The Hollywood Photographs Blog

Historical Hollywood Images

2012-05-16T10:10:00-07:00

Historical Hollywood Images When you hear the word “Hollywood” most people think of the world of celebrities and movies, but Hollywood is much more than that. Hollywood, now an incorporated part of the city of Los Angeles, has a rich history from how it got its name to the famed theaters and restaurants that were later built. For those interested in the history of Hollywood and Hollywood images, of iconic buildings like the Griffith Observatory, the Roosevelt Hotel, and the Pantages Theater at the time they were built and first opened are inspiring and eye opening. See historical Hollywood images like the construction of the famous Hollywood sign, the Hollywood Bowl, and many others at www.hollywoodphotographs.com. Bruce Torrence’s collection of images of Hollywood is the largest of its kind available for purchase for both individual and commercial use. Browse thousands of images of Hollywood’s brick and mortar beginnings and learn how Hollywood came to be. All the Hollywood images on the hollywoodphotographs.com are available for purchase

Famous Wallich’s Music City

2012-05-08T17:08:00-07:00

Famous Wallich’s Music City One of largest and most popular record stores in the country was located on the northwest corner of Sunset Blvd. and Vine St. Founded in 1940 by Glenn Wallich, it was, by far, the best record shop in Los Angeles. During the days of the 45 RPM and 33 1/3 RPM records, customers could go into the store, remove a record from one of the many shelves and go into a listening booths and listen to the record. If you didn’t want to buy the record, you simply put it back in the paper sleeve and placed it back on the shelf. In addition to selling records, Wallich’s Music City sold “stereos” (record players that played stereophonic records. They sold sheet music as well as all things related to music. Glenn Wallich simply called the store he founded “Music City”. In 1949, Glenn sold his controlling interest to his brother, Clyde. It was Clyde who renamed the store Wallich’s Music City. To see photographs of Wallich’s Music City, please visit hollywoodphotographs.com. Under Clyde’s leadership, the store sold, televisions, musical instruments, and concert tickets. As the music industry began to change, the popularity of going into a store to listen to records began to wane. Increased competition from other music stores began to diminish Music City’s popularity. Finally, in the 1880, the very famous Wallich’s Music City went out of business. Today, record store are not as they used to be. No longer can patrons go into a store and listen to music. With the advent of eight track tapes, mini-tapes and compact discs (CDs) the music listening industry changed completely. To see Wallich's Music City photos, visit hollywoodphotographs.com.

Pan Pacific Auditorium Photos

2012-05-07T17:18:00-07:00

Pacific Auditorium Photos The doors were thrown open to the Pan Pacific Auditorium (PPA) on May 18, 1935, and the first event held there was a home show aimed at hyping then-President Roosevelt's signing of the Title I legislative act "which authorized government loans" aimed at aiding homeowners with repairs and renovations. Photos of the opening day can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Other Hollywood images can be seen on the same web site. Clifford W. Henderson, who along with his brother Phillip constructed the PPA, said in a letter to the LA Times in 1978: "Prior to the construction of the Pan Pacific Auditorium, Los Angeles included no convention or public facility to accommodate the annual automobile show and a wide variety of cultural, recreational and sports events." n 1937, the Pan Pacific Auditorium was purchased by Errett Cord, a man known for his prominence in the automotive industry. He moved to Los Angeles to retire, halting production of his vehicles and shifting his focus to the PPA and other entertainment and electronics industry endeavors. For the next 35 years, the PPA was home to a multitude of events, ranging from the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Ice Capades, boat and home shows to sporting events like hockey games, basketball games(Harlem Globetrotters included), concerts (many remember seeing a younger Elvis Presley there in a performance that the press labeled "obscene", and political events like a dinner for Eisenhower and Nixon, and many more. In 1972, the Pan Pacific Auditorium dwindled in use, and, after some small expos in the spring, finally shut its doors for good. And then, on the night of May 24, 1989, the Pan Pacific sealed its own fate. In what is often described as a "spectacular fire" the wooden structure burned to the ground. The four heaven-reaching spires fell in the wee hours. The only thing remaining was the facade. Please visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see more than thirty old Pan Pacific Auditorium photos.

Purchase Hollywood Movie Studio Photographs

2012-05-06T06:19:00-07:00

Purchase Hollywood Movie Studio Photographs Everyone is fascinated in Hollywood and particularly Hollywood Movie Studios. From the time the first motion picture company called Hollywood their home, the public has been captivated by the entire movie making business. The first motion picture company to permanently move to Hollywood was the Nestors Film Company. They rented the former Blondeau Tavern at the corner of Sunset Blvd. and Gower St. and immediately began making one and two reel movies. Because Hollywood offered such a wonderful climate and a very diverse geography, this was like heaven to them. Shortly after the Nestors Film Company settled in Hollywood, word spread to other film companies, in the east, and thus began a mass migration to the west coast. Within three years, there were fifteen motion picture studios operating in Hollywood. Other companies, such as Mack Sennett, set up shop in Edendale (now Glendale). Thomas Ince moved his company from the east to Santa Monica and later to Culver City. The American Film Co. moved its studio to Santa Barbara where it made movies for many years. However, Hollywood seem to be the place where most of the film companies wanted to be. Most located on Sunset Blvd., near Gower Street. Because of the popularity of cowboy movies, most of the films that were made by these independent film companies, were Westerns. It was not uncommon the see “drugstore cowboys” standing out in front of the studios, waiting to be called in to act in the western movies being filmed that day. Because of all this activity, this area of Sunset Blvd. became known as “Gower Gulch”. It also became known as “Poverty Row” because so many film companies went into business, made a couple of movies and then went out of business. Some of these early pioneering studios included the Clune Film Producing Co., United Studios, Jesse Lasky Feature Play Co and the Fine Arts Studio. The largest collection of Hollywood movie studio photographs can be found on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. There are more than 1500 vintage photos of Hollywood studios in the collection. In addition, there are thousands of other Hollywood images on this fabulous web site. Please visit hollywoodphotographs.com to view and purchase great Hollywood Photos.

Purchase Hollywood Sign Photographs

2012-05-05T05:05:00-07:00

Purchase Hollywood Sign Photographs The Hollywood sign is, undoubtedly, the most famous icon Hollywood has to offer. Everyone who has seen the sign know that it is HOLLYWOOD. It is also one of the most photographed landmarks in Hollywood. However, it didn’t start out that way. It was erected in 1923 as an advertising sign to market the real estate development, called Hollywoodland, that lay below the sign. So the original sign read HOLLYWOODLAND. The fifty foot sign was constructed of long telephone pole type uprights that were sunk into the ground. All the cross bracing and supports consisted of wooden beams and stranded cable. The face of the sign consisted of thousands of sheet metal that measure three by four feet. All the sheet metal was perforated so the wind could pass through. Photos of the construction and dedication of the Hollywoodland sign can be viewed and purchased on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. The perimeter of the sign was lighted with about 4000 incandescent light bulbs. Albert Kothe, who worked for the Hollywoodland Development Co. was responsible for replacing the burned out bulbs So when it was lit at night, it could be seen from miles away. By 1949, the sign was in terrible disrepair. The twenty five years of weather and the lack of proper maintenance took its toll on the old sign. That year, the sign was refurbished which lasted until the 1970s. During the 1970s, the sign was altered several times to read such words as HOLLYWEED and HOLYWOOD. The first alteration was to commemorate the relaxing of the laws regarding marijuana and the second alteration to commemorate the Easter week. In 1978, the old sign was torn down and a new sign was erected in the same location as the old sign. It was made of the most modern construction materials so it would last for a long time. The unveiling took place in November 1979. Bruce Torrence took one of the most iconic photos of the unveiling of the sign. Just as the klieg and laser lights were turned on, Bruce snapped the photo just at the right time. This photo has appeared in countless books, periodicals and television documentaries. Please visit the hollywoodphotographs.com web site to see all the many wonderful Hollywood sign photographs.

Purchase Hollywood Photos

2012-05-04T07:34:00-07:00

Purchase Hollywood Photos If you wish to purchase Hollywood photos, you have to look no further than hollywoodphotographs.com. They have the largest selection of vintage and historic Hollywood photo and pictures. Whether you wish to buy images of the Hollywood Bowl, the Coconut Grove or an old streetcar going down Hollywood Blvd., hollywoodphotographs.com has what you are looking for. There are over eight thousand Hollywood photos on the web site and all are available for sale. There are over ninety subject categories from which to choose. Some of the most unusual and unique photos are of the DeMille Field and Chaplin Airdrome which were two airfields located at, what is now, Wilshire Blvd. and Fairfax Ave. There are photos of blimps, bi-plains and even wing-walkers. If your fancy is aerial photographs, there are hundreds of aerial images that were taken by Robert Spence, one of the most prolific and famous aerial photographers. Many of his photos include images of Pickford and Fairbanks studio on Santa Monica Blvd. and other movie studios that were located all over the Los Angeles area. If you like boxing, you will be interested in seeing photos of the Hollywood Legion Stadium where countless celebrities would attend the popular boxing events at the Legion Stadium. One of the most famous and infamous places in Hollywood was the Garden of Allah Hotel at Sunset Blvd. and Crescent Heights. Many of Hollywood’s most popular celebrities stayed at the hotel, which later became known for it wild parties. After a while, most stars refused to stay there because of its less than flattering reputation. Across the street for the Garden of Allah was the Schwab’s Pharmacy. It was famous because of the hundreds of movies stars who bought their cosmetics and had their prescriptions filled there. It was also the place where Sidney Skolsky wrote his daily “gossip column” for the many newspapers and fan magazines. Just to the west of the Garden of Allah and Schwab’s Pharmacy was the Sunset Strip. This strip of Los Angeles County land was the home of some of Hollywood’s most famous nightclubs, including Ciro's, Mocambo and Cafe Trocadero. Purchasing Hollywood photo is easy at hollywoodphotographs.com Please visit hollywoodphotographs.com to begin your search for Hollywood Photos.

Hollywoodphotographs.com For Great Hollywood Pictures

2012-05-01T09:44:00-07:00

Hollywoodphotographs.com For Great Hollywood Pictures It was just over one hundred years ago that Hollywood became its own city. On November 14, 1903, the residents of the Cahuenga Valley voted to incorporate their small community and the called the City of Hollywood. At that time, Hollywood was a small residential town which was about twelve west of downtown Los Angeles. City hood didn’t last but a few years because of an inadequate water supply and municipal facilities. In February 1919, the residents of Hollywood voted to annex their small community to the City of Los Angeles. The last official act of the Board of Trade was to rename Prospect Ave to Hollywood Blvd. One of the early residents was Daeida Wilcox and her husband, Harvey. They purchases several acres at what is now Hollywood Blvd. and Cahuenga Ave. Here they built a fine home and became pillars of the community. It was Daeida who named their small farm Hollywood. In 1886, Harvey recorded the first tract map in the Cahuenga Valley and he called it Hollywood. A photograph of this tract map can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. It wasn’t long after the first motion picture companies established movie studios in Hollywood, that the once small community began to grow. And grow it did! As more and more people came to Hollywood, the development of Hollywood Blvd., Sunset Blvd. and other streets began to explode with growth. The Hollywood Hotel, at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. became a popular meeting place. Restaurants and hotels began popping up all over Hollywood. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and the Hollywood Plaza Hotel were built in the 1920s. Restaurants like Musso and Frank Grill and the Brown Derby became popular haunts for Hollywood residents and movie celebrities. Real estate developments like the Outpost Estates and Hollywoodland attracted affluent buyers who wanted to live in the beautiful Hollywood hills.Pictures of all of these places can be seen on the Hollywoodphotographs.com web site, and all are available for purchase.

Search For Hollywood Walk of Fame Photographs

2012-04-30T09:13:00-07:00

Search For Hollywood Walk of Fame Photographs If your are looking for Hollywood Walk of Fame photographs, look no further. The largest collection of photographs of the Hollywood Walk of Fame is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. With almost 800 Hollywood Walk of Fame photographs, you are bound to find the photo you want. We have photos of the very first Walk of Fame stars that were installed in Hollywood. These first eight stars were installed in 1958 on the north west corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland. Ave. The eight celebrities honored with these first stars included Ernest Torrence, Olive Bordon, Burt Lancaster, Preston Foster, Ronald Coleman, Louise Frazenda, Edward Sedgwick and Joanne Woodward. Joanne was the first honoree to pose by his/her Hollywood Walk Of Fame star. Other photos of the early Walk of Fame ceremonies include those for Burt Reynolds, Julie Andrews, Paul Anka and the Beach Boys. The hollywoodphotographs.com web site also has photographs of many of the more recent ceremonies, including Adam West, Paul McCarthay, and Steven Spielberg. Other Hollywood Images can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Today, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce administers the selection recipients and installation of all the Hollywood Walk of Fame stars. They must make their annual selection after reviewing the scores of potential candidates. Heading up this difficult task is Ana Martinez who has been doing this for years. The Walk of Fame stars are made of brass and the name ot the celebrity is also brass. All of this is inlaid in the terrazzo sidewalk. Walk of Fame ceremonies are usually attended by hundreds of adoring fans who come out to see their favorite star being honored in the famous sidewalk. All the photographs of the Hollywood Walk of Fame are available for purchase on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

Amazing Hollywood Pictures

2012-04-29T13:26:00-07:00

Amazing Hollywood Pictures The most amazing pictures of old Hollywood can be seen on the Hollywoodphotographs.com web site. If you are looking for a picture of your favorite celebrity placing their hand and footprints in the cement at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater or photos of the famous Hollywood Bowl, you will find it on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. One of the most famous hotels in Hollywood is the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Built in 1927, by C.E. Toberman, this popular hotel has been host to countless celebrities and dignitaries. The first Academy Awards were presented on May 16, 1929, at a private brunch in the Blossom Room at the Hollywood ‘Roosevelt Hotel with an audience of about 270 people. The post Academy Awards party was held at the Mayfair Hotel.[3] The cost of guest tickets for that night's ceremony was $5. Fifteen statuettes were awarded, honoring artists, directors and other personalities of the film making industry of the time for their works during the 1927–1928 period. A photo of this event can be seen at hollywoodphotographs.com. Another great Hollywood landmark was the Pan Pacific Auditorium. For over 35 years it was the premiere location for indoor public events in Los Angeles. Function like the Ice Capades and the annual Auto Show were very popular with the residents of Los Angeles. The facility was closed in 1972, beginning 17 years of steady neglect and decay. In 1978 the Pan-Pacific Auditorium was included in the National Register of Historic Places. but 11 years later the sprawling wooden structure was destroyed in a spectacular fire. Hollywoodphotographs.com has one of the largest collection of movie studios. Film factories like Universal Studios, Famous Players Lasky and Christie Studios are just three of the scores of studios that called Hollywood home. There are more than 1500 pictures of movie studios on the web site. All the Hollywood pictures on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase

Angela Bassett Receives Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

2011-12-01T04:36:00-07:00

ANGELA BASSETT RECEIVES HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME STAR PURCHASE PHOTOS OF THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME On March 20, 2008, Angela Bassett was honored by receiving her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Angela Bassett is an American actress who has become well-known for her film roles portraying real life women in African American culture, perhaps most prominently as singer Tina Turner in the motion picture 'What's Love Got to Do with It', as well as her portrayal of Betty Shabazz in the films Malcolm X and Panther, Rosa Parks in the 'The Rosa Parks Story', Katherine Jackson in the miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream and Voletta Wallace in the film Notorious. Bassett was born in Harlem and moved to St. Petersburg, Florida as a child. She and her sister D'nette were raised by their social worker/civil servant mother, Betty. As her interest in entertainment developed, she and her sister would often put on shows, reading poems or performing popular music for their family. At Boca Ciega High School, Angela was a cheerleader and a member of the debate team, student government, drama club and choir.She attended Yale University and received her B.A. degree in African-American studies in 1980. In 1983, she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale School of Drama. At Yale, Bassett met her future husband Courtney B. Vance, a 1986 graduate of the drama school. After graduation, Bassett worked as a receptionist for a beauty salon and as a photo researcher. Bassett soon looked for acting work in the New York theater. One of her first New York performances came in 1985 when she appeared in J. E. Franklin's Black Girl at Second Stage Theatre. She appeared in two August Wilson plays at the Yale Repertory Theatre under the direction of her long-time instructor Lloyd Richards. The Wilson plays featuring Bassett were Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and Joe Turner's Come and Gone. In 2006, she had the opportunity to work on the Wilson plays again, starring in Fences alongside longtime collaborator Laurence Fishburne at the Pasadena Playhouse in California. During her Walk of Fame ceremony she spoke about moving to Los Angeles. 'I meant to stay six months but I stayed. Today my cup runneth over!' Bassett said. 'I am crying now, I cried yesterday and the day before. ... This day is so, so special to me.' Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see hundreds of Hollywood Walk of Fame photos. All images are available for purchase.

Hollywood Walk of Fame Repairs

2011-12-04T08:01:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME REPAIRS Metro Board Authorizes Cost Sharing Agreement To Repair The Famous Hollywood Walk of Fame The Metro Board of Directors recently approved the execution of the cost sharing agreement with the Hollywood Historic Trust to facilitate ongoing maintenance, repairs and replacement to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Metro Board has agreed to fund $1.5-million towards the cost of repairs in the vicinity of the Hollywood/Highland and Vine Stations on the Metro Red Line. In April 2008, the Metro Board of Directors instructed the Chief Executive Officer to take a leadership role in repairs to the terrazzo sidewalks that make up the Walk, and to submit a funding plan subject to Board approval. The total cost of the repairs is approximately $4.1 million. The Los Angeles City Council approved $500,000 in CRA tax increment funding in March 2010, coming from the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the Hollywood Historic Trust. Efforts are continuing to raise the funds needed for the project. The terrazzo sidewalk on Hollywood Blvd. near the intersection of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. has been terrible disrepair ever since the Metro line was completed. Part of the terrazzo has buckled and other parts have large cracks making it difficult to walk without sustaining an ankle injury.\ VISIT HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM TO VIEW AND PURCHASE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME PHOTOS

Shakira Receives Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame

2011-12-05T08:02:00-07:00

SHAKIRA RECEIVES STAR ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME Click on Hollywoodphotographs.com to see photos of Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored Shakira with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 6270 Hollywood Boulevard in front of the W Hollywood Hotel on the world famous corner of Hollywood and Vine. Leron Gubler, President/CEO of Hollywood Chamber and Los Angeles Council President Eric Garcetti and Shakira's family helped her unveil the 2,354th star in the Category of Recording. Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll (born February 2,), known professionally as Shakira is a Colombian singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, dancer and philanthropist who emerged in the music scenes of Colombia and Latin America in the early 1990s. Born and raised in Barranquilla, Colombia, Shakira revealed many of her talents in school as a live performer, demonstrating her vocal ability with rock and roll, and Latin and Arabic influences with her own original twist on belly dancing. Shakira's debut album, “Magia,” was released in June 1991, when she was 13 years old. In 1995 she released “Pies Descalzos.” which brought her great fame in Latin America and Spain, and her 1998 album “Dónde Están los Ladrones?” was a critical success selling more than 7 million copies worldwide. In 2001, aided by the worldwide success of her first English single 'Whenever, Wherever' that became the best selling single of 2002, she broke into the English-speaking world with the release of “Laundry Service,” selling more than 13 million copies worldwide. Four years later, Shakira released two albums called “Fijación Oral Vol. 1” and “Oral Fixation Vol. 2.” Both reinforced her success, and the best-selling song of the 2000s, 'Hips Don't Lie' won her a Grammy. She has won two Grammy Awards, seven Latin Grammy Awards, 12 Billboard Latin Music Awards and has been Golden Globe-nominated. She is also the highest-selling Colombian artist of all time. In October 2011, Shakira was named to the White House Education commission. This appointment confirms Shakira's status as an important international philanthropist and advocate for social causes. Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see hundreds of Hollywood Walk of Fame photographs. Shakira joins hundreds of other Walk of Fame inductees, including Andy Williams,Dennis Weaver, Henry Winkler, Chaka Kahn and countless others.

The Go-Go's receive Walk of Fame Star

2011-12-07T18:17:00-07:00

THE GO-GO’S RECEIVE WALK OF FAME STAR Click on Hollywoodphotographs.com to see Go-Go’s Photos The Go-Go's received the 2,444th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, adjacent to the site of the pioneering all-female rock band's first performance in 1978. 'We loved the Hollywood Walk of Fame even then,' said Jane Wiedlin, one of the band's four founding members. 'In our wildest dreams, we could never have dreamed our little band would get a star on the Walk of Fame. 'The arc of the Go-Go's story could not be more of a fairy tale,' she told fans gathered for the late-morning ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard. 'From the humble origins on this spot to the giddy ride to stardom, culminating in a sold-out show at the Hollywood Bowl just a few blocks away -- and now 30 years later to be honored with a star. Let's just say it's a story that proves truth is really stranger than fiction.' The ceremony was held in connection with the 30th anniversary of the release of the band's landmark debut album, 'Beauty and the Beat,' and came six days before their concert at the Greek Theater. The group was formed in 1978 as a punk band with Belinda Carlisle on vocals, Wiedlin on guitar and vocals, Margot Olavarria on bass and Elissa Bello on drums. It played its first show at the since-closed nightclub The Masque. Charlotte Caffey joined the group two months later as the lead guitarist and keyboard player. Gina Schock replaced Bello on drums in the summer of 1979, and the group began moving toward a power pop sound. Olavarria was diagnosed with hepatitis A in December 1980 and replaced by Kathy Valentine. 'Beauty and the Beat' spent six weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, the first time an all-female group that wrote its own songs and played its own instruments topped the Billboard album chart. 'Beauty and the Beat' sold in excess of 3 million copies and was certified as double platinum. Their 1982 follow-up album 'Vacation' was certified gold. They recorded a third album, 'Talk Show,' before breaking up in 1985. The group reunited in 1990 to perform a benefit concert on behalf on Proposition 128, an environmental measure on the November 1990 ballot that was soundly rejected by California voters. They reunited again in 1994 to record three new recordings for the two-disc retrospective 'Return to the Valley of the Go-Go's.' The largest collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame photos are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site and all are available for purchase.

SELECT HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME PICS

2012-04-27T11:12:00-07:00

SELECT HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME PICS Many times people look around a room, a blog, or some project they are working on and realize that what they are missing is a sense of history. A certain something that ties them to the past, and nothing takes us back to moments like a photograph. Even if the person or place depicted is never known personally we this connection through the image, and this is never more true than when the subject is the magically place where movies come from, and have been made for generations. Looking for your own personal Hollywood walk of fame pics shouldn’t hard or overly expensive. Hollywood walk of fame pics can create the atmosphere you are looking for, inexpensive and without any hassle. Whether you are looking for the landscape of the town, the glittering interiors of theaters, or the people who built the town there are high quality photos that offer glimpses into this fascinating history. For your own Hollywood walk of fame pics, look above all for originality, and variety. This doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and you can still have very realistic pieces of this glamorous and marvelous past that was Hollywood. Even those periods and events you have trouble finding might be someplace you can purchase them for your Hollywood walk of fame pics. Often forgotten in the history of Hollywood, was that many careers started in this town not on movie sets, but in front of microphones. Hollywood radio was as huge an industry in its day as television, as those shows not recorded or broadcasted in New York, were center stage in Hollywood. It might seem unlikely for a buff that images would be available for sale from this time for your own Hollywood walk of fame pics, but many do exist. Some are candid shots taken during recordings while others show cast and crew gather for picture, but all waiting to be remembered again in your Hollywood walk of fame pics collection. Some places like people are lost to history and can only be recalled in photos. Places of splendor like the Ambassador Hotel Coconut Grove Nightclub, which for so many reasons, and for some years was the place to go when visiting Hollywood is now gone except in detailed photos that often also depict the shining stars that were attracted to it’s unique style. In your own Hollywood walk of fame pics a photo or two of this American icon of a hotspot would arrest immediate attention. Look for the history when building a collection of Hollywood walk of fame pics. One good place to find some special photos for your Hollywood walk of fame pics is hollywoodphotographs.com. There are over 400 photos of the Hollywood Walk of Fame in this collection.

The Last of The Brown Derby Restaurants

2012-04-24T14:07:00-07:00

The Last of The Brown Derby Restaurants The last of the four Los Angeles area Brown Derby restaurant buildings — once on the brink of demolition but now a protected city monument — has been put on the market for $10.6 million. The building at 4500 Los Feliz Blvd. is being sold by the group of investors that attempted in the mid-2000s to build 80 residences and a supermarket at the site of the famed restaurant. Neighbors caught wind of the effort, created the Save the Derby preservation group, and rallied Los Angeles City Council to save the building, which dates to 1928 and was once owned by Cecil B. DeMille. The 14,000-square-foot building, now home to a Chase Bank branch and Louise’s Trattoria restaurant, was declared a historic cultural monument by the City of Los Angeles in 2006, protecting it from demolition or significant alteration. "Thanks largely to the efforts of community members and volunteers, the building's significance is formally recognized and the city will review any proposed alterations to make sure they maintain the building's character," said Adrian Scott Fine, director of advocacy for the Los Angeles Conservancy, a nonprofit advocacy organization that works to preserve and recognize the historic architectural and cultural resources of Los Angeles County. The Los Feliz branch of the Brown Derby closed in 1960; the building at the corner of Los Feliz and Hillhurst Ave. later housed the Derby nightclub. Although in their heyday the four Brown Derby branches were each famed Hollywood hangouts, all except the Los Feliz restaurant have been demolished or significantly altered. The original Brown Derby, located at 3427 Wilshire Blvd. in what is now Koreatown, was partially incorporated into a shopping center in 1980. The restaurant was shaped like a man's derby hat and featured a sign that beckoned passersby to “Eat In The Hat.” The Hollywood location was destroyed in a 1987 fire, although a portion of the building has been integrated into the W Hollywood Hotel & Residences project on Vine Street. The Beverly Hills Brown Derby was razed in 1983. The Brown Derby chain was founded by Herbert Somborn, a one-time husband of silent film star Gloria Swanson. Robert Cobb, who worked for Somborn, purchased the two restaurants after Somborn’s death in 1934. He is said to have created the Cobb salad at the Hollywood branch of the restaurant. Legend has it that one day, Cobb was forced to quickly throw together a salad for theater owner, Sid Grauman. and with only leftovers at his disposal, Cobb created the now-ubiquitous salad of greens, tomato, bacon, roasted chicken breast, hard-boiled egg, avocado and Roquefort cheese. The best Brown Derby photos are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site and all are available for purchase.

More Hollywood Pictures at Hollywoodphotographs.com

2012-04-22T03:41:00-07:00

More Hollywood Pictures at Hollywoodphotographs.com The hollywoodphotographs.com has put hundreds of Hollywood pictures on its web site. Most of the new picture are of the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies that take place every month. Sponsored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the Hollywood Walk of Fame began in 1958 with eight the installation of eight celebrity stars being placed at the northwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. Joanne Woodward was the first to pose by a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. Some of the new Hollywood Walk of Fame pictures that have been added to the hollywoodphotographs.com web site include, Peter Fonda, Jamie Foxx, Barbara Walters, Vanessa Williams and Billy Bob Thorton. Another category of Hollywood pictures that were added to the hollywoodphotographs.com web site was hand and footprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Pictures of Brad Pitt, George Clooney, and Rita Morino show them placing their hands, footprints and signatures in the cement in the theater’s forecourt. Other Hollywood pictures that were added to the hollywoodphotographs.com web site include images of the San Fernando Valley and oilfields. The hollywoodphotographs.com web site has over ninety subject categories from which to choose. All the Hollywood pictures on the web site are available for purchase.

The Best Hollywood Canteen Photos

2012-04-19T05:05:00-07:00

The Best Hollywood Canteen Photos The Hollywood Canteen operated for three years during World War Two. Founded by Bette Davis and John Garfield, the Hollywood Canteen was located on Cahuenga Ave., just south of Sunset Blvd. The Canteen was supported and operated by all the unions and guilds of the entertainment industry. All the people who volunteered at the Cahteen were members of the motion picture and radio industries. Over the course of its three year operation, more than three million servicemen visited the famous Hollywood Canteen. Volunteers served in several capacities; Hostesses, both Junior and Senior, danced and chatted with the visiting servicemen. Other volunteers worked in the kitchen and served sandwiches, coffee, soft drinks, etc. to the visiting servicemen. Many of the secretaries, who worked at the motion picture studios, would come to the Canteen and type letter for the servicemen to send home to girlfriends or family members. Dancing was one of the most popular activities at the Canteen. Servicemen not only danced with non-celebritiy volunteers but had the privalige of dancing with some of Hollywood’s most popular celebrities. It was not unusual for servicemen to dance with the likes of Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth, Joan Leslie and Hedy Lamarr. Stage entertainment was, by far, the most popular activity at the Hollywood Canteen. Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, Kate Smith, Lena Horne and Basil Rathbone. Bands and orchestras were also in great demand. Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman were just two of the many famous bands that volunteered at the Canteen. Kay Kyser and his band played almost Saturday night for the three years that the Canteen operated. Food was an important feature at the Hollywood Canteen. The kitchen was managed by Chef Milani who secured all the food that was donated and purchased to keep the operation going. Everything, including all the food, cigarettes, coffee and soft drinks was free to all the visiting servicemen. Over the course of the Canteen’s three year operation, thousands of photographs were taken by scores of photographers. The quasi-official photographer for the Canteen was Joseph Gaspar, who took hundreds of photographs of all types of Canteen activities. There are over three hundred Hollywood Canteen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site -- and all the photos are available for purchase.

Purchasing Hollywood Walk of Fame Photos Is Really Easy

2012-04-11T09:47:00-07:00

Purchasing Hollywood Walk of Fame Photos Is Easy Those who are fans of entertainment celebrities, will be interested in seeing fabulous Hollywood Walk of Fame photos on the www.hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Started by Bruce Torrence, this web site has the widest selection of Hollywood Walk of Fame photos than any other website on the internet. You can order digital images or have them print 8x10, 11x14, and 16x20 photos. No matter which size you choose you can easily create your own collection of photos from the Walk of Fame. Hollywoodphotographs.com is continuing to add Hollywood Walk of Fame photos to the web site. Recent additions include Carol Burnette, Matt Damon, Christine Aguilera, Angela Bassett and Emma Thompson. There are almost 400 Hollywood Walk of Fame photos on the web site and all are available for purchase. In addition to the Walk of Fame photos, there are over 6000 old Hollywood photographs, covering 90 categories including the Hollywood Sign, Ciro's Nightclub, the Hollywood Canteen, Theaters and Premieres. So, visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see your favorite Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.

VIEW AND SELECT HOLLYWOOD PICTURES

2012-04-10T04:31:00-07:00

VIEW AND SELECT HOLLYWOOD PICTURES Hollywoodphotographs.com is the largest collection of Hollywood pictures in the world. No other collection has as many old and current pictures of Hollywood than the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. There are over 8000 historic images of Hollywood on the web site. which is part of the larger collection which contain more than 12,000 wonderful pictures of Hollywood. There are over ninety subject categories from which to choose. The most photos in any category is in the Hollywood Walk of Fame category. With more than 500 images, this category has pictures of Kevin Costner, Penelope Cruz, Charlize Theron, Etta James, Jennifer Aniston and hundreds of other celebrities. The hand and footprint ceremonies at the Grauman’s Chinese Theater is one of the collection’s most popular categories. With pictures of Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt, Helen Mirrin, and Robert Duvall, this amazing photo category shows the viewing public how popular the hand and footprint ceremonies were to the image of Hollywood. After viewing the wonderful photos in this collection, it time to select the Hollywood pictures for your home of office. Photos are also available for commercial use. Whether it’s for a book, a video or television production, these Hollywood picture are available for purchase. n addition the digital images, we provide actual photographs which are cast from the original negatives. Hollywoodphotographs.com is a one stop shopping bonanza site. All the photographs on the web site are available for purchase. All question about the collection’s photos can be answered by calling (760) 937-6850 and asking for Bruce Torrence

More Hollywood Sign Pictures

2012-04-09T04:12:00-07:00

More Hollywood Sign Pictures The hollywoodphotographs.com has put many more Hollywood Sign pictures on its web site. The Hollywood sign was erected in 1923 and originally read HOLLYWOODLANDLAND. It was built as an advertising sign for the real estate development by the same name. The sign was originally made of telephone poles, wood cross pieces, cables and sheet metal for the face. The hollywoodphotographs.com web site has pictures of the dedication of the sign and hundreds of images showing the sign in various states of repair. There were several years that the sign was in serious disrepair which caused the sign to be repaired, restored and replaced. After several facelifts, the sign was in such disrepair in the mid 1970s that it needed to be torn down. After months of a Save The Sign campaign and support by Hugh Hefner and other celebrities, Hollywood citizens and businesses. The old Hollywood sign was town down in March 1978 and the construction of the new sign was started immediately. After months of construction, the new sign was dedicated on November 11, 1978. The new sign was constructed using state of the art materials, including steel girders and plastic cover sheet metal for the face. The new Hollywood sign pictures that were added to the hollywoodphotographs.com web site show the sign in the demolished state, construction of the new sign and color photos of the sign as it is today. All the Hollywood sign pictures are available for purchase.

New Hollywood Pictures On hollywoodphotographs.com Web Site

2012-03-27T04:11:00-07:00

New Hollywood Pictures On hollywoodphotographs.com Web Site More than 500 Hollywood pictures have been added to the the hollywoodphotographs.com, the largest collection of Hollywood pictures. The new pictures fall into about eight subject categories, including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Aerials,Hollywood Canteen, Hollywood Blvd. and movie studios. Many of the new Hollywood Walk of Fame photos are of ceremonies that took place in the past ten years. Some of those include ceremonies for Kevin Costner, Tim Allen, Annette Bening, jamie Lee Curtis and Peter Fonda. The aerial photos that were added show Hollywood in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. The new Hollywood Canteen pictures show the dancing and entertainment that took place at the famous nightspot for W.W.II servicemen. The pictures show Marlene Dietrich Rita Hayworth and Red Skelton at the Canteen. and Faye McKenzie dancing with servicemen from all branches of the service. Red Skelton, Bob Hope and Spencer Tracy are shown standing on the stage joking with the members in the audience. Many of the new Hollywood Blvd. pictures were taken by Bruce Torrence in the 1970s. He took them with the idea that the photos would be, at some point, historical images. Some of the photos show the stores that lined Hollywood Blvd. while others were taken from high rise buildings, looking down onto Hollywood Blvd. All the Hollywood Pictures that are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase.

KEN MURRAY’S BLACKOUTS PHOTOS FROM HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM

2012-03-26T03:46:00-07:00

KEN MURRAY’S BLACKOUTS PHOTOS FROM HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM Ken Murray was a cigar-smoking vaudevillian whose racy 'Ken Murray's Blackouts' was one of the longest-running stage shows in history. Murray produced and starred in the World War II-era revue for more than seven years at the El Capitan Theater on Vine Street in Hollywood, where the house was virtually always packed. 'Ken Murray's Blackouts' featured bosomy Marie Wilson as the archetypal dumb blond who delivered naive straight lines for Murray's racy, cornball gags. The audiences of servicemen and aircraft plant workers loved the show that most critics said wouldn't last. It went 3,844 performances until 1949 — when it moved on without Wilson to New York and folded in six weeks. Murray, a longtime vaudeville performer who had made a few movies, launched 'Blackouts' in 1942 with the help of sneeze comedian Billy Gilbert (who later gave way to young Cuban singer-drummer Desi Arnaz). Some of the many entertainers who were “regulars” in the Blackouts included Laurie Anders, the “Babylovelies”, Bill & Coo (two parakeets), and quick change artist, Owen McGiveney. When Murray moved the show to Broadway, the New York critics were not amused. 'Dismal' and 'dreadful' were just two of their observations. Murray shut down, deciding he needed a rest. In 1956, he and Wilson restaged 'Blackouts' at the New Frontier in Las Vegas with new acts and new showgirls. It was a hit and played nightclubs and theaters throughout the country for three more years. It later ran for 17 weeks at the Ritz Theater in Los Angeles. 'When I came west as a vaudeville actor on the Orpheum circuit in 1927,' Murray once told an interviewer, 'it was my first time away from home. I was very close to my mom and pop — actually my grandparents, who brought me up — but I hated to write letters, so instead I bought a 16-millimeter home movie camera and sent back films.' Eventually, Murray assembled all the footage, showing it on television as 'Hollywood: My Home Town' and finally as a film called 'Ken Murray's Shooting Stars.' In 1947, Murray received a special Academy Award for 'artistry and patience' in producing a feature-length film called 'Bill and Coo,' in which he starred with a bird act from the 'Blackouts' show. Among his television credits were 'The Ken Murray Show' and 'Where Were You?' and his radio experience included hosting 'Queen for a Day.' He also wrote several books, including 'Life on a Pogo Stick,' 'The Golden Days of San Simeon' and 'The Body Merchant.' The best Blackouts photos are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

ANA MARTINEZ AND THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME PHOTOS

2012-03-25T04:49:00-07:00

ANA MARTINEZ AND THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME PHOTOS When the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is laid for The Muppets, Ana Martinez will once again be working behind the scenes as curator-in-chief to the iconic attraction. The Walk of Fame is one of showbiz's most visible landmarks,and Martinez has been its inconspicuous producer for almost half the attraction's 51 years, making sure the constellation of stars is perfectly aligned on the Hollywood sidewalks. For 24 years, she has been the person deciding where celebrities will receive their coveted symbol of fame in the heart of Tinseltown. When a star is unveiled to the international press corps, Martinez is the field marshal orchestrating every detail of one of showbiz's alpha moments. 'If there was one phrase to describe Ana, it would be mistress of ceremonies,' said Sam Smith, the former chairman of the board for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. 'She truly is a master of the ceremonies.' Martinez has produced 586 star ceremonies. On Monday, Martinez will be at the ready with clipboard and iPhone in hand, negotiating over an obstacle course that typically numbers 22 film crews with 39 people, 22 still photographers, eight wire photographers, three newspaper reporters, two radio reporters, two photographers from the Chamber of Commerce and sometimes a celebrity's personal photographer. The largest collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame photos is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. With more than five hundred photos of Hollywood’s most popular celebreties with their Walk of Fame stars, viewers are bound to find the image of their choice. Joanne Woodward was the first celtbrity to pose by a Hollywood Walk of Fame terrazzo sidewalk star. The last to be inducted in the Walk of Fame were husband and wife, William Macy and Felicity Huffman, which took place on March 7, 1912. Some of the most well attended induction ceremonies included those for Michael Jackson, Reese Witherspoon and Bill Cosby. All of the Hollywood Walk of Fame photos on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for sale.

Over 500 Photos Of The Hollywood Walk Of Fame on Hollywoodphotographs.com

2012-03-23T03:28:00-07:00

Over 500 Photos Of The Hollywood Walk Of Fame on Hollywoodphotographs.com The largest collection of Hollywood photos, hollywoodphotographs.com, has just placed an additional one hundred Hollywood Walk of Fame images on its web site. There are now more than 500 Walk of Fame photos on the site for viewing and purchasing. The first Hollywood Walk of Fame photograph was taken in September, 1958, when Joanne Woodward posed by her newly installed star at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. The last inductees were husband and wife, William Macy and Felicity Huffman whose ceremony took place on March 7, 2012. They were the 2463rd and 2464th celebrities have their names placed in the famous Walk of Fame sidewalk. After the first eight Walk of Fame stars were installed at Hollywood and Highland, in 1958, an official groundbreaking ceremony was held in 1960. Several months later over 1700 celebrities had their names in the terrazzo sidewalk on Hollywood Blvd. and other Hollywood streets. In the very beginning, celebrities merely posed by their already installed stars. Later, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, who administers and controls the Hollywood Walk of Fame, began having installation ceremonies where the celebrity being honored helps in unveiling his/her star. Some of the Hollywood Walk of Fame photos that have recently been added to the hollywoodphotographs.com web site include those of Kevin Costner, Halle Berry, Jennifer Aniston, Charlize Theron and Merle Streep. All the photos on the hollywoodphotographs.com are available for viewing and/or purchasing.

Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy Honored on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

2012-03-19T11:29:00-07:00

Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy Honored on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce honored actors Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy with a rare double ceremony at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard at Gateway to the Walk of Fame at La Brea on Wednesday, March 7, 2012. Emcee Leron Gubler, President/CEO of Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and guest speakers David Mamet and Aaron Sorkin helped unveil the 2,463rd and 2,464th stars in the category of Television for Felicity Huffman, and Motion Pictures for William Macy. This is only the second time a married couple has been honored with double stars on the Walk of Fame on the same day. *The first couple honored with stars on the same day are film producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Richard Donner on October 16, 2008. Felicity Huffman has proven herself as an exceptional actress in both dramatic and comedic roles. Huffman earned an Academy Award nomination for her stunning performance in “Transamerica,” as well as a Golden Globe Award and Independent Spirit Award for the same role. Huffman has also been honored with an Emmy and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on “Desperate Housewives.” William H. Macy, an Oscar and Golden Globe nominee and Emmy and SAG Award winner, is one of the most distinguished talents of his generation. Macy currently stars in the Showtime series “Shameless,” which premiered in 2011. He is currently in production on the second season of the series, which returned in January 2012. Photo of the Macy and Huffman Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony can be viewed on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. With over 500 Hollywood Walk of Fame photos, this web site is the largest collection of Hollywood photographs, which has over 8000 images on the site. All photos are available for purchase.

NEW HOLLYWOOD PICTURES AT HOLLYWOODPOHOTOGRAPHS.COM

2012-03-15T13:14:00-07:00

NEW HOLLYWOOD PICTURES AT HOLLYWOODPOHOTOGRAPHS.COM More than 1000 Hollywood pictures have been added to the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Many of those additions are in the Miscellaneous category which include pictures of those subjects that do not fit in the other ninety categories. Now there are about one hundred and fifty photos in the Miscellaneous category. Some of the Miscellaneous pictures include the 1887 first tract map in Hollywood, Hollywood Tire Company, Blondeau Tavern which became the site for the first motion studio in Hollywood, Sunset Livery Stable and the Hollywood Cash Grocery Store. Other additions to the hollywoodphotographs.com web site include pictures of Sunset Blvd., Theaters and Premieres, Hollywood Canteen and movie studios. Hollywoodphotographs.com is the largest collection of Hollywood pictures. There are more than 7000 photos which are divided into more than ninety categories. Hollywoodphotographs.com is constantly adding Hollywood pictures to the web site, and all are available for purchase. Photos may be purchased as either digital images or they will print the the photos for its customers. Visit the hollywoodphotographs.com web site to see the finest collection of Hollywood pictures.

Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce

2012-03-14T03:49:00-07:00

Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hollywood Chamber of Commerce The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognized Hollywood icon. With approximately 24 star ceremonies annually broadcast around the world, the constant reinforcement provided to the public has made the Walk of Fame a top visitor attraction. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce continues to administer the Walk of Fame as the representative of the City of Los Angeles. The Walk of Fame is a tribute to all of those who worked diligently to develop the concept and to maintain this world-class tourist attraction. The Walk of Fame is open to the public. No paid admission or assigned seating at star ceremonies. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is certainly one of Hollywod’s most popular attraction.. With almost 2500 Terrazzo and brass stars in the sidewalks of Hollywood, the Walk of Fame has a great history. The first eight stars were installed at the corner of Hollywood Blvd.and Highland Ave. in 1958. The eight celebrities whose stars were first installed included Ernest Torremce, Joanne Woodward, Ronald Coleman, Burt Lancaster, Louise Fazenda, Preston Foster, Olive Bordon and Edward Sedgwick. Joanne Woodward was the first celebrity to pose by a Walk of Fame star. The official groundbreaking for the Hollywood Walk of Fame took place in 1960 and shortly after that, there were over 1700 stars installed in the sidewalk. When Walk of Fame ceremonies take place, the public is invited to witness the star unveiling. To see the largest collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame photos, visit the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

Buying Hollywood Walk of Fame Pictures

2012-03-12T06:47:00-07:00

Buying Hollywood Walk of Fame Pictures Hollywood Walk Of Fame Pictures from hollywoodphotographs.com When you want to add some personality and flair to your home, you may want to consider Hollywood Walk of Fame images and other such memorabilia. These are a great addition to a home theater or family room or den, and they come in a wide variety of sizes and styles. Choosing Hollywood Walk of Fame pictures is just part of what's necessary to add some personality to your home and to give your theater room or family room a vintage or retro feeling. If you choose too many photographs and posters they may become distracting and overwhelming and if you don't display them properly this can mean that no one even notices them in the first place. If you are choosing Hollywood Walk of Fame images for a theater room in the home, there are ways of displaying these so that your room feels like a true theater. To have pictures of Penelope Cruz, Shania Twain, Emma Thompson and Gweneth Paltrow would add a real touch of class to anyone's home. Here are some quick tips for using Hollywood Walk of Fame pictures around your home for a vintage Hollywood look and design, or just as a way to add some Americana and personality to your home. When you're using Hollywood Walk of Fame pictures in a theater room you want the room to actually resemble a theater; this means poster sized images, if possible. Choose these carefully as you don't want them to distract when you're watching a movie, and remember that for a true vintage feeling, black and white is often the best choice. Those Hollywood Walk of Fame images should fit with your current décor and decorating style especially if you choose ones that are oversized, so think of the colors and images in the photos and how they'll blend in before you shop. If you don't choose poster sizes for your Hollywood Walk of Fame pictures for a theater room, consider grouping smaller images together for greater impact. Put four of them in a square, or a line but very close to one another. This allows them to catch the eye without seeming like clutter. Hollywoodphotographs.com has the largest collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame pictures in the world.

Great Old Pictures of Hollywood

2012-03-11T11:05:00-07:00

Great Old Pictures of Hollywood The largest collection of Hollywood pictures is is at hollywoodphotographs.com. There are thousands of pictures of all of Hollywood famous places and celebrities of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Some of the popular nightclubs include Ciro's, Cafe Trocadero and the Mocambo. Celebrities that ate and drank at these famous places included Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth and Errol Flynn. Barnsdall Park was one of Hollywood’s first parks that was donated so the public could enjoy the beautiful area of Hollywood. Aline Barnsdall built a beautiful home on the property and then donated the property to Los Angeles. The Hollywood Athletic Club was founded in 1921 with the purpose of providing a good atmosphere for those who wanted to participate in athletic endeavors. Located on Sunset Blvd. the Hollywood Athletic Club was a popular place with Hollywood’s businessmen. The Hollywood Legion Stadium was one of two boxing stadiums in Los Angeles. Located on El Centro Ave., the stadium was host to many of the country’s best boxers. The stadium’s seats were filled with some of Hollywood’s most popular celebrities including Charles Chaplin. The Pantages Theater pictures on the web site show the famous palace type theater hosting movie premieres and the 1950 Academy Awards. Build by Alexander Pantages, the theater was one of the world’s most beautiful movie palaces. Premiere at the theater included Sparacus and When Tomorrow Comes. Other pictures of Hollywood include some of the finest aerial photos, which were taken by Robert Spence. In the 1920s, Spence used a biplane to take his photos. There are more than 200 classic aerial photos. All the pictures of Hollywood on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase.

Vintage Hollywood Images

2012-03-09T06:44:00-07:00

Vintage Hollywood Images The best vintage Hollywood images are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. With over 6500 historic and vintage pictures covering more than ninety subject categories. Some of the most popular subjects include the Cahuenga Pass, Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood Ranch Market and Hollywoodland. Other vintage Hollywood images are of the Brown Derby restaurants which were some of Hollywood’s most famous eateries. The first restaurant was located on Wilshire Blvd. and was in the shape of a derby. The most popular Brown Derby restaurant was located on Vine St. Another subject of Hollywood pictures is the Hollywood Studio Club which provided housing to visiting young ladies that came to Hollywood to become movie stars. The largest collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame photos is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. There are more than four hundred photos of some of Hollywood’s most popular stars during their induction ceremonies. The Griffith Observatory photos show the construction of this famous structure and its development over the years. This location has been the site for many of Hollywood’s most popular movies including Rebel Without A Cause starring James Dean and Natalie Wood. Some of the rarest Hollywood Bowl pictures are on this web site. With hundreds of images, the site show the development of this very famous amphitheater. Build in 1921, the Hollywood Bowl has played host to hundreds of famous entertainers including, Nat King Cole, The Beatles and The Beach Boys. All the Hollywood images in the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase.

Old Hollywood Pictures from hollywoodphotographs.com

2012-03-08T10:49:00-07:00

Old Hollywood Pictures From hollywoodphotographs.com The best Hollywood pictures are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. There are over 7000 historic and vintage pictures covering more than ninty subject categories. Some of the most popular subjects include the Hollywood Sign, Hollywood Walk of Fame and restaurants and nightclubs. Other Hollywood pictures are of the Hollywood Canteen which existed from 1942 to Thanksgiving day in 1945. During the three years it operated, more than three million servicemen visited the Hollywood Canteen. They were able to dance with movie stars, be served coffee and sandwiches by celebrities and be entertained by some of Hollywood’s most popular movie stars. Another subject of Hollywood pictures is the Hollywood Guild and Canteen which provided housing to visiting soldiers that came to Hollywood. Mom Lehr founded and operated this famous facility in he heart of Hollywood. The Hollywood Walk of Fame photos that are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are some of the best in any collection. Started in 1960, the Hollywood Walk of Fame has installed more than 2500 stars with celebrities names in brass. There are more than 400 Hollywood Walk of Fame photos on this web site. The Laurel Canyon photos and pictures on the web site show the development and growth of this hillside community. The Lookout Mountain Inn sat on the top of the hill overlooking the canyon and was a favorite eatery during the early 1900s. Another popular Hollywood pictures category was the famous Coconut Grove which was loscated in the Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Blvd. All the Hollywood pictures in the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase.

The Hollywood Canteen Book

2012-03-07T04:50:00-07:00

The Hollywood Canteen Book Recently, Hollywood historians and authors, Lisa Mitchell and Bruce Torrence, have finished their new book titled, “The Hollywood Canteen.” Consisting of over 35,000 words. the book will contain approximately one hundred and sixty five photographs, many of which have never been seen by the public. Opened on October 3, 1942, the Hollywood Canteen was the most popular place for W.W.II servicemen to go when in Hollywood. Conceived by Bette Davis and John Garfield, the Hollywood Canteen was operated by the thousands of volunteers from the entertainment industry which included, radio, stage, and the motion picture business. All the photos in the book came from the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Only enlisted men and women were allowed in the Hollywood Canteen and their ticket for admission was their uniforms. Officers, who wished to visit the Canteen, were not allowed onto the first floor, where all the dancing, eating and entertainment took place. Officers, and their guests, were relegated to a second floor room which had a large window that looked down onto the first floor. The Canteen’s nightly activities included dancing with female celebrities and volunteers, called hostesses. It was not uncommon to see the likes of Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth, or Hedy Lamarr dancing with the eager servicemen. All the food, sandwiches, pastries, soft drinks, coffee was all free to the servicemen. The kitchen staff and those who served the food and drinks were actresses and actors who had just put in a full day at the many Hollywood studios. Celebrities like Basil Rathbone, Bob Hope, and Dinah Shore could be seen rolling up their sleeves to prepare and serve the food and beverages. Entertainment was certainly the most featured activity at the Canteen. Where else could servicemen see Hollywood’s top entertainers on stage. Some of the most popular entertainers included Red Skelton, Spencer Tracy, Bob Hope, Danny Kaye and Eddie Cantor. Over the course of its three year existence, the Hollywood Canteen played host to over three million servicemen and women. It closed its doors on thanksgiving day, 1945. The money that remained in the Canteen’s bank account was transferred to the Hollywood Canteen Foundation, which continues today making substantial donations to many veterans organizations. All the photos that will appear in the book can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. The collection has more than three hundred fabulous images of both the interior and exterior of the Hollywood Canteen. “The Hollywood Canteen” book should be published by mid-2012

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME HONORS JON CRYER

2012-03-01T05:17:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME HONORS JON CRYER 'Two and a Half Men' star Jon Cryer received the 2,449th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, hours before its ninth season premiere on CBS. Series creator Chuck Lorre, actor-director-producer Carl Reiner and 'Wipeout' host John Henson joined Cryer in speaking at the late-morning ceremony next to Hooters on Hollywood Boulevard. Born April 16, 1965, Cryer made his first commercial when he was 4 years old, alongside his mother, the writer and actress Gretchen Cryer. Jon made his film debut by starring in the 1984 romantic comedy 'No Small Affair,' playing a 16-year-old amateur photographer who accidentally takes a picture of a 22-year-old bar singer (Demi Moore) and falls in love with her. Two years later, Cryer starred in the John Hughes-produced teen romantic comedy 'Pretty in Pink.' His other film credits include the 1991 spoof 'Hot Shots!' where he first teamed with his future 'Two and a Half Men' co-star Charlie Sheen. Cryer's first television starring role was in the 1989-90 CBS comedy 'The Famous Teddy Z' as a talent agency mailroom clerk who becomes an agent after being assigned to a limousine picking up the agency's biggest client (Dennis Lipscomb.) Cryer later starred in the Fox comedy 'Partners,' and the ABC comedy 'The Trouble With Normal,' both of which only ran one season before being canceled. Cryer has received six consecutive Emmy nominations as outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for 'Two and a Half Men,' winning in 2009. Cryer has also performed on the stage on Broadway ('Brighton Beach Memoirs' and 'Torch Song Trilogy'), London ('900 Oneonta') and Los Angeles ('Boy's Life'). To see photos of Jon Cryer’s and other celebrity Walk of Fame ceremonies, visit hollywoodphotographs.com. There are over 350 Hollywood Walk of Fame photos on the site and all are available for purchase.

EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF HOLLYWOOD BLVD.

2012-02-24T04:34:00-07:00

EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF HOLLYWOOD BLVD. The best way to see what Hollywood Blvd. looked like, years ago, is to look at the photos on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Before the turn of the century, Hollywood (then known as the Cahuenga Valley) as made up of small farms, and sparsely populated rural type neighborhoods of single family homes. Prospect Ave (now Hollywood Blvd.) was the main street of the Cahuenga Valley. Until about the turn of the century, Prospect Ave. consisted, almost exclusively, of residences. When commercial development began to take place, there were two centers of activity. The Los Angeles Pacific Boulevard and Development Company was developing the property around the intersection of Prospect Avenue and Highland Ave. The first structure of the Hotel Hollywood was built in 1903 by G. W. Hoover, an investor in the Los Angeles Pacific Boulevard and Development Co. Also at the same intersection was the First National Bank. Within a few years other commercial building were built near that intersection. At the same time, Mrs. Daeida Wilcox Beveridge was actively building a business center at Prospect and Cahuenga Avenues. Thus the village was divided into two ambitious business centers, connected by a strip of a half mile of territory through which ran the only common carrier of the town, the streetcar. For the first decade of the twentieth century, the commercial development of Prospect Ave. occurred primarily at these two business centers. The first streetcars/train to travel on Prospect Ave. was the Cahuenga Valley Railroad, which was incorporated in 1888. It was originally a steam “dummy” railroad that was eventually electrified in 1896. The term dummy meant that the engine and wheels were totally enclosed so as not to frighten horses. Later, it was sold and merged with other railroad companies. In 1911, it was deeded to the Pacific Electric Railroad which, for many years, operated the many streetcars in Los Angeles and Hollywood. In October, 1911, the Nestor Film Company leased the old Blondeau Tavern, at Sunset Blvd. & Gower St. and established the first motion picture studio in Hollywood. It wasn’t long before other motion picture companies heard of the great weather and variety of scenery that Hollywood had to offer. Within three years, there were more than fifteen motion picture studios operating in Hollywood. This new industry caused an explosive growth in commercial development in Hollywood and particularly on Hollywood Blvd. The Hollywood Hotel was expanded two times thereby taking up the entire Hollywood Blvd. frontage, between Orchid and Highland Avenues. It wasn’t long before the residences on Hollywood Blvd. gave way to the building of stores, restaurants, banks, and theaters. By 1920, there were almost no residences on Hollywood Blvd., between La Brea Ave. and Vine Street. In 1914, C.E. Toberman built a four story building on the southeast corner of Hollywood Blvd. & Highland Ave. The first floor consisted of stores, the second floor was devoted to offices and the two two stories were apartments. The Hollywood Blvd. photos on the Hollywoodphotographs.com web site will give the viewer a great idea of the development of this now famous street. All photos are available for purchase.

The Old Settlers Parade in Hollywood

2012-02-20T07:22:00-07:00

The Old Settlers Parade in Hollywood By 1920, Hollywood residents felt a twinge of regret over the loss of Hollywood’s Gentility and culture. G.G. Greenwood, who had worked in Hollywood since Dr. Edwin O. Palmer opened the Hollywood National Bank, did not want the new Hollywood residents to forget Hollywood’s past. Greenwood, then the head of the Security Bank branch at Cahuenga Ave. joined the Hollywood Citizen newspaper to organize a yearly celebration of the early settlers with a parade down Hollywood Blvd. and a picnic in Plummer Park. The noontime parade in August, 1927, was the pinnacle of this short-lived tradition. The procession included buggies, family surreys, wagons, and horseless carriages with citizens who were “young when Hollywood was young”. Some of the entries included dentist, Dr. Edwin O. Palmer driving an old car, Frank Muller and his Muller Bros. Ice Co. wagon, Earl Gilmore, whose family owned Gilmore Oil, drove six mules hauling an old “oil” wagon, and C. E. Toberman driving a horse drawn surrey which he used to use when selling real estate. The Old Settlers Parade continued until G.G. Greenwood passed away, in 1933, and the interest in the old settlers began to wane. The largest collection of Old Settlers Day Parade are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

New Hollywood Walk of Fame Pics

2012-02-18T05:04:00-07:00

New Hollywood Walk of Fame Pics Hollywoodphotographs.com has just added many new Hollywood Walk of Fame pics to it’s web site.. Some of the most recent additions include, Sam Waterston, Mel Brooks, Mark Burnett and Mary Steenburgen. The Hollywood Walk of Fame was conceived in the mid-1950s and the first celebrity to have a photo taken with a terrazzo sidewalk star was Joanne Woodward. Since then, over 2400 celebrities have had their names inducted into the famous terrazzo sidewalk. Some of the early inductees included Jayne Mansfield, Burt Reynolds, Rich Little and Cliff Robertson. Shortly, Hollywoodphotographs.com will add more Hollywood Walk of Fame pics, including those of Nicholas Cage and John McCartney. All pics on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase.

Jennifer Aniston to Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

2012-02-17T04:22:00-07:00

Jennifer Aniston to Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will honor Jennifer Aniston with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 22, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at 6270 Hollywood Boulevard. Jennifer Aniston was born in Sherman Oaks, California. Her family moved to New York City when her father was cast in a role on the daytime drama “Love of Life.” As an eleven-year-old student at the Rudolf Steiner School in New York City, she joined the drama club and her experience there encouraged her to pursue acting as a career. She then studied further at New York’s High School of the Performing Arts. After she graduated in 1987, she landed roles in the off-Broadway production For Dear Life, at New York’s Public Theater, and Dancing on Checker’s Grave. Aniston’s television career then started after being cast as a series regular on “Molloy” and “The Edge.” She had guest-starring roles on “Quantum Leap” and “Burke’s Law” and a starring role in “Ferris Bueller.” She was then cast in perhaps her most well-known role as Rachel Green in the classic television comedy “Friends.” For her role as Rachel, she received five Emmy nominations, two SAG Award nominations and two Golden Globe nominations. She won an Emmy (2002) and a Golden Globe (2003) for Lead Actress in a Comedy. The generosity of her fans led to her winning five People’s Choice Awards. With the emotional end of “Friends” and her time as Rachel Green, Aniston devoted herself full-time to her movie career. She had starring roles in RUMOR HAS IT with Kevin Costner and Shirley Maclaine, DERAILED with Clive Owen and the box-office hit THE BREAK-UP with Vince Vaughn. For her role as a depressed housekeeper in director Nicole Holofcener’s FRIENDS WITH MONEY, the independent film which also starred Frances McDormand and Catherine Keener, Aniston received some of the best reviews of her career. Proving her ability to navigate the world of both independent and studio-financed films, Aniston also co-starred in the box-office hits in the emotionally-moving MARLEY & ME with Owen Wilson and HE’S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU. She also starred alongside leading men Gerard Butler in THE BOUNTY HUNTER and Aaron Eckhart in LOVE HAPPENS. Adam Sandler played her leading man in the comedy hit JUST GO WITH IT. After co-starring in THE SWITCH, her first film with Jason Bateman, Aniston and Bateman costarred in the box-office hit HORRIBLE BOSSES, which also starred Jason Sudeikis and Colin Farrell, and in which Aniston played a sexually insatiable dentist. On February 24, she will be seen opposite Paul Rudd in WANDERLUST, the new comedy from director David Wain and producer Judd Apatow, which will be released nationwide by Universal Pictures. Visit Hollywoodphotos.com to see hundreds of Hollywood Walk of Fame photos

Paul McCartney Receives Walk of Fame Star

2012-02-16T08:50:00-07:00

Paul McCartney Receives Walk of Fame Star Famed musician and former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Thursday, February 9, 2012. “Way back in history, in Liverpool when we were kids and we were listening to Buddy Holly and all the rock and roll greats, I would have never thought the day would come when I'd be getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” McCartney said at the ceremony. “That was an impossible thing to happen. But here we are today.” Sir Paul then thanked “three boys” in his life: John, George and Ringo. McCartney’s star — the 2,460th given — was approved in 1993. He was the last Beatle to accept the honor, with John Lennon’s and George Harrison’s given posthumously. Ringo Starr was absent from the ceremony because he was “under the weather,” McCartney said. Thursday also marked the 48th anniversary of the Beatles’s first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Guest speaker Neil Young praised McCartney’s musicianship, saying (via the L.A. Times), “When I was in high school and the Beatles came out, I loved the Beatles and I tried to learn how to play like them, and no one could figure out what Paul was doing on the bass. Not only was he playing differently because he plays left-handed, he played notes that no one had put together before — in a way that made us stand in awe of this great musician.” He’s also set to perform at the Grammy Awards Sunday and will headline Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in June. Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see the largest collection on Hollywood Walk of Fame photos.

Hollywood Tilting And Floral Parade

2012-02-15T04:50:00-07:00

Hollywood Tilting And Floral Parade In 1905, seventy five Hollywood Citizens gathered to organize the Hollywood Club. At the meeting, Paul DeLongpre was elected its first president. Established as a social organization, the Hollywood Club took up quarters on the second floor of Mrs. Daeida Beveridge’s newly completed Wilcox Building at Prospect Ave. and Cahuenga Ave. The facility had a large dance floor with rostrum, a billiard and card room, and an office where soft drinks and cigars could be purchased. The year after the club was organized, it built two fine tennis courts across the street, on the northeast corner of Prospect and Cahuenga Avenues. The Hollywood Club became the center of the community’s social activity, fostered billiard and tennis tournaments, danced, card parties, smokers and theatrical plays. In addition, it sponsored the annual Hollywood Tilting Tournament and Floral Parade, which became one of the community's most popular festivities. April 20, 1907 was a gala day for Hollywood. At noon, on Prospect Avenue, gay with flags and bunting, paraded flower-decked horses and motor vehicles, flanked by saddled horses with proud riders in bright colors. It was Hollywood’s first annual Tilting and Floral Parade. Prospect Ave. was lined with people over the entire route of the parade from Highland Ave. to Cahuenga Ave., where on the northeast corner was the scene of the contest. The riders on their stock saddles, with fourteen foot lances, grouped their anxious horses on the boulevard across from the Hollywood Club, and as the judges gave the word, dashed over the course at a dead run, spearing the elusive rings with the unwieldy lances. Three rides with three rings each mad a possible score of 9. The crowd went wild, the band played loudly, and everyone had a great time. After the tournament, the winner chose his partner to lead the grand march at the ball that evening. On Saturday, May 1, 1909, the Hollywood Club presented the third annual Tilting Parade and Floral Parade, which thousands of people viewed from sidewalks and grandstands. Three bands, fifty decorated floats, autos, and tallyhos passed in review, one displaying over 7,000 roses. Leading the procession was the beautiful and elaborate float of the Hollywood Club bearing the May Queen, Helen Somers. Following the parade the Queen was escorted to her throne on the judges stand to watch the tilting tournament. The parade and tournament was followed by the May Day Ball with music furnished by Stamm’s String Orchestra. The largest collection of Hollywood Floral and Tilting Parade photos are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

Hollywood Walk of Fame Pics from Bruce Torrence

2012-02-14T18:47:00-07:00

Hollywood Walk of Fame Pics from Bruce Torrence Are you someone that follows the Hollywood Walk of Fame year by year? Perhaps you get star struck with actors and singers young and old. Whatever the case might be you will discover the wonderful collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame pics that Bruce Torrence offers at www.hollywoodphotographs.com. You will see photos of Jack Albertson, Herb Alpert, Johnny Depp, Reese Witherspoon, and many more. With 13 pages of photographs to choose from for the Walk of Fame, there isn’t any reason that you can’t build up a nice collection for your personal enjoyment. Hollywood Walk of Fame Pics for Personal or Commercial Use. You can purchase Hollywood Walk of Fame pics for personal and commercial use at a great price when you visit the website at www.hollywoodphotographs.com. There are commercial use fees listed on our site for your convenience, and they are listed according to the size of the images. You can order these photos in 8x10, 11x14, and 16x20 from our collection. You can choose from our negative collection to choose the ones you love, and for a small fee you can get an 8x10 to put up in your business.. All the Hollywood Walk of Fame pics are available for purchase at hollywoodphotographs.com

HOLLYWOOD STUDIO CLUB

2012-02-13T07:02:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD STUDIO CLUB In the very beginning, the Hollywood Studio Club was the meeting place for the young women trying to push into the motion picture business. These women living in cheap hotels had no place to practice their art. So, they gathered in the basement of the Hollywood public library for the rehearsals. The librarian Mrs. Eleanor Jones worried too much about the women. With the donations of the city’s businessmen and the Hollywood studios, she rented an old house on Carlos Avenue. The club was called sorority house as it functioned for women only. One of the largest collections of Hollywood Studio Club photos is hollywoodphotographs.com. In 1923 a fundraising campaign for the new building of the Hollywood Studio Club began. Hollywood cinema studios Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Warner Bros., and others donated thousands of dollars to the construction of the new building. A final donation was received in 1925 and the construction began on the new building on Lodi Pl. The organizers hired a famous architect Julie Morgan. The open ceremony of the new Hollywood Studio Club was held in May, 1926. The club was decorated in a Mediterranean style. Everybody seeking a career in the motion picture business was admitted to the club. They also could attend class in various aspects of performing art. The studio was a great place for the young actress, singers, writers, script girls and etc. It provided the guests with two meals a day and also hair dryers, typewriters, sewing machines and other items. The Studio Club functioned 59 years. During this period it housed about 10 thousand women. Among them were famous Hollywood celebrities: Marilyn Monroe, Donna Reed, Ayn Rand, Rita Moreno, Kim Novak, Maureen O’Sullivan, Sharon Tate, Diana Dill and Barbara Eden. The club functioned on the donations of YWCA. By the time of 1960s the idea of sorority house was dated. It had no revenues but on the contrary losing money. That’s why the Studio was forced to begin working as a regular hotel but in vain it was still losing money. In 1975 the Hollywood Studio Club stopped working and closed its doors. In 1979 it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. All the Hollywood Studio Club photos on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase.

A PLACE TO FIND HOLLYWOOD PICTURES

2012-02-09T15:02:00-07:00

A PLACE TO FIND HOLLYWOOD PICTURES Those of who love Hollywood will have a true appreciation for our hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Hollywood is such an exciting place, but those who want to have more to remember it by often go to various sources for it. hollywoodphotographs.com is the best source for Hollywood pictures, and with so many to choose from there is no doubt that we have what you need. Whether it’s a Golden Age of Hollywood celebrity you follow or a photo of your favorite places, this web site is a great place to buy photographs from for your own personal enjoyment or for commercial use. There are more than ninety subject categories from which to choose. There are pictures of famous nightclubs like Ciro’s, Trocadero and Mocambo. Other categories include Griffith observatory, Laurel Canyon, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood Images, and the Hollywood Canteen. The Brown Derby restaurants were some of the most popular eateries in the Hollywood area. Celebrities such as Clark Gable, Ronald Reagan, and Victor Mature were regular customers. Hand and footprint ceremonies at Grauman’s Chinese Theater are some of the most popular pictures on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

HISTORIC HOLLYWOOD IMAGES

2012-02-07T18:27:00-07:00

HISTORIC HOLLYWOOD IMAGES The best source for Hollywood images is the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. No other collection has as many photos or as many subject categories from which to choose. The ninety plus categories include such popular images as the Hollywood Sign, Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the Hollywood Canteen, Laurel Canyon, and Hollywood Walk of Fame. All of the Hollywood Images are available for purchase. The collections clients include such buyers as Stephen Spielberg, George Lucas, Disney Studios, Architectural Digest and many others. Photos may be purchased for both personal or commercial use. The photos are sold as digital images or as actual photographs. The vast majority of collection’s images are of Hollywood. The exception to this are the photographs of motion picture studios which were located all over Southern California. No other collection has the number of Hollywood images as does hollywoodphotographs.com. Images of some of Hollywood’s finest nightclubs, and their celebrities customers, include Ciro’s, Coconut Grove and Cafe Trocadero. Schwab’s Pharmacy on Sunset Blvd. was a popular hangout for some of Hollywood’s most glamorous stars. Across the street, was one of Hollywood's most famous, or infamous, hotels -- the Garden of Allah. In its heyday 'The Garden' was home to, amongst many others; Robert Benchley, Ernest Hemmingway, Gloria Stuart, the Marx brothers, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sheilah Graham, Dorothy Parker, Errol Flynn, Greta Garbo, and Humphrey Bogart. It was torn down in June 1959. Some of the rarest images in the collection are of the hand and footprint ceremonies that were held at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. The first to have their hands and footprints placed in the theater’s forecourt were Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. Some others include John Travolta, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Marilyn Monroe. Other rare Hollywood images include the Hollywood Studio Club and the Hollywood Bowl. If you like historic or vintage photographs of old Hollywood, please visit hollywoodphotographs.com -- they are the best.

Early Hollywood Airfields photos by Hollywoodphotographs.com

2012-02-07T04:50:00-07:00

Early Hollywood Airfields Photos by Hollywoodphotographs.com In the roaring 1920s aviation came alive, especially in Los Angeles. Airfields sprouted up everywhere, and with Hollywood's new motion picture industry taking root, aviation was embraced by many top producers and directors. Cecil B. DeMille [1881-1959] was one of Hollywood's general aviation pioneers. In 1917 he bought a wrecked Canuck in Canada and had it shipped here and restored to flying condition. With this plane he became competent and later spent time in the U.S. Air Service as a pilot. After the war he built his first airfield at Crescent Blvd. [now Fairfax Ave.] and Melrose. He then bought two more Canucks and six Curtiss JN-4D's ['Jennies']. Business increased as he added equipment and in late 1918 he formed the Mercury Aviation Company [which is still in existence today as a company that provides hangars and fuel services for corporate aircraft] and established DeMille Field No. 2 on the north side of Wilshire Blvd. and the west side of Crescent [Fairfax Ave]. In August of 1920, DeMille bought his first factory new plane [JL-6] from Junkers, and it was delivered by famed WWI ace, Eddie Rickenbacker to DeMille Field No. 2. In May 1921 that plane flew its first scheduled flight for Mercury from Los Angeles to San Diego. The public was not yet ready to embrace the idea of using aircraft for serious traveling and his airline never became a viable business. DeMille added his last airfield in Altadena in 1922, now the sight of the Altadena Country Club - aviation was alive and living in Los Angeles. Businessman Syd Chaplin came to Hollywood in 1919 to manage his brother Charles. Being well financed, he explored the struggling aeronautical industry and founded the Syd Chaplin Aircraft Company along with Emory Rogers at the Wilshire Airport. It was commonly know as the Chaplin Airdrome. As with many businesses during those days, their company grew rapidly and they established the first successful regular service between Wilmington and Avalon with a Curtiss 'Seagull' flying boat. The company enjoyed a four year existence, and in 1923 the Wilshire Airport was purchased and subdivided. Rogers bought Chaplin out and opened the Rogers Airport at the south east corner of Western and El Segundo. All of the photos on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are avail;able for purchase.

Laurel Canyon Pictures

2012-02-06T05:16:00-07:00

LAUREL CANYON PICTURES In the early part of the 19th century, Laurel Canyon was a rough and rustic area made up of just a few cabins—some used as hunting lodges. The hillside region was first developed by Charles Spencer Mann, an engineer and investor. His first development was the Lookout Mountain Inn which was quickly followed by a project called Bungalow Land. In an effort to get prospective up to this development, he built the nation’s first trackless trolley in 1913. The creation of Hollywood’s film industry also attracted residents like Errol Flynn and Ramon Navarro to the undeveloped quarter. By the ‘20s, Laurel Canyon was a real neighborhood with a small schoolhouse, restaurants, a grocery store and even a local newspaper. The Laurel Tavern was a popular place in the camyon. Early pictures of Lauarel Canyon can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. But it wasn’t until the ‘60s that Laurel Canyon’s lifelong reputation as a who’s who commune of legendary rock n’ rollers developed. Like its Northern cousin San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury, it became the place to be for hippies, as well as successful and aspiring musicians. Its center, said many, was eccentric rock star Frank Zappa’s rented cabin on Lookout Mountain—home to more than a few wild parties. Free spirits and music types continued to migrate and meet up in the Canyon throughout the ‘70s as the scene switched from psychedelic rock to mellow folk music and musicians. Today, Laurel Canyon continues to carry its reputation as a residential center for people involved in music, film and the arts. But the rents have gone up, and so have the home prices (into the millions) making it an elite area for creatives. Its ideal location, just a short walk from the famous Sunset Strip, is another reason for its high status in the “location location location” real estate market. It is one of the main north-south arteries between the flats and valleys of Los Angeles. Despite being poshed-up, the Canyon has kept the funky, rainbow-colored charm of the ‘60s Love Generation on the walls of its Canyon Country Store, and the occasional brightly colored houses and odd-shaped pads that crop up around newer more upscale homes. Famous, infamous and unknown Canyonites can be seen chatting over coffee and tea at the Country Store’s coffee cart, a neighborhood social hub. All of the Laurel Canyon pictures on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase.

BEAUTIFUL PANTAGES THEATER PHOTOS

2012-02-05T05:29:00-07:00

BEAUTIFUL PANTAGES THEATER PHOTOS The Pantages Theater, at 6233 Hollywood Blvd. opened its doors on Jue 4, 1930. Designed by architect, B. Marcus Priteca, it was the last theater built by the vaudeville impressario Alexander Pantages. The gorgeous art deco theater was part of the Pantages Theater Circuit. The new Hollywood theater programmed first-run movies alternating through the day with vaudeville acts for its first two years. But like other theaters during the great depression, it was forced to economize and thereafter operated primarily as a movie theater, though live entertainment was presented occasionally. Photos of the early days of the Pantages Theater can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Alexander Pantages sold the Hollywood landmark in 1932 to Fox West Coast Theaters. In 1949, Howard Hughes acquired the Pantages for his RKO Theatre Circuit and moved his personal offices to the building's second floor. From 1949 through 1959, the theatre hosted the American motion picture industry's annual Academy Awards It continued to be a major venue for movies into the 1970s. In addition, movie premieres for such films as “When Tomorow Comes” and Spartacus” were held regularly at the Pantages Theater.From 1965, it was operated by Pacific Theatres. The Pantages closed as a movie theater in January, 1977, and re-opened the following month with Bubbling Brown Sugar, the first of the many stage productions that have since become its regular fare. Today the theater is operated by an arm of the Nederlander Organization, the Pantages is one of Los Angeles' leading venues for live theater (the five highest-grossing weeks in L.A.'s theatrical history were all shows at the Pantages). The theater has recently presented large-scale Broadway musicals such as Disney’s The Lion King which ran at the theatre for over two years, and hosted the long-running Los Angeles production of the Broadway musical Wicked. Other Pantages Theater photos, in the hollywoodphotographs.com collection include both interior and exterior images. All are available for purchase.

View Hollywood Sign Photos

2012-02-04T05:09:00-07:00

View Hollywood Sign Photos The Hollywood sign is the most popular icon for the community of Hollywood. Originally built in 1923, the sign first read HOLLYWOODLAND which advertised the real estate development by the same name. To advertise the new Beachwood Canyon real estate development, the developers, including Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler and silent movie pioneer Mack Sennett, ordered a huge wooden sign built atop what is now known as Mount Lee. The mountain is named after early Los Angeles car dealer and radio station owner Don Lee. Originally, the sign was lighted with about 4000 incandescent light bulbs, which were changed by Albert Kothe when they burned out. There are scores of old Hollywoodland Sign photos on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. One of the most tragic events that involved the Hollywoodland sign was the suicide of Millicent “Peg” Entwhitle in 1932. Despondent over her acting career, Peg climbed the letter “H” and jumped. By the late 1940s, the sign was beginning to deteriorate, due to the weather. In 1949, the letter “H” fell down, due to high winds and the rest of the sign was also damaged. The letter “H” was rebuilt, the last four letters removed and the rest of the sign refurbished. This time it read HOLLYWOOD. By the mid 1970s, the sign was again in great disrepair. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce undertook a campaign to rebuild the sign. With the support of Playboy Magazine founder, Hugh Hefner, Alice Cooper and many other celebrities and Hollywood residents, the old sign was removed and a new sign built in its place. The new sign was build out of steel girders and faced with modern materials. The grand opening took place on November 11, 1978. Great photos of the old and new HOLLYWOOD sign can be viewed at hollywoodphotographs.com.

Photos of Hand and Footprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theater

2012-02-03T04:39:00-07:00

Photos of Hand and Footprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theater There are many stories regarding the origin of the hand and footprint ceremonies at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. At this point, we will probably never know the truth. One thing is for certain -- Jean Klossner was hired to install the cement in the forecourt of the Chinese. Previously, he had formulated an extremely hard and lasting concrete that he later used when installing celebrities’ hand and footprints in the forecourt. Klossner never revealed his formula for his extremely hard cement. Also, for certain, is that Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks were the first people to place their hand and footprints in the forecourt. In April, 1927, just three weeks before the theater’s grand opening. Sid Grauman asked Pickford and Fairbanks to initiate the hand and footprint tradition. A few days later, Grauman had Talmadge make similar impressions next to those made by Pickford and Fairbanks. Knowing that the theater's grand opening was to occur on May 18, 1927, Norma Talmadge scribbled that date above her signature instead of the actual date she made the impressions. The largest collection of hand and footprint photos is on the hollywoodphotographs.com. web site Klossner performed the famous footprint ceremonies until 1957 when Michael Tartaglia took over the function. He did so for thirty-four years. Since the beginning, scores of celebrities have had their hand and footprints and signature enshrined in the famous courtyard. Stars such as Jean Harlow, Steve McQueen, William Powell, Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Sidney Poitier have been honored at the Chinese Theater. All the hand and footprint photos at hollywoodphotographs.com are available for purchase.

View Hollywood Walk of Fame Pictures

2012-01-31T07:25:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME PICTURES Unquestionably, the most exciting events that occur in Hollywood today are the Hollywood Walk of Fame dedication ceremonies. These events honor celebrities in five categories of entertainment,: Motion Pictures, Television, Radio, Recording and Live Theater/Performance. Since the first Walk of Fame stars were placed in the Hollywood Blvd. sidewalk, in 1958, there have been 2449 stars placed in Hollywood’s terrazo sidewalk -- the last being Jon Cryer. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is responsible for the selection of the recipients and installation of the brass stars. The celebrity, or his/her agent or sponsor is responsible for the cost of the star and ceremony, which amounts to approximately $30,000. The largest collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame Pictures is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Initially, there were about 1700 brass stars installed when the Hollywood Walk of Fame was first dedicated in 1960. During the past fifty years, there have been hundreds of Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies, which were attended by thousands of adoring fans. During these ceremonies, thousands of pictures have been taken by professional photograhers and fans. The largest collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame pictures is hollywoodphotographs.com. There are almost 400 pictures of ceremoning for such celebrities as James Caan, George Carlin, Ray Charles, Tom Cruise, Ron Howard and Michael Landon. All the pictures on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase. We provide both digital as well as actual photographic prints, in varing sizes. In addition to Hollywood Walk of Fame pictures, there are over 6000 photos of old hollywood.

View the Best Hollywood Blvd. Photos At Hollywoodphotographs.com

2012-01-30T08:05:00-07:00

View the Best Hollywood Blvd. Photos At Hollywoodphotographs.com The very best collection of Hollywood Blvd. photos can be found on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. The collection was started, by Bruce Torrence in 1970, and today there are over 12,000 photographs of which there are more than 7,000 images on the web site. These wonderful photos of Hollywood Blvd. show the development of the street from when it was a dirt road to the way it is now. Originally, Hollywood Blvd. was named Prospect Ave. However, in 1910, the residents of Hollywood caused the name to be changed to Hollywood Blvd. Some of the early photos show the homes that lined Prospect Ave. Also, are photos of the street cars that traveled east and west on the street. Until about 1910, Prospect Ave. was almost residential. However, when the motion picture industry discovered Hollywood, commercial development began to take place. In the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s Hollywood Blvd. was one of the most popular shopping streets in the country. In the 1960s and 1970s, Hollywood saw decline in shopping, primarily due to the advent of shopping centers and malls. Today, there has been a resurgence in the real estate development of Hollywood and Hollywood Blvd. In addition to the Hollywood Blvd. photos, there are over ninety other categories of photos from which to choose. The newly designed web site is more user friendly and easier to find the photographs desired. Whether it is images of the Hollywood sign, the hand and footprints ceremonies at Grauman’s Chinese Theater or Hollywood and Vine, they are all here. Visitors to the hollywoodphotograph.com site can see photos of the many of the celebrities that dined at famous Hollywood restaurants and nightclubs, including the Coconut Grove, La Rues and the famous Romanoff’s. There are over 350 wonderful photographs of the activities that too place at the famous Hollywood Canteen -- Dinah Shore singing or Spencer Tracy chatting with the servicemen, it was “standing room only.” Images of premieres, attended by such stars as Rhonda Fleming, Barbara Streisand and Dick Powell can be seen. There are also great historic photos of such hotels as the Garden of Allah and the Hollywood Hotel. In addition, the photographs of the famous Ken Murray’s Blackouts and the Chinese Theater will give viewers and idea of how glamorous Hollywood was in it’s heyday. Two other popular categories are the hundreds of images of the scores of Hollywood motion picture studios that existed during the past one hundred years. In addition, the collection has scores of “movie making” photos which show how movies were made. Other popular categories of photographs include the Grauman’s Egyptian Theater, Hollywood Stars Baseball team and the Hollywood Studio Club. All the photos on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase. Both Digital and actual photographs can be purchased for either personal or commercial use.

VIEW THE BEST BROWN DERBY RESTAURANT FROM HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM

2012-01-29T06:04:00-07:00

VIEW THE BEST BROWN DERBY RESTAURANT FROM HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM The very best collection of Brown Derby photos can be found on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. The collection was started, by Bruce Torrence in 1970, and today there are over 12,000 photographs of which there are more than 7,000 images on the web site. These wonderful photos of the Brown Derby Restaurants show, not only, the exteriors of these four restaurant locations, but also the many celebrities who dined there. Clark Gable and Carol Lombard, Rita Hayworth, and George Burns and Gracie Allen were just a few of the many stars who ate at these famous restaurants. There’s are also photos of Robert Cobb who, not only owned the restaurants, but who created the famous Cobb Salad. In addition to the Brown Derby photos, there are over ninety other categories of photos from which to choose. The newly designed web site is more user friendly and easier to find the photographs desired. Whether it is images of the Hollywood sign, the Hollywood Walk of Fame or the Sunset Blvd., they are all here. Visitors to the hollywoodphotograph.com site can see photos of the many of the celebrities that dined at famous Hollywood restaurants and nightclubs, including the Coconut Grove, Moulin Rouge and the Trocadero. There are over 350 wonderful photographs of the activities that too place at the famous Hollywood Canteen -- Ginny Simms singing or Red Skelton telling jokes to a “standing room only” audience. Images of premieres, attended by such stars as Rhonda Fleming, Clark Gable and June Allison can be seen. There are also great historic photos of such hotels as the Garden of Allah and the Hollywood Hotel. In addition, the photographs of the famous Roosevelt Hotel and the Earl Carroll Theater will give viewers and idea of how glamorous Hollywood was in it’s heyday. Two other popular categories are the hundreds of images of the scores of Hollywood motion picture studios that existed during the past one hundred years. In addition, the collection has scores of “movie making” photos which show how movies were made. Other popular categories of photographs include the Grauman’s Egyptian Theater, Hollywood Blvd., Gilmore Field and the many Hollywood nightclubs. All the photos on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase. Both Digital and actual photographs can be purchased for either personal or commercial use.

