August 19, 2014 /

Grauman’s Chinese Theater

The iconic Grauman’s Chinese Theater, designed by Raymond A. Kennedy of the architectural firm also responsible for the Egyptian,  Meyer and Holler.

Douglas Fairbanks was a part owner:

Along with Sid Grauman, Mary Pickford, and Howard Schenck:

Jean Klossner, also know as “Mr. Footprint” came up with the concrete formula for the forecourt and presided over the stars impressions from 1927 to 1957:

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CategoriesArchitecture Art Blogging Culture Design Entertainment Film History Hollywood Life Los Angeles Memoir Movies Photography Story Theater Travel Truth & Rumors Uncategorized

Tagsactor actress architecture behind the scenes design Douglas Fairbanks film Grauman's Chinese history Hollywood Hollywood Blvd Jean Klossner Los Angeles Mary Pickford Meyer and Holler Movie stars Mr. Footprint Old Hollywood photography picture palace Raymond Kennedy SId Grauman theater whimsy

17 Comments

  1. sohojay
    August 12, 2012

    So cool!!

    • Vickie Lester
      August 12, 2012

      It really was so grand and whimsical before all the awful signage went up…

  2. le0pard13
    August 12, 2012

    I adore this movie palace. And you’re right. The signage robs its beauty, Vickie. Thanks for this.

  3. foxpudding
    August 13, 2012

    Interesting how the strung lights and road traffic in the next to last photo suggest a long Chinese parade-dragon ending at the theater. Serendipity or design, I wonder. I’ll bet on the latter. Alas, the modern business sensibility has ruined this like so many other landmarks. This is why we can’t have nice things.

    • Vickie Lester
      August 13, 2012

      Mister! You are so right. The theater is smack dab in the middle of a chain store commerce canyon. I see you have written about Tamara de Limpica at http://foxpudding.wordpress.com/. I have to stop commenting and read it at once!

  4. laniersmith
    August 14, 2012

    Ah yes Grauman’s…so many memories, Lucy and Ethel stealing John Wayne’s hand and foot prints. Me at 19 discovering that my hands fit perfectly into Clark Gable’s prints. Causing a 5 car rear-end collision on the Hollywood freeway on my way to Grauman’s to see ….Ugh…. “Hello Dolly”. The thirll I got first time at 11 years old when I saw Elizabeth Taylor’s signature in cement and realizing that my autographed photo she had sent me was authentic! Seeing the sunlight reflect off of the gold dust on Marilyn’s slab and so many more memories. To me no matter what they rename it, it will always and only be Grauman’s Chinese Theater.

  6. le0pard13
    August 28, 2013

    Great spotlight on an iconic movie palace. I have my tickets for its re-opening come September.

  7. theperfumeddandy
    August 28, 2013

    Dearest V
    I can no imagine no more appropriate palace for the screening of dreams… it’s just magical.
    Yours ever
    The Perfumed Dandy

  8. Gallivanta
    August 28, 2013

    Beautiful; magical.

  9. beautycalyptique
    September 3, 2013

    Magical: The silver screen icon.
    These days, I prefer to watch movies at home: no casual fugly dresscode; no sticky floors; no constant munching of popcorn and cheese tacos; nobody texting or chatting and bathroom breaks as many as I like! 😉

    • Marcheline
      August 19, 2014

      @beautycalyptique: I’m with you on the home viewing, sticky floors, bathroom breaks and texting… but there’s ALWAYS popcorn being munched when I watch a movie! Happily, it’s my popcorn, made my way (with salt, garlic powder, grated parmesan cheese – then shaken, not stirred), and doesn’t cost me an arm and a leg! 😎

      • BEAUTYCALYPSE
        August 19, 2014

        Mmmmh, your popcorn sounds in fact delicious, Marcheline!

  11. Marcheline
    August 19, 2014

    I’ve never been there, but would like to see it one day. Love the photos you posted!!

Comments are closed.