GHOST WHO SCARES THE MOVIE-MAKERS

THE ghost of a pretty Scots nursemaid who was the victim of a grisly murder has terrified Hollywood movie stars filming at a stately home in Canada.

The spirit of Janet Smith, shot dead during a sex party at the plush Hycroft Hotel in 1924, has been blamed for spooky goings-on at the mansion which is now used for film shoots.

Top actors Tommy Lee Jones, Sylvester Stallone, Ashley Judd and Winona Ryder all claim to have had encounters with the ghost between filming scenes.

And star Robin Williams has admitted he was very nervous while filming his new movie The Final Cut at the Vancouver hotel.

The ghost is said to stalk the upper floors, moving things around during filming, and has even blown up a chandelier.

City locals tell how Perth-born Smith was shot while taking part in a drug-fuelled orgy with society figures at Hycroft.

Her body was found by a Chinese servant, Wong Foon Sing, who was charged with her murder but acquitted. The case was never solved.

The 22-year-old maid had moved to Vancouver to look after the daughter of wealthy importer Frederick Becker, whom she had met in London.

Her spirit is said to have appeared during the shooting of such titles as Double Jeopardy, Little Women and The X-Files.

Williams said: "When I was filming at the Hycroft recently strange things were happening like odd noises from upstairs and props disappearing.

"A guy on set told me about the murder and I got a bit freaked out.'

The ghost often cries and moans, and Chuck Clifton, Hycroft's film liaison executive, said: "She seems to think of the hotel as home and does not like film crews coming in and messing with it.

"During the filming of Double Jeopardy a chandelier in the Oak Room just miracously smashed. Tommy Lee Jones could not believe his eyes.

"She's so strong in her ability to appear that the director of Little Women

complained that she was walking right in front of the two actors, as if she were in the show."

Copyright 2003 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.