View the Best Schwab’s Pharmacy Photos From Hollywoodphotographs.com

2012-01-28T09:01:00-07:00

View the Best Schwab’s Pharmacy Photos From Hollywoodphotographs.com The very best collection of Schwab’s Pharmacy photos can be found on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. The collection was started, by Bruce Torrence in 1970, and today there are over 12,000 photographs of which there are more than 7,000 images on the web site. Many of these wonderful photos of Schwab’s Pharmacy show popular celebrities eating at the lunch counter, chatting with other people, or columnist Sidney Skolsky interviewing people. Celebrities in these photos include such stars as Angela Landsbury, William Holden, Jack Oakie, and Edward Dmytryk. In addition to the Schwab’s Pharmacy images, there are over ninety other categories of photos from which to choose. The newly designed web site is more user friendly and easier to find the photographs desired. Whether it is images of the Hollywood sign, the hand and footprints ceremonies at Grauman’s Chinese Theater or the Hollywood Walk of Fame, they are all here. Visitors to the hollywoodphotograph.com site can see photos of the many of the celebrities that dined at famous Hollywood restaurants and nightclubs, including the Brown Derby, Ciro’s and the Mocambo. There are over 350 wonderful photographs of the activities that too place at the famous Hollywood Canteen -- Mickey Rooney playing the drums or Danny Kaye telling jokes to a “standing room only” audience. Images of premieres, attended by such stars as Myrna Loy, Clark Gable and Bette Davis can be seen. There are also great historic photos of such hotels as the Garden of Allah and the Hollywood Hotel. In addition, the photographs of the famous Sunset Blvd. and the Earl Carroll Theater will give viewers and idea of how glamorous Hollywood was in it’s heyday. Two other popular categories are the hundreds of images of the scores of Hollywood motion picture studios that existed during the past one hundred years. In addition, the collection has scores of “movie making” photos which show how movies were made. Other popular categories of photographs include the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Blvd., Laurel Canyon and the many Hollywood theaters. All the Schwab's Pharmacy photos on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase.

View the Best Hollywood Laurel Canyon Photos from Hollywoodphotographs.com

2012-01-27T04:43:00-07:00

View the Best Hollywood Laurel Canyon Photos From Hollywoodphotographs.com The very best collection of Laurel Canyon photos can be found on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. The collection was started, by Bruce Torrence in 1970, and today there are over 12,000 photographs of which there are more than 7,000 images on the web site. These wonderful photos of Laurel Canyon show the development of the area from when it was a dirt road to the way it is now. Some of the early photos show the Lookout Mountain Inn during the teens, the first house in the canyon and the old Laurel Tavern. There are also photos of the trackless trolley that was used to take prospective buyers to the Bungalowland real estate development. In addition to the Hollywood Walk of Fame photos, there are over ninety other categories of photos from which to choose. The newly designed web site is more user friendly and easier to find the photographs desired. Whether it is images of the Hollywood sign, the hand and footprints ceremonies at Grauman’s Chinese Theater or the old Hollywood Hotel, they are all here. Visitors to the hollywoodphotograph.com site can see photos of the many of the celebrities that dined at famous Hollywood restaurants and nightclubs, including the Coconut Grove, Ciro’s and the Trocadero. There are over 350 wonderful photographs of the activities that too place at the famous Hollywood Canteen -- Lena Horne singing or Bob Hope telling jokes to a “standing room only” audience. Images of premieres, attended by such stars as Rhonda Fleming, Clark Gable and June Allison can be seen. There are also great historic photos of such hotels as the Garden of Allah and the Hollywood Hotel. In addition, the photographs of the famous Garden of Allah hotel. and the Earl Carroll Theater will give viewers and idea of how glamorous Hollywood was in it’s heyday. Two other popular categories are the hundreds of images of the scores of Hollywood motion picture studios that existed during the past one hundred years. In addition, the collection has scores of “movie making” photos which show how movies were made. Other popular categories of photographs include the Grauman’s Egyptian Theater, Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood Legion Stadium and the many Hollywood hotels. All the photos on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase. Both Digital and actual photographs can be purchased for either personal or commercial use.

View the Best Hollywood Walk of Fame Photos

2012-01-26T05:22:00-07:00

View the Best Hollywood Walk of Fame Photos The very best collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame photos can be found on the hollywoodphotographs.com. The collection was started, by Bruce Torrence in 1970, and today there are over 12,000 photographs of which there are more than 7,000 images on the web site. Many of these wonderful photos of the Hollywood Walk of Fame show popular celebrities during their Walk of Fame ceremonies. Celebrities in these photos include such stars as Etta James , Kyra Sedgwick, Gweneth Paltrow, Leslie Caron and Shakira. In addition to the Hollywood Walk of Fame photos, there are over ninety other categories of photos from which to choose. The newly designed web site is more user friendly and easier to find the photographs desired. Whether it is images of the Hollywood sign, the hand and footprints ceremonies at Grauman’s Chinese Theater or the Pantages Theater, they are all here. Visitors to the hollywoodphotograph.com site can see photos of the many of the celebrities that dined at famous Hollywood restaurants and nightclubs, including the Brown Derby, Ciro’s and the Trocadero. There are over 350 wonderful photographs of the activities that too place at the famous Hollywood Canteen -- Mickey Rooney playing the drums or Danny Kaye telling jokes to a “standing room only” audience. Images of premieres, attended by such stars as Myrna Loy, Clark Gable and Bette Davis can be seen. There are also great historic photos of such hotels as the Garden of Allah and the Hollywood Hotel. In addition, the photographs of the famous Garden of Allah hotel. and the Earl Carroll Theater will give viewers and idea of how glamorous Hollywood was in it’s heyday. Two other popular categories are the hundreds of images of the scores of Hollywood motion picture studios that existed during the past one hundred years. In addition, the collection has scores of “movie making” photos which show how movies were made. Other popular categories of photographs include the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Blvd., Laurel Canyon and the many Hollywood hotels. All the Hollywood Walk Of Fame photos on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase. Both Digital and actual photographs can be purchased for either personal or commercial use.

VIEW THE BEST HOLLYWOOD IMAGES

2012-01-25T04:54:00-07:00

VIEW THE BEST HOLLYWOOD IMAGES Unquestionably, the best Hollywood Images are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. With over 12,000 photographs in the collection, there are more that 7,000 Hollywood Images on the web site. The newly designed web site is more user friendly and easier to find the photographs desired. Today, there are over ninety categories from which to choose. Whether it is images of the Hollywood sign, the hand and footprints ceremonies at Grauman’s Chinese Theater or the Hollywood Walk of Fame, they are all here. Visitors to the hollywoodphotograph.com site can see photos of the many of the celebrities that dined at famous Hollywood restaurants and nightclubs, including the Brown Derby, Ciro’s and the Mocambo. There are over 350 wonderful photographs of the activities that too place at the famous Hollywood Canteen -- Mickey Rooney playing the drums or Danny Kaye telling jokes to a “standing room only” audience. Images of premieres, attended by such stars as Myrna Loy, Clark Gable and Bette Davis can be seen. There are also great historic photos of such hotels as the Garden of Allah and the Hollywood Hotel. One of the most popular photograph categories is Schwab’s Pharmacy -- with it pictures of many stars eating at the lunch counter or just chatting with other people. Two other popular categories are the hundreds of images of the scores of Hollywood motion picture studios that existed during the past one hundred years. In addition, the collection has scores of “movie making” photos which show how movies were made. Other popular categories of photographs include the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Blvd., Laurel Canyon and the many Hollywood theaters. All Hollywood Images on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase. Both digital and actual photographs can be purchase for either personal or commercial use.

SANATA CLAUSE LANE PARADE

2012-01-23T04:44:00-07:00

SANATA CLAUSE LANE PARADE The Hollywood Christmas Parade, formerly the Santa Claus Lane Parade, is an annual parade that takes place on the weekend after Thanksgiving in Hollywood. The parade's 3.5-mile route follows Hollywood Blvd. and features various celebrities among its participants. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce created th parade in 1928 to boost shopping. Originally called the Santa Claus Lane Parade, the inaugural event featured only Santa Claus and the actress Jeanette Loff being driven in a sleigh (on wheels) being pulled by two reindeer. . The parade continued to grow in scale with the help of local businesses and the community. In 1931 Santa Claus rode a truck-pulled float instead of the reindeer-pulled carriage of previous years. American Legion Post 43 marched with a color guard, drum line and bugle corps. The Parade was suspended from 1942 to 1944 due to World War II, but the parade reopened in 1945 with record attendance. In 1946 Gene Autry rode his horse in the parade and was inspired by the children yelling 'Here comes Santa Claus, Here comes Santa Claus,' to write the song 'Here Comes Santa Claus' along with Oakley Haldeman. The parade continued to grow throughout the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, adding floats, animals, bands and celebrities. The parade, at that time was held about a week before before Christmas day. Over the years, hundreds of celebrities have participated in the parade, including such stars as Jayne Mansfield, The Three Stooges, Roy Rogers, Francis X Bushman, Lassie and Johnny Grant. The line of participants was always followed by the large float carrying Santa Claus. Each Year, news broadcaster, Bill Welsh would interview the celebrities as they passed the KTLA booth on Hollywood Blvd. View some photos of these stars on hollywoodphotographs.com. By 1978, the parade had been renamed the Hollywood Christmas Parade in order to attract more celebrities, and was broadcast locally on Ktla with the help of Johnny Grant. In 2007, the City of Los Angeles created a new parade to replace the Hollywood Christmas Parade, entitled the Hollywood Santa Parade and staged it on the weekend after Thanksgiving (the original parade had traditionally been held on the Wednesday evening before the holiday). Participation in the new parade became by invitation only, and Bob Barker, fresh from his farewell tapings as host of The Price is Right, was that year's Parade Grand Marshal. The largest collection of Santa Claus Lane Parade is hollywoodphotographs.com

Paul Delongpre by Hollywoodphotographs.com

2012-01-22T05:47:00-07:00

Paul Delongpre by Hollywoodphotographs.com Paul DeLongpre was born in Lyon, France in 1855. reared and educated in Paris and at the age of twelve, began painting flowers on fans. In 1874, he married Miss Josephine Estivenard. In 1896. he staged a watercolor flower painting exhibition in New York. Three years later, he came to Los Angeles with his wife and three children, Alice, Blanche and Pauline. He was an habitué of the bicycle and in his wanderings for flowers, often visited the Cahuenga Valley (later known as Hollywood(, where he met the Blondeau family. While exhibiting some of his paintings, he met Mrs. Wilcox Beveridge to whom she expressed an interest in building a home and studio in the Cahuenga Valley. In 1901, he purchased three sixty-five foot lots, facing east on Cahuenga Ave., north of the corner lot on Prospect Ave. (now Hollywood Blvd.) from Mrs. Beveridge. In 1902, he purchased the corner lot for $3,000, in lieu of which Mrs. Beveridge accepted three paintings. For almost ten years, DeLongpre's home played host to many parties and community functions. His home and studio was the first tourist attraction in Hollywood, a popular attraction on the “Balloon Route Excursion” which was a street car route from Los Angeles to Hollywood, to the Soildiers’ home in Sawtelle, to Santa Monica and back to Los Angeles. Scores of people would disembark the streetcar and tour DeLongpre’s studio and beautiful gardens. It was in his gardens that he painted his many floral masterpieces After DeLongpre’s death in 1911, his wife and children returned to France. To see many photographs of Paul DeLongpre’s home, gardens and studio, visit hollywoodphotographs.com.

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME IMAGES JUST FOR YOU

2012-01-20T10:03:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME IMAGES JUST FOR YOU Did you know that you can now print Hollywood walk of fame images digitally or you can get order them in the original film format? You can browse our entire collection so that you can get what you want at the right price in the right size. There isn’t any other way to get these high quality photographs than from such a fine collection as this at Hollywoodphotographs.com There is plenty to choose from, and you can get the sizes that you want for personal or commercial use. There are over 300 images including those of Bill Cosby, Billy Daniels, Jamie Farr, Eva Gabor and many more. Hollywood Walk of Fame Images From Hollywood Photographs You can get your Hollywood Walk of Fame images from Hollywoodphotographs.com when you order online or if you contact us by phone. No matter how you order your photographs you will be thrilled with what you get from Hollywoodphotographs.coim. Bruce Torrence began his collection in 1970 and has not regretted one moment of collecting these images. Those who enjoy the illustrious history of Hollywood will have a true appreciation of the photographs that Bruce has to offer. You can learn more about Bruce’s collection when you visit his website at www.hollywoodphotographs.com.

Purchasing Hollywood Walk of Fame Photos Is Easy

2012-01-18T06:26:00-07:00

PURCHASE HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN PHOTOS

2012-01-15T21:43:00-07:00

PURCHASE HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN PHOTOS Click on hollywoodphotographs.com for Hollywood Canteen photos In the 1940's, soldiers being sent off or just returning from service could enjoy a visit to the Hollywood Canteen, where they could drink for free and even hobnob with movie stars and Hollywood elite. Cofounded by actor John Garfield and superstar Bette Davis, offered free admission and free drinks for soldiers in uniform, and was so well respected in the industry for what it did for these soldiers that movie stars and other Hollywood talents often volunteered there or simply spent time there in order to shake hands with those in the service. The Hollywood Canteen may be closed but for anyone that loves vintage Hollywood or Americana memorabilia, images and photographs of this famed watering hole can add a touch of personality and style to any room of your home. These images can also be a fun way to add that personality to your office or your business without overpowering the area with too many antiques and other such items. Many who love vintage movies and the classics will immediately remember the Hollywood Canteen and recognize its image, and these photos can be a great conversation piece as well. Finding Hollywood Canteen photographs is as simple as going to hollywoodphotographs.com. There are over 300 vintage images of this famous place. Sometime in 2012, authors Lisa Mitchell and Bruce Torrence will have their book, “The Hollywood Canteen” published. If you add these photos to your décor this can make your entire room or area look vintage and retro. Think of how displaying these in your home theater or family room can make everyone ready for a movie on any given night. You can display your photos of the Hollywood Canteen on a shelf or mantel if they're smaller, or consider getting some poster sized ones for a real movie theater feeling. Remember that because the Hollywood Canteen specialized in welcoming those in the services, these photos and images can be great gift ideas for someone that is of that generation and that served in the military as well. If you have someone on your gift list that loves classic or vintage Hollywood movies, they may appreciate some nicely framed photos of the Hollywood Canteen . These photos and images also make great gifts for someone who may display them in their office. Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see the largest collection of Hollywood Canteen Photos

POSTWAR LAUREL CANYON HISTORY AND PHOTOS

2012-01-10T18:51:00-07:00

POSTWAR LAUREL CANYON HISTORY AND PHOTOS With the end of World War II, another wave of development took place Laurel Canyon was no exception. . As in previous growth spurts, this phase was driven by a population shift to the Sun Belt and the emergence of new industries, including steel production and aeronautics. The style was definitely modern with many homes built on previously unbuildable lots, including homes built on stilts on steep hillsides – a radical concept for the time. All around our neighborhood, hillsides were graded and suburban-style tract homes were built. It is a wonder that the shady, country-like atmosphere has survived at all. The Fifties postwar period also produced The Beat Generation, and Los Angeles supported a lively coffee house and Jazz music culture. One of the poets in this movement and a Laurel Canyon resident was Wulf Zendik (1920-1999). During this period :Laurel Canyon became a haven for many of the Beat Generation In July, 1959, a disastrous fire struck Laurel Canyon, destroying forty-three homes, three hundred acres of valuable watershed and leaving hundreds of people homeless. After three days of battling the flames, the two hundred firefighters and countless volunteers brought the fire under control. Twenty years later, on September 16 1979, the four hour long Kirkwood/Laurel Canyon fire destroyed twenty-three homes. In a counterpoint to all this modernism and development, the rustic style of turn-of-the-century Laurel Canyon was rediscovered by musicians during the 60’s and 70’s. Laurel Canyon was second only to Haight-Ashbury as a Mecca for Hippies. This is “where Joni Mitchell was living when she wrote 'Ladies Of The Canyons' and 'Clouds'; and, Graham Nash wrote 'Our House' when he was living here with her. Frank Zappa's infamous home during the sixties was located on the NW corner of Lookout Mountain and Laurel Canyon, where now is a vacant lot. He eventually moved because every nut in town knew where he lived.” Other rock stars included Jim Morrison, John Mayall, Carole King, The Mamas and The Papas, Dusty Springfield, Brian Wilson, and many others. The 2001 film Laurel Canyon is an homage to this legacy. Laurel Canyon was the physical focal point of the blues-inspired Psychedelic rock movement, and Frank Zappa's rented cabin at Lookout Mountain and Laurel Canyon Boulevard was the center of Laurel Canyon's crazed rock scene. The people who made appearances at the lower cabin that was home to silent film star, Tom Mix, and at the upper Tree House that was designed by famed architect Robert Byrd in the 1920's included, John Mayall, the famed GTO's (Girls Together Outrageously), the 'Plaster Casters', Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Love, Janis Joplin, James Taylor, Mick Jagger, Mary-Ann Faithful, Jeff Beck and many others. 'It was also during this period that frequent cabin-guest Jimi Hendrix briefly resided in the Errol Flynn mansion to the north of the property. The mansion was once a home for 'wayward women' and was also occupied in earlier years by notables ranging from Bugsy Siegel to W.C. Fields. The mansion is currently owned by Rick Rubin, cofounder of Def Jam Records. Of course, with music came drugs. The LAPD's narcotics unit had targeted Laurel Canyon as a special enforcement area, but not before the infamous murders of four drug dealers in 1981 on Wonderland Avenue, just a few houses away from then Governor Jerry Brown's home. The porn star, John Holmes, aka Johnny Wadd, was implicated at first, but then a Palestinian immigrant named Eddie Nash who owned the Kit Kat Club strip joint was arrested and later acquitted. The years since 1980 have seen a gradual gentrification of the canyon. Older homes have been bought by new residents and remodeled. Wonderland School, which is the pride of the community, is packed with the children of a new generation of parents. To read more about Laurel Canyon history or view Laurel Canyon photos, go to hollywoodphotographs.com.

Tips for Finding Hollywood Palladium Pictures

2012-01-07T08:02:00-07:00

Tips for Finding Hollywood Palladium Pictures When you have someone on your gift list that loves movies, concerts, Americana, or Hollywood, you may want to consider some Hollywood Palladium pictures as gift ideas. There have been many shows and concerts performed at this famous landmark and anyone that is looking to add some personality and flair to their home or office may appreciate this images as part of their décor. Opened in 1940, the Hollywood Palladium has played host to countless famous entertainers like, Tommy Dorsey and his band, Frank Sinatra, Glen Miller, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan and Madonna. It has also been the location for many conventions, meeting and trade shows. SEARCHING ONLINE The best source for Hollywood Palladium is hollywoodphotographs.com which is the largest collection of photographs on the subject of Hollywood. The web site offers both digital as well as actual photographic prints. The owner of hollywoodphotographs.com is Bruce Torrence and he is able customize your order. Images can be provided in any size the customer wants. Determine the sizes and other features you see in those Hollywood Palladium pictures before you make your decision. If you're purchasing something for a gift, will this person be comfortable with an oversized picture in their home? They may actually prefer something that is poster sized but you want to think about their taste and what they prefer before you make that decision for them. Some smaller Hollywood Palladium pictures that they can frame and display in the office may be better in some cases. Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to view old Hollywood Palladium pictures.

Purchase the Best Hollywood Sign Pictures

2012-01-05T07:52:00-07:00

Purchase the Best Hollywood Sign Pictures When you love the movie industry or have someone on your gift list that does, you may want to consider Hollywood sign pictures for yourself or for them. These make for unusual and unique gifts that everyone is sure to love, and you can choose them in any number of sizes and styles. The Hollywood sign is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable icon.s. As an example of how someone might use Hollywood sign pictures for themselves, think of how great they would look as posters in a home theater or family room. If they appreciate vintage items of any sort, whether for the movie industry or not, some black and white prints can add a sense of history to their display area. What could be more vintage than some black and white Hollywood sign pictures framed in silver, displayed next to antique cameras or books? Where to shop. Finding the best Hollywood sign pictures is not difficult. Simply go to hollywoodphotographs.com and click on the Hollywood Sign category. Then view the largest collection of Hollywood Sign pictures. You won’t find Hollywood sign pictures at retail stores. This is why it's good to shop online for Hollywood sign pictures, as it means finding a better variety of the photos themselves as well as a variety when it comes to size, color, and so on. Making your choice. If you're looking for the most vintage feeling, choose Hollywood sign pictures that are black and white or sepia toned. This will make them seem very antique. You might also choose some with faded colors; this will make them seem like movies you saw in the early decades of Hollywood. If you want something more modern, choose Hollywood sign pictures that are full color. Poster sized Hollywood sign pictures can be used in home theaters or family rooms, and can add quite a mood or atmosphere. For collectors, choose photo sized Hollywood sign pictures that they can frame and display with other collectibles. They may also want to have their photos displayed in the office at home or at work; this adds some personality without being inappropriate for the workplace. Keep these tips in mind before shopping. Go to hollywoodphotographs.com to view Hollywood Sign pictures.

HOLLYWOOD PICTURES GIVE A GLIMPSE OF HISTORY

2012-01-03T18:30:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD PICTURES GIVE A GLIMPSE OF HISTORY In order to fully appreciate Hollywood, it’s best to learn about its history from initial development to becoming an icon for the movie industry. One way to get a glimpse and better understanding of Hollywood and its history is to look at Hollywood pictures that document the construction of famed buildings like the Griffith Observatory, Chinese Theater and the Hollywood Bowl. Hollywoodphoptographs.com has the largest collection of historical Hollywood pictures including photos of the growth of the Hollywoodland housing development, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, famous restaurants such as the Brown Derby, Cafe Trocadero. Viewing these photos shows Hollywood as it grew from an agricultural area to one of the most well-known cities in the world. Historical Hollywood pictures can be purchased for personal as well as for commercial use. Learn more by visiting www.hollywoodphotographs.com

Brown Derby Restaurants History and Photos by hollywoodphotographs.com

2011-12-30T07:39:00-07:00

Brown Derby Restaurants History and Photos by hollywoodphotographs.com The largest collection of Brown Derby photos is hollywoodphotographs.com. The name Brown Derby Restaurant was a popular name in Hollywood. There is the tendency for any person who does not know about the restaurant to think that there restaurant was just one. The name Brown Derby stood for a chain of restaurants. The first among this chains of restaurants was in the form of a Derby hat for men; and it was the first to be established in 1926 at 3427 Wilshire Boulevard, during the Golden Age of Hollywood. It was the second Brown Derby restaurant to be established that played a vital part in the history of Hollywood. This restaurant was inaugurated in 1929 during the celebration of the Valentine day. It was commonly known as the Hollywood Brown Derby.This restaurant is close to movie studios in the area and thus it became the ideal spot for doing deals. The restaurant featured in many movies such as I Love Lucy. This no doubt contributed to the popularity of the restaurants. It was located on Vine Street. In 1931, at 9537 Wilshire Blvd, in Beverly Hills another branch was inaugurated. Though this restaurant is no longer in existence, it was similar to the Hollywood branch. It stopped functioning in the beginning 1980s decade and was taken down in 1983. With the demolition, there is nothing left to show the existence of this branch of the Brown Derby restaurant. It has only become known through historical records. The last branch of this chain of restaurants that was the Los Felix Brown Derby restaurant. This restaurant was located at 4500 Los Feliz Blvd. It is only those who know the history of the place will know that the Los Felix Brown Derby was not initially there. Willard’s was a chicken restaurant that was converted into a Brown Derby restaurant in 1940. In 1960 it was called the Michaels of Los Feliz, which later became a nightclub in 1992 and the nightclub is called The Derby. Though there was a plan to demolish the restaurant in the course of thiis, but the plan was thwarted thanks to the campaign called “Save the Derby.” The nightclub is no longer functioning but the Los Feliz Brown Derby restaurant is still functioning, but it belongs to Louise’s Trattoria. Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see Brown Derby photos

Tips For Finding Hollywood Bowl Pictures

2011-12-30T07:29:00-07:00

Tips for Finding Hollywood Bowl Pictures Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see Hollywood Bowl Pictures If you want to add some personality and style to your home, and you love music and Americana, you may want to consider some Hollywood Bowl pictures for yourself. This venue has been host to some of the best musical acts in the country and the building itself is something of a national landmark. Chances are you cannot simply walk into your nearest home furnishing store or art store and find some Hollywood Bowl pictures, as they may not be the best sellers for these retailers. Keep in mind that for physical stores, shelf space is limited and they often only set out their hottest items. Finding Hollywood Bowl pictures will mean shopping elsewhere and taking the time to really look around so you can find just what you need and can save money on these items as well. Once you find the Hollywood Bowl pictures you want, it's also a matter of using them properly in the house. As with any other type of decoration, you cannot simply purchase them and set them out and assume that they'll look appropriate in your home. You need to think about how you'll use your Hollywood Bowl pictures to really enhance your home's look and style without making it seem cluttered and busy. Obviously you may need to go online to find the Hollywood Bowl pictures you want. If you're looking for a certain concert or show that was held in this location, you may want to use those words in your search. This will mean finding what you need and finding it quickly and easily as well. If you don't use those terms in your search for Hollywood Bowl pictures you'll need to sort through many pointless sites and this makes your search much more tedious. The web site that has the largest collection of Hollywood Bowl pictures is hollywoodphotographs.com. You have many options when it comes to Hollywood Bowl pictures as to their size and even their color. Some are available in black and white rather than full color and this is something to consider, if you have modern décor and want to add something that will coordinate. On the other hand, you may prefer your Hollywood Bowl pictures in color if they include certain musicians and artists or a shot of one of their fabulous light shows or fireworks displays. It's good to take your time to shop around and note how these different options and features will look in your home. Go to hollywoodphotographs.com and view hundreds of Hollywood Bowl pictures. All the photos are available for purchase.

Hollywoodphotographs.com Has The Largest Collection of Hollywood Images

2011-12-30T05:23:00-07:00

Hollywoodphotographs.com Has the Largest Collection of Hollywood Images Hollywoodphotographs.com has the largest collection of Hollywood Images in the world. Out of more than 12,000 photographs in the collection, there are over 6000 images on the web site. There are ninety categories of subjects from which to view. Categories such as the Hollywood Sign, Brown Derby Restaurants, Garden of Allah Hotel, Theaters, Premieres, Walk of Fame and Grauman's Chinese Theater are among the most popular. Images of the Hollywood Sign include photos of its construction, deterioration, and rebuilding. The Premieres category shows photos of some of Hollywood's most famous stars attending the opening night of great movies. There are scores of Hollywood Bowl photos, beginning with the early 1920s concerts to the refurbishing of the current shell. Photographs of the Hollywood Canteen show the exciting activity that took place, every night, at this WWII Hollywood hangout. Some of the most exciting photos are of the hand and footprint ceremonies that took place at Grauman's Chinese Theater. Images of beautiful Jean Harlow, Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe placing their hand and footprints in the theater's forecourt are among the most popular photos in the collection. The collection was started in 1970 by Bruce Torrence. Beginning with about thirty photos (given to him by his grandfather, Charles Toberman), the collection has grown to the largest collection of Hollywood Images. Before the internet, anyone wishing to see these historic images had to come to the collection's offices. With the advent of the internet and digital scanning, all these photos can by seen by anyone with a computer. All the Hollywood images in the collection are available for sale. They can provide both digital images and actual photograph prints and purchases are made on either a 'personal use' or 'commercial use' basis. Hollywoodphotographs.com's customer base includes such people as Stephen Spielberg, George Lucas, Paramount Studios, Architectural Digest, Disney Corp and many others. Log onto hollywoodphotographs.com to view some of the finest Hollywood images.

Hollywood Blvd. Pics by hollywoodphgsotographs.com

2011-12-27T07:34:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD BLVD. PICS BY HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM Any local history buff will tell you that Hollywood history is some of the most fascinating history in all of the United States... Take Hollywood Blvd., for example. Is there any more storied street in Los Angeles? If you wanted to learn just about that pathway alone, you’d have much to study. Sometimes the best tool to study, of course, is a visual one. The best collection of Hollywood Blvd. Pics is hollywoodphotographs.com. Hollywood Blvd. pics are the best way to learn how and when the street was developed. Take, for example, the grading process that started all the way back in 1899. It’s remarkable. You can see how the process was started and what the street looked like before it became what we know it to be currently. There was greenery everywhere and it was barely populated. No book can tell you that much. Only hollywoodphotographs.com can illustrate that for you. Say, too, that you’re looking for Hollywood Blvd. pics with major intersections in them. We have those, too. Pictures of Hollywood Blvd. and Gower, or Hollywood Blvd. and Wilcox are plentiful. They, too, will provide an unprecedented look at what life in Hollywood was like at the time. It was far less populated and was marked by much more green and much less cement. Essentially, our Hollywood Blvd. pics can chronicle for you Hollywood Blvd.’s long and interesting history. We have pictures of buildings being erected as the years pass well into the next century. You’ll see as it morphs from something more agricultural and into something far more urban and populated. Different photos taken at different points in time illuminate this piece of Los Angeles history like nothing else can. When you visit us online at Hollywoodphotos.com or call us, you’ll find no less than a stellar customer service experience awaiting you. The staff can answer any question you may have about Hollywood’s history. All the photographs are available for purchase.

Hollywood Images - Chapter 2

2011-12-14T11:12:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD IMAGES - CHAPTER TWO The best collection of Hollywood Images it on the Hollywoodphotographs.com web site. There are over 6000 old photographs, cover about 90 subject categories. All the collection photos are of Hollywood except for the photographs of motion picture studios, which were located all over Southern California. The first motion picture companies settled in Hollywood, but as time went on, many companies moved to other locations such as Culver City and the San Fernando Valley. Thomas Ince was one of the first to establish a new studio in Culver City. That studio later became the Samuel Goldwyn Studio and then MGM. Carl Laemmle located his Universal Studio in the San Fernando Valley. Mack Sennett established his studio in Edendale while the American Film Company settled in Santa Barbara. Images of the Hollywood Bowl conveys the rich history this landmark achieved. Founded The first concert, at this natural amphitheater, was held in 1921. The orchestra performed on a wood platform while the audience sat on wooden benches carved into the hillside. As the concerts gained in popularity, the need for a larger stadium became apparent. In 1926, construction began on a new 17,000 seat amphitheater. Over the course of the next three years there were fofur shells constructed -- the last in 1929. The Bowl has played howt to hundreds of the finest entertainers including, Barbara Steisand, Nat King Cole and The Beatles. Many of Hollywood’s restaurants and nightclubs were some of the most famous in the world. Cafe Trocadero, Ciro’s, Mocambo, Romanoff’s and The Brown Derby played howt to most of Hollywood’s most glamorous celebrities. The stars used these nightspost as their evening playgrounds. It was not uncommon to see Frank Sinatra regularly at Ciro’s or Rita Hayworth dining at Mocambo. Hollywood movie premieres were a common occurance at such theaters as Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Grauman’s Egyptian Theater, Pantages Theater or the Carthay Circle Theater. The first premiere at the Chinese Theater, which was also its grand opening,was the “King Of Kings”, in 1927. Stars like Clark Gable, Myrna Loy, Bette Davis, Ronald and Nancy Reagan regularly attended these lavish events. Other great Hollywood images are of the Hollywood Canteen. Founded by Bette Davis and John Garfield in 1942, the Canteen was devoted to providing a place where servicemen could visit during the WW II. The Canteen was supported by all the motion picture studios, unions and guilds and it was their employees that volunteered each night. Everything was free for the servicemen -- food, beveridges, cigarettes, etc. The volunteer hostesses danced and chatted with the servicemen and, every night, Hollywood’s finest celebrities entertained on stage. Images of servicemen dancing, being entertained and getting autographs are all on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. All the Hollywood images are avail able for purchase.

Hollywood Images - Chapter One

2011-12-13T07:26:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD IMAGES - CHAPTER ONE The largest collection of Hollywood images is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. With about thirty photographs, the collection was started forty years ago by Bruce Torrence. Of the more than 12,000 photos in the collection today, 6000 have been put on the web site. With ninety subject categories from which to choose, anyone interested in Hollywod’s history will find the image(s) they wish to view. The ninety categories include such subjects as hotels & apartments, Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Canteen, restaurants/nightclubs and theaters. Some of the most popular Hollywood images is of the Hollywood Sign. Built in 1923, the sign originally read HOLLYWOODLAND and was an advertising sign for a real estate development by the same name. Other popular images are of the hand and foorprint ceremonies at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Images of Joe E. Brown, Shirley Temple, Sophia Loren and Danny Kaye are but a few of the great photos of these famous celebrities. One of Hollywood most well known landmarks was Schwab’s Pharmacy, located on Sunset Blvd, and across the street from the infamous Garden of Allah Hotel. It was as Schwabls that Sidney Skolsky gathered most of his material for his popular newspaper column. Photos of such celebrities include Evelyn Keyes, Angela Lansbury, Dick Haymes and Edward Dmytryk. Those interested in aviation will want to look at the photos in the Hollywood Airfields category. Chaplin Airdrome and DeMille Field were two of the airfields at, what is now, the intersection of Wilshire Blvd. and Fairfax Ave. Another airfield, located at Venice Blvd. and Mildred Ave. in Venice, was the Ince Aviation Field. One the earliest Hollywood organizations was the Hollywood Studio Club. Founded by Eleanor Jones and supported by Hollywood Studios and businessmen by provided rooms to those young women interested in becoming actresses. Countless residents of the Studio Club eventually found fame including, Donna Reed, Kim Novak, Barbara Eden, Marilyn Monroe and Rita Morino. All the images on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase.

Hollywoodphotographs.com - Coconut Grove Photos

2011-12-11T09:48:00-07:00

HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM - COCONUT GROVE PHOTOS Get Your Coconut Grove Photos for Personal or Commercial Use at Hollywoodphotographs.com Those who are looking for a piece of nostalgia relating to the Coconut Grove will love our selection of Coconut Grove Photos. With so much history surrounding Hollywood there is plenty of reason to order photographs from our website so that you can make reference to all of your favorite places in Hollywood. Did you visit the Coconut Grove way back when? If you did then you probably would enjoy having a copy of a few of the photographs that are available through Hollywoodphotographs.com. Photos of Bette Davis, Sonia Henie and Jean Harlow and William Powell can be seen on the web site. You Can Get Coconut Grove photos From Hollywoodphotographs.com at Any Time Did you know that you can order photographs of the Coconut Grove at anytime when you order them from www.hollywoodphotographs.com? You can get your Coconut Grove photos in an 8x10, 11x14, or even larger. You can always get these photographs for your own personal use or for commercial use as well, so be sure to ask for something if you cannot find it on our website. Would you like to get digital images? You can order those today when you call us at 760-934-3855, and you will be on your way to your own personal Hollywood collection.

Chinese Theater Photos:Capturing Memories

2011-12-11T09:32:00-07:00

Chinese Theatre Photos: Capturing Memories Taking photographs is probably the most ideal way of preserving and captivating our memories. Over the years, thousands or may be countless photographs have already been taken and collected to ensure that momentous and important events, places and people are well accounted and documented. Such photographs are even stored and kept over the years for the purpose of preservation and rekindling past memorable events during special occasions. Photos of important and historical places like the world’s most famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater are easy to view. Rare Chinese Theater Photos have been uploaded and posted on different internet sites, particularly at www.hollywoodphotographs.com, to spot the difference and the changes that the theater has undergone over the last eighty five years of existence. Such Chinese Theater photos are considered rare, since most of it have been actually taken during the beginning of the building’s construction in the year 1926 until the year 1979. The photos featured are printed in black and white, but are still in superb condition. Included in the Chinese Theatre photos are the pictures of the man behind the Chinese Theater, Mr. Sid Grauman. A few pictures of important people like Ted Mann, Mr. Jerry Fairbanks, Jesse Pizante (the official photographer), Ms. Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks are also for viewing. Other unique Chinese Theater photos include those of the famous hand and footprint ceremonies that have taken place over the past eight-five years. Photos of Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, Steve McQueen and Jean Harlow are but just a few of the hundreds of hand and footprint ceremony photos. Other greatly captured Chinese Theater photos were the yearly photographs of the theater itself. Different angles of the theater were taken to show the improvement over the years. The first pictures were taken on its construction year in 1926. It was followed by other pictures showing the on-going construction, until its opening date in 1927. The transition of the theater from the open lot to the constructed building was marvelous and captivating. Who would have thought that such a place have been there since 1926, unless you were able to read its history. All these fabulous Chinese Theater Photos can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site all the photos are available for purchase

Early Laurel Canyon History and Photos

2011-12-06T05:53:00-07:00

EARLY LAUREL CANYON HISTORY AND PHOTOS In the early days, Laurel Canyon was a secluded valley that supplied water to farms at the base of the canyon and some hillside grazing to sheep ranchers. One of the earliest farming estates was owned by Charles F. Harper, and it dominated the entrance to Laurel Canyon. Harper was a Civil War veteran who immigrated to California and made his fortune in the hardware business. He retired in 1895 and moved to Hollywood, where he 'enjoyed the evening of his days' on his 480-acre estate in Laurel Canyon. Visit hollywoodphotographs.com of see photos of Charles Harper’s home and orchards. Early development of the canyon was set in motion by Charles Spencer Mann, an engineer and real estate investor. Mann and his partners bought property along Laurel Canyon Boulevard and up in the hills. Some of the first tracts to be developed in the Lookout Mountain bowl were Bungalow Land and Wonderland Park, both of which were moderately priced with narrow lots and a network of interconnecting lanes and foot paths. In about 1910, Mann built the Lookout Mountain Inn (at the top of Lookout Mountain, just west of Laurel Canyon) and leased it to J.H. Hartwick. The Inn consisted of twenty four rooms, a bandstand and pavilion and had an unobstructed 270 degree view of Los Angeles. It wasn’t long before the Lookout Mountain Inn, whose specialty was chicken dinners, became a popular Hollywood attraction. Because of the steep grade of the twisting road and the lack of engine power of automobiles guest were forced to spend about thirty minutes driving up the canyon to the Inn. Go to the hollywoodphotographs.com web site to see photos of the Lookout Mountain Inn. In 1912. as a stimulus to Bungalow Land, Charles Mann, a real estate operator, and Richard Shoemaker, engineer, established a trackless trolley service between the Sunset Blvd. terminus of the Pacific Electric trolley line at Laurel Ave., and the tavern at the junction of Laurel Canyon Road and Lookout Mountain Road. The car had two trolleys, one to a positivity and one to a ground overhead wire and was able to sway toothier side of the street. For five or six years, the trackless trolley traveled up and down to meet the half-hour schedule to Los Angeles. It was mechanically satisfactory, but insufficiently patronized. It was discontinued when the Pacific Electric ceased to run cars between Gardener Street and Laurel Canyon Road, and realty interest failed to support it. Hollywoodphotographs.com has wonderful photos of the trackless trolley. On October 26, 1918, disaster struck the Lookout Mountain Inn and Laurel Canyon area when a fire , fanned by strong winds, burned about two hundred acres nd totally destroyed the famous lookout mountain Inn. Several years later, Lew Ayers purchased the property and built his home on the top of the hill. As was the custom in those days, restrictive covenants were attached to the new parcel deeds. These were thinly veiled attempts to limit ownership to white males of a certain class. While there are many references to the bigotry of land developers in our area, it would appear that some residents were also prone to bias and lawlessness. By the 1920s, several celebrities were also attracted to Laurel Canyon. With the creation of the Hollywood film industry in 1910, the canyon attracted a host of 'photoplayers', including Wally Reid, Tom Mix, Clara Bow, Richard Dix, Norman Kerry, Ramon Navarro, Harry Houdini, Lew Ayers and Bessie Love. Errol Flynn lived in a huge mansion just north of Houdini's estate. Laurel Canyon was the BelAir of its day, and many of these actor's English Tudor and Spanish style homes can still be seen in the canyon today. One of the popular places to eat in the canyon was the Laurel Tavern. located at the corner of Laurel Canyon Blvd. and Lookout Mountain Road. The silent film era may have been long ago, but the actors who made Laurel Canyon their home had personal stories that touch our lives today. Ramon Navarro bucked the racial conventions of the day and became the first Hispanic actor in Hollywood. After retiring and in his seventies, he was murdered by burglars in his home, which was on Laurel Canyon Boulevard just past the Canyon Store. By the time Harry Houdini had moved to Laurel Canyon, he was already a rich and famous celebrity. He had come to California to further his fortune in the Hollywood film industry. In actuality, he had spent little time at his lavish estate on Laurel Canyon Boulevard before he died. His wife, Bess, lived out her days at the estate's guest house, using the mansion to conduct seances with her dead husband. While more lavish homes were built by Hollywood’s new movie star elite along Laurel Canyon Boulevard and up on the crest of Appian Way, the majority of homes built in the shadows of the canyon were more modest and cabin-like. The properties that were originally bought as vacation home retreats where now being purchased as primary residences. By the 1920’s, it was a proper community with a one-room schoolhouse, a local newspaper, a grocery and several restaurants. The bucolic, somewhat isolated style of canyon life continued until the 1940’s. In this decade, the canyon was connected to the San Fernando Valley with an over-mountain highway. Suddenly the canyon was not so isolated anymore. With greater access came still more development, including an odd extension of the movie industry. Hollywoodphotographs.com has a rare collection of Laurel Canyon photos. All photographs are available for purchase.

