hefner’s hold over Playboy is of course a thing of the past.

As you can see in the excellent Secrets of the Playboy Mansion.

But his hold over Marilyn Monroe, his first and unwilling cover girl is permanent to this day.

At the Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles where he bought his funeral lot next to hers.

So they could be with each other for eternity.

My LA story

Such tales I lapped up, of course, in my LA story when I sought out fame and fun there.

But alas the Hollywood sign remained out of reach.

When my random act of kindness rebounded on me on the plane over.

When I took a sick bag from the passenger next to me.

And inhaled whatever virus she had and was later struck down with a 24-hour bug.

All of which meant I missed out on the hike up to the Griffith Observatory.

Where you’ll get a great view to the sign.

And the Warner Bros studios.

Hey ho, I did get to see Marilyn up on the Walk of Fame.

On walls up at Venice Beach and in her final resting place.

And I’ll hopefully be back to retrace my steps, and maybe too with my own blonde bombshell.

Hooray for the Hundred

In the meantime I’ll share all the hoopla over the year right up to the December centenary.

All to mark a hundred years of that Hollywood sign.

America, Countries, Food & Wine

California Drying

5th January 20235th January 2023 funtime65

The perception of the image -conscious Golden State is that if you take two glasses of wine you’re an alcoholic which is why we’re focusing today on California Drying.

And, yes it is me speaking here, extolling the virtues of non-alcoholic wine.

And all for Dry January California.

Lorra LA bottle

Or Less Angeles if you will with several non-alcoholic bottle shops opening recently.

With a selection of non-alcoholic spirits, aperitifs, mixers and more.

Soft Spirits opened in Silver Lake in October 2021 and Venice’s The New Bar opened in July.

San Fransisc-low

And yes, you lose none of the fun from not imbibing.

With non-alcoholic craft mocktails and booze-free craft beer all flowing at the Ocean Beach Cafe in Outer Richmond.

We have Joshua James to thank for building a San Fran community art cafe to house the largest non-alcoholic beverage selection in the country.

And to conduct regular beach clean-ups.

And just because it’s boozeless doesn’t mean you can’t have a speakeasy.

The Temperance Bar, which is open by reservation can be found by visiting Ocean Beach Cafe.

Faux show

And it’s not just us saying it…

When the Faux Real Bottle Shop opened in Los Gatos The City of Los Gatos in Santa Clara County Faux Real Bottle Shop in February 2022…

They reminded customers that “zero-proof doesn’t mean zero fun.”

The bottle shop carries dozens of zero-proof spirits like gin, tequila and rum, non-alcoholic wine and beer, aperitifs and more.

Faux Real hosts a “sober hour” from 1 to 3 p.m. every Saturday to encourage sober socialising.

Sacre blowout

Now this may very well be your cup of teetotal…

Sacramento is expected to welcome a zero-proof bar concept called The Teetotalist in 2023, where people can gather, socialise and enjoy a night out.

In a setting that feels like a bar, but with an alternate beverage menu.

And who knows after California Drying you may decide like Joshua to give it a year and see how it goes.

Me, I did two days after a 24-hour bug from a fellow passenger.

Before entering the good fight in LA…

And I more than made up for it then.

America

The ghost of Marilyn

27th October 20221st November 2022 funtime65

Her candle might not have gone out long ago then, particularly in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel where it’s said you can still see the ghost of Marilyn.

And Marilyn being Marilyn you imagine her ghost would steal any Halloween show.

Mazza is around many an LA corner the year round anyway… whether looking out a window in Venice Beach.

Or gliding along Hollywood Boulevard or posing for a selfie at her star on the Walk of Fame.

While you can lie with her (or at least on her bench) at her final resting place, the Westwood Village Memorial Park & Mortuary.

The real Marilyn

But it you want to see the real thing then Marilyn has been hanging around the Hollywood Roosevelt for decades.

And, of course, she’s good for business.

After all who wouldn’t want to stay in a hotel where the world’s biggest-ever pin-up is a resident.

The story goes that you can see the reflection of Marilyn staring back at you.

As you sleep in the second-floor Cabana suite above the Tropicana Pool.

Where Marilyn did her first advertising shoot for suntan lotion on the diving board.

And the waitresses pay homage by wearing a version of her bathing suit.

The Cabana boasts a platform canopy bed nestled between padded white wall with a mirror-like black frame mounted on the ceiling.

Do not disturb

A room attendant is said to have seen Marilyn staring back at her.

When she went into clean (the attendant that is and not the actress).

And that she left the room screaming.

Though not rough-tough Matthew McConaughey, who checked into the suite when he got his star in 2014.

The Cabana suite’s place in Hollywood history derives from it being the hotel where Marilyn first met Arthur Miller.

A crucible of celebrity if you will.

A creepy cast

Marilyn isn’t the only ghostly reminder of the Golden Age.

Visitors have also reported mysterious trumpet music believed to be the spirit of Montgomery Clift who liked to practice in suite 928.

The Roosevelt continues to be a hang-out for modern-day celebs who like to channel their inner Marilyns and Montgomerys.

And hope that they get a sprinkle of the magic dust bestowed by the first attendees at the Academy Awards in 1929.

You can book a Deluxe Room in the Tower in the Roosevelt, starting from $311 per night.

But if you want the Marilyn suite, overlooking the Tropicana Pool, we were quoted $800 a night.

And we were reminded too that when Clark Gable and Carole Lombard were carrying out their affair in the penthouse of the Roosevelt it cost them just $5 a night.

And that same suite today would cost you $6,000.

So if you want to revive the spirit of the ultimate sex symbol, then the Roosevelt is where to go to for the Ghost of Marilyn.