Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood

This is where all Hollywood theater films produced debuted up until 1960. Opened in 1927, it was the most impressive and grand theater of its kind. Its name was changed to Mann's Chinese Theater but returned to it's original name in 2002.

If there is something you must see while in Hollywood, it is this theater, it's opulent Asian style facade grabs you as you cross the street or approach from the sidewalks.

The concrete blocks that hold over two hundred famed stars from as early as the 1920s is one of its main exterior features. Back when it was opened it premiered Cecile B. DeMille's "The King of Kings". Other prominent features is the forecourt of the stars; the hand prints and footprints. Eddie Murphy was my pick, and I found myself laughing thinking back to his movie 'Coming to America'.

PS: Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today!

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the icon of Hollywood. This is where all the Major hollywood Theater Film, Debuts were made up to the 1960's. Formerly knowed as Mann's Chinese Theater, It reverted back to it's Original Name of Grauman's Theater in 2002. The grand opening of the theatre was on May 18, 1927 and it was the most impressive theatre opening in motion picture history. A riot actually broke out as fans tried to get glimpses of the movie stars and other celebrities as they arrived for the opening. It is visited by more than four million visitors from all over the world every year and is the most sought-after studio in Hollywood for studio premieres. Every time there is a premiere, the streets are overrun by fans trying to get autographs and pictures of their favorite celebrities as they arrive for the red carpet walk-ins. The Hollywood Walk of Fame runs right in front of the theatre as well so people are always looking down at the stars and honoring their favorites. The imprints of more than 150 of Hollywood's finest hands and feet, such as Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart, are cast right in the front entrance of the theatre (also known as the forecourt). It's a fun way to the preserve and respect the long fantastic story of Hollywood's entertainment industry.

Check out all the footprints in front of Grauman's Chinese Theater.

The Matrix Reloaded was playing at the theater while I was in town, but all the shows were sold out, so I saw it a Mann's Multiplex - in the Hollywood and Highland complex - instead.

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If Hollywood has one must see, Grauman's Chinese Theatre is it. Completed in 1927 after 18 months of construction, this opulent asian-styled movie house opened with the premier of Cecil B. DeMille's “The King of Kings.” Conceived and bankrolled by Hollywood mainstay Sid Grauman, this somewhat hokey and certainly quirky theater is quintessential Hollywood. Set right on the Walk of the Stars, its most interesting feature are the concrete blocks outside that hold over 200 famed stars dating back to the 1920s right up to the present. D was a little too enamored with Johnny Depp's.

It is still a working movie house and the price is a fairly typical $10 for the privilege. You can also do a tour of the building for $5. Walking around outside and checking out the footprints is free.

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I can't imagine going to Hollywood and not seeing Grauman's Chinese Theater. Probably the most famous theater in the world, it opened to much fanfare in 1927 when thousands of fans lined the street to catch a glimpse of movie stars and celebrities. The theater premiered Cecile B. DeMille's "The King of Kings".

The Chinese temple styled theater itself is 90 feet tall. Two red columns hold up a bronze roof (photo #2). A 30 foot stone carved dragon sits in the middle of the columns. The two giant Heaven Dogs guarding the entrance are the original ones brought from China (photo #3). Authorization actually had to be obtained from the U.S. government to import the Chinese artifacts used in building the theater.

In 1968 the theater was declared a historic-cultural landmark and even today it is the most sought-after theater in Hollywood for movie premiers.

Of course the most famous aspect of the Theater is the Forecourt of the Stars. Handprints and footprints of starts from Marilyn Monroe (photo #4) to George Clooney (photo #5) to Tom Hanks to Bruce Willis (photo #1) are all here as well as imprints of Betty Grable's legs and Jimmy Durante's nose. It is said that thousands of stars have graced the theater at premiers and ceremonies, but only a select few have been asked to leave their imprints. The first two were Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks on April 30, 1927 and the last was Michael Caine on July 11, 2008 (ceremony #196). You will see plenty of people around measuring their own hands and feet against those of the stars.

Grauman's has 6 theaters if you want to take in a movie. They also offer tours 7 days a week. It's advised to call in advance for tour times and prices (323-463-9576).

Check here for a map of the forecourt: www.manntheatres.com/chinese/forecourt.php

Check here for upcoming premieres: www.manntheatres.com/premieres/upcoming.php

The theater is located next door to the Kodak Theater and the Hollywood & Highland Center where you can shop and eat. ** The Hollywood & Highland Center is also a good spot from which to see and photograph the Hollywood sign.

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The Chinese Theater is the famous theater where the major film celebrities have made impressions of their hands and sometimes signatures in the cement leading up to the main entrance. You'll also find tons of activity outside of Graumans, as many street performers make a living by dressing up as famed movie roles, including Batman, Jack Sparrow, Edward Scissorhands, etc. Inside the Chinese Theater, you can actually see current films- it is an operable theater!

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Heaven Dogs were first introduced in 117 B.C. and were believed to ward off evil spirits. They were widely used to protect the Ming Tombs in the interior of China during the Ming Dynasty (1403-1643). They are still used as decoration and to ward off evil.

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The world famous Grauman's Theater was designed by Sid Grauman and architect Raymond Kennedy. It was started in January 1926 and was completed 18 months later at a cost of $2,000,000. Grauman had to obtain special permission from the US Government to import the temple bells, pagodas, stone Heaven Dogs, and other artifacts used in the construction and design of the theater from China. The grand opening of Grauman's Chinese occurred on May 18, 1927, with the debut of Cecil B. DeMille's “The King of Kings,” which was preceded by "Glories of the Scriptures," a live prologue devised by master showman Sid Grauman.

On 30 April 1927 Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks placed the first hand and footprints in the cement in front of the theater. Since then about 180 celebrities have done the same. You can compare the size of your hands and feet to those of stars like Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne. There are also always people dressed like celebrities walking around outside. They will pose with you; but expect a tip. They usually want the tip before posing. Grauman's also attracts an interesting assortment of locals and tourists, attracting over 4 million visitors each year.

Hello Star Hunters! You have got to take this tour with Marco - he is from Italy trying to become a famous actor. He is so funny!!! We would come upon joggers and he would say something like "she is pretty, is she famous??? Oh no, not so famous..." and the like all the tour long. Paris Hilton was in jail at the time and when we went by the house he said something like "I hope Tincker Bell will not be too lonely..." LOL - he drives up and down the hillsides like he is in a race car...but it is all fun. Our family is still saying all kinds of Marco-isms. It was a delight! You will see homes in Beverly Hills and Belaire: Mr. Sean Connery, Nick Cage, Snoop Dog, Nancy and Ronald Regan (past home), Steve Martin, Christine Agulara, and many, many others.

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Grauman’s opulent, awe-inspiring presence and history has been a cornerstone of Hollywood for over 75 years. The first night we arrived we wondered why the red carpet was down in front .,It turned out to be the premier of Blood Diamond and later all the stars turned out to walk the carpet into the theater.
We got to go into the lobby for $2.00 the next day ( special offer at Christmas the money goes to charity)
There are always lots of characters in front of the theater if you don't get inside.