Gilmore Stadium History and Photos

2011-12-04T08:07:00-07:00

GILMORE STADIUM CLICK ON GILMORE STADIUM TO SEE PHOTOS In May 1934, a few months before Farmers Market opened, Gilmore built the first race car track designed specifically for midget car racers, a venue built of love and commercial savvy. Gilmore loved racers and his marketing sense led him to support them as a demonstration of Gilmore Oil products. He named his venue Gilmore Stadium. His romance with cars extended well beyond the construction of Gilmore Stadium. As a sponsor, E.B. Gilmore took vehicles to the Winner's Circle at the Indianapolis 500 in 1935 and 1937. As a patron, he helped establish a land speed record which lasted for eight years. As a businessman, he created economy runs which evolved into modern stock car racing. In 1987, E.B. Gilmore was elected to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame and in 1992, he was inducted into the Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa. Gilmore Stadium was also home to the Los Angeles Bulldogs, the first professional football team in Los Angeles. Art Aragon, the Golden Boy of boxing, fought in the 18,000 seat stadium. The site was also used for rodeos, wrestling matches and even swimming. It also hosted donkey baseball, dog shows and at least one cricket match. Esther Williams performed in a diving and water ballet performance. A temporary above ground pool was constructed for the event. Several professional boxing title matches where held in the stadium. This was also where presidential candidate Harry Truman delivered his famous 'stiff upper lip' speech. No sooner had the Gilmore Stadium become a fixture in Los Angeles than E.B. Gilmore acted again. The Hollywood Stars Baseball Team played their first season at the stadium, while the Earl Gilmore was building his Gilmore Field. It was completed in May 1939 to accommodate the Hollywood Stars Baseball Team, a minor league professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League, owned by Robert Cobb,Bing Crosby, Barbara Stanwyck, and Cecil B. DeMille and other Hollywood celebrities. Gilmore Field was perhaps the most intimate baseball venue ever created in a metropolitan area. Home plate was exactly 34 feet from the seats, first and third bases only 24 feet away. Gilmore Field taught a generation of Angelenos to love baseball. The Hollywood Stars popularity created the climate which helped persuade the owners of the Dodgers to move west, before the 1958 season. Hollywoodphotographs.com has a great photos of the Gilmore Stadium

See Hollywood Sign Pictures From hollywoodphotographs.com

2011-12-03T05:14:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD SIGN PICTURES CLICK ON HOLLYWOOD SIGN PICTURES TO SEE PHOTOS The largest collection of Hollywood Sign and Hollywoodland Sign picture is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. The collection was begun by Bruce Torrence in the 1970 with about thirty photographs of old Hollywood. His Grandfather, Charles E. Toberman, came to Hollywood in 1907 and began developing real estate. Over the course of the next seventy five years he developed more real estate projects than any other person in Hollywood. It was his grandfather’s thirty photos that inspired Bruce to begin collecting old photos of Hollywood. What started out as an attempt to have a small collection of vintage Hollywood photos, grew into an insatiable obsession to build the largest collection of of its kind. Of the ten thousand photos in the collection, there are over six thousand images on the web site. Therre are more than ninety subject categories from which to choose, including theaters, hotels, nightclubs, Hollywood Walk of Fame and restaurants. Some of the most popular photographs in the collection are of the iconic Hollywood Sign. In about 1980, Bruce purchased about a hundred 8X10 film negatives, of the Hollywoodland sign, from the grandson of the photographer. The photographer was employed by the Hollywoodland Development Co, who erected the sign in 1923. The sign was merely an advertising gimick to attract people to the Hollywoodland real estate development. The sign photos, in the collection, begin with the construction of the sign in 1923. There are pictures of the dedication which show a group of men hiking up a small hilll, just in fron of the sign. Theres are photographs showing the sign as it was lit up at night, illuminated by over 4000 incandescent light bulbs. Those bulbs were replaced by Albert Kothe when the bulbs burned out. There are aerial images of the sign, which also shows the undeveloped San Fernando Valley in the background. As the sign began showing its weathered condition, in the late 1940s, photographs werre taken that ended up in the collection. There’s also a photograph of Peg Entwhistle who ended her life by jumping off the letter “H” in September 1932. When the sign was in such disrepair, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce spearheaded a movement to repair the sign. By 1949, the letter “H” blew down, so the last four letters were removed and the sign rebuilt to rread HOLLYWOOD. Photos of the new sign are among the scored of Hollywood sign photos on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. There are pictures of the sign when it was altered on January 1, 1976, by Danny Findgood, to commemorate the day California’s maarijuana laws were relaxed. On April 18, 1976, it was again altered to read HOLYWOOD to commemorate Easter. In 1973, when the sign was undergoing som repairs, someone hung a large canvas photograph of Leon Russell from the letter “D”. When the sign was finally deem unrepairable, a movement was undertaken to collect money to remove the old sign and replace it with a new one, made of modern materials There are scores of pictures of trhe demolition of the old sign and the construction of the new one. When the new sign was about to be shown to the public, on the night of November 11, 1978, Bruce took a photograph the exact second the sign was flooded with an elaborate lazer lighting system. The Hollywood sign pictures, on the hollywoodphotos.com web site are a photographic chronicle of the Hollywoodland and Hollywood signs. All photos are available for purchase for either personal or commercial use.

Coconut Grove Pictures from hollywoodphotographs

2011-12-02T05:09:00-07:00

COCONUT GROVE PICTURES FROM HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM The Coconut Grove is one of the most famous places in Hollywood, and Bruce Torrence has an extensive collection of Coconut Grove Pictures which is why so many people choose to buy their photographs from hollywoodphotographs.com. You can purchase these images of the Coconut Grove for your own personal use or for commercial use as well. Get Coconut Grove Pictures in Digital Format or From Negatives There are several Coconut Grove pictures from which to choose from on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. There are images of the lavishness and beauty of the famous night spot as well as photos of the many celebrities who “partied” there. Photos of Bette Davis, Jean Harlow and Sonia Henie are just a few of the stars that loved the Coconut Grove. Bruce Torrence has the largest collection of Hollywood pictures available. Photos of restaurants, theaters, and the Walk of Fame are just a few of the categories on this web site. You can order your photographs directly from our website when you visit us at www.hollywoodphotographs.com .

Hilary Swank Honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

2011-11-25T04:43:00-07:00

HILARY SWANK HONORED ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME Two Oscars for Best Actress usually means a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame and that honor came for Hilary Swank on January 11, 2007, timed with the release of her newest film, Freedom Writers. The presentation, featuring a weepy Swank herself and her family, happened in front of the world famous Grauman's Chinese Theater. Swank's star is the 2325th on the famous walk. Swank made her debut in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the movie) in 1992 and who knew how high she would climb from there? She's already won two Oscars for her work in Boys Don't Cry and Million Dollar Baby. She produced and stars in the real-life drama Freedom Writers, which opened at number four. In the film, she plays Erin Gruwell, the real-life English teacher who tried to inspire inner city slackers at Wilson High School in Long Beach. Hilary Swank was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and later moved to Southern California as a teenager with her mother to pursue acting. Life was so rough on her climb up the ladder, she even lived out of her car at one point. And now she's on the Walk of Fame. In other news around the actress, she appeared in an issue of InStyle magazine, where she admits that, a year after splitting from actor-husband Chad Lowe, she has a new man - 'I'm in a relationship with a great guy who's not a public person, and I want to respect that. But yes, I am in a relationship.' The magazine claims that Hilary Swank's mystery man is actually her agent, John Campisi. The 37 year-old Hilary Swank can also be seen in The Black Dahlia, with Scarlett Johannson, P.S. I Love You, Amelia and The Resident. Photographs of Hillary Swank’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. There are, also, hundreds of photos of other Walk of Fame ceremonies. All the photos are available for purchase.

Hollywood Stars Baseball Team

2011-11-21T04:48:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD STARS BASEBALL TEAM Photos of Hollywood Stars Baseball Team are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site In November 1937, Herbert Fleishaker moved his Mission Reds baseball team from San Francisco to Los Angeles and took the name 'Hollywood Stars Baseball Team”. After the 1938 season, the Stars' management dissolved. Fleishhacker was unable to complete arrangements for construction of a baseball park. Then his brewery failed and he went into bankruptcy. The club was for sale. The men who purchased the Stars from Fleishhacker's estate retained control for the next 19 years - until the arrival of major league baseball in Los Angeles forced the club to disband. They made the Stars the civic venture and outstanding team that is remembered today. The leaders of the new ownership group were Victor Ford Collins, who was Fleishhacker's attorney, and Robert H. Cobb, owner of the Brown Derby restaurants. This was the dream of a lifetime for Bob Cobb. In order to raise funds, the two men formed the Hollywood Baseball Association and sold small amounts of stock to numerous Hollywood civic leaders and movie stars. The movie personalities included Cecil B. DeMille (first chairman of the board of directors), William Frawley, Robert Taylor, Barbara Stanwyck, Gail Patrick (Mrs. Cobb), Harry Warner, Bing Crosby, Gary Cooper, George Burns and Grace Allen, and Gene Autry. By selling stock to the movie stars, Collins and Cobb gained not only capital, but also the opportunity to promote their club as “the Hollywood Stars baseball team, owned by the Hollywood stars. The events of the opening week of 1939 and opening day of Gilmore Field, built by Earl Gilmore, typified the Stars' organization for its first ten years under Collins and Cobb; everyone was amateurishly enthusiastic and wanted dearly to put on a good show, but the team was poor and struggled for several years. The fans remained loyal, however. Attendance increased dramatically toward the end of World War II. During the post-war boom, the Stars reached the 500,000 mark in attendance three times in four years. So many people were crowding the ballpark that in 1947, when Jimmy Dykes was the manager, the Stars tried to expand the capacity of Gilmore Field from 12,500 to 18,000 by adding right-field bleachers. (They were prevented from doing so by the great scarcity of construction materials.) Finally in 1949 the Stars rewarded those fans with their first pennant since 1930. In 1949 Fred Haney became the team's manager and the Golden Age of the Hollywood Stars, which lasted until the club disbanded in 1957, began. The Haney years were marked not only by excellent play, but also by creative management. The best-remembered innovation was one of apparel: T-shirts and shorts as a uniform, beginning in 1950. The 'shorties' weighed only a third as much as regulation uniforms and retained perspiration much less. Haney announced, 'We think these suits will give us more speed. They will also permit much greater freedom of motion in fielding and throwing. If the trial proves satisfactory, we'll wear them whenever the weather permits.' The Stars wore their new uniforms throughout 1950, but only sparingly thereafter; they abandoned them after the 1953 season. The players liked them, but the public never really did. The Stars pioneered in broadcasting games on television – they had televised one game in 1939 as part of an experiment conducted by a local channel - and they became the first club to televise home games in the late 1940s. In 1951, Earl Gilmore, the owner of the Gilmore Field, The Home of the Stars, clashed with club management on the usefulness of television. Being unalterably opposed to TV, he threatened to cut the power lines connecting radio and TV broadcasting facilities in the park. The two sides eventually reached a compromise very favorable to Mr. Gilmore: he received 30% of the club's television revenues. Jayne Mansfield was 'Miss Hollywood Stars' of 1955. When she jogged (or should we say jiggled) out of the dugout, the male fans all howled and moaned as she stood at home plate. In December of 1956, the Brooklyn Dodgers announced that they would move to Los Angeles after the 1957 season. Almost at once the Hollywood Stars were dead. They played one more season to a reasonably successful third-place finish. At their final home game, Jayne Mansfield returned and presented Bob Cobb with a new car, then they watched hurler Hugh Pepper pitch no-hit ball against the pennant-winning San Francisco Seals until a fly ball blooped in front of centerfielder Carlos in the ninth inning. Visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see photos of the Gilmore Field and the Hollywood Stars Baseball Team. All photographs are available for purchase.

The Famous Hollywood Canteen

2011-11-14T08:12:00-07:00

THE FAMOUS HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN Purchase Hollywood Canteen Photos from Hollywoodphotographs.com The Hollywood Canteen was built and created as a place for servicemen to go while on leave in Hollywood during the Second World War. The Hollywood Canteen offered entertainment, dancing, and food free of charge. To get in, servicemen simply had to show up in uniform. The Hollywood Canteen was mostly frequented by servicemen on their way overseas. The staff of the Hollywood Canteen consisted entirely of volunteers from the entertainment industry. Celebrities waited on tables, cooked, and cleaned up after the visiting servicemen. Servicemen were entertained by the most popular musicians and stars of the time, including Red Skelton, Eddie Cantor, Bill Robinson and Mickey Rooney. One of the perks of visiting the Hollywood Canteen for servicemen was the chance to dance with glamorous celebrities like, Joan Leslie, Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth and Faye McKenzie. Those interested in the Hollywood Canteen may be interested in viewing photographs of the famous venue as well as photographs of the stars that danced and mingled with the servicemen. View photographs of the Hollywood Canteen can be seen at the www.hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

VIEW THOUSANDS OF GREAT HOLLYWOOD PICTURES

2011-11-12T14:02:00-07:00

CLICK ON HOLLYWOOD PICTURES TO SEE PHOTOS VIEW THOUSANDS OF GREAT HOLLYWOOD PICTURES For those interested in looking at thousands of old Hollywood pictures, the hollywoodphotographs.com web site is the largest of its kind. With over 6000 pictures, covering more than ninety categories, this collection has something for everyone. From crystal clear aerial photos to pictures of fashionable Hollywood premieres, this site has it all. Probably the most popular category of photographs is the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There are over four hundred images of Hollywood’s most famous celebrities having their names placed in the Walk of Fame. Photos of Ron Howard, Elton John, Shirley Jones, Michael Jackson, Robert Mitchum and Tom Selleck are just a few of the great photos in the Walk of Fame category. Those interested in viewing yesterday’s celebrities at some of Hollywood’s most popular restaurants and nightclubs will want to look at the Ciro’s, Mocambo, Cafe Trocadero, Brown Derby Restaurant and Coconut Grove categories. There's nothing like seeing photos of Frank Sinatra and is former wife, Nancy, at Ciro's. Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman were also regulars at Ciro's. Visitors can also see photos of Jean Harlow at the Coconut Grove, Clark Gable and Carole Lombard dining at the Brown Derby, Rita Hayworth at the Mocambo nightclub and Robert Cummings and Marsha Hunt at the Cafe Trocadero. Photographs of other nightspots include Earl Carroll’s Theater, the Moulin Rouge, Florentine Gardens and Dino’s Restaurant. All of Hollywood’s most famous theaters are displayed in this massive photographic collection. Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the Pantages Theater, Warner Bros. Theater, the El Capitan Theater and Grauman’s Egyptian Theater are just a few of the scores of Hollywood theaters. Photographs of “dressed-up” Hollywood stars attending those elaborate movie premieres can also be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. There’s nothing like seeing handsome Clark Gable with his wife Kay Spreckles, walking into the Chinese Theater or Myrna Loy at a premiere at the Carthay Circle Theater. One of the most popular and celebrated events during Hollywood’s heyday, was the hand and footprint ceremonies at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Beginning with Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford placing their hand and footprints in Grauman’s Chinese Theater’s forecourt, there have been hundreds of celebrities enshrined in the theater’s cement. Scores of stars have been honored by imprinting their extremities in the cement in the theater’s forecourt -- including Steve McQueen, Paul Newman & Joanne Woodward, Jennifer Aniston, Marilyn Monroe & Jane Russell and many others. Another popular subject of photos is of the Hollywood sign. Originally, the sign read HOLLYWOODLAND which advertised the real estate development, by the same name. After years of deterioration, the sign was rebuilt, in 1949, and the last four letters removed. From that point, the sign has read HOLLYWOOD. In the early 1970s, the sign was refurbished but it only lasted a few years. In 1978, the old sign was demolished and replaced by a new sign made modern materials. Over the course of its lifetime, the sign was modified to read, among other names, HOLYWOOD, HOLLYWEED AND SAVETHEPEAK. Some of the many popular photo categories include the Hollywood Studio Club, the Hollywood Bowl, Pan Pacific Auditorium, Hollywood Hotels, Sunset Blvd., and many others. All the photographs in the hollywoodphotographs.com collection are available for purchase. Simply go to the web site and enjoy browsing through the thousands of great old Hollywood pictures

Old Hollywood Pictures

2011-11-12T05:45:00-07:00

PURCHASE OLD HOLLYWOOD PICTURES OLD HOLLYWOOD PICTURES Anyone wishing to look at old Hollywood pictures can simply go to the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. There are over 12000 photos in the collection, of which about 6000 images are on the web site. There are ninety subject categories from which to choose, including, the Hollywood sign, restaurants/nightclubs, theaters, movie studios and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Photographs of Frank Sinatra at Ciro’s nightclub, performances at the Hollywood Bowl, celebrities at the Brown Derby Restaurants, entertainers at the famous Hollywood Canteen, and movie making at the many Hollywood studios are just a few of the wonderful images on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Bruce Torrence started the collection in the early 1970s and, today, it is the largest photo collection on the subject of Hollywood. Some of the collections clients include Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Disney Studios, Paramount Studios, Architectural Digest, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and numerous authors and publishers. In addition to the thousands of Hollywood pictures, the web site has historical text about each of the subject categories, a brief history of early Hollywood, and a blog section. All the pictures on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase, either for personal or commercial use. Visit this fabulous web site and see some really great Hollywood pictures.

Sunset Boulevard History

2011-11-11T06:17:00-07:00

SUNSET BOULEVARD HISTORY Sunset Boulevard is probably one of the most popular and celebrated streets in Los Angeles. With its westerly terminus at Pacific Coast Highway (at the Pacific Ocean) and running east through Echo Park, it famous street is approximately 24 miles long. Beginning at the west end, the street winds its way through such affluent areas as Pacific Palisades, Bel Aire and Beverly Hills. As it leaves Beverly Hills, Sunset Blvd. passes through a portion of Los Angeles County which is commonly referred to as “the Sunset Strip.” After leaving this portion of Los Angeles County, Sunset Blvd. winds its way through Hollywood. At the easterly end of Hollywood, Sunset Blvd. crosses Hollywood Blvd. It was near this intersection was the famous Fine Arts Studio that existed in the teens and early twenties. It was at this studio that D.W. Griffith made some of his epoch films, such as “Intolerance”. Sunset Blvd. boasts of having been the home for most of the very early motion picture companies in the Hollywood area. Sunset Blvd., near the intersection of Gower St. was commonly known as Gower Gulch because it was here that the small film companies made hundreds of “westerns”. This area was also know as “Poverty Row” because of the high mortality rate of these small film companies. It was not uncommon for small independent film companies to rent a building on Sunset Blvd. (near Gower St.) and begin making movies. However, because film distribution was difficult, their films could not be sold -- so they simply went out of business. Some of these companies included, California Film Co., Century Film Co., H. Paulis Studio and Francis Ford Studio. As the motion picture industry merged and consolidated fewer and fewer film companies survived. Those who did, on Sunset Blvd. included Columbia Studios, Christie Film Co. and Warner Bros. Studios. Sunset Blvd., in Hollywood, was host to two very popular nightclub/theaters during the 1940s & ‘’50s. Earl Carroll built his second famous Earl Carroll Theater at 6230 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, California that opened on December 26, 1938. As he had done at the New York theater, over the doors of the entrance to the Earl Carroll Nightclub had emblazoned the words 'Through these portals pass the most beautiful girls in the world.' An 'entertainment palace,' the glamorous supper club-theatre offered shows on a massive stage with a 60-foot wide double revolving turntable and staircase plus swings that could be lowered from the ceiling. The building's facade was adorned by what at the time was one of Hollywood's most famous landmarks: a 20-foot high neon head portrait of entertainer Beryl Wallace, one of Earl Carroll's 'most beautiful girls in the world,' who became his devoted companion. For almost ten years, the famous nightspot was popular with both Hollywood residents and tourists. The Earl Carroll Theater was sold following the 1948 deaths of Earl Carroll and Beryl Wallace in the crash of United Airlines Flight 624 at Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania. The theater continued to operate, but in the 1950s fell on hard times. Beginning in 1953, for a while it operated as a nightclub under the name, the 'Moulin Rouge.' During part of its run (19561964), the popular TV game show Queen for a Day was broadcast from this location. After changing hands it eventually became the 'Hullabaloo' Rock and Roll club, capitalizing on the popularity of the television variety show Hullabaloo. It then became the 'Aquarius Theater' in the late 1960s and was used as a venue for the long running musical Hair and made famous as the place where The Doors performed on July 21, 1969. Further west on Sunset Blvd. is the once popular Hollywood Athletic Club. Founded in 1921, the club was so popular that by 1926, it had close to one thousand members. In addition to the many activities for its own members, the Hollywood Athletic Club sponsored teams in basketball, wrestling, track, tennis, swimming, boxing, squash, handball, water polo and fencing. At the corner of Sunset Blvd. and Highland Ave. Is Hollywood High School. The cornerstone of Hollywood Union High School was laid on November 23rd, 1904. Over the course of the next few years, many other buildings were erected making the school one of the most beautiful in Southern California. The school has quite a reputation for having so many entertainment personalities as alumni -- Carol Burnett, Alan Ladd, Charlene Tilton, Carole Lombard, nanette Fabray and Ricky Nelson just to name a few. Further west, near the intersection of Crescent Heights, was the most celebrated drugstore in the world. Schwab’s Pharmacy became the hangout for some of Hollywood’s most glamorous stars. Soon after the store opened at 8024 Sunset Boulevard in 1932, Hollywood's famous began coming down from the hills to pick up sundries, gather to meet friends, or just relax over a soda or cup of coffee. Schwab's Drug Store became known for the stars that would appear there, and attracted the attention of locals and tourists alike. Stories began to circulate about what happened at Schwab's. One of the most popular legends was that Lana Turner was 'discovered' while sipping a soda at the counter. Nothing could have been further from the truth. Lana Turner was discovered at Tops Cafe which was located diagonally across the street from Hollywood High School, where she was attending. It was said that Orson Wells used to sit at the soda fountain, unaware that the Pharmacist was on the phone to William Randolph Hearst, who would call about hangover medicine for Marion Davies. Ava Gardner dropped in regularly to pick up her favorite color lipstick and nail polish. Marilyn Monroe would leave messages there for her friend, Photoplay gossip columnist, Sidney Skolsky, under the name 'Miss Caswell.' The most popular spot was the soda fountain with its most famous treat, 'The Chocolate Ice Cream Soda.' Some stars were allowed behind the soda fountain to make their own sodas. Elvis Presley would come in with his entourage whenever he was in town. Jack Nicholson, then an unknown, spent many hours in the coffee shop. Diane Keaton, who was a regular at the fountain, brought Woody Allen into the pharmacy to enjoy the environment with a young clientele. For over fifty years, Schwab’s was the meeting place for some of Hollywood’s brightest stars. Schwab’s closed its doors in the mid-1980’s and fell to the wrecking ball in 1988. One of the most famous, or infamous, hotels on Sunset Blvd. was the Garden of Allah Hotel. Located just west of Crescent Heights Ave, the hotel was developed by an actress named Alla Nazimova and had it’s opening in 1927. Over the course of it’s thirty year career, countless celebrities including Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Robert Benchley, and John Barrymore stayed at the hotel. The hotel developed quite a reputation as being a “party” hotel which later was the cause for its downfall. In 1959, the property was sold to Lynton Savings who demolished the building to make way for its corporate offices. Unquestionably, the most popular section of Sunset Blvd. is the area known as the “Sunset Strip”. Between the mid-1930s through the 1950s, the Sunset Strip was the home of some of the most glamorous restaurants and nightclubs in the country. Cafe Trocadero, Mocambo, Ciro’s and La Rues were the playground of the stars. In the 1960s and ‘70s, such nightspots as Interlude, Crescendo, Gazzarri’s, Rainbow Bar and Grill and Whisky-A-Go-Go were extremely popular. Other well know eateries, that called the Strip their home were Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant, Cyranos, Scandia and Dino’s Restaurant. There are hundreds of photos of Sunset Blvd. on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. All the photos are available for purchase.

Purchase Hollywood Palladium Pictures from hollywoodphotographs.com

2011-11-10T04:50:00-07:00

PURCHASE HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM PICTURES The famous Hollywood Palladium opened on October 31, 1940 with a concert by Frank Sinatra and the Tommy Dorsey Band. Since then, the Hollywood Palladium has hosted the Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and concerts with such entertainers The Rolling Stones, Barbara Streisand, The Beach Boys and The Grateful Dead. In addition, hundreds of conventions and meetings have been held at the Palladium. Dancing to many of the big bands was also very popular. During the second world war, the Palladium hosted radio broadcasts featuring Betty Grable greeting servicemen with song requests. In 2008, the Hollywood Palladium underwent a year long, multimillion dollar renovation To see amazing Hollywood Palladium pictures, visit the web site of Bruce Torrence's, www.hollywoodphotographs.com. You will find pictures from 1941, and later, showing both interior and exterior images. You can order your digital images for just $50 for your personal use and $75 for commercial use when you order Hollywood Palladium Pictures. Photographic prints are also available at an additional fee. To view Hollywood Palladium pictures simply go to hollywoodphotographs.com and click on the Palladium category.

Get Your Walk of Fame Pictures from Hollywoodphotographs.com

2011-11-09T04:34:00-07:00

GET YOUR WALK OF FAME PICTURES FROM HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM Are you looking for pictures of the Walk of Fame? If you are then you can order them from Hollywood Photographs. Hundreds of stars have been given the chance to end up on this walk of fame, including recent inductions for Shania Twain, Sissy Spacek, Mark Wahlberg, Alan Jackson, Etta James, Russell Crowe and many more. You can order your walk of fame pictures for personal or commercial use, so be sure to check with us first before you look elsewhere. Walk of Fame Pictures for Commercial Use There are plenty of restaurants, museums, and offices that may choose to use our walk of fame pictures for commercial use rather than buying them for personal enjoyment. Not only can you order your digital images, but you can get the images you would like in an 8x10 size, 11x14, and 16x20 as well. We have a vast negative collection, so there is plenty to choose from to make sure that you get what you want. There are fees to print these, ranging from $20 and up, so you can pick the sizes and stay within your budget. You can order today when you visit us at www.hollywoodphotographs.com.

Hollywood Sign Images from Hollywoodphotographs.com

2011-11-08T17:35:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD SIGN IMAGES FROM HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM The image of the Hollywood Sign is an iconic part of the Hollywood hills. Many do not know that the sign was never meant to be permanent and previously read “Hollywoodland”. The sign was built, in 1923, as an advertisement for a development of homes in the Hollywood hills dubbed “Hollywoodland”. In 1949, the last four letter were removed and the rest of the sign refurbished to read HOLLYWOOD. The Hollywood Sign image became an icon and was left up. In the early 1970s, the sign was, again, refurbished but it only lasted a couple of years. With donations from hundreds of people and several celebrities, the old sign was torn down and rebuilt, 1978, with modern materials. View Hollywood Sign images from the original construction to its dilapidated state in the 1970s to the construction of the sign as seen today in the area of Mount Lee at www.hollywoodphotographs.com. Bruce Torrence’s Hollywood Photograph Collection is the largest of its kind with hundreds of Hollywood Sign images and thousands of other historical Hollywood landmarks. All are for sale for personal or commercial use.

Historic Hollywood Bowl Pictures

2011-10-21T04:02:00-07:00

HISTORIC HOLLYWOOD BOWL PICTURES Are you looking for Hollywood Bowl pictures? You can now build your collection of Hollywood Bowl pictures when you browse the images available through hollywoodhhotographs.com. There is plenty to choose from including photos of the Bowl's construction, the early shells and Hollywood Bowl concerts. Hollywood Bowl Pictures date from 1921 when Hollywoodians hiked into Daisy Dell to hear the first afternoon concert. The stage consisted of wooden planks laid on the dirt and the audience sat on wood benches that were placed on the hillside. The first Easter Sunrise Service was held in March 1921 and since then, they've been held every year since. During the course of the Bowl's ninety year history, there have been four shell, that cover the performing orchestra. In 1922, the wooden platform stage was covered with a fabric canopy. When the Hollywood Bowl underwent the expansion in 1926, that we see today, the first shell was erected. It was thick at the sides, thin at the top and had oil paintings of ships on its face. The following year, Lloyd Wright Jr. was commissioned to design a new shell which was constructed, in ten days, using lumber and plasterboard from the movie set of 'Robin Hood', starring Douglas Fairbanks. It was used for the 1927 season but because it was unattractive, Wright was asked to design another shell to be ready for the 1928 season. He designed a new shell made of concentric half rings, at a cost of $7,389. It lasted for the 1928 season but there were concerns that it was unsafe. After much discussion, it was agreed that a new shell, made of metal, be constructed for the 1929 season. Ever since the 1929, the new shell has been used. In the late 1980s, cylindrical tubes were installed at the top from of the shell were installed to enhance the acoustics of the shell. When the Hollywood Bowl was expanded, in 1926, the seating capacity increase to just over 17,000. It's been ninety years since the Bowl was founded and there have been thousands of nightly concerts. During the late 1950s and early '60s, Nat King Cole was one of the most popular entertainers to perform at eh Hollywood Bowl. Other great performers included The Beatles, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and The Beach Boys. The largest collection of Hollywood Bowl pictures is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. With scores of great photo of the Hollywood Bowl, all are available for purchase.

Neil Patrick Receives Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

2011-10-19T05:47:00-07:00

NEIL PATRICK HARRIS RECEIVES WALK OF FAME STAR Emmy-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, September 11, 2011. He was joined by his partner, David Burke, with whom he has adopted two children. The 2,448th star is located in front of the Frolic Room nightspot next to the Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. 'As much as an honor as this is, unfortunately it won't be the first time I've been plastered on the sidewalk in front of the Frolic Room,' Harris joked at the late-morning ceremony. 'And, yes, that includes right now. Happy hour starts early in there.' 'How I Met Your Mother' co-star, Jason Segal, and Joss Whedon, the creator of the musical online series in which Harris starred, 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog,' joined Harris in speaking at the ceremony. 'I remember looking down at all those stars and seeing names like Mitchell Leisen and Spring Byington and Milton Sills and thinking, maybe someday in 100 years people will see my name and say, 'Who the hell was that person?'' said Harris. Harris began his career as a child actor, and gained early fame for his role as Doggie Howser, M.D. in the 1989-93 ABC show with the same name. He has received four Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for his portrayal of the womanizing Barney Stinson on 'How I Met Your Mother.' Harris won Emmys last year for a guest-starring role on 'Glee' and as the host of the 63rd Annual Tony Awards. Harris' film credits include 'Clara's Heart,' 'The Smurfs,' 'Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle' and its sequel 'Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay,' 'Undercover Brother,' 'Starship Troopers,' 'The Next Best Thing' and 'The Proposition.' He will also appear in 'A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas' at the end of the year. Photographs of Patrick Harris’ Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. In addition to Harris’ ceremony, there are hundreds of photographs of many other celebrity ceremonies, including those of Mark Wahlberg, Alan Jackson, Alec Baldwin, Marlee Matlin, Russell Crowe and Susan Saint James.

Historic Hollywood Canteen

2011-10-18T04:45:00-07:00

HISTORIC HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN The Hollywood Canteen was located at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood and existed from October 3, 1942 to November 22, 1945 (Thanksgiving Day). As a place offering food, dancing and entertainment for servicemen, usually on their way overseas, it was extremely popular. Even though the majority of visitors were U.S. servicemen, the Canteen was open to servicemen of allied countries as well as women in all branches of service. The serviceman's ticket for admission was his uniform and everything at the Canteen was free of charge. The founders of the Hollywood Canteen were Bette Davis and John Garfield , along with Jules Stein , President of Music Corporation of America, who headed up the finance committee. Bette Davis devoted an enormous amount of time and energy to the project and served as its president. All the guilds and unions of the entertainment industry donated the labor and money for the building renovations. The Canteen was operated and staffed completely by volunteers from the entertainment industry. By the time the Canteen opened its doors, over 3000 stars, players, directors, producers, grips, dancers, musicians, singers, writers, technicians, wardrobe attendants, hair stylists, agents, stand-ins, publicists, secretaries, and allied craftsmen of radio and screen had registered as volunteers. Glamorous stars volunteered to wait on tables, cook in the kitchen and clean up. One of the highlights of a serviceman’s visit was to dance with such glamorous stars as Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth, Bunny Waters, and Faye McKinzie. The other highlight was the entertainment provided by some of Hollywood most popular stars. Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Cary Grant, Spencer Tracy, Lena Horne, Eddie Cantor were some of the Canteen’s most regular volunteers. On September 15, 1943 the one millionth guest walked through the door of the Hollywood Canteen. The lucky soldier, Sgt. Carl Bell, received a kiss from Betty Grable . and Marlene Dietrich. The Canteen was so popular that Warner Bros. made a movie titled, The Hollywood Canteen. Staring Joan Leslie and Robert Hutton, the film was directed by Delmar Daves, who also wrote the screenplay. By the time the Canteen closed its doors, it had hosted more than three million servicemen. During the course of the Hollywood Canteen’s three year existence, there were thousands of photographs taken of all facets of it operation. Dancing, entertainment, autograph signing and serving food was all captured in pictures. The largest collection of Hollywood Canteen photos is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. With more than 400 photographs from which to choose, there’s a photo for everyone. All the Hollywood Canteen photographs are available for purchase.

Purchase Hollywood Palladium Pictures

2011-10-13T04:31:00-07:00

PURCHASE HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM PICTURES The famous Hollywood Palladium opened on October 31, 1940 with a concert by Frank Sinatra and the Tommy Dorsey Band. Since then, the Hollywood Palladium has hosted the Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and concerts with such entertainers The Rolling Stones, Barbara Streisand, The Beach Boys and The Grateful Dead. In addition, hundreds of conventions and meetings have been held at the Palladium. During the second world war, the Palladium hosted radio broadcasts featuring Betty Grable greeting servicemen with song requests. In 2008, the Hollywood Palladium underwent a year long, multimillion dollar renovation To see amazing Hollywood Palladium pictures, visit the web site of Bruce Torrence's, www.hollywoodphotographs.com. You will find pictures from 1941, and later, showing both interior and exterior images. You can order your digital images for just $50 for your personal use and $75 for commercial use when you order Hollywood Palladium Pictures. Photographic prints are also available at an additional fee. To view Hollywood Palladium pictures simply go to hollywoodphotographs.com and click on the Palladium category.

Find Hollywood Walk Of Fame Images

2011-10-12T03:55:00-07:00

FIND HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME IMAGES Are you enthralled by the Hollywood Walk of Fame? You can find all the images and great photographs that you want when you visit the website of Bruce Torrence’s hollywoodphotographs.com. There are over three hundred and seventy five photographs of your favorite stars on his website like Reese Witherspoon, Jayne Mansfield, John Ritter, Penelope Cruz, Joe Montegna, and many others. You can find your entire favorite Hollywood Walk of Fame images here with your favorite stars posing for the cameras! PURCHASING YOUR FAVORITE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME IMAGES When you visit the hollywoodphotographs.com, you will notice that there are several categories listed on the website. Click on the Walk of Fame category and you will see the first of hundreds of celebrity images. You can, also, search by the celebrity’s name by entering the name in the keyword box. All the Hollywood Walk of Fame images are available for purchase. You can order the digital images or the actual photographs, and they are all available for personal or commercial use. You can order your Hollywood Walk of Fame images today when you visit www.hollywoodphotographs.com.

HOLLYWOOD PICTURES FROM HOLLYWOODPHOTOS.COM

2011-10-11T10:59:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD PICTURES FROM HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM Browse thousands of historic Hollywood pictures including such landmarks as the Hollywood Bowl, the Hollywood Sign, Hollywood Canteen and many more. Hollywoodphotographs.com has the largest number of Hollywood pictures than any other collection in the world. With more than 12,000 photos in the collection hollywoodphotographs.com has placed over 6,000 photos on its web site. The web site pictures have been divided into ninety subject categories so that viewers are able to select and view with ease. In addition to the photos, there is a brief history of each category and a blog section that describes many of the photo categories. All the Hollywood pictures are available for purchase -- either in digital format or actual photographic prints. Purchases can made for both personal and commercial use. Some of the earliest pictures show Hollywood as a quaint, sleepy community with small farms of orchards and fields. Later pictures show the rapid growth that Hollywood experienced when the early movie film companies settled there. Photos of such film makers as Christie Film Co., Century Film Co., Lasky Feature Play Co., and Fine Arts Studio are just a few of the hundreds of motion picture studio images in the collection. As Hollywood’s population increased so did the need for all the necessary infrastructures, businesses and services that were required by it’s citizens. Hotels, restaurants, theaters, residences, new streets, were just a few of the improvements made as Hollywood experienced explosive growth. The Hollywood Hotel, built shortly after the turn of the century, faced serious competition from the glamorous Roosevelt Hotel, built in 1927. Wonderful restaurants as the Brown Derby and Musso and Frank Grill were popular eateries during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Hollywood boasted of some of the largest and most elaborate movie theaters in the world. The five “movie palaces” were all located on Hollywood Blvd. and included Grauman’s Chinese Theater, Grauman’s Egyptian Theater, El Capitan Theater, Pantages Theater and Warners Theater. The most elegant and lavish nightclubs were located on the Sunset Strip, just west of Hollywood’s westerly boundary. Even though, technically, they weren’t located in Hollywood, everyone in Hollywood considered these nightspots “their own”. The most popular were Cafe Trocadero, Ciro’s and Mocambo. Some of the most popular pictures of celebrities were taken when they visited these glamorous nightclubs. Other subject categories of Hollywood pictures include Restaurant/Nightclubs, Studios, Garden of Allah Hotel, Gilmore Field, Sunset Blvd. and Hollywood Blvd. All of the Hollywood pictures on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available fore purchase.

The World Famous Brown Derby Restaurant

2011-10-07T03:39:00-07:00

THE WORLD FAMOUS BROWN DERBY RESTAURANT If you have ever been interrupted during meal time by a telephone call, then you can blame the Brown Derby Restaurant. The Brown Derby was a chain of restaurants, owned by Robert Cobb. The original restaurant was shaped like a brown derby, which is considered by many to be an iconic image of the Golden Age of Hollywood. The second Brown Derby restaurant was opened on Valentines Day, 1929, at 1628 N. Vine Street, in Hollywood. Despite its less distinctive Spanish Mission style facade, this Brown Derby, was the restaurant that played the greater part in Hollywood history. On account of its proximity to nearby movie studios, it became the place to do deals and be seen. Clark Gable is said to have proposed to Carole Lombard there. Rival gossip columnists Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper are said to have been regular patrons. Many of Hollywood’s elites and celebrities were “regulars” at the Hollywood restaurant. It wasn’t uncommon to see George Burns and Gracie Allen, Douglas Fairbanks, Ronald Reagan, Robert Taylor, Dorothy Lamour having lunch or dinner at the famous eatery. Hollywood real estate developer, Charles E. Toberman and his wife, Josephine had dinner there two or three nights a week. The reason you can blame the Brown Derby the next time your meal is interrupted by any sort of phone call is because Mr. Cobb had phones installed at the many tables so busy executives could take and receive calls while eating out. This was a successful ploy that brought a lot of business to the restaurant. The largest collection of Brown Derby photos and images can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. All the photographs are available for purchase.

Large Collection of Hollywood Images

2011-10-06T04:16:00-07:00

LARGE COLLECTION OF HOLLYWOOD IMAGES Hollywoodphotographs.com has the largest collection of Hollywood Images in the world. Out of more than 12,000 photographs in the collection, there are over 6000 images on the web site. There are ninety categories of subjects from which to view. Categories such as the Hollywood Sign, Brown Derby Restaurants, Garden of Allah Hotel, Theaters, Premieres, Hollywood Walk of Fame and Grauman's Chinese Theater are among the most popular. Images of the Hollywood Sign include photos of its construction, deterioration, and rebuilding. The Premieres category shows photos of some of Hollywood's most famous stars attending the opening night of great movies. There are scores of Hollywood Bowl photos, beginning with the early 1920s concerts to the refurbishing of the current shell. Photographs of the Hollywood Canteen show the exciting activity that took place, every night, at this W.W.II Hollywood hangout. Some of the most exciting photos are of the hand and footprint ceremonies that took place at Grauman's Chinese Theater. Images of beautiful Jean Harlow, Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe placing their hand and footprints in the theater's forecourt are among the most popular photos in the collection. The collection was started in 1970 by Bruce Torrence. Beginning with about thirty photos (given to him by his grandfather, Charles Toberman), the collection has grown to the largest collection of Hollywood Images. Before the internet, anyone wishing to see these historic images had to come to the collection's offices. With the advent of the internet and digital scanning, all these photos can by seen by anyone with a computer. All the Hollywood images in the collection are available for sale. They can provide both digital images and actual photograph prints and purchases are made on either a 'personal use' or 'commercial use' basis. Hollywoodphotographs.com's customer base includes such people as Stephen Spielberg, George Lucas, Paramount Studios, Architectural Digest, Disney Corp. and many others. Log onto hollywoodphotographs.com to view some of the finest Hollywood images.

