Ghost Stories

Specifically the vignette regarding the haunted tracks in San Antonio, there is a major lack of research done on this one to include an alleged 'former' Texas Ranger who claimed without even a smirk that the deadly bus crash happened in the 40s. It didn't. Never. There WAS a deadly bus-train accident in Utah in the 30s. As for the names of the streets in the nearby subdivision, they were named after the developer's or contractor's kids or grandkids. The haunted tracks has been ingrained in the San Antonio psyche for the better part of 50 years but it's a part of history that isn't true. Period.

Fine British actor Patrick Macnee hosts this limited-run TV series about real ghost stories from around the world, and though it is by no means up to "Unsolved Mysteries" or "In Search Of..." (though it does rank along with them compared to the awful 2002 version of "In Search Of..."!) this is still entertaining and interesting.

Some of the editing style does date this to the 1990's, but it is at least intelligently represented and researched. Some memorable stories include the legend of the ghost children, killed in a tragic school bus accident, who are said to push stalled cars uphill over the railroad tracks to safety. Or another involving a western hotel said to be over a secret gateway to hell, where customers and staff have seen and heard evil presences. Some of this is effective indeed, though again it is a bit too stylized as well.

I love this series and own all of the episodes. It's very informational, yet not dull like so many other paranormal series I've watched before. The variety of settings (Hollywood, the wild west, Europe, ordinary households, etc) in Ghost Stories keeps any person intrigued. Not only is there video footage of ghostly encounters, but there are also incredibly frightening pictures and dramatic reenactments. The information that I got from the series is so interesting; take for instance, in the episode about Hollywood ghosts, I learned so many juicy details about famous actors (Marilyn Monroe, Bela Lagosi, Joan Crawford, etc). It's really a shame that the series was canceled. I recommend going out and buying the DVDs!

Regarding the story on the Tower of London there are several incorrect things said, particularly about Anne boelyn. She was not executed so that Henry could marry she was charged with treason.