On ‘Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction,’ Halloween’s Scrooge Terrorizes Trick-or-Treaters at a Stately Altadena Colonial
There’s nothing quite like a 1980s and ‘90s horror anthology series! Just hearing the all-too-familiar opening themes and creeptastic narrations of “Tales from the Crypt,” “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” or “Tales from the Darkside” and I’m immediately taken right back to my childhood! A new-to-me show that still packs a nostalgic punch is “Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction,” which debuted on Fox in 1997, chronicling paranormal and supernatural happenings, some real, some fictional. I learned of the series, as I do so many productions, thanks to a filming location.
Earlier this year, while perusing the Altadena Filming website, I came across an image of a property dressed to the nines with snow and twinkle lights for a holiday-themed U.S. Postal Service commercial. A commenter noted that the Colonial Revival-style pad had appeared in another production, so, of course, my interest was piqued. It did not take long to discern the dwelling’s location as 2221 North Marengo Avenue. A quick peek at the address on IMDB told me that the residence, like the Woodbury-Story House which sits just a few blocks away, has been featured in myriad productions, including “Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction” as well as many others of the horror variety. In fact, as chronicled on this Altadena filming frequency map, the onscreen stalwart has played host to a whopping 54 days of shooting from 2008 through 2018 alone! With its Anywhere, U.S.A.-feel and nary a palm tree in sight, it is no surprise that the place found its way to both the big and small screens.
Originally built in 1898, the shingled two-story pad consists of three bedrooms and two baths in 1,859 square feet, though it looks to be much larger from the outside. It last sold in July 2013 for $526,000 and, as the listing detailed, at the time retained “all of its original architectural elements,” including hardwood flooring, cedar shake siding, and classic molding.
For more Dirt on the property, click over to the gallery.
Launch Gallery: Check out the Ratcher Home from “Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction”
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