Schwab's Pharmacy

2011-10-05T04:06:00-07:00

SCHWAB’S PHARMACY Photographs of the Famous Schwab’s Pharmacy are quite rare but you can see scores of them at hollywoodphotographs.com. Schwab's Pharmacy opened at 8024 Sunset Boulevard in 1932, and was run by brothers Bernard, Leon, Jack and Martin Schwab. It was a typical drugstore of its time--goods and sundries available for purchase, prescriptions filled, and a soda fountain with counter service What made Schwab's unlike other drug stores was the fact that it became a gathering place for actors. Not just celebrities, mind you--although they were among the clientele but mostly working, or hoping-to-be-working, actors, who called the place “home” and who spent hours at the counter chatting with each other and perusing the trade rags. It was unique among local hot spots in that it welcomed business from all rungs of the film industry ladder, and everyone was treated with equal deference. In the '30s and '40s you could spot Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Edward Dmytryk, Ida Lupino, the Marx and Ritz Brothers, Marilyn Monroe, and Ronald Reagan rubbing shoulders with the ‘non-stars” here. It was a favorite trysting place for F. Scott Fitzgerald and his lover Sheilah Graham. Schwab's was particularly solicitous of Tinseltown's 'underemployed'; credit was guaranteed, and struggling young performers could always drop in for a free meal. Stories like this are a dime a dozen when it comes to Schwab's, and in fact, many tales of the 'it happened at Schwab's' variety became Hollywood lore. Probably the best known Schwab's story is that actress Lana Turner was 'discovered' here while sitting at the soda fountain counter. Nothing could be further from the truth. Lana Turner was discovered, by Billy Wilkerson, at Tops Cafe which was located diagonally across the street from Hollywood High School, where she was attending. Other tales were told about author F. Scott Fitzgerald, who hung around there in his screenwriting days, who had a heart attack there in 1940 while buying a pack of cigarettes. It's also said that composer Harold Arlen wrote 'Over the Rainbow' for The Wizard of Oz after dropping in to use the counter space to jot down a tune that came to him. Hollywood has a tendency to make the ephemeral into legend. Other regulars included singer, Dick Haynes, Angela Landsbury, Larry Parks, Evelyn Keyes and Jess Barker The informality of Schwab's made it a good place to get work done. During the lunch hour, agents and managers packed the phone booths; talent scouts discussed their latest finds; and real estate and stock tips were traded. Hollywood observer Sidney Skolsky, who was a real fixture at the famous pharmacy, wrote his “celebrity” column here. Schwab's also figured prominently in another classic, Billy Wilder's 1950 “Sunset Boulevard” , where it served as 'headquarters' for out-of-work screenwriter Joe Gillis, played by William Holden. In the '70s, Schwab's was frequented by many singers like Cher and Linda Ronstadt. Ronstadt was usually accompanied by her then-boyfriend, California Governor Jerry Brown, and she always picked up the check. But soon after, things came to an end for Schwab's. After five decades of service on Sunset Blvd., the store closed down, and somewhat suddenly in late October, 1983. Five years later, the famous drugstore fell to the wrecking ball. Browse through the scores of Schwab’s Pharmacy photos on Hollywoodphotographs.com. This web site has more Schwab’s Pharmacy images than any collection in the world.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

2011-10-04T11:33:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME The Hollywood Walk of Fame consist of 2450 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Blvd. and three blocks of Vine Street, in Hollywood. The Walk of Fame runs 1.3 miles east to west on Hollywood Boulevard from North Gower Street to north La Brea Ave., plus a short segment of Marshfield Way that runs diagonally between Hollywood and La Brea; and 0.4 miles north to south on Vine Street between Yucca Street and Sunset Blvd. The stars are permanent public monuments to achievement in the entertainment industry, bearing the names of a mix of actors, musicians, directors, producers, musical and theatrical groups, fictional characters, and others. The Walk of Fame is administered by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and maintained by the self-financing Hollywood Historic Trust. The stars are spaced at 6-foot intervals, each consisting of a coral-pink terrazzo five-point star rimmed with brass, inlaid into a charcoal-colored terrazzo background. In the upper portion of the pink star field, the name of the honoree is inlaid in brass block letters. Below the inscription, in the lower half of the star field, a round inlaid brass emblem indicates the category of the honoree's contributions. The Walk of Fame categories include Motion Pictures, Television, Radio, Recording and Live Performance/Theatre. The Nomination Committee selects approximately 12-15 names for insertion into the Walk. When nominating an individual or group, the sponsor must submit a photo, a biography and the nominee’s qualifications as well as a list of contributions to the community and civic-oriented participation. A letter of agreement from the nominee or his/her management must be included with the application. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce credits E. M. Stuart, its volunteer president in 1953, with the original idea for creating a Walk of Fame. Stuart proposed the Walk as a means to 'maintain the glory of a community whose name means glamour and excitement in the four corners of the world.' Harry Sugarman, another Chamber member and president of the Hollywood Improvement Association, was very active in promoting and implementing the Walk of Fame. A committee was formed to develop the concept, and an architectural firm was retained to develop specific proposals. By 1955, the basic concept and general design had been agreed upon, and plans were submitted to the Los Angeles, City Council. In February 1956, a prototype was unveiled featuring a caricature of an example honoree inside a blue star on a brown background. However, caricatures proved too expensive and difficult to execute in brass with the technology available at the time; and the brown and blue motif was nixed by C.E. Toberman, the legendary real estate developer known as 'Mr. Hollywood', because the colors clashed with a new twelve-story office building he was erecting on the northwest corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland. Once the design of the Walk of Fame was agreed upon, construction began at the corner of Hollywood and Highland. In mid-1958, a construction/installation ceremony was held in front of the new First Federal building. Those in attendance were Charles E. Toberman, Harry Sugarman, Earle Baker, Otto K. Olesen, actor Marvin Miller, actor Preston Foster and actress Dorothy Malone. The first eight stars were dedicated in September, 1958 and placed in the sidewalk on the northwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. They were installed several months prior to the official 1960 Walk of Fame groundbreaking so as to be ready when the new, twelve-story First Federal Savings and Loan building was completed in January, 1959. The eight film notables, who bear the distinction of being the first to have their names placed in the Walk of Fame were Preston Foster, Joanne Woodward, Ernest Torrence, Olive Borden, Edward Sedgwick, Louise Fazenda, Ronald Coleman and Burt Lancaster. In September, 1958, Joanne Woodward was asked, by Harry Sugarman and Charles E. Toberman, to come to the corner of the Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. to participate in the unveiling of the eight Walk of Fame stars. She, not only posed by her star, but also posed with Charles E. Toberman and Harry Sugarman for several publicity photographs. The official ground breaking ceremony, for the rest of the Walk of Fame, took place on February 8, 1960 near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard & Gower Street. Some of the notable celebrities who attended the groundbreaking included Gigi Perreau, Linda Darnell, Francis X. Bushman and Charles Colburn. The first star to be laid in the new Walk of Fame (eighteen months after the first stars were installed at Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave.) was that of Stanley Kramer on March 28, 1960, near the intersection of Hollywood and Gower. By that fall, work had progressed far enough that it was decided to dedicate the Walk on November 23, 1960, in conjunction with the Hollywood Christmas Parade. E.M. Stuart, as the originator of the idea, was appointed chair of the Completion Committee and planned the ceremony to mark completion of the project. The job was not actually completed until spring 1961, when it was finally accepted by the Board of Public Works, with the first 1,558 stars. Shortly after completion, it was recognized that in order to continue the original intent of the program for the addition of more names in the vacant stars, a mechanism had to be created. On May 18, 1962, the Los Angeles City Council approved an ordinance that specified the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce should be the agent to advise the City in all matters pertaining to the addition of other names. The Chamber faced three tasks in moving forward: (1) to establish a set of rules to determine the qualifications of personalities to be eligible for addition to the Walk of Fame, (2) to work out a procedure to process candidates, and (3) to develop a plan for the financing of the costs of the addition of approved names. The task took several years, and it was not until December 11, 1968, that another star was added. Actor/comedian Danny Thomas hosted the momentous star unveiling for producer/studio executive Richard D. Zanuck in front of the world-famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre. From this time forward, star ceremonies have been held on a fairly regular basis. The largest collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame photographs can be found on the http://www.hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

Hollywood Sign Pictures from Hollywoodphotographs.com

2011-10-03T12:50:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD SIGN PICTURES FROM HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM The Hollywood sign is one of the most popular signs without a doubt and countless photographs have been taken of it in times past. While many have recognized the sign as a piece of history there are still many people that don’t identify with it in that way. There are plenty of Hollywood sign pictures to choose from when you shop online at hollywoodphotographs.com. The great thing is that you can view your images, make a decision and move on while you are logged into the web site. You can order Hollywood sign pictures in either digital format or actual photographic prints. There are over 200 images from which to choose. The early images show the original sign when it read HOLLYWOODLAND. Other photos show the sign when it was in terrible disrepair and others show the construction of the new sign that was unveiled in 1978. You can order your images online at www.hollywoodphotographs.com , or you can call us directly at 760-934-3855, and ask to speak with one of our representatives regarding any photographs that we have of the Hollywood sign.

Brown Derby Restaurant Photos

2011-10-01T13:43:00-07:00

BROWN DERBY RESTAURANT PHOTOS The Brown Derby restaurants are a major piece of history in Los Angeles that all lovers of Hollywood enjoy. This chain of restaurants was one of the most popular in California, particularly with celebrities. The first restaurant was located on Wilshire Blvd. and was in the shape of a derby hat. The second restaurant, at 1628 Vine St. in Hollywood opened on Valentines Day 1929. The other two Brown Derby restaurants were located in Beverly Hills and in the Los Feliz area of Hollywood. Of all four locations, the Vine Street eatery was, by far, the most popular. On almost every day or evening, Hollywood celebrities could be seen dining at the restaurant. It wasn’t unusual to see such stars as Glen Ford, Clark Gable, Betty Grable, Ronald Reagan and Randolph Scott having lunch or dinner at the Brown Derby. Its close proximity to Paramount Studios, Warner Bros. Studios and Columbia Studios made it easy for movie stars to grab a quick lunch or a relaxing dinner at the Vine St. restaurant. Covering almost every inch of the restaurant walls were hundred of caricature drawings of hundreds of celebrities who had eaten at the Brown Derby. One of the most popular dishes at all four locations was the Cobb Salad, so named for the restaurant’s owner, Robert Cobb. Many of the booths had telephones so the guest could “make deals” and stay in touch with other deal makers. Everyone who dined at the Hollywood location was charmed by the very professional Maitre d’, Gus Constance. The largest collection of Brown Derby photos is hollywoodphotographs.com. There are hundreds of photos of the interior and exterior and celebrities dining at each of the four restaurant locations. All the photos in the collection are available for purchase. In addition to the Brown Derby Photos, are over 6000 photos of old Hollywood.

Pictures of Hollywood Walk of Fame

2011-09-30T03:44:00-07:00

PICTURES OF HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME Unquestionably, the most exciting events that occur in Hollywood today are the Hollywood Walk of Fame dedication ceremonies. These events honor celebrities in five categories of entertainment,: Motion Pictures, Television, Radio, Recording and Live Theater/Performance. Since the first Walk of Fame stars were placed in the Hollywood Blvd. sidewalk, in 1958, there have been 2449 stars placed in Hollywood’s terrazo sidewalk -- the last being Jon Cryer. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is responsible for the selection of the recipients and installation of the brass stars. The celebrity, or his/her agent or sponsor is responsible for the cost of the star and ceremony, which amounts to approximately $30,000. Initially, there were about 1700 brass stars installed when the Hollywood Walk of Fame was first dedicated in 1960. During the past fifty years, there have been hundreds of Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies, which were attended by thousands of adoring fans. During these ceremonies, thousands of pictures have been taken by professional photograhers and fans. The largest collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame pictures is hollywoodphotographs.com. There are almost 400 pictures of ceremoning for such celebrities as James Caan, George Carlin, Ray Charles, Tom Cruise, Ron Howard and Michael Landon. All the pictures on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for purchase. We provide both digital as well as actual photographic prints, in varing sizes. In addition to Hollywood Walk of Fame pictures, there are over 6000 photos of old hollywood.

The Glamorous Hollywood Nightclubs

2011-09-29T12:20:00-07:00

COCONUT GROVE, CIRO’S MOCAMBO AND CAFE TROCADERO During its heyday, Hollywood boasted of having the most elegant restaurants and nightclubs in the world. Hollywood’s most glamorous celebrities used these places as their playgrounds and were envied by their fans. The days of dazzling gowns, studio-bred elegance, and men who looked as if they wore dinner clothes every balmy night belong to a Hollywood that no longer exists and , perhaps, never did. The Coconut Grove, the Cafe Trocadero, Ciro’s and Mocambo were the great nightclubs that dominated Los Angeles in the 1940s, a decade that saw both the zenith and decline of what we now think of as Old Hollywood. Yet sometimes the line between real life and the movies was as thin a s piece of celluloid. The Coconut Grove, for instance, the first club of the Hollywood four to appear on the scene, took more than inspiration from film: the papier mache’ trees and palm fronds that decorated the Ambassador Hotel night spot when it opened in 1921 were leftover props from “The Sheik”, trucked in from Oxnard where the Rudolph Valentino classic had been shot. Thought the press deemed the nightclubs the “playground” of the stars, the actors and actresses frequenting them (more often than not at the insistence of the studios holding their contracts) were working as hard at night as they did on any sound stage. By the forties, the Coconut Grove was still going strong - a preferred place to celebrate after the Academy Awards and on New Year’s Eves. The room had been refurbished in 1939, with a sophisticated Moroccan decor complete with gold leaf and etched palm-tree doors. A wide, plush staircase replaced the slightly tacky “Sheik” castoffs, Chinese lanterns, and stuffed monkeys. At the Grove the movie world mixed with the Old Guard, with the latter often taking pleasure in snubbing the box-office darlings. But the movie crowd also had a place of its own, established in 1934 by “Hollywood Reporter” founder William R. Wilkerson. Legend has it he stumbled into the nightclub business after meeting a French wine-syndicate leader on a transatlantic crossing. By the time the boat docked, Wilkerson owned seventy five thousand dollars worth of libations-- and had no place to put them. As it happened, La Boheme - a defunct club with an enormous cellar at 8610 Sunset Blvd. was up for sale. Wilkerson soon turned the upstairs into an elegant dining-and dancing establishment, added a cozy bar and fireplace in the cellar and renamed the club the Cafe Trocadero. He then persuaded Myron Selznick (brother of David O. Selznick and the first super agent) to host a pre-opening party. According to a little horn blowing in his own paper, it was “a huge and glorious party,” with “gobs of guests,” including the Bing Crosbys, Dorothy Parker, the Sam Goldwyns, the :Freddy” Astaires, William Powell and Jean Harlow, Arthur Hornblower Jr. and Myrna Loy, Carl Laemmle Jr. Ida Lupino, Jeanette MacDonald and Gilbert Rowland. Not only the guest but the Trocadero cigarette girls were legendary - they had to be pretty, have good legs, and were expected to land a studio contract quickly. Those already with a foot in Hollywood’s revolving door came to the Troc to ensure their future. A strategic appearance at the Cafe Trocadero earned starlet Rita Hayworth her first important role. Having spent five hundred dollars (in 1939) on a spectacular silver-and-gray dress, she positioned herself at a table near mogul Harry Cohn and director Howard Hawks, who were casting Columbia’s big picture, “Only Angels Have Wings”. Obviously, the dress was worth every penny, for the notorious tightwad Cohn even renewed her contract at a higher price (although he insisted that part of the raise go to an acting coach). But Wilkerson had tired even before Hayworth’s coup. In 1938 he sold it to some would-be impresarios, who, like ten subsequent owners, never quite recaptured the club’s past glory By 1940 the Hollywood publisher was back on the Strip with a new club called Ciro’s at 8433 Sunset Blvd. For days before its opening, the “Reporter” ran ads proclaiming “Everybody that’s anybody will be at Ciro's.” And they were. For weeks after the opening it was the “only” place to have a party. Lana Turner (once titled “Queen of the Clubs”) declared the baroque-style night spot, with its rose-red ceiling, pale green silk walls, and bronze columns and urns, her favorite spot. Veronica Lake, whose fondness for the grape had not escaped the notice of gossip columnists Louella Parsons and Hedda Hopper (each of whom had their own table) was also a Ciro’s fan. Soon Ciro’s had some competition, but in those days there was always room for newcomers. Neophyte club owners Felix Young and former agent Charlie Morrison professed to be taken aback by he outcry over their plans to include twenty-one live parakeets, four love birds, four macaws, and a cockatoo in the vaguely South American decor of their soon-to-open club, the Mocambo. When animal lovers expressed concern over the harmful effects of loud noise and the late hours, Morrison guaranteed that his fine-feathered friends would be well taken care of: He would keep the club’s heavy curtains closed during the day to ensure their sleep. In retrospect, the whole thing smacks of a publicity stunt designed to draw attention to the new night spot, but then again, the Mocambo’s owners didn’t have Billy Wilkerson’s advantage of a newspaper of their own in which to herald the opening of their new club. Aside from movie people, wealthy out-of-town visitors flocked to the red-and-white striped Mocambo as well to Ciro’s and the Coconut Grove. While the separation of the film industry and the tourist trade fairly complete, just being at one of the clubs was show enough. People went to see and be seen, not eat, at Ciro’s or the Mocambo. Dining was done at the exclusive Romanoff’s, which had opened in Beverly Hills at the end of 1940. The dapper “Prince” Mike Romanoff kissed the hands of all the ladies but dined with his dogs. The clubs, however, the final destination. Inside, everyone was dressed, recalls Lana Turner’s daughter, Cheryl Crane, “as though they were in a Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers movie.” Often they were abetted by the studios, which provided clothes, furs, jewelry and an evening escort for their stars and starlets. According to restaurateur Kurt Niklas, who started as a waiter at the Mocambo, “The first thing the studios wanted was a good photograph.” Some stars were less abstinent or less discreet than the studios would have liked. Numerous photographs portray celebrities with their hands in odd, gnarled positions - the result of cigarettes and cocktails obviously excised by the studio dark rooms. Needless to say, where one was seated at a club was also crucial. Heavy-hitters had regular tables and, recalls Niklas, “there was always the proverbial ringside table being carried in, making the dance floor even smaller.” The rule of thumb was: the closer to the dance floor the better. Underlying the clubs’ veneer of sophistication and high spirits was a deep-seated tension-over careers on the rise, careers on the wane, shifting liaisons and too many nights out. “For the celebrities, going to the clubs was work,” says Niklas. “A Texas oilman, on the other hand, would have a good time.” Oil millionaires, manufacturing tycoons, and captains of the aerospace industry seemed to come out of the California woodwork after the United States entered World War II- even before the Mocambo had had a chance to celebrate its first anniversary. That was the start of the most profitable half-decade Hollywood had ever seen. Clubs were packed every night, big bands played into the wee hours, and the men in uniform added a dashing touch. Sadly, the moment at which anything- a nightclub, an era-reaches its zenith is also the one at which it begins its decent. By the mid-forties, the dinner shows and elaborate revue palaces had seen their heyday, even the famous Earl Carroll Theater, which hung on until 1948, when Carroll was killed in a plane crash. That type of lavish spectacle was never to be seen in Hollywood again. Billy Wilkerson sold Ciro's in 1946 and later opened La Rue Restaurant on Sunset Blvd. After the war, clubs were still crowded, but only on weekends; the seemingness money that flowed into .A. disappeared along with many war-generated jobs. The advent of television which kept people home, quickened the demise of Hollywood nightlife. While Ciro’s would be reborn in the seventies as the Comedy Store, the site of the Mocambo at 8588 Sunset Blvd. would be left an empty lot, and the Coconut Grove, along with the entire Ambassador Hotel would fall into developers’ hands. All that would remain of the Cafe Trocadero would be a battered step or two in Sunset Plaza, a few stairs that could trigger bygone memories-of long ermine wraps sweeping by, of patent dress shoes climbing to the top. Photographs of all these famous nightclubs can be seen and purchased on hollywoodphotographs.com.

Purchasing Hollywood Walk of Fame Photos is Easy

2011-09-29T06:02:00-07:00

PURCHASING HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME PHOTOS IS EASY Those who are fans of entertainment celebrities, will be interested in seeing fabulous Hollywood Walk of Fame photos on the www.hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Started by Bruce Torrence, this web site has the widest selection of Hollywood Walk of Fame photos than any other website on the internet. You can order digital images or have them print 8x10, 11x14, and 16x20 photos. No matter which size you choose you can easily create your own collection of photos from the Walk of Fame. Hollywoodphotographs.com is continuing to add Hollywood Walk of Fame photos to the web site. Recent additions include Carol Burnett, Matt Damon, Christine Aguilera, Angela Bassett and Emma Thompson. There are almost 400 Hollywood Walk of Fame photos on the web site and all are available for purchase. In addition to the Walk of Fame photos, there are over 6000 old Hollywood photographs, covering 90 categories including the Hollywood Sign, Ciro's Nightclub, the Hollywood Canteen, Theaters and Premieres. So, visit hollywoodphotographs.com sot see your favorite Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.

Hal David To Receive Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

2011-09-28T15:10:00-07:00

HAL DAVID TO RECEIVE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME STAR The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will honor song writer Hal David with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, October 14, at 11:30 a.m. in front of The Musicians Institute at 6752 Hollywood Boulevard. In conjunction with the star ceremony Hal David will be honored with a musical tribute entitled “Love Sweet Love” in celebration of his 90th birthday, Monday, October 17th at the Mark Taper Forum benefitting The Blue Ribbon of the Music Center and The ASCAP Foundation. 'Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on my Head', 'This Guy’s in Love With You' and 'I'll Never Fall in Love Again' are just three of the hits in a string of standards written by Academy Award-winning lyricist Hal David. 'Raindrops', which was in the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, garnered an Oscar; “Don’t Make Me Over”, “Close to You” and “Walk on By” are all in the Grammy Hall of Fame. 'What The World Needs Now is Love” was proclaimed “The Towering Song” by the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004, distinguished by its unforgettable melody and prayerful plain-spoken words that sound utterly contemporary today when conflict is so wide-spread around the world, even though it was written in 1965. In addition, 'What's New Pussycat', 'Alfie' and 'The Look of Love' received Oscar nominations. Among Hal David's million-sellers, all of which have become Pop standards, are 'Do You Know the Way to San Jose', 'Walk on By', 'What The World Needs Now is Love', “I Say a Little Prayer”, “(There’s) Always Something There to Remind Me”, “One Less Bell To Answer” and “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before”. To view Hollywood Walk of Fame photos, visit hollywoodphotographs.com. There are more than 375 Walk of Fame images on the site.

Garden of Allah Hotel

2011-09-28T03:40:00-07:00

GARDEN OF ALLAH HOTEL During the teens, Alla Nazimova, a Russian actress, had made quite a name for herself on the New York stage. Upon arriving in Hollywood in 1918, she paid $50,000 for a 99 year lease on an enormous Spanish house at 8150 Sunset Blvd., with three and one half acres of tropical plants, ferns fruit trees and two large Cedars guarding the entrance. After several years in Hollywood, her manager advised her to turn her estate into a hotel so it would give her security for the rest of her life. After months of construction to build twenty-five villas or bungalows around the pool, Miss. Nazimova’s Garden of Allah Hotel opened on February 9, 1927 with an eighteen hour party. Entertained by troubadours playing madrigals from the middle of the pool, the guests were treated to a lavish and stately dinner. Some of those in attendance were Jack Dempsey, his wife Estelle Taylor, Clara Bow, Gilbert Rowland, Vilma Banke, Rod LaRoque, Samuel Goldwyn, John Barrymore, H.B. Warner, Marlene Dietrich and Francis X. Bushman. When the great depression struck, Alla Nazimova lost every dollar she put into the Garden of Allah. The Wall Street crash of 1929 took whatever she had left. In her last years, she was ill and didn’t do much acting. She died in the summer of 1945. Her contribution to the film industry was recognized by a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Garden of Allah continued as a hotel and sanctuary for many on Hollywood’s famed celebrities. It was notorious for the wild parties allegedly held there by the openly lesbian Alla Nazimova. In the thirty-two year span of its life, the Garden witnessed robbery, murder, fights, suicides, pranks, orgies, marriages, divorce and drunkenness despair. Yet intellectuals and celebrities from all over the world were to find it a convenient haven and a fascinating home. Those who frequently stayed at the famous Garden were Ramon Navarro, Errol Flynn, Margaret Sullivan, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sheila Graham, John O’Hara, Robert Benchley, Ginger Rogers,Gilbert Rowland, Clara Bow and may others. During its heyday, hundreds of photographs were taken at the Garden of Allah. Many of those photos can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. By the late 1940s and early ‘50s, the Garden of Allah had gained such a questionable reputation that many personalities no longer wish to stay there. In addition, it didn’t have the modern conveniences that the newer and more glamorous hotels possessed. In 1959, after years of operating in the red, the last owners of Garden of Allah, Morris Markowitz and Mrs. Beatrice Rosesus, sold the property to Lytton Savings and Loan who bought it to tear it down in order to build it home office. However the Garden of Allah didn’t go without a whimper. It opened with a party and it closed with one. Three hundred and fifty guest were in attendance, many to impersonate the people who had been glamorous stars when the Garden had opened. Francis X. Bushman and his wife Iva, were the only ones in attendance who were present at the original christening party in 1927. Most of the starlets were scantily dressed, hoping to catch a producer’s roving eye. By midnight, the pool was full of empty liquor bottles, reminiscent of the Gardens flamboyant history. The day after the party, the fixtures and furnishings were sold at public auction. Errol Flynn’s bed was most sought after. Some of the former residents were also among the bidders. When the wrecking ball demolished the Garden of Allah, it marked the end to a bit of Hollywood history which can only be found in old movie magazines. All the Garden of Allah photos that are on hollywoodphotographs.com are available for sale.

GET YOUR WALK OF FAME PICTURES AT HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM

2011-09-27T15:34:00-07:00

GET YOUR WALK OF FAME PICTURES FROM HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM Are you looking for Walk of Fame pictures? If you are then you can order them from hollywoodphotographs.com. Hundreds of stars have been given the chance to end up on this walk of fame, including Herb Alpert, Milissa Gilbert, Larry Hagman, Iron Eyes Cody, Sidney Poitier, Beverly Garland, and many more. You can order your walk of fame pictures for personal or commercial use, so be sure to check with us first before you look elsewhere. Walk of Fame Pictures for Commercial Use There are plenty of restaurants, museums, and offices that may choose to use our walk of fame pictures for commercial use rather than buying them for personal enjoyment. Not only can you order your digital images, but you can get the images you would like in an 8x10 size, 11x14, and 16x20 as well. We have a vast negative collection, so there is plenty to choose from to make sure that you get what you want. There are over 350 Walk of Fame pictures on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. You can order today when you visit us at www.hollywoodphotographs.com.

Purchase Hollywood Sign Pictures

2011-09-26T13:22:00-07:00

PURCHASE HOLLYWOOD SIGN PICTURES Hollywood’s most famous icon is the Hollywood Sign. Built in 1923, the sign originally read HOLLYWOODLAND, which was the name of the real estate development just below the sign. The sign was originally made of telephone poles, wood cross bracing, wire cables and faced with perforated sheet metal. The purpose for the perforation was to allow the wind through pass through the sheet metal. The sign was illuminated with about 4000 incandescent light bulbs, which were changed our by Albert Kothe when the bulbs burned out. The illumination only lasted a very few years. Dedication of the sign took place somewhere around June/July of 1923, when several people hiked up the hillside for dedication photographs. Hollywood Sign pictures can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Over the course of the following twenty five years, the sign fell into significant disrepair. By this time all the lots in the Hollywoodland development had been sold so there was no need to maintain the deteriorating sign. By 1949, the letter H had blown down and the rest of the sign needed a lot of repair. In 1949, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce contracted with the City of Los Angeles Parks Department to repair and rebuild the sign. It was agreed that the last four letters would be removed so it would read HOLLYWOOD. It was also agreed that the sign would not be illuminated. During the course of the following forty years, the sign was modified by vandals to read everything from HOLYWOOD to HOLLYWEED. One of the most tragic events, that surrounded the sign, was when a despondent actress named Peg Entwistle committed suicide by jumping off the Letter “H”, in 1932. By the early 1970s the sign was, again, in disrepair. The Hollywood Kiwanias Club took it on as one of its projects and had it cosmetically repaired at a cost of $4500 in 1973. However, the weather and sign’s age was causing the icon to deteriorate rapidly. Beginning in late 1977, a movement was under way to tear down the old sign and replace it with a new one, made our of steel I-beams, and other modern materials. In November, 1978, the sign was unveiled to the public. Thousands and thousands of photographs have been taken of this fabulous icon. The largest collection of Hollywood sign pictures can be see at hollywoodphotographs.com. All pictures are available for purchase.

Romanoff's Restaurant

2011-09-22T16:52:00-07:00

ROMANOFF'S RESTAURANT Romanoff'sTo an industry driven by fantasy and imaginary, Romanoff's was a perfect fit. The Beverly Hills Restaurant was the name sake and invention of a self-declared prince with a personality big enough to dazzle the town's most important movers and shakers. Competing studio heads, Daryl Zanuck and Jack Warner were among those who put up the money fro Romanoff's in Beverly Hills, and 'Prince' Mile Romanoff became a celebrity. Romanoff was born Hershel Geguzin in Lithuania in 1890 and immigrated to New York City at age ten and changed his name to Harry F. Gerguson sometime after 1900. His father was a tailor and Harry became a pants presser. At some point, he claimed to be Prince Michael Dimitri Alexandrovich Obolensky-Romanoff, nephew of Tsar Nicholas II. The fact was, no one cared whether or not Romanoff was Prince Romanoff or Grand Duke Michael Romanoff or Harry Gerguson, the son of a tailor, which apparently he was. His ancestry was merely irrelevant.When He arrived in Hollywood in 1927, the always dapper Prince Romanoff - known for his trademark spats, moustache and walking stick - lived in hotels, borrowed money from his wealthy pals and charmed everyone in sight. He even spoke with a genuine Oxford accents - although it was believed he acquired it working a servant in the lofty British university. Still, there was always room for Romanoff on a Hollywood polo team because he was the kind of a guy the movie crowd loved having around. In 1931, a member of the Russian guard branded him a fake, and since he had not citizenship papers or passport to dispute the charge, Romanoff disappeared for a decade. In 1941, he resurfaced, opening the first Romanoff's at 326 N. Rodeo Dr., in Beverly Hills. By 1945, Life Magazine crowned him 'the most wonderful liar in 20th-century US,' a description that only seemed to further his restaurant's success.The place was so popular that its only problem was appeasing the celebrities, who all felt deserving of one of the 'A' booths across from the bar. As it was, at lunchtime the first booth was always occupied by Humphrey Bogart, the second by William Morris agent Abe Lastfogel, the third by Louis B. Mayer, the fourth by Darryl Zanuck and the fifth by Harry Cohn.So in 1951, Romanoff moved to larger quarters down the street at 240 S. Rodeo Drive, where there was a roof garden, ballroom for private parties, a small private dining room and a much larger dining room designed to accommodate 24 equally-desirable booths. It didn't quite work out that way -- people only wanted to be seated on the left of the staircase as they entered, and there were only four booths on that side of the room. Unfortunately, if twelve V.I.P.'s showed up - including say, Clark Gable, Lana Turner and Cole Porter - Romanoff was forced to seat someone in Siberia.Although business at the new location prospered through the late fifties, after that it became increasingly difficult to fill the room. When all the booths weren't booked, the restaurant, which was starkly decorated and brightly lit (with neither flowers nor candlelight to soften it) looked particularly barren. But then there was increasing competition from newer restaurants in town, and much of Romanoff's clientele was aging into the old guard. For all Romanoff's charm, he could also offend. One lunchtime he made disparaging remarks about Alfred Hitchcock who appeared to be napping after consuming a large meal. Hitchcock, however, heard every word and never returned. To stimulate reservations, Romanoff introduced black-tie dinner dances on Thursday nights - maids' night off' in Beverly Hills. But his political associations doomed him. He became ultra Republican in a community of Democrats, and actually began to distribute political literature on the tables.Compounding this problem was a financial blunder - opening the disastrous Romanoff's on the Rocks restaurant in Palm Springs.In 1958, Romanoff achieved his goal of becoming a U.S. citizen by an act of Congress signed by President Eisenhower. Romanoff's closed its doors on New Year's Eve, 1962. Photos of Romanoff's Restaurant can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.

Hollywood Blvd. Pics

2011-09-21T08:02:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD BLVD. PICS If you are looking for pictures of Hollywood Blvd, you can find what you need and more when you visit www.hollywoodphotographs.com. There are so many photographs to choose from to help give you an idea what Hollywood Boulevard was like back in the day, and to give you a view of how it is different from Hollywood today. You will find a wide variety of Hollywood Blvd. pics when you visit the Hollywood Photographs website, and you will find plenty to choose from for your own personal collection as well as for commercial use. You will find photos and reference information from as early as 1890, and you can find snapshots from north, south, east, and west. Viewing and ordering Hollywood Blvd. pics is really easy. Simply go to hollywoodphotographs.com and click on the Hollywood Blvd. category. There are over 300 photos from which to choose. All photos on the site can be enlarged to get a better view of the detail and quality of each image.Purchasing photos is also very easy, using the web site’s purchasing feature.

Hollywood Sign Neighbors Hate Tourists

2011-09-19T10:10:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD SIGN NEIGHBORS HATE TOURISTS Tourists who want to experience the real Hollywood might want to make a stop at a Fountain Avenue community room on Tuesday. That's where Hollywood residents and Los Angeles leaders will debate how best to deal with hordes of sightseers who daily clog the narrow hillside streets beneath the Hollywood sign. Residents and officials agree that GPS devices, websites and a proliferation of tour bus and van operators have opened the 87-year-old neighborhood to growing numbers of visitors who want to get as close as possible to the iconic sign. That's prompted some in the area to post their own signs. 'Warning — Tourist-Free Zone — All Tourists Leave the Area,' orders one. 'Tourists Go Away,' states another. Earlier this year one group of residents living in the area originally known as Hollywoodland erected signs that directed tourists to go to a small park at the intersection of Canyon Lake Drive and Mulholland Highway to take their pictures. Those signs mysteriously disappeared — with some in the neighborhood blaming members of a rival homeowners organization for taking them. The dispute over designating the park as a scenic viewpoint flared anew Sept. 1, when staff members of Hollywood-area City Councilman Tom LaBonge showed up at the park with shovels. The half-dozen aides, interns and field deputies of the councilman removed brush and spread three truckloads of gravel at the park to create a spot for tourists to take pictures of the Hollywood sign. The project quickly attracted the attention of those who worry that the neighborhood is being overrun by sightseers. Sarajane Schwartz, president of the Hollywoodland Homeowners Assn., said she went to the site to protest the city staffers' work. But some in the area say the Hollywood sign — originally erected to read HOLLYWOODLAND advertise the Hollywoodland subdivision — is destined to draw tourists no matter what. The rival Beachwood Canyon Neighborhood Assn. praised LaBonge's staff for its work. Thanks to the office of Councilmember Tom LaBonge for spending another full day in the hot sun clearing the debris and overgrowth from our only park. The area is getting nicer and more open, which means that those who have found their own way into Hollywoodland and want to take a photo of the Hollywood sign don't have to stand in the street. According to Beachwood Canyon group leader Fran Reichenbach, tourists easily find their way through the neighborhood's curvy streets thanks to the Internet and navigation tools that give turn-by-turn driving directions to the sign. Photos of the Hollywood Sign can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. All the photographs are available for purchase.

The Hollywood Canteen - Famous Place or Warner Bros. Film?

2011-09-17T18:30:00-07:00

The Hollywood Canteen – Famous Place or Warner Bros. Film? While it is true that The Hollywood Canteen could refer to either the Warner Brothers 1944 film, “The Hollywood Canteen”, which was directed by Delmar Daves, or the famous hangout for servicemen during WWII. The Hollywood Canteen was a place that provided dancing and entertainment, as well as food, to servicemen and women in all branches of the service. The only thing a person needed to get in was a his uniform. There was no charge to get into the Canteen and the cigarettes, food and coffee were all free. The Hollywood Canteen was located on Cahuenga Ave, just south of Sunset Blvd. Thousands of Hollywood Canteen photographs were taken during the time it existed Started by Bette Davis and John Garfield, the Hollywood Canteen existed a little over three years before closing down, at the end of the war. The Hollywood Canteen would later go on to inspire the film, “The Hollywood Canteen”. The film featured many of the entertainers that had actually worked in the canteen, including Joan Leslie, Robert Hutton, Bette Davis, John Garfield, the Andrews Sisters, Dane Clark and many others. The largest collection of Hollywood Canteen pictures, photos and images are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. All the photos on the web site are available for purchase.

Moulin Rouge Hollywood

2011-09-17T09:07:00-07:00

MOULIN ROUGE HOLLYWOOD Frank Sennes took over former Earl Carroll Theater in 1953, and it became the center of night life gaiety in Hollywood. An extensive remodeling campaign was undertaken which included expanding the seating capacity to 1250, making it the largest theater-restaurant in the world.After months of construction, booking the various acts, hiring the dances, designing and making the costumes, and developing a production, Frank Sennes' Moulin Rouge opened its doors on the 25th of December, 1953.From the beginning, Sennes was dedicated to the policy of providing the finest stage entertainment available. During the seven years of its illustrious existence, the Moulin Rouge presented countless outstanding personalities such as Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Daniels, Dean Martin, Dennis Day, the Mills Brothers, Anna Marie Alberghitti, Frankie Laine, Johnny Ray, and Mister Showman himself, Liberace. In addition to the star headliners, the show assembled more than 100 beautiful singers and dancers who paraded around the large stage in costumes costing in excess of $75,000.The success which the Moulin Rouge experienced was due, in part, to what Sennes called the 'package deal.' For just $5.50, the customer received a complete full course deluxe dinner, danced to a fine orchestra and watched top entertainers perform.Sundays were devoted to the family matinee, which featured a kiddie circus, complete with clowns, balloons and toys. Beginning in 1955, he daytime show 'Queen For A Day', starring Jack Bailey, was broadcast from the Moulin Rouge.By the late fifties, Sennes found it moor and more difficult to attract top-name entertainers because of his inability to compete with the high salaries being paid by Las Vegas. Recognizing the enormous potential and opportunity that Las Vegas had to offer, he closed the Moulin Rouge, in 1960, and began producing shows in the gambling capital of the United States. Photogrphs of the Moulin Rouge, in Hollywood, can be seen on hollywoodphotographs.com. It is the largest collection of photos of Hollywood. All the photographs in the collection are for purchase. In addition to the Moulin Rouge, there are many photographs of the Earl Carroll Theater, which preceded the Moulin Rouge.

MUSSO AND FRANK GRILL TURNS 88 YEARS OLD

2011-08-26T06:35:00-07:00

MUSSO AND FRANK GRILL TURNS 88 YEARS OLDMusso and Frank Grill claims to be the oldest restaurant in Hollywood, having opened in 1919. This claim is partially true, in that it is Hollywood's oldest restaurant. However, it was not founded in 1919. Musso and Frank Grill opened its doors on July 28,1923 when Joseph Musso partnered with Frank Toulet, who owned Frank's Francois Cafe (originally known as Frank's Cafe) at 6669 Hollywood Blvd. Frank Toulet opened Frank's Cafe on September 27th, 1919 and later changed the name to Frank's Francois Cafe. It is this date of 1919, that Musso And Frank Grill claims to be the founding date of the restaurant. In 1927, Frank sold his interest to John Musso and Joseph Carissimi. In the 1930s, the restaurant expanded and moved its front door to 6667 Hollywood Blvd. Sometime in the 1950s, the restaurant took over Stanley Rose's Bookstore and remodeled it to create the New Room which housed bar and more seating.Quite a few of the staff members have been with Musso and Frank Grill for many years. Jean Rue, Musso’s most tenured and famous chef, created the menu that exists today. He was with the restaurant from 1922 until 1976. The most famous head waiter at Musso and Frank was Jesse Chavez, who worked for over 50 years, beginning in the 1920’s. Jesse started as a dishwasher and moved up to baker, pantry man, busboy, waiter and finally headwaiter. In the 1970’s he became one third owner for a brief time. He ran a tight ship and roamed the restaurant putting out fires as he saw fit. Beginning in the 1930s, almost everyone in the entertainment business dined or drank at Musso and Frank. Through the years, waiters served Mary Pickford, Greta Garbo, Edward G. Robinson, Claudette Colbert, Bette Davis, Cesar Romero and many more. The restaurant was also known for it’s clientele of famous writers including William Saroyan, John Fante, Scott Fitzgerald, Nathaniel West, William Falkner, Thomas Wolfe, Ernest Hemingway and many more. The restaurant was also popular with members of Hollywood's business community. One such businessman was Charles E. Toberman, who was Hollywood's most successful real estate developer. Among his many buildings were Grauman's Chinese Theater, Grauman's Egyptian Theater, El Capitan Theater, the Hollywood Bowl and the Outpost Estates. He had his wife, Josephine, ate out almost every night and Musso and Frank was one of their favorite eateries. Their grandson, Bruce Torrence who authored 'Hollywood: The First 100 Years', was also a frequent patron of 'Musso's'Today, Musso and Frank Grill is still the most popular restaurant in Hollywood. Over the course of the last thirty years, almost all of the fine dining restaurants, in Hollywood, have gone our of business. Due to its consistently good food and excellent service, Musso and Frank Grill has weathered the choppy economic seas that Hollywood has experienced. The largest collection of photographs on the subject of Hollywood is hollywoodphotographs.com. There are many Musso and Frank Grill photographs available for purchase.

Buddy Holly Receives Posthumous Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

2011-09-12T06:01:00-07:00

BUDDY HOLLY RECEIVES POSTHUMOUS HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME STAR The Hollywood Walk of Fame star unveiled Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011, in honor of pioneering rocker Buddy Holly was a bittersweet moment for Maria Elena Holly, the woman who spent less than six months as his wife and the ensuing 52 years as his widow after the Feb. 3, 1959, plane crash that took his life, which “American Pie” singer-songwriter Don McLean famously immortalized as “the day the music died.” “One of his dreams was to write scores for movies and to come to Hollywood and make his mark,” Holly, 78, said during the midday ceremony outside the Capitol Records tower before a crowd of a couple hundred fans and several dozen guests from the entertainment world and local politics. The ceremony was held on what would have been Holly’s 75th birthday. “Half of that dream did not come true,” she said, choking back a tear. “But the other half did come true with this beautiful star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.” Joining Elena Holly was actor Gary Busey, Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers and Peter Asher. The placement of Holly’s star was neither random nor had anything to do with his record company affiliation: the Lubbock, Texas-born musician who scored influential hits, including “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be the Day,” “Oh, Boy!” and “Rave On,” recorded in the 1950s for rival labels Brunswick, Coral and Decca. The site chosen is just north of stars for John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, whose band, the Beatles, named their group after Holly’s group, the Crickets. There were other goals that Holly, who died at age 22, didn’t live long enough to see to full fruition, including starting his own record label to nurture developing talent and a bilingual project in which he had aimed to record some famous Spanish-language songs with English lyrics, and translate favorite English-language songs into Spanish, with the help of his Puerto Rico-born bride. Several musicians convened Wednesday night for a tribute concert filmed at the Music Box Theatre in Hollywood Blvd.for airing in December on PBS television. Peter Asher and Chris Isaak shared emcee duties before an invitation-only audience of several hundred, with the Music Box’s interior outfitted like an elegant dinner club, with white tablecloths, Champagne flutes and gourmet cupcakes at each table before the stage. On Wednesday, Holly became the final member of the inaugural class of inductees in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame -- a stellar group that also includes Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, James Brown and the Everlys -- to receive a star on the Walk of Fame. To see hundreds of Hollywood Walk of Fame photos, go to hollywoodphotographs.com. There are images of such celebrities as John Travolta, Alan Jackson, Michael Jackson, Jean Harlow, Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell. All Walk of Fame photographs are available for purchase.

