Hollywood Points of Interest -
Hollywood Walk of Fame,
world-famous Hollywood attraction features more than 2,000 stars honoring
celebrities in motion pictures, television, recording, radio and theatre.
The Walk is located on Hollywood Blvd. between La Brea and Gower and on Vine
Street between Yucca and Sunset Blvd. Approximately 20 new stars are added
each year. The entire walk of fame spans several city blocks. The
primary anchor or originating point where crowds gather and tours are
offered is at Hollywood & Highland. .
"Hollywood" is shaped like the Eiffel Tower. Its 4-cornered base contains
silver statuettes of four
grand dames of Hollywood, Mae West, Dorothy Dandridge, Anna May Wong and
Dolores Del Rio.
The Walk of Fame was expanded over 10
years ago to with a new plaza and unique sculpture. The sidewalk
streetlights resemble studio lights with "barn-doors" and a second anchor on
the west end of the Walk of Fame at the corner of Hollywood & La Brea
features a gleaming silver tower topped by a spire which reads "Hollywood."
Shaped like the Eiffel Tower, at its 4-cornered base are silver statuettes
of four grand dames of Hollywood, Mae West, Dorothy Dandridge, Anna May Wong
and Dolores Del Rio. The life-size statues of four silver screen celebrities
are designed much like goddesses with svelte figures in evening gowns. They
are shown in the photos above. The nearby trash receptacles and
advertisement several stories tall on the side of the building add a touch
of reality to shining tribute to Hollywood.
Hollywood & Highland premiered several
years ago as a new attraction to the decaying area that needed a facelift if
it was to thrive. A two-block, 640,000 square foot complex was built for
over $600 million with a 136,000 square foot Kodak Theatre, designated as
the permanent home of the Academy Awards. In addition to featuring fabulous
facilities and meeting space for the Academy Awards event, a shopping
complex and hotel were added to the mix.
Next door to the Hollywood & Highland
complex is the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (6925 Hollywood Blvd.;
323/464-6266). This Hollywood icon was built in 1927 by Sid Grauman and
hosted many star-studded movie premiers and events in Hollywood's early
days. The theater still draws the stars with its celebrity hand and foot
print ceremonies, a tradition that started with Mary Pickford and Douglas
Fairbanks. Just outside the theater, begin your tour of that widely
recognized, star-studded sidewalk, the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Vine Street
between Yucca Street and Sunset Boulevard; and Hollywood Boulevard, between
La Brea Avenue and Gower Street). Keep your eyes open for celebrity markers
such as Marilyn Monroe and Rock Hudson.
For information on upcoming
ceremonies, call 323-469-8311. If you want to see the Hollywood Experience
in an entertaining way the entire family will enjoy, you really must go to
Universal Studios Hollywood.
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