Ed O'Neill Receives Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

2011-09-11T11:17:00-07:00

ED O'NEILL RECEIVES STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAMEEd O'Neill received the 2,446th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, honoring a career highlighted by his portrayal of harried shoe salesman Ed Bundy on the Fox comedy 'Married... With Children.' Katey Sagal, who portrayed his obnoxious wife, Peg, on 'Married... With Children,' and Sofia Vergara, who portrays his wife, Gloria, on his current series, the ABC comedy 'Modern Family,' joined O'Neill in speaking at the late-morning ceremony, along with 'Modern Family' co-creator and executive producer Steve Levitan.In tribute to his 'Married... With Children' character, the ceremony was held in front of the DSW Shoe Warehouse at 7021 Hollywood Blvd. Born April 12, 1946, in Youngstown, Ohio, O'Neill played football at Youngstown State University. After being cut by the Pittsburgh Steelers during their 1969 training camp, O'Neill returned to Youngstown State and was one of the first students in its theater program. O'Neill's other television credits include starring roles in the 2003 remake of 'Dragnet' and the 2001 police drama 'Big Apple.' He was a cast member of the short-lived 2007 HBO series 'John from Cincinnati' and appeared on episodes of 'The West Wing' and 'Miami Vice.' O'Neill's movie credits include 'The Bone Collector,' 'Little Giants,' 'Dutch,' 'Wayne's World' and its sequel, 'Wayne's World 2'; 'Blue Chips'; and 'The Dogs of War.' The largest collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame photos is on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. All the photos are available for purchase.

More Walk of Fame Photos for Purchase

2011-09-08T15:26:00-07:00

MORE WALK OF FAME PHOTOS FOR PURCHASEThe history of Hollywood is so much more than just amazing films. The Hollywood Walk of Fame honors people in the entertainment industry in five different categories. Joanne Woodward was the first celebrity to pose with a Walk of Fame star.. She was one of eight celebrities to be selected to have their names placed in the new Walk of Fame. The first eight stars were dedicated in September, 1958 and placed in the sidewalk on the northwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. They were installed several months prior to the official 1960 Walk of Fame ground-breaking so as to be ready when the new, twelve-story First Federal Savings and Loan building, at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave., was completed in January, 1959. The eight film notables, who bear the distinction of being the first to have their names placed in the Walk of Fame were Preston Foster, Joanne Woodward, Ernest Torrence, Olive Bordon, Edward Sedgwick, Louise Fazenda, Ronald Coleman and Burt Lancaster.Since the first Walk of Fame star was placed in the rouge color terrazzo, there have been hundreds of Walk of Fame dedication ceremonies. When a ceremony takes place, hundreds of adoring fans come to see their favorite celebrity honored in the Walk of Fame. One of the most heavily attended ceremonies was the one for Michael Jackson in 1984. Some of the most recent Walk of Fame ceremonies were for such stars as Sissy Spacek, Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz and Joe Mantegna. More than one hundred Walk of Fame photos have been added to the hollywoodphotographs.com web siteIf you are in need of classic Walk of Fame photos, either for personal or commercial use, please contact hollywoodphotographs.com. During the past twenty-five years the collection has been used by numerous business and individuals, including Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Paramount Studios, Architectural Digest, and many more. The web site is very user friendly and viewers can easily find what they want. You can have your very own favorite Hollywood Walk of Fame photo(s) by purchasing them from hollywoodphotographs.com. You may, also, email Bruce Torrence at myoldphotos@me.com if you have any questions.

Old Hollywood Images by Hollywoodphotographs.com

2011-08-31T13:16:00-07:00

OLD HOLLYWOOD IMAGES The largest collection of old Hollywood images is hollywoodphotographs.com. With over 12,000 images in the collection, the owner, Bruce Torrence has put over 6,000 photographs on his web site. He began collecting historic Hollywood photographs in the very early 1970s after his grandfather, Charles E. Toberman showed him about 30 photos he had in office. Upon seeing these photos, Bruce began collecting old Hollywood images from every source available. His desire was to build the largest collection of Hollywood photographs in the world. After collecting for about three or four years, he began going around Hollywood taking pictures. He felt that the photos he took would, at some point in the future, become historic images. Over the course of the next twenty five years, he took over 3,000 photos of everything in Hollywood. Of all the photographs he took, probably the most important were the one of the demolition of the old Hollywood Sign and the building of the new sign in 1978. When the sign was unveiled to the public, Bruce was across the canyon taking photos. One of the photos he took has appeared in books, television shows, newspapers and movies. HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM Beginning in about 1975, Bruce made the collection available to the public so the photos could be purchased. In the beginning, customers would have to come to the collection's office to view and purchase the images. This continued until 2000, when the internet really began to take hold. Bruce developed a web site, with the domain name of hollywoodphotographs.com and began selling old Hollywood images to customers all over the world. There are about ninety subject categories on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Hollywood Sign, Ciro's Nightclub, Hollywood Blvd. Chinese Theater, Walk of Fame, Hollywood Canteen and Restaurants/Nightclubs are just a few of the subject categories from which to choose. Photos can be purchased for either personal or commercial use. A choice of digital images or actual print images are available. Some of hollywoodphotographs.com's customers include Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Paramount Studios, Architectural Digest, Disney Corp and countless authors and publishers.

Peter O'Toole Immortalized at Chinese Theater

2011-08-31T08:22:00-07:00

PETER O'TOOLE IMMORTALIZED AT CHINESE THEATER He was Lawrence of Arabia, Beckett and the man of the year in My Favorite Year. On April 30, 2011, Peter O'Toole was immortalized in cement among the gallery of the less than 200 other films notables in the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Angelica Houston, Jane Powell and a large group of his fans from the past 50 years came to see Peter place his hands and footprints into a specially mixed “gold dust” color of cement. The first of it’s kind in the 80 year history of this Hollywood tradition. The gold dust represents his epic appearance in 1962′s Lawrence Of Arabia, his first and most epic film. The first cement mason at the Chinese Theater was Jean Klossner who developed a cement formula that was extremely hard and did not wear down, in spite of the millions of tourists that have walk over the scores of celebrity of hand and footprints. Klossner never revealed the secret formula and took it with him to his grave, at the age of 91 years old. Try as they may, others have tried without success to replicate the formula as witnessed by the fact that the old footprints remain today, while the 'New' footprints 1970-on are already faded, worn down and not properly preserved.Peter was flanked by two of his children, who came into his life well after the age of 50. Peter has outlived many of his talented contemporaries including Richard Harris, Richard Burton and Peter Finch. One of the biggest events at this years Turner Classic Movie Festival, TCM’s Robert Osborne hosted the ceremony. On camera, Peter said at one time he actually worked for a cement company. Off camera he laughed and told stories of the many times he had “hit the cement” after a long night of drinking. While thousands of Oscars have been received since the 1920′s, less than 200 stars have been asked to place their hand and footprints in the cement at Grauman's Chinese Theater.The first hand and footprint ceremony took place on April 30, 1927 when Sid Grauman asked Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks to come to the theater and place their hands and feet in wet cement. Since then, scores of celebrities have been immortalized in the theater's forecourt, including, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Jimmy Stewart, Steve McQueen, Sophia Loren, Jean Harlow, Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell many others. The largest collection of Chinese Theater photographs and hand and footprint photos is hollywoodphotographs.com. All photographs are available for purchase.

Robert Duvall honored at Grauman's Chinese Theater

2011-08-30T11:05:00-07:00

ROBERT DUVALL HONORED AT GRUMAN'S CHINESE THEATERJoined by Master of Ceremonies, James Caan, Andy Garcia, Billy Bob Thorton and Luciana Pedraza (Mrs. Robert Duvall) Academy Award winning actor Robert Duvall was honored with a historic hand and footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood CA, January 5, 2011; cementing his acting achievements in one of the longest-running traditions in Hollywood. Also in attendance were hundreds of adoring fans cheering for Duvall.Duvall was celebriated for his '50 Years of Excellence in Film' and to mark his birthday as well. 'I am putting my foot in it on my birthday, actually, 'cause today is my birthday,'... 'And it's my wife's birthday too.' Said Duvall during the chilly and blustery event during which The Hollywood press corps, friends and supporters joined-in to sing “Happy Birthday” to 80-year-old Duvall. “It’s long overdue,” said long-time friend James Caan, who co-starred with Duvall in The Godfather and wished he had made 25 more films with him. Duvall, who won an Oscar for Tender Mercies, has had a long and distinguished career including Academy Award nominations for The Godfather, Apocalypse Now, The Great Santini, A Civil Action and The Apostle.Robert Duvall joins scores of other film notables who, over the past 84 years, have been honored by being immortalized in the cement in Grauman's Chinese Theater's forecourt. Four months later, Peter O'Toole was also given the honor by placing his hands and feet in the theater's forecourt. Other celebrities who have received the same honor include, Fred Astaire, Jack Benny, Eddie Cantor, Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien and scores of others. Over 160 hand and footprint ceremony photographs can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. All photographs are available for purchase

Walk of Fame Pictures For Purchase

2011-08-29T02:37:00-07:00

WALK OF FAME PICTURES FOR PURCHASE Have you ever been to the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Are you hoping to one day experience it for yourself, or maybe even join the many celebrities that have already made it? Most people don’t realize it, but the Walk of Fame attracts more tourists than almost any other Hollywood attraction and has been credited with helping make tourism the number one industry in Hollywood. But what would it have been like to see the Walk of Fame when it was started? With Walk of Fame pictures, you can jump through a virtual time machine and put yourself right there. Imagine seeing the unveiling of your favorite star, right there on the walk. With Walk of Fame pictures, from hollywoodphotographs.com, you really can see images of the many celebrities who have been honored by having their stars placed in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Celebrities such as Bill Crosby, Arlene Dahl, Tom Selleck, Alan Jackson, Ron Howard and many others have been inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There are over 6000 images in the hollywoodphotographs.com collection and there are more than 350 historic Walk of Fame Pictures available for your viewing pleasure. All the Walk of Fame pictures on this site are available for sale. Please email Bruce Torrence at myoldphotos@me.com if you have any questions.

Hollywood Walk of Fame Honors Shania Twain

2011-08-28T05:40:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME HONORS SHANIA TWAIN Shania Twain was honored with star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Bo Derek helped Shania unveils the 2,442nd Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Category of Recording at 6270 Hollywood Boulevard. Singer Shania Twain was born on August 28, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. She began performing at the age of 13, on CBC Television’s Tommy Hunter Show. At her Walk of Fame ceremony, she voiced surprise that she had come so far. 'I mean, why is a girl from Timmins, Ontario, standing here, getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?' the Grammy-winner asked. 'I really don't know... it's a small miracle, to be honest, that I am here today.' With more than 57 million albums sold in the U.S. and Canada; she is the top selling female country artist of all time; has multi-platinum album sales in 32 countries; has the eighth-biggest selling album of all time in the U.S. and 18 top ten songs, 8 of which reached #1. She is the only artist to have three consecutive albums sell more than 10 million copies. Her big break came with her second album 'The Woman In Me' in 1995, which went on to sell more than 12 million copies, and won her a Grammy Award in 1996 for best country album.The Hollywood honor came five months after the 45-year-old tied the knot with Frederic Thiebaud, two years after splitting with her husband of 14 years Robert Lange “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?,' the first single from the album made an impression, but the brash and sassy “Any Man of Mine” really set the tone for Twain’s impact on country music. The Woman In Me went on to sell more than 12 million copies in the U.S., replacing Patsy Cline’s Greatest Hits as the best-selling album by a female country artist, and earning Twain a Grammy in 1996 for “Best Country Album.” She followed that remarkable success with several other hits. With sales of 20 million in the U.S., the album became the biggest-seller by a woman in any genre of music. Not only did Twain reach beyond country music to reach pop fans, she crossed oceans, becoming a top selling artist worldwide. In May of 1998, with two wildly-successful albums, and enough hit songs for a solid show, Twain set out on her first headlining tour, Come On Over. The tour was one of the highest grossing tours in both 1998 and 1999, along with, becoming one of the biggest tours by a female musician in any genre. Having done what she came to do, Twain finally took a break. She retreated to her home in Switzerland, and had a baby boy in 2001, and generally lived her life for the next few years. Her distinctive voice was missed, and Country Music magazine ran an article that read like a letter to Twain, begging her to come back with more music. At the end of 2002 she did. Twain’s most recent album is Shania Twain Greatest Hits and with her previous powerhouse albums to draw from, the record is the ultimate exclamation point to her career so far.Shania Twain's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony can be seen on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. All photographs, in the collection, are available for purchase.

Fabulous Coconut Grove Pictures For Purchase

2011-08-27T03:01:00-07:00

FABULOUS COCONUT GROVE PICTURES FOR PURCHASECoconut Grove pictures can really give you a feel for what it is like to have a great time, surrounded by luxury and extravagance. Whether you have been there or not, seeing some of the vintage photographs will really help take you there.The fantastic experiences many had at the Grove are retold in some of the most fantastic images from the hollywoodphotographs.com collection. Get a behind the scenes look at some of your favorite personalities spending their free time with other 'big shots.' Many of Hollywood's most popular celebrities were regular patrons of the Coconut Grove. Stars such as Sonja Henie, Jean Harlow, William Powell, and Bette Davis ate and danced there frequently.For years, the Coconut Grove's official photographers took hundreds of pictures of celebrities and of the not-so-famous. Many of those pictures are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site.For decades, the hotel's famed Cocoanut Grove nightclub hosted the biggest names in entertainment, such as Frank Sinatra, Barbara Streisand, Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Bing Crosby, Lisa Minnelli, Martin and Lewis, The Supremes, Mervin Griffin, Dorothy Dandridge, Evelyn Knight, Perry Como, and Richard Pryor.If you really want an intimate view of what it was like to be there, nothing will do it as well as looking at the Coconut Grove pictures at hollywoodphotographs.com. Email Bruce Torrence at myoldphoto@me.com if you have any questions.

Ed O'Neill to be Honored with Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

2011-08-25T09:35:00-07:00

Ed O'Neill to be Honored with Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame In celebration of many successful years in entertainment, Ed O’Neill will be honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce with the 2,446th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on August 30th, 2011 at 11:30 a.m. The star will appropriately be unveiled in front of a local shoe store at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard. Guest speakers: Steve Levitan, Creator and Executive Producer of “Modern Family”, along with O’Neill’s Television Wives Katey Sagal and Sofia Vergara will be participating in the event.Ed O’Neill is known for his role as the main character, shoe salesman Al Bundy, on the FOX Network’s long running sitcom, “Married...With Children.” The role prompted two Golden Globe Award nominations. He is currently seen on the award-winning ABC sitcom “Modern Family” in the role of Jay Pritchett, for which he received Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. Fox Home Entertainment will release “Modern Family” Season 2 on Blu-ray and DVD September 20th. The largest collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame photos is hollywoodphotographs.com.

Kyra Sedgwick Honored On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

2011-08-25T02:45:00-07:00

KYRA SEDGWICK HONORED ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME. On June 8, 2011, Kyra Sedgwick was honored with the 2,384th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. at 6365 Hollywood Blvd. Her brass star was unveiled next to her husband's, Kevin Bacon's Walk of Fame star. The actress who is best known for her portrayal of Los Angeles Police Department deputy police chief Brenda Johnson on 'The Closer' was accompanied by her actor husband Kevin Bacon. Upon receiving her star, the 43-year-old said she first got into the acting business when she was twelve years old and never looked back. Kyra Sedgwick was born in New York in 1965 and grew up in Manhattan. She made her professional acting debut at the age of 16 on the soap opera 'Another World.' After that, she went on to appear in several Hollywood movies, such as 'Something to Talk About', 'Phenomenon' and 'The Game Plan'. She has received four Golden Globe nominations and won one for her starring role in TV series 'The Closer'. Sedgwick, whose career has included critically-acclaimed roles on stage, film and television, returns to her Golden Globe-winning role as Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson on TNT's blockbuster series 'The Closer' which will begin its fifth season this year. Her role as Deputy Police Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson also earned her three Emmy nominations, four SAG nominations, and a 2009 People's Choice Award for 'Favorite TV Diva'. On the big screen, Sedgwick most recently appeared with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson in the football comedy The Game Plan. She also co-starred in and co-produced the independent film Loverboy. Sedgwick's other recent big-screen credits include Cavedweller, which she developed and produced - and for which she received a 2005 Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Actress; Nicole Kassell's award-winning The Woodsman, a dark drama co-starring Kevin Bacon that won the Jury Prize at the Deauville Film Festival, had its world premiere in competition at the Sundance Film Festival and was showcased in Cannes as part of the 2004 Director's Fortnight line-up; and Rebecca Miller's Personal Velocity, which won the Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival.Among her list of feature film credits are Phenomenon, opposite John Travolta; Oliver Stone's Born on the Fourth of July; the Merchant-Ivory production of Mr. and Mrs. Bridge; Singles; Lemon Sky; Hearts & Souls, with Robert Downey Jr.; and Montana, with Stanley Tucci, Robin Tunney and Philip Seymour Hoffman. She also co-starred in Fisher Stevens' Just a Kiss; Behind the Red Door, opposite Keifer Sutherland and Stockard Channing; and Secondhand Lions, co-starring Michael Caine, Robert Duvall and Haley Joel Osment.For television, Sedgwick co-starred opposite William H. Macy and Helen Mirren in TNT's Peabody Award-winning drama Door to Door. Other credits include Something the Lord Made, Twelfth Night (or What You Will) and Losing Chase, which she executive-produced in addition to starring opposite Mirren and Beau Bridges. The largest collection of Hollywood photos is Hollywoodphotographs.com. There are over 350 Hollywood Walk of Fame photographs on this web site and all are available for sale.

Penelope Cruz Received a Walk of Fame Star

2011-08-24T06:13:00-07:00

PENELOPE CRUZ RECEIVES A WALK OF FAME STAR Penelope Cruz received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, April 1st, in front of the El Capitan Theatre, 6834 Hollywood Boulevard. Joining her at her Walk of Fame ceremony was Johnny Depp who was, not only a good friend, but also one of her co-stars. She became the first actress from Spain to be nominated and to win an Oscar.Two of her first movies were the Spanish films “Jamon, Jamon” and “Belle Epoque.” In 1998 she starred in her first English film, “The Hi-Lo Country” opposite Woody Harrelson and Patricia Arquette . In 1999, Cruz won the Best Actress award at the 13th Annual Goya Awards given by the Spanish Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for her role in Fernando Trueba’s “The Girl of Your Dreams.'She later appeared in Billy Bob Thornton’s “All the Pretty Horses,” along with a handful of other films. Having always wanted to act with Johnny Depp, Cruz landed a role opposite Johnny Depp in “Blow,” and “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” opposite Nicolas Cage. After that, Cruz starred opposite Tom Cruise in Cameron Crowe’s thriller “Vanilla Sky.To add to her already diverse choice of film credits, she starred in films including “Gothika,” “Head in the Clouds,” and “Sahara.”In 2006, Cruz starred in “Volver,” which again teamed her with director and dear friend Pedro Almodovar. Critically-acclaimed for her role as Raimunda, she won the Best Actress awards at the European Film Awards, the Cannes Film Festival, and received a Golden Globe nomination.Penelope Cruz has received three Academy Award nominations. The first was in the 2006 when she was nominated for Best Actress for the film 'Volver.' Her next nomination resulted in her winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in 'Vicky 'Cristina Barcelona.' Her third Oscar nomination was for the movie 'Nine.'Rob Marshall, the film's director who also directed Cruz in her 2009 Oscar-nominated role in the romantic musical 'Nine,' joined her in speaking at the ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard. Also speaking to an audience of hundreds of adoring fans was Johnny Depp. To see Penelope Cruz Walk of Fame photographs, go to hollywoodphotographs.com. All photos are available for purchase.

Hollywood's Don The Beachcomber Restaurant

2011-08-21T04:40:00-07:00

DON THE BEACHCOMBER RESTAURANT The story of Don the Beachcomber began shortly after Prohibition. A small town Minnesota schoolteacher with a big imagine named Cora Irene Sound saved enough money so that she could move to Los Angeles and secure a job as a waitress at the Tick Tock Tear Room, a family owned restaurant. Cora soon met an inventive bartender, Ernest Raymond Beaumont-Gantt, who served exotic rum drinks in his tacky tropical bar located in the Hollywood Hotel. His moniker was 'Don The Beachcomber'. When the schoolteacher and bartender mated, Hollywood's first tropical restaurant was born. Cora Irene (a.k.a. 'Sunny Sound' and 'Mama C.I.') borrowed money and opened Don's Beachcomber Cafe, in 1934, at 1722 N. McCadden Pl., in Hollywood. To give the effect of tropical rain, Ernest would go out with a garden hose and sprinkle water on the corrugated too and awnings. Needing better quarters, they moved the restaurant across the street to 1727 N. Mc Cadden Pl., in 1937. At this time, Cora had become the company's president and Ernest's wife. Ganett changed his name several times, using Donn-Beach-Comber, to Donn Beachcomber, and finally settling on Donn Beach. At their new restaurant, the couple created their own Hollywood influenced, romantic notion of a tropical paradise, a real conceit restaurant, complete with artificial rainstorms designed to romantically pitter patter down the corrugated roof.Filmland potentates have always had a soft spot for hidden spots, and Don The Beachcomber was just that. From the outside, the place, surrounded by a forest of bamboo, was hard to find, save for a small sign that was intentionally made difficult to read - the underlying message being that if you didn't know where it was, you didn't belong. But inside,, for L.A.'s first South Sea eatery, the schoolteacher and bartender let the collective fantasies run wild. It was twenty years ahead of Disneyland, and Hollywood's royalty, including the Marx Brothers, Franchot Tone, Bing Crosby, Marlene Dietrich, and Greer Garson basked in its folly. Frequent patrons were Charles E. Toberman, his wife, Josephine and his many grandchildren. The proof was in the chopsticks that were enshrined in a glass case. Small dining rooms, which bore names like the 'Black Hole of Calcutta' and the 'Cannibal Room' were decorated with palm trees, bananas, coconuts, sea shells, shark's jaws, headdresses and carved wooden gods. AAt one point, the restaurant included a Chinese grocery store, rum shop, gift shop and lei shop. The island-shaped dining tables were made of varnished woods, and more than a few glamorous creatures received proposals of one sort or another in the provocative, candle-illuminated rooms. Certainly helping things along weere Don's intoxicating rum drinks. Missionary's Downfall, Vicious Virgin, Cobra's Fang and the notorious Zombie. Don's rum concoctions were so ingenious they even impressed drinkers like 'Trader' Vis Bergeron. While Don handled the bar part of the business, Cora Irene hired Chinese cooks to create a South Seas-Cantonese hybrid cuisine that was way beyond the chop sue and chow mien found on the menus of most Chinese restaurants of the day. Dishes were made with then-uncommon ingredients like water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, lichee nuts and oyster sauce imported from China. The schoolteacher and bartender succeeded in business but failed in their relationship. They divorced in 1940 but continued to work together, opening Beachcombers in Palm Springs and Chicago. In 1958, Joe Drown, owner of L.A.'s Glamorous Bel-Air Hotel, took over the company with businessman David Price and opened more Beachcombers in Marina Del Rey, Newport Beach. A decade later, J. Ronald Getty, son of J. Paul, bought the chain. In 1985, the original Don The Beachcomber restaurant closed and was demolished in 1987. Don The Beachcomber photos can be seen on hollywoodphotographs.com. It is the largest collection of Hollywood photographs and all can be view on this web site. Please email Bruce Torrence at myoldphotos@me.com if you have any questions.

Sissy Spacek's Walk of Fame Ceremony and Photographs

2011-08-23T02:38:00-07:00

SISSY SPACEK'S WALK OF FAME CEREMONY AND PHOTOGRAPHS On August 1, 2011, Sissy Spacek was honored with star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Category of Motion Pictures. Two guests, Bill Paxton and David Lynch, joined Spacek while she unveil the 2,443rd Star at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard in front of The El Capitan TheatreSissy Spacek has been one of the industry’s most respected actresses for more than three decades. Her honors include an Academy Award, five additional Oscar nominations, three Golden Globe Awards and numerous critics’ awards. Born Mary Elizabeth Spacek on Christmas Day 1949 in Texas, and given the nickname Sissy by her older brothers, Spacek won a singer-songwriter contest when she was 17 and moved to New York City to pursue a singing career, living with her first cousin, actor Rip Torn, and his wife, actress Geraldine Page.Spacek first gained prominence for her performance in Terrence Malick’s 1973 drama “Badlands,” in which she starred opposite Martin Sheen. In 1976, Spacek earned her first Academy Award nomination for her chilling performance in the title role of the film “Carrie.” In 1980, Spacek starred as Loretta Lynn in the acclaimed “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” winning the Oscar and Golden Globe Award for her performance. Spacek also received the New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics, National Board of Review and National Society of Film Critics Awards for her portrayal of Loretta Lynn. She also received a Grammy nomination for her singing on the film's soundtrack album. Spacek received another Golden Globe nomination the next year for her work in “Raggedy Man,” directed by her husband, Jack Fisk. She earned her third Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for her role in Costa-Gavras’ 1982 drama “Missing,” opposite Jack Lemmon, and her fourth Oscar and Golden Globe® nominations for her work in 1984’s “The River,” in which she starred with Mel Gibson.Spacek's other Academy Award nominations were for Missing (1982), The River (1984), Crimes of the Heart (1986), and In the Bedroom (2001). Some of Spacek’s other film include “A Home at the End of the World,” “Blast From the Past,” “Affliction,” “The Grass Harp,” “JFK,” “Night, Mother,” “Marie,” “North Country,” “Hot Rod,” “Four Christmases” and “Get Low.” Spacek's work in television has also been stellar. She received Emmy Award nominations for her portrayal of Zelda Fitzgerald in “Last Call” and for her acting in Tommy Lee Jones’ western “The Good Old Boys.” She has, also, received several Sag Award nominations for such performances in 'A Place For Annie' and 'Midwives.' The largest collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame photos is hollywoodphotographs.com. There are over 360 images of celebrities receiving their stars in the Walk of Fame, and all are available for purchase.

Historic Hollywood Images From Hollywoodphotographs.com

2011-08-22T07:50:00-07:00

HISTORIC HOLLYWOOD IMAGES It’s true that Hollywood is one of the most iconic locations in the world. When you think about all of the great movies that came out of Hollywood in the 20's and 30's, you can’t help but wish that you had been there. While you can get close through documentaries and watching the feature films, there's nothing like hearing the stories of someone who was right there rubbing elbows with the celebrities. One of the easiest ways to experience Hollywood's fabulous history is to visit the largest collection of Hollywood images on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. The collection has over 6,000 Hollywood Images that cover over ninety categories. Visitors can see historic images of Hollywood Blvd., the Hollywood Bowl, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, movie studios, theaters, nightclubs and many other categories. Viewing these wonderful Hollywood images gives the viewer a good understanding of Hollywood’s rich history. All the Hollywood Images can be purchased from hollywoodphotographs.com for both commercial or personal use.

Hollywood Canteen Photos

2011-07-13T13:49:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN PHOTOS HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN The Hollywood Canteen was legendary. The Hollywood Canteen operated at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood, California between October 3, 1942 and November 22, 1945 (Thanksgiving Day) as a club offering food, dancing and entertainment for servicemen, usually on their way overseas. Founded by Bette Davis and John Garfield, and with the assistance of Dr. Jules Stein, the Hollywood Canteen opened its doors on October 3, 1942 with a grand opening ceremony that rivaled the best of Hollywood movie premieres. Hundreds of Hollywood Canteen photos were take by scores of Hollywood’s best photographers All that servicemen needed to enter the Hollywood Canteen was their uniform. Everything was free to the servicemen -- food, sodas, cigarettes, dancing and entertainment. Glamorous stars volunteered to wait on tables, cook in the kitchen and clean up. Some of Hollywood's most talented and beautiful celebrities danced for hours with the visiting servicemen. Some of the most regular volunteers included Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Hedy Lamar, Joan Leslie, Marlene Deitrich, Betty Grable and many, many others. Over the course of its three year existence, the Hollywood Canteen served more than 3 million servicemen. It was a moving period of American history, one that is often forgotten. GET HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN PHOTOS If you are in need of classic Hollywood Canteen photos, either for personal or commercial use, please contact www.hollywoodphotographs.com. This collection is the largest photographic and reference collection on the subject of Hollywood. The collection contains thousands of photographs which date from 1880 to 1987. During the past twenty years, the collection has been used by numerous businesses and individuals, including Steven Spielberg, Disneyworld, Paramount Studios and many authors, researchers and publishers. The collection also contains hundreds of Hollywood Canteen photos. Their website is very user friendly and offers the viewer an insight to Hollywood's illustrious history.

Hollywood Canteen Photographs

2011-07-19T21:04:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN PHOTOGRAPHS HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN In the 1940's, soldiers being sent off or just returning from service could enjoy a visit to the Hollywood Canteen, where they could hobnob with movie stars and Hollywood elite. The Hollywood Canteen was founded by John Garfield and Bette Davis. They offered free admission, free food, sodas and cigarettes to soldiers. What made the Hollywood Canteen so popular was the abundance of celebrities, from all facets of the entertainment industry, who volunteered their time to be with the servicemen. There was an 'all you can eat' policy which was serve up by a host of stars wearing aprons. It wasn't uncommon to see Bette Davis or Hedy Lamar serving coffee or sandwiches to the men in uniform. Dancing with the likes of Rita Hayworth, Marlene Dietrich, Bunny Waters, Fay McKenzie or Claire Trevor was the highlight of many soldiers who visited the Hollywood Canteen. The Hollywood Canteen may be closed but for anyone that loves vintage Hollywood, and particularly the Canteen, images and photographs of this famed nightspot can add a touch of personality and style to any room of your home. These images can also be a fun way to add that personality to your office or your business without overpowering the area with too many antiques and other such items. Many who love vintage movies and the classics will immediately remember the Hollywood Canteen and recognize its image, and these photos can be a great conversation piece as well. Finding Hollywood Canteen photographs is very simple. Simply go on the internet and type in hollywoodphotographs.com. There are hundreds of photographs of everything that was offered at the Hollywood Canteen. There are photographs of beautiful volunteers dancing with servicemen; photos of soldiers getting autographs from such stars a Spencer Tracy, Jane Powell, Joan Crawford, Joan Leslie, Faye Emerson, Jane Russell, Roddy McDowell and many more; and photographs of the industry's most talented celebrities entertaining the hundreds of servicemen who visited the Hollywood Canteen every night. On any night the soldiers might see Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson captivating the audience with his unequaled tap dancing, or Red Skelton doing his famous Guzzlers Gin skit, or Bing Crosby singing, or Dinah Shore belting out a great song or Bob Hope doing his standup comedy routines. In addition, there hundreds of Hollywood Canteen photographs of the Canteen's exterior, the grand opening ceremony, construction of the Canteen, Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations and of movie stars simply talking with the servicemen. All of the photographs in the collection are available for purchase. Whether it's photographs of the Hollywood Canteen, photos of the hand and footprint ceremonies at the Chinese Theater, images of the famous Hollywood Bowl, or photos of the Hollywood Sign, hollywoodphotographs.com has it all. With over 6000 photographs in the collection, you are bound to find what the right photo.

Hollywood Sign Images for Purchase

2011-08-20T10:09:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD SIGN IMAGES FOR PURCHASE Do you know why there are so many images of the Hollywood sign? Many people think that the sign exists as a symbol of the excess of the film making industry. Many feel that both Hollywood and Los Angeles are two of the most eccentric places in the world, and that the sign was erected as just another instance of this excess and extravagance. But in reality, the sign was erected to show off the upcoming development that was to be known as Hollywoodland. In 1923, the developers of the Hollywoodland residential development, erected a sign on the side of the hills, just above the development It read HOLLYWOODLAND. The letters were fifty feet high and thirty fee wide. Made out of telephone poles, wood bracing and sheet metal the sigh was lighted by 4000 light bulbs. By the late 1940s, the sign was in great disrepair. The last four letters were removed and the letters that spelled Hollywood were refurbished. By the mid-1970s, the Holluwood sign was in such disrepair that it needed to be torn down and a new one erected. After months of fundraising events and large donations from several contributors ,including Alice Cooper and Hugh Hefner the new Hollywood Sign was built and unveiled in November, 1978. For over sixty years, the Hollywood Sign has been recognized as Hollywood’s most popular icon. Over the course of the past eighty five years, thousands of Hollywood Sign images have been taken. The largest collection of Hollywood Sign images is hollywoodphotographs.com. Looking these images will give the viewer a sense of the Hollywood sign’s rich history. All of the Hollywood Sign Images on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site can be purchased for both commercial or personal use. For any infformation regarding the purchase of Hollywood Sign Images, please email Bruce Torrence at myoldphotos@me.com

Hollywood Images For Purchase

2011-07-13T13:47:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD IMAGES FOR PURCHASE HOLLYWOOD IMAGES The Hollywood Sign, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Brown Derby Restaurant, and many other iconic sites are an important part of Hollywood’s illustrious history. Remember the Hollywood Canteen, an important part of WWII history? Are you interested in looking through a collection that contains over 12,000 classic Hollywood photos, which date from 1880 to 1990? Hollywoodphotographs.com is the largest collection of Hollywood images, with over 6,000 photos on the internet site. There are countless subject categories from which to choose. There are high quality images of such subjects as the the infamous Garden of Allah Hotel, Hollywoodland development, Larchmont Blvd. or Outpost Estates DO YOU NEED CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD IMAGES FOR PERSONAL OR BUSINESS USE? Do you need classic photographs of the La Brea Tar Pits, the Magic Castle, or Sunset Boulevard, the HOLLYWOODLAND sign, Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies or original aerial photos of Hollywood.? If you are in need of classic Hollywood images, either for personal or commercial use, please contact www.hollywoodphotographs.com. During the past twenty years, the collection has been used by numerous businesses and individuals, including Steven Spielberg, Disney, Paramount Studios and many authors, researchers and publishers. Their website is very user friendly and offers the viewer an insight to Hollywood's illustrious history. Hollywood Images can be purchase in actual photographic form (made from the original negative) or in high resolution digital form. For any information regarding the purchase of Hollywood Images, please email Bruce Torrence at myoldphotos@me.com.

Take a Peek at Coconut Grove Photos

2011-08-19T09:29:00-07:00

TAKE A PEEK AT COCONUT GROVE PHOTOS If you are really trying to get an understanding what it was like to be at the Coconut Grove in its prime, then you should take a look at some of the Coconut Grove photos which are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site Many people think that the only way to experience the sheer luxury of the spot was to be there. But through these magnificent photos you not only get to see what it was like, but you can practically hear the buzz of conversation and smell the smoke as it drifts by. The Coconut Grove photos show such stars as Jean Harlow, Bette Davis and Sonja Henie wining, dining and dancing at the world famous Coconut Grove Housed in the Ambassador Hotel on Wilshire Blvd, the Coconut Grove was one of Hollywood’s most famous nightspots. Catering to both Hollywood’s elites and celebrities, the Coconut Grove was popular for decades. To see what fun the patrons had at the Coconut Grove, all you have to do is visit hollywoodphotographs.com to see the many wonderful Coconut Grove Photos. This is the largest collection of photographs on the subject of Hollywood and all are available for purchase.

Mocambo Nightclub and Photographs

2011-08-16T17:43:00-07:00

MOCAMBO NIGHTCLUB The Mocambo Nightclub, located at 8588 Sunset Boulevard, was founded in 1940 by Felix Young and ex-agent, Charles 'Charlie' Morrison. with a capacity of 150 to 175 persons, the world-renowned club became one of the favorite “haunts” of member of the movie colony. Stars such as Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., Norma Shearer, Robert Taylor, Rita Hayworth, Barbara Stanwick, Rosalind Russell, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, Judy Garland, Henry Fonda, James Stewart, Errol Flynn, Victor Mature, Lana Turner and Reginald Gardiner were regular patrons who gathered there to enjoy the company of other personalities. In 1941, the premiere Los Angeles decorator, Billy Haines, asked Tony Duquette to provide the special decorations for the Mocambo. Tony provided all of the plaster figurines and other whimsical decorations that adorned the club. The glamorous Mocambo, with its black and white wallpaper and its “glitzie” decor, had an aviary of live birds that lived in ornate cages in the club. In order to show the passersby who was performing at the nightclub, Morrison installed a neon lighted marque above the front entrance on the Sunset Strip. Dancing was provided by the club's own orchestra, which at times, was conducted by Paul Hebert and Eddie Oliver. In addition to the regular orchestra, Harold Stein and his Strolling Violins played for the customers. Charlie Morrison, who was always at the club greeting his guests, approached the booking of entertainment with a Barnum-like flair. As a result, the club boasted of having some of the top performers, such as Edith Piaf, Eartha, Kitt, Dinah Shore, Bob Hope, Jack Benny Lisa Kirk Billy Daniels and Lena Horne, entertain the ‘Who's Who‘ of the entertainment world. According to Hollywood legend, Marilyn Monroe persuaded the owners of the all-white club to book Ella Fitzgerald in the mid1950s -- and the gig changed Fitzgerald’s career. She became the first black performer at the Mocambo. After leaving the Tommy Dorsey orchestra in 1943, Frank Sinatra made his Los Angeles debut as a solo act at the club. When Charlie Morrison first saw Earth Kitt perform, he was Ecstatic. The Gal’s wonderful,” he declared. “I’ll book her into the Mocambo any time she’s free.” She performed there several times. During the 1950s, the Mocambo’s next door neighbor was the Larry Finley Restaurant, where Larry Finley broadcasted his television and radio show. The club's main stage was replicated on the television series “I Love Lucy” as the 'Tropicana' Club. Both Lucille Ball and Dezi Arnez were frequent guests at the Mocambo and were close friends of Charlie Morrison. Sunday evening was talent night. Marilyn Morrison, Charlie‘s daughter, interviewed the talent during the day and selected those who would perform that evening. In 1952, Marilyn married the popular crooner, Johnnie Ray, but they later divorced. The Mocambo continued to operate for a short time after Charlie Morrison's death, but it just wasn't the same. Finally, much to the bereavement of its many notable patrons, the famous club closed its doors on June 30, 1952. MOCAMBO PHOTOGRAPHS The largest collection of Hollywood photographs is hollywoodphotographs.com. There are over 6000 photos on the web site and among those, are scores of rare and exquisite photographs of the Mocambo Nightclub. All the photos in the collection are available for purchase.

Early Laurel Canyon History and Photographs

2011-08-15T20:52:00-07:00

Early Laurel Canyon History and Photographs Laurel Canyon and Lookout Mountain Inn Shortly after Hollywood was annexed to the city of Lo Angeles in 1910, the Laurel. Canyon area began to experience some popularity because of its natural scenic beauty. Hundreds of visitors a week travelled up the canyon on a two-mile long, graded dirt road, later named Laurel Canyon Boulevard. Built by unemployed workers in 1907 at a cost of $10,000, the road ran up the canyon where it divided at what is now Lookout Mountain Avenue. The left road twisted its way up to the summit of Lookout Mountain, while the other continued to the top of the Santa Monica Mountains and down to the San Fernando Valley. In 1908, the Lookout Mountain Park Land and Water Company was formed to purchase 280 acres on Lookout Mountain, just west of Laurel Canyon. A large portion of the acreage was subdivided into bungalow lots, most of which had beautiful panoramic views of the city. Two years later, the company widened the winding dirt road to the top of Lookout Mountain where they built the Lookout Mountain Inn. Leased to J.H. Hartwick, the inn consisted of twenty—four rooms a bandstand and pavillion and had an unobstructed 270 degree view of Los Angeles. It wasn't very long before the Lookout Mountain Inn, whose specialty was chicken dinners, became a popular Hollywood attraction. Because of the steep grade or the twisting road and the lack of engine power of automobiles, guests were forced to spend at least thirty to forty-five minutes driving up the canyon to the inn. However, when they finally arrived, the fine food and breathtaking view seemed to make the long, tedious trip all worthwhile. At about the same time the Lookout Mountain Inn was built, a real estate subdivision, known as Bungalow Land was established at what is now Laurel canyon Boulevard and Lookout Mountain Avenue. Several lots were graded and sold to buyers who built bungalows and cottages, primarily for use during weekend and smmer vacations. In 1912, as a stimulus to Bungalow Land, Mr. Charles Mann, real estate operator, and Mr. Richard Shoemaker, engineer, established a trackless trolley service between the Sunset Boulevard terminus of the Pacific Electric trolley line at Laurel Avenue, and the tavern at the junction or Laurel Canyon Road and Lookout Mountain Road. The ' car had two trolleys, one to a positive and one to a grounded over- head wire, and was able to sway to either side of the street. For five or six years, the trackless trolley travelled up and down Laurel Canyon to meet the half—hour schedule to Los Angeles. It was mechanically satisfactory, but insufficiently patronized. It was discontinued when the Pacific Electric ceased to run cars between Gardner Street and Laurel Canyon Road, and realty interests failed to support it. On October 26, l9l8, disaster struck the Lookout Mountain and Laurel Canyon area when a fire, fanned by strong winds, burned about two hundred acres and totally destroyed the famous Lookout Mountain Inn. For a time, when the great bellows of fire and smoke were rolling high and fast, many residents began preparations to evacuate. Several trucks loaded with furniture and personal belongings made trips down the road, which was covered with fragments of talking- machine records and other small articles that were dropping from the trucks as they rattled down the mountain road. The damage, estimated to be $15,000, and suffered mostly by J.H. Hartwick's Lookout Mountain Inn, was held down by the heroic work of more than two hundred volunteer workers and fifty trained firefighters. Miraculously, nobody was seriously hurt. Laurel Canyon Photographs H ollywoodphotographs.com is the largest photograph collection on the subject of Hollywood. There are over 6000 historic photos of Hollywood and over twenty photographs of the Laurel Canyon area. All the rare photographs are available for purchase.

Recipients of the 2012 Hollywood Walk of Fame

2011-06-26T15:24:00-07:00

A new group of entertainment professionals in Motion Pictures, Television, Radio and Recording have been selected to receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in 2012, it was announced today by the Walk of Fame Committee of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. These individuals were chosen from among hundreds of nominations to the committee at a meeting held on June 17, 2011 and ratified by the Chamber's Board of Directors. The recipients include: MOTION PICTURES: Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel, Scarlett Johansson, John Lasseter, Malcolm McDowell, Sumner Redstone, Kate Winslet and Richard Burton (posthumous). TELEVISION: Valerie Bertinelli, Matt Groening, Mariska Hargitay, Patricia Heaton, Marg Helgenberger, Walter Koenig, and Adam West. RECORDING: Pepe Aguilar, AMERICA, Boyz II Men, Hal David, David Foster, Vince Gill, Jennifer Lopez, Ann and Nancy Wilson (Heart) and Barry White (posthumous). RADIO: Ellen K. “The committee has selected a fabulous slate of stars to add sparkle and luster to the Hollywood Walk of Fame over the next year, as well as to generate a once-in-a-lifetime Hollywood experience for many of the visitors who stop by when their favorite personality, such as Jayne Mansfield, is having their stars placed in the world-famous sidewalk of the stars,” said John Pavlik, chair of the Hollywood Walk of Fame Selection Committee. Thousands of Walk of Fame photographs have been taken over the past fifty years. Scores of Walk of Fame photos, starting with Joanne Woodward (the first Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony) to Michael Jackson are included in the hollywoodphotographs.com collection. For the year, the Walk of Fame Selection Committee selected the following celebrities to have their names placed in Hollywoods famous sidewalk: MOTION PICTURES: Penelope Cruz, Bruce Dern, Laura Dern, Diane Ladd, Ed Harris, The Muppets, Kenny Ortega, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ridley Scott, Sissy Spacek, Donald Sutherland and Reese Witherspoon. TELEVISION: Danny DeVito, Tina Fey, Simon Fuller, Neil Patrick Harris, John Langley, Ed O'Neill, John Wells, and Oprah Winfrey. RECORDING: Melissa Etheridge, Los Tigres Del Norte, Rascal Flatts, Go-Go's, Slash, Will i. Am, and Bebe & Cece Winans. Posthumous: Buddy Holly and Louis Prima ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine St. in Hollywood. The stars are permanent public monuments to achievement in the entertainment industry, bearing the names of a mix of actors, musicians, directors, producers, musical and theatrical groups, fictional characters, and others. The Walk of Fame is administrated by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and maintained by the self-financing Hollywood Historic Trust. Each year, an average of 200 nominations are submitted to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Walk of Fame Selection Committee. Anyone, including fans, can nominate anyone active in the field of entertainment, as long as the nominee or his or her management is in agreement with the nomination (a letter of agreement from the nominated celebrity or representative must accompany the application). Nominees must have a minimum of five years' experience in the category for which they are nominated and a history of 'charitable contributions'. Posthumous nominees must have been deceased at least five years. At a meeting each June, the committee selects approximately 20 celebrities to receive stars on the Walk of Fame during the following year. One posthumous award is given each year as well. COST OF A STAR ON THE WALK OF FAME A fee (currently $30,000), payable at time of selection, is collected to pay for the creation and installation of the star, as well as general maintenance of the Walk of Fame. The fee is usually paid by the nominating organization, which may be a fan club, or a film studio, record company, broadcaster, or other sponsor involved with the honoree's current or ongoing project. HISTORY OF THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME The history of the Walk of Fame goes back more than fifty years ago. Joanne Woodward was the first celebrity to pose with a Walk of Fame star. She was one of eight celebrities to be selected to have their names placed in the new Walk of Fame. After the Walk of Fame concept had been adopted in the mid-1950s, construction of the twelve story First Federal Savings of Hollywood building, on the NW corner of Hollywood Blvd. & Highland Ave., was begun. By early 1958, the exterior of the building was nearly completed and it was time to install the sidewalk, next to the building, on Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. It was decided to implement the the Walk of Fame concept and install a terrazzo sidewalk, rather than cement. In mid-1958, a construction/installation ceremony was held in front of the new First Federal building. Those in attendance were Charles E. Toberman, Harry Sugarman, Earle Baker, Otto K. Olesen, actor Marvin Miller, actor Preston Foster and actress Doroty Malone. The first eight stars were dedicated in September, 1958 and placed in the sidewalk on the northwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. They were installed several months prior to the official 1960 Walk of Fame ground-breaking so as to be ready when the new, twelve-story First Federal Savings and Loan building was completed in January, 1959. The eight film notables, who bear the distinction of being the first to have their names placed in the Walk of Fame were Preston Foster, Joanne Woodward, Ernest Torrence, Olive Bordon, Edward Sedgwick, Louise Fazenda, Ronald Coleman and Burt Lancaster. In September, 1958, Joanne Woodward was asked, by Harry Sugarman and Charles E. Toberman, to come to the corner of the Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. to participate in the unveiling of the eight Walk of Fame stars. She, not only posed by her star, but also posed with Charles E. Toberman and Harry Sugarman for several publicity photographs. The official ground breaking ceremony, for the rest of the Walk of Fame, took place on February 8, 1960 near the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard & Gower Street. Some of the notable celebrities who attended the groundbreaking included Gigi Perreau, Linda Darnell, Francis X. Bushman and Charles Colburn

Hollywood Walk of Fame Celebrates its 50th Anniversary

2011-07-07T18:06:00-07:00

THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME’S GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY The Hollywood Walk of Fame celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010 and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce planned numerous events throughout the year to mark this important anniversary. Many of the historic walk of fame photographs that were used in the promotional material were provided by Bruce Torrence’s hollywoodphotographs.com collection. THE FIRST WALK OF FAME STARS The first eight stars were dedicated in September, 1958 and placed in the sidewalk on the northwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. They were installed several months prior to the official 1960 Walk of Fame ground-breaking so as to be ready when the new, twelve-story First Federal Savings and Loan building was completed in January, 1959. The eight film notables, who bear the distinction of being the first to have their names placed in the Walk of Fame were Joanne Woodward,Preston Foster, Ernest Torrence, Olive Bordon, Edward Sedgwick, Louise Fazenda, Ronald Coleman and Burt Lancaster. In September, 1958, Joanne Woodward was asked, by Harry Sugarman and Charles E. Toberman, to come to the corner of the Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. to participate in the unveiling of the eight Walk of Fame stars. She, not only posed by her star, but also posed with Charles E. Toberman and Harry Sugarman for several publicity photographs. To begin with, Ringo Starr's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony kicked off the 50th Anniversary on February 8, 2010. The star ceremony which was held at night in front of Capitol Records Tower attracted a huge crowd and was streamed live to the world on Ringo Starr website. The star was the first to bear the 50th Anniversary icon metal as part of the engraved landmark. Hollywood celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with community festival 'Walk the Walk' on Sunday, July 25, 2010. This day-long festival was Hollywood's 'open house' with tours of iconic Hollywood theatres and studios, as well as live music, performances, movie screenings and activities for the whole family. Events were scheduled throughout Hollywood, many offered free or at a deep discount for this one day only. Four key locations - Hollywood & Highland Center including the TV Guide studio, Egyptian Theatre, Capitol Records and The Montalban Theatre - showcased the five categories of stars: motion pictures, television, recording, radio and live theatre - and of course the Walk of Fame itself. Many restaurants, retailers and attractions also joined in the celebration offering discounts, special menu items and giveaways. Information stations were located at the four locations with free programs outlining the schedule of events and participating businesses and attractions. Thousands came to the Boulevard and joined in 'Walk the Walk,' visiting the stars who transformed a Hollywood sidewalk into a historic, international icon. As the Hollywood Walk of Fame's year-long birthday celebration neared its conclusion, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce planted a time capsule on Thursday, October 28, at the corner of Hollywood and Highland where the Walk of Fame originated. Chamber President and CEO Leron Gubler and television personality Bob Barker buried the stainless steel, fully-sealed capsule which measured 16x16x18 and depicted the Walk of Fame's 50th Anniversary logo. The Hollywood Chamber had collected various items representing the famous landmark and all were placed in a time capsule created by the Future Packing & Preservation Company, LLC of Covina, California. David Paternostro, President of Top End Constructors, the company which makes the stars on the famous sidewalk discussed the placement of the time capsule into the ground. Bob Barker personally placed his own letter which read 'Have your pets spayed or neutered!' in the time capsule. The time capsule is scheduled to be opened on the Hollywood Walk of Fame's 100th Anniversary in 2060. TIME CAPSULE CONTENTS The contents of the capsule consist of items representing the five categories on the Walk of Fame. They include: “Wicked” and “The Lion King” play bills from the Pantages Theatre and a history book about the famous theatre, for the Live Theatre category; a replica Capitol Records tower and letter for the recording category; a flash drive with radio show of the past and present from the Southern California Broadcasters and a Hollywood themed radio show from KLOS radio personality and Walk of Famer Jim Ladd for the radio category; DVDs of the Oscar® telecasts from 50 years ago and 2010 for the motion picture category; and for the television category, a 2010 Primetime Emmy® Program, Emmy invitation, Emmy ticket and Emmy Governor’s Ball menu and a 62nd Primetime Emmy® Awards telecast DVD. an autographed photo of Joanne Woodward who was the first Walk of Famer; a piece of Elvis Presley’s star encased in Lucite from Johnny Grant’s collection; items from the anniversary events including: a DVD of Ringo Starr’s Walk of Fame ceremony which kicked off the 50th Anniversary on February 8, a Walk of Fame 50th Celebration invitation, T-shirt and pin; a signed Warner Bros.“Ocean’s” Film Trilogy DVD set from Walk of Famer Jerry Weintraub, letters from television personality Bob Barker and Oscar® nominated actress Diane Ladd who will be honored with her star on November 1; messages from political figures, Walk of Fame selection committee members, an Entertainment Tonight mike flag and letter from Entertainment Tonight Executive Producer, Linda Bell Blue; a Casablanca script from the Writers Guild of America, The Hollywood Walk of Fame Book by Samantha Hart, and DVDs with Hollywood greetings from this year’s star recipients. The annual celebration continued as the Hollywood Walk of Fame created one-of-a-kind ceremonies. For the first time in the history of the Walk of Fame and in celebration of the Hollywood Walk of Fame's 50th Anniversary, three stars were dedicated at one time for a family dynasty of actors. Bruce Dern, Laura Dern and Diane Ladd each received their own stars on November 1st at 6270 Hollywood Boulevard in front of the W Hollywood. History was made when the Hollywood Chamber invited the largest gathering of Walk of Famers in one room at one time! The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce threw a huge celebration for the Hollywood Walk of Fame's 50th Birthday on Wednesday, November 3. The event began at 6:30 p.m. with a ceremonial time capsule dedication at the corner of Hollywood and Highland next to Joanne Woodward's star, one of the very first eight stars placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Leron Gubler officiated. Participating in the event were five celebrities who represent the five disciplines of the Walk of Fame. Diane Ladd, represents Motion Pictures, Bob Barker for Television, KLOS radio personality Jim Ladd for Radio, Roger Williams for Recording, and Mickey Rooney and his wife, Jan representing the Live Theatre category. 'In the history of the Walk of Fame, this is the first time that we had so many of our recipients in one place at one time! Our late Walk of Fame Chairman, Johnny Grant would have been so proud of this special night in Hollywood!' stated Leron Gubler, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President/CEO. After the ceremony, invited guests were led to the party, held in the famed Governor's Ballroom and catered by Wolfgang Puck. All Walk of Famers walked the Red Carpet and then proceeded into a special room to be exclusively photographed for an historic, once-in-a-lifetime photo, shot by famed celebrity photographer Harry Langdon. Guests enjoyed the festivities as they watched the historic photo unfold on big screens.

Purchase Hollywood Sign Pictures

2011-07-13T13:45:00-07:00

Do You Need Classic Hollywood Sign Pictures? The Hollywood Sign is probably the most iconic symbol in all of Hollywood. It is usually the first thing visitors wish to see when they visit Los Angeles. The legendary sign spells out the name in 45-foot-tall and 350-foot-long white letters, and originally read 'HOLLYWOODLAND'. It was created as an advertisement for a new housing development in 1923, but garnered recognition after the sign was left up. The sign was originally only designed to be able to stay up for 18 months, but has survived to this day due to financial donors, and due to the Hollywood Sign Trust, an organization whose purpose is to maintain, repair and secure the sign. The original sign was lighted by about 4000 incandescent light bulbs that were replaced by Albert Kothe, when they burned out. After a couple of year, the lighting the signed was discontinued. By the late 1940s, the sign was in such disrepair that it needed to be refurbished. The last four letters sere removed and the sign was rebuilt to read 'Hollywood'. In 1978, a campaign was instituted to seek donations to completely rebuild the sign. On November 11, 1978, the new sign was unveiled as seen in the photo HS-181 on the web site hollywoodphotographs.com. Get Classic Hollywood Sign Pictures If you are in need of Hollywood Sign Pictures, either for personal or commercial use, please contact www.hollywoodphotographs.com. This collection is the largest photographic and reference collection on the subject of Hollywood. The collection contains thousands of photographs which date from 1880 to 1987. During the past twenty years, the collection has been used by numerous businesses and individuals, including Steven Spielberg, Disneyworld, Paramount Pictures and many authors, researchers and publishers. Their website is very user friendly and offers the viewer an insight to Hollywood's illustrious history

Purchase Walk of Fame Pics

2011-07-13T13:39:00-07:00

Need Classic Photographs of the Hollywood Walk of Fame? The Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of Hollywood's most iconic landmarks. It consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood. The stars are permanent public monuments to achievement in the entertainment industry, carrying the names of actors, musicians, directors, producers, musical and theater groups, fictional characters, and others. The Walk of Fame is administrated by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and maintained by the self-financing Hollywood Historic Trust. Joanne Woodward was the first celebrity to have a Walk of Fame ceremony. Seven of the other eight original stars were installed simultaneously, with no individual ceremonies. They included Ernest Torrence, Preston Foster, Olive Borden, Edward Sedgwick, Louise Fazenda, Ronald Coleman and Burt Lancaster. Get Classic Photographs of the Hollywood Walk of Fame If you are in need of Hollywood Walk of Fame pics, either for personal or commercial use, please contact www.hollywoodphotographs.com. This collection is the largest photographic and reference collection on the subject of Hollywood. The collection contains thousands of photographs which date from 1880 to 1987. During the past twenty years, the collection has been used by numerous businesses and individuals, including Steven Spielberg, Disneyworld, Paramount Pictures and many authors, researchers and publishers. Their website is very user friendly and offers the viewer an insight to Hollywood's illustrious history

Hollywood Walk of Fame 2011 Honorees

2011-07-17T18:42:00-07:00

The Hollywood Chamber has unveiled ten stars so far in 2011 on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame. Bill Geist, Penelope Cruz, Bryan Adams, Zubin Mehta, Alec Baldwin, John Langley, Adam Sandler, Donald Sutherland, Colin Firth, Stan Lee, Shania Twain, Jane Morgan, Chaka Kahn and Simon Fuller all received Walk of Fame stars this year. Several celebrities attended the above mentioned honorees to help celebrate their induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Johnny Depp, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Simon, Kirk Douglas, Colin Ferrell, Anne Heche were among others celebrities who attended the Walk of Fame ceremonies. A new group of entertainment professionals in Motion Pictures, Television, Radio and Recording have been selected to receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in 2012, it was announced today by the Walk of Fame Committee of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. These individuals were chosen from among hundreds of nominations to the committee at a meeting held on June 17, 2011 and ratified by the Chamber's Board of Directors. The recipients include: MOTION PICTURES: Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel, Scarlett Johansson, John Lasseter, Malcolm McDowell, Sumner Redstone, Kate Winslet and Richard Burton (posthumous). TELEVISION: Valerie Bertinelli, Matt Groening, Mariska Hargitay, Patricia Heaton, Marg Helgenberger, Walter Koenig, and Adam West. RECORDING: Pepe Aguilar, AMERICA, Boyz II Men, Hal David, David Foster, Vince Gill, Jennifer Lopez, Ann and Nancy Wilson (Heart) and Barry White (posthumous). RADIO: Ellen K.

Hollywood Walk Of Fame Images

2011-07-19T21:09:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME IMAGES HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME'S FIRST INDUCTEE A tribute to over 2000 artists who have made significant contributions to film, radio, television, theater and the recording industries. The first star placed in September 1958, was for Joanne Woodward. Just as the First Federal Building was being completed, the Walk of Fame sidewalk, in front and side of the building was being finished. C.E. Toberman and Harry Sugarman asked Joanne Woodward to come and pose by her Walk of Fame star. She did and now she has the honor of being the first celebrity to have a Walk of Fame ceremony. One of Hollywood's most popular tourist attractions, the Walk of Fame lies on both sides of Hollywood Blvd. from Gower to La Brea, both sides of Vine Street and from Yucca to Sunset. To be inducted into Hollywood's Walk of Fame sidewalk, the world's most famous sidewalk, is an honor as coveted and sought after as any of the entertainment industry's equally prestigious awards -- including the Oscar or Emmy, Grammy.And, because it recognizes a life-long contribution of both public and peer appreciation, it is an honor uniquely in a class by itself. The Walk of Fame is a permanent monument of the past, as well as the present. Envisioned in 1958 as a lasting tribute to the personalities who helped make Hollywood the most famous community in the world, the Walk of Fame continues today as Hollywood's most popular tourist attraction. During the past 50 years, there have been more than 2500 entertainment personalities honored by the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Today, there are about two dozen new celebrities inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, each year. Photographs of the Walk of Fame have always been sought after by the public. The largest collection of Hollywood Walk of Fame images is in the hollywoodphotographs.com collection. In this amazing collection are over 6000 images of everything to do with Hollywood. In addition to thousands of images of Hollywood hotels, the Hollywood Studio Club, the Hollywood Palladium and Earl Carroll Theater, there are 335 great Hollywood Walk of Fame Images. Images of some of today's most popular stars have recently been honored, including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kyra Sedgwick, Marlee Matlin, Susan Saint James, James Cameron, Angela Bassett, and Andrea Bocelli. When you want to add some personality and flair to your home, you may want to consider Hollywood Walk of Fame images and other Hollywood memorabilia. All of the Hollywood Walk of Fame images, in the hollywoodphotographs.com collection are available for purchase. Some of their clients include such names as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, the Disney Corp. Paramount Studios and countless authors and publishers.

Hollywood Walk Of Fame Photos

2011-07-19T21:10:00-07:00

PLEASE CLICK ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME PHOTOS TO SEE PHOTOS Hollywood Walk of Fame Photos Hollywood Walk of Fame Concept The man credited with the idea for conceiving the idea of a Hollywood Walk of Fame, was E. M. Stuart, who served in 1953 as the volunteer president of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. In that year, according to a Chamber press release he proposed the Walk as a means to 'maintain the glory of a community whose name means glamour and excitement in the four corners of the world.' He appointed a committee to begin fleshing out the idea and the architectural firm of Periera and Luckman was employed to develop some specific proposals. Where the original idea came from is not certain; however, the ceiling of the dining room of the historic Hollywood Hotel once had stars painted on the ceiling with the names of celebrities and that may have been a precursor of the idea to place stars in the sidewalks. First Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony Joanne Woodward was the first celebrity to pose with a Walk of Fame star. She was one of eight celebrities to be selected to have their names placed in the new Walk of Fame. After the Walk of Fame concept had been adopted in the mid-1950s, construction of the twelve story First Federal Savings of Hollywood building, on the NW corner of Hollywood Blvd. & Highland Ave., was begun. By early 1958, the exterior of the building was nearly completed and it was time to install the sidewalk, next to the building, on Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave. It was decided to implement the the Walk of Fame concept and install a terrazzo sidewalk, rather than cement. In mid-1958, a construction/installation ceremony was held in front of the new First Federal building. Those in attendance were Charles E. Toberman, Harry Sugarman, Earle Baker, Otto K. Olesen, actor Marvin Miller, actor Preston Foster and actress Doroty Malone. Since Joanne Woodward's Hollywood Walk of Fame star was dedicated, there have been over 2500 celebrities honored. Thousands upon thousands of photos have been taken of the celebrities having their stars unveiled in the terrazzo sidewalk. Beginning in the early 1970s, Bruce Torrence has been collecting historic photographs of Hollywood. Today, hollywoodphotographs.com is the largest collection on the subject of Hollywood. Included in the collection are over 335 Hollywood Walk of Fame photos, all of which are available for purchase. There are Hollywood Walk of Fame photos of such recent inductees as Penelope Cruz, Donald Sutherland, Mark Wahlberg, Dennis Hooper, Russell Crowe and many others. The historic photographs of Hollywood include photos of Laurel Canyon, the Hollywood Legion Stadium, the Pan Pacific Auditorium, the Pantages Theater and many more historic sites. When you have someone on your gift list that loves the Hollywood, you may want to consider getting him or her some Hollywood Walk of Fame photos. These photos can give anyone's home or office a nice touch of personality and a real vintage feel. Simply go on line and log into hollywoodphotographs.com for the finest selection of Hollywood Walk of Fame photos.

Hollywood Walk Of Fame Pics

2011-07-19T21:11:00-07:00

PLEASE CLICK ON HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME PICS TO SEE PHOTOS HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME PICS HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an internationally-recognized Hollywood icon. With about 24 induction ceremonies annually broadcast around the world, the constant reinforcement provided to the public has made the Walk of Fame a top visitor attraction. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is undoubtedly one of the most successful marketing ideas ever produced. Unfortunately, there is a lot of inaccurate information circulating about the history of the Walk. The first stars were dedicated in 1958 and today there are over 2500 brass stars in the terrazzo sidewalk. Over the years, the crowds of people who attend the Walk of Fame ceremonies has grown tremendously. As many as 1000 people gather around the honoree to watch the unveiling of the celebrity's brass star. Even the most popular celebrity is in shock when he or she sees his or her name in the sidewalk. Hundreds, sometimes thousands, of photographs are taken during each of these ceremonies -- some by professional photographers but most by adoring fans. HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME PICS The largest collection of Hollywood photographs, including Hollywood Walk of Fame pictures is hollywoodphotographs.com. There are over 6000 pictures of historic Hollywood photos, cover more than 90 categories. There are over 335 Hollywood Walk of Fame pictures covering the period from when Joanne Woodward was the first to have a Walk of Fame ceremony to the last one, honoring Sissy Spacek. If you are looking for photographs of Hollywood history, you need to look no further. The Hollywood Walk of Fame pictures include such stars as Natalie Cole, Scatman Crothers, Roy Clark, Chuck Connors and the great actor Sidney Poitier. is a sense of history. A certain something that ties them to the past, and nothing takes us back to moments like a photograph. Whether you are looking for panoramas photos of the Hollywood, pictures of Ciro's Nightclub, or the famous Hollywood Canteen, the hollywoodphotographs.com collection is your best source. This collection, also, has amassed the largest number of photographs of the Hollywood Sign and Hollywood restaurants and nightclubs.

Hollywood Walk Of Fame Pictures

2011-07-19T21:12:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME PICTURES Many times people look around a room, a blog, or some project they are working on and realize that what they are missing is a sense of history. A certain something that ties them to the past, and nothing takes us back to moments like a photograph. Even if the person or place depicted is never known personally we this connection through the image, and this is never more true than when the subject is the magically place where movies come from, and have been made for generations. Looking for your own personal Hollywood walk of fame pictures shouldn't hard or overly expensive. Hollywood walk of fame pictures can create the atmosphere you are looking for, inexpensive and without any hassle. Whether you are looking for the landscape of the town, the glittering interiors of theaters, or the people who built the town there are high quality photos that offer glimpses into this fascinating history. For your own Hollywood walk of fame pictures, look to hollywoodphotographs.com. This collection is the largest archive of photographs on the subject of Hollywood. There are over 6000 historic photos of Hollywood on the site, which includes over 335 pictures of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Some of Hollywood's most popular celebrities have been honored by the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They include such stars as Paul Anka, Gene Autry, James Caan, Dyan Cannon and Marguerite Chapman. These Hollywood Walk of Fame pictures, along with hundreds of others, are available for purchase at hollywoodphotographs.com. This doesn't have to cost a fortune, and you can still have very realistic pieces of this glamorous and marvelous past that was Hollywood. Even those periods and events you have trouble finding might be someplace you can purchase them for your Hollywood walk of fame pictures.Often forgotten in the history of Hollywood, was that many careers started in this town not on movie sets, but in front of microphones. Radio was as huge an industry in its day as television, as those shows not recorded or broadcasted in New York, were center stage in Hollywood. It might seem unlikely for a buff that images would be available for sale from this time for your own Hollywood walk of fame pictures, but many do exist. Some are candid shots taken during recordings while others show cast and crew gather for picture, but all waiting to be remembered again in your Hollywood walk of fame pictures collection. Some places like people are lost to history and can only be recalled in photos. Places of splendor like the Chinese Theater which for so many reasons, and for some years was the place to go when visiting Hollywood is now gone except in detailed photos that often also depict the shining stars that were attracted to it's unique style. In your own Hollywood walk of fame pictures a photo or two of this American icon of a hotspot would arrest immediate attention. Look for the history when building a collection of Hollywood walk of fame pictures. One good place to find some special photos for your Hollywood walk of fame pictures is hollywoodphotographs.com. Specialists in the location and timeframe you are looking for can speed you to finding the quality and price range for photos that you are seeking for you Hollywood walk of fame pictures. The history and memories that are missing from your living room, or you business can be acquired easily and without breaking your budget.

Walk Of Fame Images

2011-07-19T21:13:00-07:00

WALK OF FAME IMAGES The stars from Hollywood Boulevard can shine anywhere. Anyone interested in the world of entertainment, and especially in the remarkable talents that have come from this city where magic is known to happen. That magic did happen to a number of people like Walter Mathau, Bette Midler, Wayne Newton and Dolly Parton who had their names placed in the Hollywood Walk of Fame. All of them started out as ordinary people, but their talent brought them an everlasting place as walk of fame images. Traveling to Hollywood, California isn't necessary to view and purchase walk of fame images. Even in quick snapshots there seems to be a glow to certain actors, actors, singers, musicians, or comedians. In the stills, the professional candid shots, and the staged photographs there is a glimpse of something more. A personality that shines, or a certain charisma, and this is what anyone can see in walk of fame images. More than pieces of history, these images of the past ignite the imagination reminding us of different times, and the glamour of the 1930's, 1940's and the 1950's Hollywood. While those days will never live again, they are frozen in time walk of fame images. These photographs are of good quality, lend a unique style and wonder to offices, theaters, or in the home of a movie buff. Naturally, for anyone who wants to remember this time in print, refer to places, or people or the past a picture is worth a thousand words. Finding those works that are available for commercial and still fit into the walk of fame images style can be difficult. Those that might work either for the starring subject, or for the geographical location are often not up to the standards a writer, publisher, or Internet site requires. Finding the right place to locate where these shots are available can be time consuming unless it is possible to locate one business with all the suitable walk of fame images required. One company that does offer good quality walk of fame images as physical photos or rendered digitally is Hollywoodphotographs.com. When looking for photos of 'tinsel town' it is common to find only limited varieties, but those who specialize can offer much more. Having an agreement made quickly regarding commercial use is certainly as bonus to avoid complications later. Always look for those offering commercial use of walk of fame images to be upfront and clear on the pricing. When looking to create a unique and timeless style from walk of fame images it is best to avoid the so-called 'free' images found on the Internet. When searching through walk of fame images check for the name of the photographer. Often these photos, which are supposedly 'free' have been unfairly borrowed from a stock of commercial photos. This can hurt the reputation of any business found to be using them commercial without permission, and can also result in legal complications. Authentic walk of fame images do not have to be costly to spark the imagination and bring back a time a of classic sophistication and style. The largest collection of Walk of Fame images is hollywoodphotographs.com with 335 images

Walk Of Fame Photos

2011-07-19T21:14:00-07:00

PLEASE CLICK ON WALK OF FAME PHOTOS TO SEE PHOTOS WALK OF FAME PHOTOS The town that brought the world the likes of Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, and Bette Davis has always served as a beacon of hope. Whenever America is down Hollywood will respond with inspiration. This glittering town is full of remarkable images and most of them are on film in one way or another, including those special ones, which stand as walk of fame photos. These are the pictures that might depict a star, or theater or restaurant that represents a time in history when a fresh start was needed and found in Hollywood. Celebrities like Paul Newman, John Ritter, Michael Jackson, Connie Stevens and Lindsey Wagner all had what it took to be included in a walk of fame photos collection, but there are many more. There are many reasons to need a certain walk of fame photos collection put together. An individual or business might need that call of motivation and encouragement for a number of projects or as a matter of style. Walk of fame photos generate strong emotions for everyone who sees them because of their familiarity, and an instant recognition. Places like Grauman's Chinese Theater, and the many huge cinemas where spotlights once advertised openings are known at a glance by Americans or those from other countries even if they have never been near Hollywood. This is the criteria for walk of fame photos, and it is surprising how many are available. The trick is to know where to find the best at a good price. Quality and the uniqueness is what a collector or business needs for a true walk of fame photos collection. Avoiding those pictures that free for the taking on the Internet is always best since often they are of poor quality, and those that do show a photographer's gift are frequently not the property of those who are offering the photos. Especially if the walk of fame photos will be used for commercial purposes, it is important to the true origin of the pictures in order to avoid a legal complication. The expensive of having to pay for photographers after the fact is often greater than having made an agreement before using them. Business that specialize in high quality photos such as Hollywoodphotographs.com offer the name of the photographer and a stated fee for commercial use of walk of fame photos. Specialists such as this often have a wider array of images to create a walk of fame photos collection, as well as many ways to display them. Standard sizes are usually possible as either landscape or portrait type photos. For example, often duplicates of original pictures can be rendered as digital. Digital walk of fame photos are often so clear it seems the photographer's subject might take a breath. It is possible to have some companies that specialize in Hollywood walk of fame photos can send these out to customers either through standard mail, or through email via a jpg attachment. Hollywood walk of fame photos can give any home, business, or other endeavor the charismatic charm of Hollywood.

Walk Of Fame Pics

2011-07-19T21:15:00-07:00

PLEASE CLICK ON WALK OF FAME PICS. TO SEE PHOTOS WALK OF FAME PICS For those looking to either expand their personal collection (which is always a good idea) or for those in need of pictures to use in a film or other professional endeavor, Hollywood Photographs has all the pictures you need and much, much more. Founded in 1972, Bruce Torrence started out with a mere thirty pictures detailing Hollywood's long and fascinating history. Over the course of the forty years, he amassed several thousand more. That's a whopping collection to be sure. Torrence collected pictures covering the famous Hollywood Boulevard, the Hollywood Bowl, the Roosevelt Hotel, the Egyptian Theater and more. To be certain, he amassed over 300 photos of the Walk of Fame. Walk of fame pics are easy to find if you simply take a moment and log on to Hollywoodphotographs.com. The collection includes such stars as Burt Reynolds, voluptuous Jayne Mansfield, Colin Firth, Reese Witherspoon and comedian George Carlin. We're likely to have a walk of fame pic of anyone who has made you laugh, cry or feel any other kind of complex emotion. The Walk of fame pics we have were shot perfectly, too. They're even-centered and feature your favorite celebrity smiling broadly for the camera. As you can tell already, we here at Hollywood Photographs are good at what we do, and take much pride in it. We have from the start. But that's not the only reason why you should patronize us for all of your Walk of fame pics needs. At this company we know what's most important is making you, our beloved customer, as happy as you can possibly be. That's why we focus on giving you the best customer care in the industry. If you choose to visit our web presence, the first thing you'll notice is how clean, minimalist and easy-to-navigate it is. We make it that way on purpose, of course. We want you to be able to get to wherever you need to go in just a few short clicks. Click on whatever piece of Hollywood's history fascinates you the most and enjoy the riveting photographic tour that awaits you. You'll be baffled at how many photos could have been accumulated. It's was the dedication of hollywoodphotographs.com founder Bruce Torrence. So you take advantage of someone else devoted to his craft doing all of the work for you. Here you have a compendium, access to everything you need and more. Pick what you like, order it, and enjoy in short order the riches you receive in the mail. If, instead, you decide to call us, that's just fine, too. You're welcome to ask us any and all the questions you have-common and obscure. Call now and order the Walk of fame pics that you need. You won't be disappointed.

Walk Of Fame Pictures

2011-07-19T21:16:00-07:00

PLEASE CLICK ON WALK OF FAME PICTURES TO SEE PHOTOS WALK OF FAME PICTURES Hollywoodphotographs.com is the place for you if you're in search of walk of fame pictures. As your one-stop-shop for all the photos of Hollywood you could conceivably need, weve got over six thousand of them. We have over 300 photos of the Walk of Fame. Who else can offer you that many walk of fame pictures, exactly? No one.Hollywood Photographs has got a selection that dwarfs everyone else's because it started out early and never stopped. Its founder, Bruce Torrence, started collecting pictures, about thirty to be more specific, all the way back in 1972. Over the course of the next quarter century, he amassed thousands more. That's a lot of pictures of just one city. hollywoodphotographs.com has pictures of Hollywood Boulevard before it became the hectic, congested pathway that it is today. He got pictures of Griffith Observatory, of the La Brea Tar Pits, of the Egyptian Theater, of the Roosevelt Hotel, of the Chinese Theater, of the Hollywood Bowl of just about every major landmark in all of Los Angeles. And his walk of fame pictures are no less than stellar. Say you're looking for walk of fame pictures of Julie Andrews, famous for her role in 'The Sound of Music' all those years ago. We have them. Say, instead, you're looking for walk of fame pictures of musician Herb Alpert; we've got those, too. We have walk of fame pictures of George Burns, Carol Channing, Ray Charles, the Beach Boys, Bill Cosby, Tom Cruise, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and many, many more. There aren't likely walk of fame pictures that exist that we don't have; we can tell you that much. Even more than this excellent selection of walk of fame pictures is our customer care. We're known all across the country for our outstanding customer care. ccc That's because we understand that, especially in this terrible economy, we've got to do everything we can to earn and keep over the course of many years your loyal patronage. This is, of course, one of the reasons why we offer you two ways to contact us. You can either give us a ring, at which point you'll find a helpful, knowledgeable, friendly staff member to help you get you all the photos, whether walk of fame pictures or not, that you need. Or, you can always visit us online anytime at all at Hollywoodphotographs.com. There, you'll be able to read about how we got started (Bruce Torrence was a brilliant man) and how we expanded over the course of these last decades to be the country's definitive shop for all photos pertaining to Hollywood history. Walk of fame pictures are just some of what we have to offer you here at hollywoodphotographs.com. If you take even a quick look at our wide and varied selection, you'll know just how seriously we take our work. Contact us and obtain all the photos you need now.

2010 Hollywood Walk of Fame Ceremonies

2011-07-31T13:05:00-07:00

2010 HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME CEREMONIES HONOR 31 INDUCTEES The Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies, for the year 2010, honored some of the entertainment industry’s most popular celebrities. They included the following personalities. Photographs of many of these Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies can be viewed on and purchased from hollywoodphotographs.com Christine Aguilera Tinker Bell Chris Berman Andrea Bocelli Mel Brooks Russell Crowe Bruce Dern Laura Dern Dennis Hopper Anjelica Huston Alan Jackson Ben Kingsley Diane Ladd Guy Laliberte Julia Louis-Dreyfus Bill Maher Alan Menken Doug Morris Randy Newman Roy Orbison Gweneth Paltrow Louis Prima Rush Shrek Marco Antoino Solis Ringo Starr Emma Thompson Mark Wahlberg Sam Waterson Reese Witherspoon Hans Zimmer

Walk The Walk Of Fame

2011-08-12T10:44:00-07:00

WALK THE WALK OF FAME There's one great way to see the biggest stars in Hollywood - over 2,400 of them - and that's to take a stroll on the legendary Walk of Fame, also know as the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Every year more than 10 million people take the 2 ½ mile journey along Hollywood Boulevard, and this year the Walk of Fame is celebrating its 50th Anniversary by paying tribute to the famous and fabulous from movies, television, theatre, radio and music. Celebrations started earlier this year on the official anniversary date, February 8, with the rare night time unveiling of a star for a Starr - Ringo from The Beatles - near George Harrison's on Vine Street in front of Capitol Records. John Lennon's star was moved there recently too, and the plan is that Paul's star will join them to make up the Fab Four. The original concept for the Walk of Fame was attributed to E.M. Stuart who wanted to resurrect the glamor and excitement of Hollywood past. Little did they know that half a century later it would be the #1 attraction in Hollywood and one of the biggest in Los Angeles. The first eight stars were installed simultaneously at Hollywood and Highland - the first celebrity to pose by a Walk of Fame star actress Joan Woodward. It was such a success that members of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce celebrated the unveiling of the first 'official star' - that of producer Stanley Kramer - at Hollywood and Gower in 1960. Since then thousands and thousands of photographs have been taken of these Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies. The largest collection of the sought after images is hollywoodphotographs.com. There are over 335 photos of inductees, including Sidney Poitier, Alan Jackson, Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz, Clayton Moore, Anne Murray, George Peppard and John Ritter. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is responsible of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There are few mysteries about the Walk of Fame, and the Chamber’s website Hollywood Walk of Fame even explains how people can be nominated for a star. The Chamber receives around 200 nominations a year, and as long as they have the written support of the celebrity and his/her management (and $25,000 to spare for the cost of installation) the nominee is eligible for induction. Around 20 or so stars are awarded each year, including posthumous ones. At the July 'Walk The Walk' celebration for the 50th Anniversary, the late big band leader Louis Prima was honored, and there was a performance by Louis Prima Jr and The Witnesses. The day-long event showcased the five categories of stars - live theatre, motion picture, television, recording and radio - and thousands lined up to enjoy music, screenings, exhibits and a look behind-the-scenes at the Hollywood & Highland Center, Egyptian Theater, Capitol Records, Hollywood History Museum, the TV Guide Studios and the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre. One of the most popular events was a rare 'open house' tour at the distinctive, circular Capitol Records building. Visitors could take a peek into Studio A, which had equipment used by Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, and gaze at the walls lined with memorabilia, photos and gold and platinum albums. As for installing the actual stars in the sidewalk, you might be surprised to learn that they don't come in a ready-made paving slab. The actual 'star-making' has always been a family business, and Travis is the grandson of Italian-American Biaggio Paternostro, who laid the very first star. Discover Hollywood magazine joined him at a recent installation, where he explained that earlier that morning he'd welded the brass alloy star and name. After getting to grips with a jackhammer and destroying the selected square of sidewalk, he adds a layer of cement and sand before the star, name and emblem are placed on top: The eye-catching pink terrazzo (Italian for 'terrace') is made of 'aggregates' like marble, coral, shells or glass (they're the flecks in the slab) and then blended with either cement or epoxy as a binder. This allows the terrazzo to be customized and finished on site, and better still, it's around 70% recycled materials. In November, 2010 there was a Grand Gala at Hollywood and Highland. The Chamber promised a spectacular, one-of-a kind event to celebrate this world famous landmark: All the living Walk of Famers were invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Many showed up including, Pat Boone, Barbara Eden, Tippi Hedren, Anne Jeffreys, Tyne Daly, Arlene Dahl, Della Reese and Connie Stevens.

Earl Carroll Theater History and Photographs

2011-08-15T07:22:00-07:00

EARL CARROLL THEATER HISTORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS EARL CARROLL THEATER One of New York's most popular shows was Earl Carroll's 'Vanities' revue. The production, which ran from 1923 to 1936 was, in actuality, a refined burlesque show and was continuously raided by the police. Closing and reopening began to take its financial toll. with his fortune ebbing because of high court and production costs, Earl Carroll left New York. After arriving in Hollywood in 1956 and finding sufficient financial backing, he opened the Earl Carroll Theater at Sunset Boulevard and Argyle Street on December 26, 1938. Opening nightwas one of the most dazzling events Hollywood had ever seen. Countless celebrities and professional leaders attended the colorful premiere, while hundreds of spectators stood outside the theater to watch their favorite stars drive up to the entrance. The star-studded pageant included such personalities as Marlene Dietrich, Delores Del Rio, Richard Bartholemew, Tyrone Power, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Edgar Bergin, Robert Taylor, Errol Flynn, Franchot Tone, Claudette Colbert, and many others. The production, which emphasized the beauty of the partially-clad female form, boasted of a cast of 60 showgirls. Carroll, who meticulously selected each of the cast members, adopted the slogan ‘through these doors pass the most beautiful girls in the world'. This motto later became inscribed in neon lights on the outside of the theater. The show, headed by Beryl Wallace, be- came an immediate success and later developed such personalities as Yvonne DeCarlo, Jean Wallace, Sheree North, Lucille Ball and Marie MacDonald. Carroll's colossal theater, which could accommodate 1,160 customers, was lit by 10,000 neon tubes which were suspended from a patent-leather ceiling. with an elevated revolving stage, there was not a bad seat in the house. For $2.50, and ‘later $3.50, the customer received a tine dinner, danced, and witnessed one of the most spectacular and lavish revues in show business history. Slightly less than a decade after it was started, the production came to a tragic end when Earl Carroll and Beryl Wallace were killed in an airplane accident in Pennsylvania on June l7, 1948. The theater was sold following the 1948 deaths of Earl Carroll and Beryl Wallace.The theater continued to operate, but in the 1950s fell on hard times. Beginning in 1953, for a while it operated as a under the name, the 'Moulin Rouge' by Las Vegas showman Frank Sennes. During part of its run (1956–1964), the popular TV game show Queen for a Day was broadcast from this venue.[1] After changing hands it eventually became the 'Hullabaloo' Rock and Roll club, capitalizing on the popularity of the television variety show Hullabaloo. It then became the 'Aquarius Theater' in the late 1960s and was used as a venue for the long running musical Hair and made famous as the place where The Doors performed on July 21, 1969 PHOTOGRAPHS The largest collection of Earl Carroll Theater photographs is hollywoodphotographs.com. There are over 6000 photos of historic Hollywood and scores of images of the Earl Carroll Theater and it's performers. All photographs are available for purchase. Simply go to hollywoodphotographs.com and view all the great photographs

Barnsdall Park History and Photographs

2011-08-14T11:56:00-07:00

BARNSDALL PARK HISTORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS OLIVE HILL BECOMES BARNSDALL PARK Long before the cultural movement was to strike Los Angeles, Aline Barnsdall purchased Olive Hill on June 3, 1919, for the purpose or establishing an art center. The property, consisting of thirty-six acres bounded by Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, Vermont Avenue and Edgemont Street, had been given its name in the 1890s by J.H. Spires, who planted the area extensively with olivetrees. The panoramic view from the top of Olive Hill was spectacular. Miss Barnsdall, a millionnairess due to her father's oil interest, had long been interested in the arts, and from 1916 to 1919 operated the Little Theater at Pico and Figueroa Streets. Determined to make Los Angeles the cultural center of America, Miss Barnsdall commissioned Prank Lloyd Wright as the architect for the project. She planned to build a residence for herself which Wright assured her would be all that 'poetry in form' could imply, a symphony in an “edifice of sound'. She prenamed the house Hollyhock and asked wright to render her favorite flower as a feature of the home's architecture. This he did with abstract hollyhocks, cast in concrete and repeated throughout the design of the structure. In addition, she planned to build a theater, art gallery and library. Construction began in the fall of 1919 with Wright’s eldest son, Lloyd, directing the building of Hollyhock House. with the help of Lloyd, Aline Barnsdall planted pine groves on the hill behind the house and great masses of eucalyptus to enclose them. When the house was finished, some described it as Mayan in influence however, Lloyd Wright said that his father developed it to reflect a mesa silhouette as originated by the Pueblo Indians. In January, 1921, a director's house, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, was built on the northeast corner of the hill. Eight months later, a guest house, also Wright designed, was built on the westside overlooking Edgemont Street. From the late 1800s, many photographs had been taken of Olive Hill and Barnsdall Park and Hollyhock House. For personal reasons, Aline Barnsdall decided, in 1923, to donate ten acres, including the Hollyhock House, to the City of Los Angeles. The City Council considered the gift, but because of too many conditions, it was refused. This marked the first of many battles between Miss Barnsdall and the City. Three years later, she again offered the ten acres to the City. This time, through an intermediary, the California Art Club, the gift was accepted on January 6, 1927. Miss Barnsdall reserved for herself, the guest house and the northeast corner of the hill. The millionnairess submitted a plan to the City in February, 1931, by which it could acquire, by lease and loan option basis, the remaining eighteen acres on Olive Hill. The City was ready to accept the offer when a property owner's group, fearing increased taxes, stormed Mayor Porter's office in protest. Despite his feeling,that to turn down the offer would be a mistake, Mayor Porter failed in his attempt to convince the City Council to accept the benevolent gesture. Upset with rejection, Miss Barnsdell left for Paris. Upon returning to Los Angeles, she constructed several‘ large billboards on the property on which she posted messages demanding that the City lease her property. They never did. Later the signs were used to convey her sentiments on a variety of subjects. REHABILITATION Due to some serious structural deterioration, a major rehabilitation initiated in 1974 provided improvements and repairs that helped restore much of the building’s original appearance. In 1989, the autumnal color scheme of Aline Barnsdall’s day was recreated in the living room, and in 1990 Wright’s custom designed living room furniture was replicated and installed in its proper location. Research and restoration remain active priorities for the future. Today, surrounded by a modern theater, galleries and studios, Hollyhock House comes closer than ever before to realizing its original purpose as the centerpiece of a functioning arts complex. Hollyhock House has been named one of the most significant structures of the 20th century by The American Institute of Architects and achieved National Historic Landmark recognition in 1997. The house attracts thousands of visitors annually, who come from around the world to acknowledge its place in the cultural and architectural history of Los Angeles. BARNSDALL PARK PHOTOGRAPHS There are about a dozen rare photographs of Barnsdall Park and Hollyhock on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. Hollywoodphotographs.com is the largest collection of photographs on the subject of Hollywood and all the photos are available for purchase. With over 6000 images on the web site, there's bound to be a photograph you would like to have.

Brown Derby Restaurant History And Photographs

2011-08-14T04:31:00-07:00

BROWN DERBY RESTAURANT HISTORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS HISTORY One of Hollywood's finest and most popular restaurants, The Brown Derby, was opened on Valentines Day, l929, at 1628 North Vine Street in a building especially erected by Cecil B. Dellille. Founded by Herbert K. Somborn, he hired Robert H. Cobb as combination steward, buyer, cashier and occasional cook. After Somborn's death in 1934, Cobb was made president and general manager. Shortly thereafter, he became the owner. With a collection of caricatures of movie stars hanging on the walls, and excellent cuisine, the Derby became immensely popular with both the motion picture personalities and the general public. At lunchtime, stars in costume and make-up would rush in from the sets to entertain triends or be interviewed by writers. Young movie hopefuls would eat frugally on money scrimped for the occasion, hoping to catch the eye of a studio executive looking for 'just the type“. The Brown Derby can take credit, or the blame, for the introduction of telephones at tables during meal times. A loudspeaker system for paging and phone lines to each table were installed so that busy executives would not have to interrupt a luncheon. The number of times an agent or ad man was paged came to indicate the degree of popularity and from time to time. these calla had been tabulated and theresults circulated as the 'Derby Derby'. Aside from its luncheon and dining popularity, the Derby was a favorite 'after hours spot' with Hollywood’s entertainers. Clark Gable and Carole Lombard were regular customers. Countless other stars including, Ann Sheridan, Rita Hayworth, Randolph Scott, Lucille Ball, Tom Mix, Jack Oakie and Carole Landis ate at the famous restaurant. After an exciting evening of dining and dancing at the Coconut Grove, or attending the theater, Hollywood‘s socialitea would finish the evening's activities by stopping by the Brown Derby to have a cup of its famous onion soup. Robert Cobb continued to own and operate the Hollywood Brown Derby until his death in 1970, at which time the restaurant passed to his lovely wife, Sally. The world famous Hollywood Brown Derby and the Beverly Hills Brown Derby remained under her ownership and control until she sold them in 1975 to Walter P. Scharfe. Scharfe continued to operate the both restaurants until 1982, when he sold the Beverly Hills eatery. The Hollywood Brown Derby closed its doors in 1985, when he was unable to negotiate the renewal of his lease on the Vine St. restaurant. For the next two years, the building had been vacant and the home of many vagrants. In September, 1987 a fire broke out which completely destroyed the once famous restaurant. It was, later, determined that the fire had been intentionally set. A few years later, the building was completely, torn down. In 1987, Walter Scharfe opened a new Brown Derby Restaurant on the northwest corner of Hollywood Blvd. & Vine St. Considerably smaller than its famous predecessor, the new eatery served many of the popular dishes that made the Brown Derby name so well known. Unfortunately, the new restaurant only lasted a few years before it closed its doors. BROWN DERBY RESTAURANT PHOTOGRAPHS The largest collection of photographs, on the subject of Hollywood, is hollywoodphotographs.com. There are over 6000 Hollywood photographs on the web site and, also, scores of photos of all four Brown Derby restaurants. All photographs, in the collection, are available for purchase.

Brown Derby Restaurant

2011-07-13T13:50:00-07:00

BROWN DERBY RESTAURANTS FOUR BROWN DERBY RESTAURANTS Most people think there was only one Brown Derby Restaurant - the Hollywood Brown Derby. But actually, there were four. The first was built on Wilshire Blvd and was in the shape of a derby hat. The second one, and certainly the most popular, was located on Vine Street, in Hollywood. The third was on Wilshire Blvd., in Beverly Hills, and the fourth was on Los Feliz Bllvd. in the Los Feliz area of Hollywood. Opened on Valentine’s Day, 1929, the Hollywood Brown Derby building erected by Cecil B. de Mille. With a collection of caricatures of movie stars hanging on the walls and excellent cuisine, the Derby became immensely popular with both motion picture personalities and the general public. The Brown Derby introduced the use of telephones at tables during mealtime. Telephone lines, to each table, were installed so busy executives could conduct business while dining. The Cobb Salad was first introduced at the Brown Derby. The Derby continued as one of Hollywood's finest restaurants, closing its doors in the early 1980s after over 50 years of service. GET CLASSIC BROWN DERBY RESTAURANT PHOTOGRAPHS If you are in need of classic Brown Derby Restaurant photos, either for personal or commercial use, please contact www.hollywoodphotographs.com. This collection is the largest photographic and reference collection on the subject of Hollywood. The collection contains thousands of photographs which date from 1880 to 1987. During the past twenty years, the collection has been used by numerous businesses and individuals, including Steven Spielberg, Disneyworld, Paramount Pictures and many authors, researchers and publishers. Their website is very user friendly and offers the viewer an insight to Hollywood's illustrious history

Jennifer Aniston Honored at Chinese Theater

2011-08-11T13:47:00-07:00

JENNIFER ANISTON HONORED AT CHINESE THEATER Actress Jennifer Aniston sank her hands and feet into the cement in the forecourt of the Chinese Theater in Hollywood on Thursday, one day before the release of her latest film, Horrible Bosses. 'All actors who want to do this, it's really, really fun, but you really have to want to do it, because there's all sorts of stuff that comes along with it,'' the 42-year-old Aniston told the crowd gathered along Hollywood Boulevard. 'But man, I have to tell you, I never in my wildest dreams thought that I'd be sticking my body in cement.'' Aniston, who rose to fame playing Rachel on the hit sitcom Friends, was joined at the ceremony by her boyfriend Justin Theroux. She joins some of Hollywood’s most popular and legendary celebrities who, also placed their hands, footprints and signatures in the world famous Chinese Theater Forecourt. Others stars who were also immortalized in the forecourt’s cement include, Margaret O’Brien, Sidney Poitier, James Stewart, Anthony Quinn, Lana Turner and Sid Grauman, owner of the Chinese Theater. Jennifer was on February 11, 1969 in Sherman Oaks, California. The daughter of soap opera star John Aniston and actress Nancy Dow, Jennifer began appearing in stage productions in the late 1980s. She attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of the Performing Arts, where she was active in drama. After several minor film and television roles, Aniston hit Hollywood gold playing Rachel Green on the hit NBC sitcom Friends. She stayed with Friends for ten years, until the show ended in 2004.She won both a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award during her tenure on the show. Aniston has also been a big-screen career, often alternating between small, independent films like Office Space and 2002's The Good Girl and big-budget movie like the Jim Carrey’s film “Bruce Almighty”. Recent films include 2004's Along Came Polly opposite Ben Stiller, Derailed and Rumor Has It. In 2006, she continued her mix of filmmaking styles with the ensemble production Friends with Money, which opened at Cannes, and the blockbuster romantic film The Break-Up Aniston starred in Marley & Me alongside Owen Wilson in 2008. Jennifer was married to actor Brad Pitt in 2000; the couple divorced in 2005 following speculation that Pitt had an affair with co-star Angelina Jolie. The largest collection of Chinese Theater photos is hollywoodphotographs.com.. In addition there are photographs of the hand and footprint ceremonies and theater premieres.

Hollywood Canteen Entertainers

2011-08-08T12:43:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN ENTERTAINERS Over the course of its three years, the Hollywood Canteen entertained millions of servicemen with the best singers, dancers, actors, actresses, comedians and radio personalities in show business. There were at two floor shows each night, one for each shift fo volunteers, that lasted approximately 45 minutes. Some people nabbed tables, but the larger mass of soldiers, hostesses, and other volunteers sat down on the dance floor or stood along the perimeter of the room, relishing Hollywood's cream of the crop entertainers. SINGERS Such singers as Ginny Simm s, Jane Powell, Martha Tilton, Deanna Durbin, Dinah Shore, Irene Manning, Lena Horne, Kate Smith, Andrew Sisters, Claudette Colbert and Frank Sinatra, and countless others wowed the boys whenever they appeared. The Andrew Sisters kept things lively with 'Boogoe Woogie Bugle Boy of Comany B' while Roy Roger version of 'Don't Fence Me In' had the servicemen clapping and whistling. When she wasn't overseas herself, Marlene Dietrich was up on the Hollywood Canteen stage as often as possible. Her low-pitched, seductive, 'Hello Boys', was always greeted by boisterous cheers that subsided only to hear Dietrich render her signature songs as, 'Boys In The Back Room' and the rousing 'Lili Marlene'. DANCERS It wasn't only the outstanding performers which made the Hollywood Canteen shows so popular: it was also the variety of the entertainment. There was a diverse array of singers to please the servicemen -- as it was with the footwork styles and the distinctive personalities of the dancers like Fay McKenzie, Ann Miller, Ted Lewis, Bill Robinson, Volez and Yolanda and the NTG girls from the Florentine Gardens nightclub. COMEDIANS And there was no more sure fire way to relax a young Marine, or to cheer up a homesick sailor, than with the Canteen's eclectic roster of comedians. Just a sampling included Bob Hope, Eddie Cantor, Joe E. Brown, Ken Murray, Marie Wilson, George Burns and Gracie Allen. The Hollywood Canteen had a perfect audience for the Abbot and Costello's 'Who's On First' sketch. The servicemen also got a kick out of Danny Kaye, Red Skelton and Phil Silvers. Occasionally, Ken Murray, who produced and starred with Marie Wilson, in Ken Murray's 'Blackouts' at the El Capitan Theater on Vine Street would broadcast his variety show from the Hollywood Canteen. Bob Hope would also, occasionally, broadcast his radio show from the Canteen's stage. BANDS In addition to the singers, dancers, comedians and other entertainers, more than four hundred bands delighted countless servicemen. Some of the most popular included Freddie Martin, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Carmen Cavallero, Benny Goodman and Kay Kyser. Kyser and his band were the most regular, playing nearly every Saturday night, even if it meant flying to Hollywood from his other gigs around the country. There was no place in the country where anyone, civilians or servicemen, could see such a variety of fabulous talent. Other personalities that got up on stage to entertain the visiting servicemen. Columnist Louella Parsons, Betty Grable, Mickey Rooney, Rita Hayworth, Jimmy Durante were just a few of the hundreds of Hollywood Canteen entertainers. HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN PHOTOGRAPHS Photographs of scores of Hollywood Canteen entertainers are on the website, hollywoodphotographs.com. It is the largest collection of photographs on the subject of Hollywood, including the Hollywood Canteen. All photographs are available for sale.

Hollywood Bowl Pictures

2011-07-19T21:04:00-07:00

PLEASE CLICK ON HOLLYWOOD BOWL PICTURES TO SEE PHOTOS HOLLYWOOD BOWL PICTURES EARLY HOLLYWOOD BOWL HISTORY The Bowl officially opened on July 11, 1922 on the site of a natural amphitheater formerly known as the Daisy Dell.At first, the Bowl was very close to its natural state, with only makeshift wooden benches for the audience, and eventually a simple awning over the stage. In 1926, a group known as the Allied Architects was contracted to regrade the Bowl, providing permanent seating and a shell. These improvements provided increased capacity but were otherwise disappointing, as the regrading noticeably degraded the natural acoustics, and the original shell was deemed acoustically unsatisfactory. In 1927, Lloyd Wright designed a pyramidal shaped shell but its appearance was deemed too avant-garde, and it was demolished at the end of the season. For the 1929 season, the Allied Architects built the shell that stood until 2003. One of the annual events at the Hollywood Bowl is the popular Easter Sunrise service, where thousands of people come to pray. In the early years,many plays, such as Julius Caesar, were performed at the Hollywood Bowl. Until the mid-1920s, all the performances were held during the daytime, because of there wasn't any artificial lighting. The largest collection of Hollywood pictures is hollywoodphotographs.com. In addition to the 6000 photos on the web site, there are scores of historic Hollwood Bowl pictures for your viewing. If you want to add some personality and style to your home, and you love Hollywood history, you may want to consider some Hollywood Bowl pictures for yourself. This venue has been host to some of the best musical acts in the country and the building itself is something of a national landmark. Chances are you cannot simply walk into your nearest home, furnishing store or art store and find some Hollywood Bowl pictures. Once you find the Hollywood Bowl pictures you want, it's also a matter of using them properly in the house. As with any other type of decoration, you cannot simply purchase them and set them out and assume that they'll look appropriate in your home. You need to think about how you'll use your Hollywood Bowl pictures to really enhance your home's look and style without making it seem cluttered and busy.Obviously you may need to go online to find the Hollywood Bowl pictures you want. If you're looking for a certain concert or show that was held in this location, you may want to use those words in your search. This will mean finding what you need and finding it quickly and easily as well. If you don't use those terms in your search for Hollywood Bowl pictures you'll need to sort through many pointless sites and this makes your search much more tedious.Note that you have many options when it comes to Hollywood Bowl pictures as to their size and even their color. All the Hollywood Bowl pictures are in black and white and all are available for purchase. Simply go to hollywoodphotographs.com and view all the amazing Hollywood Bowl pictures.

Hollywood Blvd Pics

2011-07-19T21:03:00-07:00

PLEASE CLICK ON HOLLYWOOD BLVD. PICS TO SEE PHOTOS HOLLYWOOD BLVD. PICS Hollywood Blvd. was originally named Prospect Avenue and was the main street in the sleepy community known as Hollywood. Hollywood was incorporated, as a city of the sixth class, in 1903. Hollywood's city hall also shared by the police department.However, due to the lack of continued water supply and other municipal facilities, the residents voted to annex their small town to the city of Los Angeles. The last official act of Hollywood's Board of Trustees was to pass ordinance #440 on January 19, 1910, which change the name of Prospect Ave. to Hollywood Blvd.. Over the course of the following following 100 years, Hollywood Blvd. has seen been the venue for such events as the Hollywood Santa Claus Lane Parade and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Any local history buff will tell you that Hollywood's history is some of the most fascinating history in all of the United States. It fascinates not just for its diversity of ethnicity and economy, but also for its architecture and city development. Take Hollywood Blvd., for example. Is there any more storied street in the country? If you want to see the largest collection of Hollywood Blvd. pics, go to hollywoodphotographs.com. Hollywood Blvd. pics are the best way to learn how and when the street was developed. Take for example, the grading process that started all the way back in 1899. Its remarkable. You can see how the process was started and what the street looked like before it became so famous. There was greenery everywhere when it was barely populated. No book can tell you that much. Only Hollywood Blvd. pics can illustrate that for you. If you're looking for Hollywood Blvd. pics with major intersections in them. We have those, too. Pictures of Hollywood Blvd. and Gower or Hollywood Blvd. and Wilcox are plentiful. They too will provide an unprecedented look at what life in Hollywood was like at the time. It was far less populated and was marked by much more green and much less cement. Essentially, our Hollywood Blvd. pics can chronicle its history for you. We have pictures of buildings being erected as the years pass well into the next century. Youll see as it morphs from something more agricultural and into something far more urban and populated. Different photos taken at different points in time illuminate this piece of Hollywood's history like nothing else can. Simply because were one of the only institutions that can offers photos as valuable as these. Hollywoodphotographs.com. has excellent customer service. As a matter of fact, its a cornerstone of our growing, thriving business. Whatever your business or personal needs are, we can help you attain them. Hollywood Blvd. pics are just some of the many we offer. And we will offer them to you with a polite, skillful knowledgeable staff member on the other end of the line to help you with whatever needs you have. When you visit us online at Hollywoodphotos.com or call us, youll find no less than a stellar customer service experience awaiting you. No question is too obscure, and no request is too substantial. We will accommodate you in every way that we can here at Hollywoodphotographs.com.

Griffith Observatory Pictures

2011-07-19T21:02:00-07:00

PLEASE CLICK ON GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY PICTURES TO SEE PHOTOS GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY PICTURES Being a wealthy land developer Griffith J. Griffith bought out acres and acres of some of the city's finest land. At the top of the Los Feliz area, of course, he constructed Griffith Observatory. Construction began on June 20, 1933 and after, almost two years, the magnificent Griffith Observatory was completed in May, 1935 Today, hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the observatory's planetarium and look through large telescope. The Griffith Observatory was the one of the filming locations for the classic film 'Rebel Without A Cause', starring James Dean, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo. We happen to have some very fascinating and rare Griffith Observatory pictures. Our extensive collection of Griffith Observatory pictures is unrivaled either by another private collector or public institution. Hollywoodphotographs.com is the largest collection of photographs of Hollywood. No one, but no one, has a collection of Hollywood photos as we have amassed. Who collected these images and many, many more? Back in 1972, Bruce Torrence started with approximately thirty. Over time, his collection and passion only grew. With thousands of images accumulated over time, his pictures (including his Griffith Observatory pictures) have been used by such clients as Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Paramount Studios, Disney, and the Gene Autry Museum. If you want Griffith Observatory pictures from when it was initially being constructed in 1933, we here at Hollywoodphotographs.com have them. If you want Griffith Observatory pictures taken from airplanes, we have those, too. Suppose you want pictures of it taken upon completion. We can accommodate that request, too. Our shots, of just this one Hollywood institution alone, are many. You can make copies for your own personal enjoyment like many of our customers do. Or, you can find a way to incorporate them into your student or feature film. Either way, trust Hollywoodphotographs.com to help you get not only the best Griffith Observatory pictures, but also the best pictures of other major Hollywood landmarks in a timely, economical fashion. What's more, you can trust hollywoodphotographs.com to provide you with the best customer service in the industry. Just because we know the images we have are rare and can't necessarily be obtained from other companies, does not mean we are not keen to provide you with the best customer service available. When Hollywoodphotographs.com sets out to do a job, it sets out to do that job properly; no excuses. So when you visit us online at Hollywoodphotos.com or give us a ring, you'll find only the most skilled, knowledgeable customer service employee on the other end to help you get the images you want as quickly as possible.

GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY

2011-07-30T11:20:00-07:00

Hollywood's Enduring Superstar - The Griffith Observatory By: Rene LeBanc One of Hollywood's most enduring 'superstars' has yet to win a coveted star emblazoned on Hollywood Boulevard. This 'celebrity' is the Griffith Observatory, which has been a featured location in hundreds of movies and TV productions. It opened in 1935. Its motto is, 'Inspiring the future, one imagination at a time.' The observatory enables visitors from all over the world to explore the universe with high quality astronomical and scientific information and programs. VISITORS According to astronomer and author Dr. E. C. Krupp, who has been director of the Griffith Observatory since 1974, 'There really is no place on earth quite like it. It's the most visited observatory in the world.' More people have looked through its telescope than any telescope on the planet, he said. The internationally recognizable icon of Los Angeles has approximately one million visitors including 50,000 school children annually. 'This is where the stars are the stars. We should have a star on Hollywood Boulevard because we've been in so many movies. 'You have this building that lets you go eyeball to the universe. More people have looked through that telescope than any telescope on the planet. And more people have seen the sun live on our solar telescope than anywhere else on earth. 'That's what this place is about-observing. To be turned from a visitor into an observer is really the foundation of the Observatory. That process alters the way people behave. The idea is there's something valuable and remarkable about letting everybody have the opportunity to experience the greater cosmos. What this has to do with is not knowledge but with a kind of a transforming of an individual perspective and consciousness.' Dr. Krupp said, 'I know astronomers from other parts of the world who have come here have said this is the best public observatory in the world because of the way it looks, is executed, cared for…it has to do with a a zillion different things. Our Planetarium is the best in the world.' THE BEGINNING The Observatory, which opened in 1935, has had 67 million visitors. It is located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park and is operated by the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. People from around the world recognize the impressive architectural landmark not only from its film and television roles but also from its appearances in commercials, student productions, advertisements, comics, painting, street banners, souvenir postcard and more. For 70 years reporters have come to the Observatory to announce breaking discoveries in astronomy. Actor Leanord Nimoy`, best known for his Emmy-nominated role as Mr. Spock in the television and film versions of 'Star Trek', embarked on yet another outer space venture when he and his wife Susan Bay Nimoy contributed $1 million to the Observatory Renovation and Expansion Project which began in 2002 and was completed in 2006. Nimoy said, 'By observing the sky and pondering our place in the universe, people gain a new perspective on their daily lives.' The Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon 200 seat hall provides a venue for lectures, demonstrations and other activities that compliment the programming offered in the Planetarium Theater. OBSERVATORY ATTRACTIONS The Samuel Oschin Planetarium features state-of-the-art technologies to support scientific educational programming for audiences of all ages. Live planetarium programs are presented with a lecturer who can convey astronomical knowledge with enthusiasm and passion. The Star Projector is the most advanced in the world. It uses fiber-optics technology to deliver the most accurate and awe-inspiring planetarium dome full of stars anywhere. The computerized system provides a detailed view of the night sky filled with thousands of stars, and can be oriented to show what the sky looked like at any moment in human history. The dome of the planetarium creates a uniquely immersive experience and true-to- life recreation of a remote, luminous, and pristine sky. Theatrical consultants were used to design light and sound systems. Hugo Ballin Murals on the vaulted ceiling and upper walls of the W. M. Keck Foundation Central Rotunda are the observatory's greatest artistic treasure. The murals celebrates classical celestial mythology with images of Atlas, the four winds, the planets as gods, and the twelve constellations of the zodiac. On clear days each of the observatory's three solar telescopes provides a different real-time view of the sun, including sunspots and solar flares. Free Public Star Parties are held monthly at the Observatory enabling visitors to try out a variety of telescopes and look at the sun, moon, visible planets, and other objects. Griffith Observatory started as one man's vision for inspiring people through astronomy. Griffith J. Griffith gave Griffith Park to Los Angeles in 1896. He left money in his will in 1919 to build the Observatory and the Greek Theatre. MOVIES As for Griffith Observatory's further ties to Hollywood, it is perhaps best known for its appearance in the movie 'Rebel Without a Cause' starring James Dean and Natalie Wood. There's a bronze sculpture of Dean on the front lawn. In the pilot episode of the television show 'Adventures of Superman' the Observatory was shown as being on the planet Krypton. In the movie 'The Terminator' in 1984 Arnold Schwarzeneggar materialized from the future and walked across the Observatory's front lawn. All that is fantasy. But, as Griffith J. Griffith reportedly said after looking through the largest telescope in the world at Mount Wilson Observatory, 'Man's sense of values ought to be revised. If all mankind could look through that telescope it would change the world. GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY PHOTOGRAPHS Some of the earliest Griffith Park Observatory photographs can be found at hollywoodphotographs.com.

Let Us Inspire You With Walk Of Fame Pics

2011-08-05T06:40:00-07:00

PLEASE CLICK ON WALK OF FAME PICS TO SEE PHOTOS WALK OF FAME PICS Let Us Inspire You with Walk of Fame Pics Whether you are aspiring to be a star some day or are just looking to get yourself some memorabilia, walk of fame pics are great. When you see those famous celebrities, posing by their sidewalk stars, you can’t help but imagine yourself there. Wouldn’t it be great to see the sights and hear those sounds? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to go to watch Tom Cruise, Christine Aguilara, Shania Twain or Alec Baldwin having their star placed in the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Rather than attending these ceremonies you can look at Walk of Fame pics, in the hollywoodphotographs.com collection, to see these ceremonies There are few people alive today that can claim to have a collection with more than 300 Walk of Fame pics.. But through the walk of fame pics you can easily get yourself in the right frame of mind to imagine yourself there with them. The Walk of Fame pics on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site are available for viewing and purchase.

Hollywood Palladium Pictures

2011-07-19T21:07:00-07:00

PLEASE CLICK ON HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM PICTURES TO SEE PHOTOS HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM PICTURES HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM Los Angeles Times publisher, Norman Chandler funded the construction of the art deco Hollywood Palladium at a cost of $1.6 million in 1940. It was built where part of the original Paramount Studio lot once stood and is located between Argyle and El Centro avenues.The theater opened October 31, 1940 with a concert by Frank Sinatra and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. It had six bars serving liquor and two more serving soft drinks and a $1 cover charge and a $3 charge for dinner.Over the years, it has hosted the Emmy Awards, Grammy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, TV Land Awards, Toyah, The Greatful Dead, Beach Boys, Glenn Miller and his orchestra, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Barbara Streisand, Madonna, Backstreet Boys and hundreds of other entertainers. HOLLYWOOD PALLADIUM PICTURES The largest collection of Hollywood photographs is hollywoodphotographs.com. On the website are great and diverse types of Hollywood Palladium pictures. The easiest way to view Hollywood Palladium pictures is to go onto the internet and enter hollywoodphotographs.com. Then click on Browse Collection Now and then click on 'Palladium'. You will see photos that are quite rare. Among the Hollywood Palladium pictures are images of the front of the building showing the names of performers on the marquee. One picture shows Gene Krupa's name on the marquee; another shows that Glenn Miller and the Andrew Sisters performing at the Hollywood Palladium. There's also a photo of people dancing to the music performed by Tommy Dorsey. When you have someone on your gift list that loves Hollywood, movies or concerts you may want to consider some Hollywood Palladium pictures as gift ideas. There have been many shows and concerts performed at this famous landmark and anyone that is looking to add some personality and flair to their home or office may appreciate this images as part of their décor.When you start to search for Hollywood Palladium pictures you may not find many at a local retailer or art store, and searching online may become difficult and time consuming. If you know where and how to look and choose the images you want, this can make the process better and more effective. It's also good to think about the Hollywood Palladium pictures you want, how they'll be used, and the taste of the person on your gift list as well. This will help you to make a better decision overall. Here are some quick tips for finding the best Hollywood Palladium pictures for yourself or for that special someone on your gift list.

Hollywood Images

2011-07-19T21:06:00-07:00

PLEASE CLICK ON HOLLYWOOD IMAGES TO SEE PHOTOS HOLLYWOOD IMAGES STARTING HOLLYWOODPHOTOGRAPHS.COM Bruce Torrence began his Hollywood Image collection in 1972 with about thirty photographs. During the following forty years, Bruce amassed thousands of photographs, along with hundreds of books, periodicals, brochures, pamphlets and memorabilia of Hollywood. In 1979, Bruce's book, Hollywood: The First 100 Years, was published. This 286-page coffee table book was the first to chronicle the history of the world's most famous community. Fully indexed, this masterpiece is richly illustrated with 325 historic photographs, many of which had never previously been published. TODAY'S COLLECTION Today, this collection is the largest archive of Hollywood Images, with over 10,000 photos. With the advent of the internet, Bruce established his website, hollywoodphotographs.com, and today there are over 6000 images on the site. Individuals and companies, including Steven Spielberg, George Lukas, Disney, Gene Autry Museum, Paramount Studios, and the National WWII Museum have been great clients. Countless authors and publishers, including Architectural Digest, Discover Hollywood, Random House and more have purchased Hollywood Images from hollywoodphotographs.com. Some of the most popular subjects that are viewed and purchased include the Hollywood Sign images, Hollywood Walk of Fame images, Hollywood Canteen photographs, Chinese Theater photos and Hollywood Bowl pictures. PURCHASING HOLLYWOOD IMAGES Before you select the Hollywood images for your home or office, take the time to view all the categories that interest you. With over ninety subject categories from which to choose, you can find almost any historic image of Hollywood. Hollywoodphotographs.com's clients range those individuals who wish to have these great images in their home to many companies who have these images hanging on their walls. Images can be purchased in either digital form or actual negative generated photos. Digital images have been scanned at 300 dpi but higher resolution images are also available. No other collection has the number and quality of Hollywood Images as hollywoodphotos.com.

Chinese Theater Pics

2011-07-19T20:57:00-07:00

CHINESE THEATER PICS The largest collection of Chinese Theater pics is hollywoodphotographs.com. There are scores of fabulous photos of everything from a steamshovel digging the foundation for the theater to tourist looking at the many hand and footprints in the cement. There are many Chinese Theater pics of the front of the theater, the ushers, the interior and the remodeling that took place in 1979. One of the rare photos in the collection is of Charles Toberman and Sid Grauman. It was Toberman who built the Chinese Theater for Sid Grauman in 1927 The photos featured are printed in black and white, and are still of superb Quality. Included in the Chinese Theater pics are the pictures of the man behind the Chinese Theater, Mr. Sid Grauman. A few pictures of other people like Mr. Tedd Mann, Mr. Jerry Fairbanks, and Jesse Pizante (the official photographer) are also printed and posted for viewing. Other unique Chinese Theater photos have also been uploaded and the most magnificent is certainly the pictures of the ushers of the theater during its opening year in 1927. The male and female ushers of the theater during the premiere screening of Cecil B. DeMille's film, The King of Kings, have been dressed in the traditional Chinese costumes and have looked very fabulous, even in a black and white print. In a separate web site category titled, Hand and Footprint Ceremonies/Chinese Theater, are over 150 great photos of some of Hollywood’s greatest stars placing their hands and feet in the cement in the theater’s forecourt. There are photographs of such great celebrities as Julie Andrews, Fred Astaire, George Burns, Jackie Cooper, Doris Day, Rex Harrison, Susan Hayward, Dean Martin, Sophia Loren, Marliyn Monroe and Jane Russell, Gregory Peck, Clint Eastwood, Betty Grable and Helen Mirren. In a separate web site category, titled Premieres, are wonderful pictures of many celebrities attending spectacular movie premieres at many theaters, including the Chinese Theater. Some of these photographs include such stars as Clark Gable and his wife Kay, Dick Powell and June Allison, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Ann Miller, Rhonda Fleming, Mae West and Barbara Streisand. In addition, there are premiere photographs showing the front of the theater with searchlights crisscrossing to the sky. There are premiere photographs of such movies as the 1929 film “Moroco”, the 1930 movie “Hells Angels”, and the 1955 film “A Man Called Peter”. Because the majority of Chinese Theater pics are of a historic nature, almost all are in black and white. The photos are easily viewed by logging onto hollywoodphotographs.com and clicking on the Chinese Theater category. All photos are available for purchase for both personal and commercial use. We invite you visit hollywoodphotographs.com and look at more than 6000 historic photos of Hollywood. There are over ninety subject categories from which to view. It is the largest collection of photographs on the subject of Hollywood, including Chinese Theater pics.

Pantages Theater Pictures

2011-07-19T21:13:00-07:00

PLEASE CLICK ON PANTAGES THEATER PICTURES TO SEE PHOTOS PANTAGES THEATER PICTURES In the heart of Hollywood, on Hollywood Boulevard, right down the block from Vine Street, stands the Pantages Theater. It's a fitting location: The Pantages was one of the greatest landmarks of Hollywood, signifying both the glorious past and adventuresome future of the world's entertainment capital. The Pantages has a history as grand and diverse as the stage and screen fare which audiences have flocked to enjoy there for half a century. These days it's one of Los Angeles' leading homes of legitimate theater and a favorite 'location' for tv shows, movies and music videos. In the past, it has been a movie house, with live vaudeville acts between features as well as the site of many gala premieres and 'spectaculars.' For ten years the Pantages Theatre was the home of the glittering Academy Awards Presentations. The Pantages Theatre came to life on June 4, 1930, opened by the great impresario, Alexander Pantages as part of the Fox Theatre chain. The opening bill was mixed: MGM's The Floradora Girl, starring Marion Davies, an edition of Metronome News, a Walt Disney cartoon, Slim Martin ('The Maestro of Mirth and Melody') conducting the Greater Pantages Orchestra and finally, a Fanchon and Martin stage piece, The Rose Garden Idea. Howard Hughes, through RKO pictures, acquired the Pantages as part of his national chain of movie houses in 1949. A contractual stipulation ensured that the name of its builder would be retained and thus it entered the 1950s as the RKO Pantages. That was the decade when the Pantages played host to Hollywood's most spectacular annual event -- The Academy Awards, which were handed out to lucky winners (including Humphrey Bogart, Vivien Leigh and Frank Sinatra) on its stage each year from 1949 to 1959. Yul Brynner received his Best Actor award on the Pantages stage in 1956 for The King & I , and came back to the theatre twenty years later, again to star as the King of Siam, this time in a record-breaking run of the live show. Pacific Theatres, operated by the Forman family, purchased the Pantages from RKO in December, 1967, after having run the theatre for two years on a lease agreement. Pacific briefly closed the house down for refurbishing and a general relighting, something the theatre had needed for some time. The Pantages reopened, refreshed, again taking its place as one of the finest movie houses on the west coast and continued as such for nearly a decade. But in January, 1977 the silver screen went dark for the last time and work was begun on the Pantages' latest and greatest incarnation. On February 15, 1977, the Pantages opened its doors again, this time to patrons eager to see the national touring company of the Broadway smash, Bubbling Brown Sugar. The Forman family's Pacific Theatres had been joined by the Nederlander Organization and it was their ambition to bring live theatre back to Hollywood in a big way. The Nederlanders, among the nation's foremost theatrical impresarios, lent their monumental expertise to the task and under the combined Nederlander-Forman aegis, the Pantages opened as one of the finest legitimate theatres in California. VIEW AND PURCHASE PANTAGES THEATER PICTURES Pantages Theater pictures can be found on the website hollywoodphotographs.com. This collection is the largest collection of photographs on the subject of Hollywood. Included in the collection are beautiful Pantages Theater pictures. One of these pictures is of the premiere of 'When Tomorrow Comes', in 1939, while another is of the premiere of 'Spartacus'. Another is of the front of the theater, during the 1950 Academy Awards. There's one of the theater's grand opening and one of the theater today. Simply go on line and type hollywoodphotographs.com in the address bar. All the Pantages Theater pictures are available for purchase.

Coconut Grove Pictures

2011-07-19T21:01:00-07:00

COCONUT GROVE PICTURES If you or someone you know loves vintage Hollywood, you may want to consider some Coconut Grove pictures as gifts for them, or for yourself. These can add a touch of personality and flair and give any room a real vintage and old-world Hollywood feeling. Obviously shopping for Coconut Grove pictures is not as easy as visiting your nearest retailer and browsing their art department. Specialty items such as Coconut Grove pictures will need some searching elsewhere, typically online. You can find many varieties of shots from many different years when you shop online, and this may also afford you the opportunity to search for other items as well. Once you find the Coconut Grove pictures that you love, how do you decorate with them to bring out that vintage feeling in your home? How can you showcase them without having too many or making them seem distracting? When you choose Coconut Grove pictures, no doubt you're expressing your love of vintage Hollywood or Americana. It's good to do this in your home but with some discretion. If you walk into a room and feel overwhelmed by all the items there, your home may seem more like a museum that a welcoming retreat. Choose a few Coconut Grove pictures and other related items and group them together for an impactful setting that won't seem like clutter. You can do this if you decide to put them on the wall or if you want to showcase your photos on a shelf.Consider the rooms in which you showcase your Coconut Grove pictures as well. Your theater room or den are both obvious choices, and many choose a retro or vintage Hollywood theme for these rooms. You might also do the same in a guest room where you can have some fun with your décor. The largest collection of photos of Hollywood is hollywoodphotographs.com. There are over 12,000 images in the collection, of which there more than 6000 pictures on the web site. There are great pictures of the Coconut Grove of which all are for purchase. There are pictures of Bette Davis, Sonia Henie and Jean Harlow and William Powell. Simply click on hollywoodphotographs.com and view some of the finest hollywood images in the world.

Coconut Grove Pics

2011-07-19T21:00:00-07:00

COCONUT GROVE PICS Coconut Grove pics are seldom seen circulating on the internet. It takes a really great and dependable site like the www.hollywoodphotographs.com for us to be able to get a glimpse of the original and classic pictures of this once famous hotel, the Ambassador Hotel and its equally famous night club. Most of us probably have no idea as to what happened to the Ambassador Hotel and its night club and how popular it was during the 1930's and 1940's. It's a good thing that there are still some Coconut Grove pictures left for us to see how glorious it was then. The hotel actually opened on January 1, 1921 and its previous location was at the center of Los Angeles' mid-Wilshire District. It was Pasadena architect Myron Hunt that designed it and was considered to be one of the most famous hotels during its time. Since the year the Ambassador Hotel and its night club started, it has hosted a lot of gatherings, fashion shows, events and the biggest names in the world of entertainment and was even frequented by most Hollywood personalities and luminaries in the world. Some of these were actually captured in the Coconut Grove pictures and can be viewed on the site. Some of the celebrities that were captured in the Coconut Grove pictures having a great time were Bette Davis, Sonja Henie, Jean Harlow and William Powell. Although a lot of Presidents and big entertainment stars like Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Evelyn Knight, Lena Horne, Lisa Minnelli, Nat King Cole, Dorothy Dandridge, The Supremes, Martin and Lewis, Richard Pryor, Mervin Griffin, and Judy Garland have visited the very famous hotel and night club, none were captured in print or if they were, none were preserved. Events like fashion shows and the filming of Coconut Grove by the Paramount Studios were eventually captured, printed and stored for us to see. The vast interior and the live orchestra were a legend and were probably responsible for the large crowds of people drawn to the place. These classic Coconut Grove pics are certainly enough for us to believe that such a great hotel actually existed during those early times. Even though these Coconut Grove Pics are printed in black and white, these photos are still in very good condition and are still as magnificent as its original state. The pictures are still very clear and the scenes captured are splendid and tremendously classic. Thanks to the people behind this wonderful site because they have so many historical photographs captured and preserved for posterity. They have helped us so much by safeguarding these rare historical pictures, particularly that of the Coconut Grove Pics. These photographs are copyrighted and cannot be downloaded without any permission from the site's admin, but at least we can still take a look or even buy it online and know more about the rich history and story behind these once famous places and hotels. Some of the finest Coconut Grove pics are on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site. All the photos are for purchase.

Coconut Grove Photos

2011-07-19T20:59:00-07:00

COCONUT GROVE PICTURES The site www.hollywoodphotographs.com showcases a lot of historical photographs that are rarely seen circulating on the internet. A number of these rare pictures are actually from those of the once very famous hotel, the Ambassador Hotel and its night club, known as the Coconut Grove Nightclub. These Coconut Grove photos are considered as classics and contribute a lot to the history of the hotels in our country. The Coconut Grove photos that were uploaded on the site were printed in black and white but the memory of the hotel that was captured in print could never be bought and replaced. A lot of us could not even remember that a very famous hotel such as the Ambassador Hotel, once existed at the center of Wilshire Blvd. It was on 1st January, 1921 that this hotel actually opened and had been home to a number of presidents, and the big people in the entertainment industry. A lot of gatherings, events, parties, and fashion shows have taken place in the Ambassador Hotel as well as to the Coconut Grove Nightclub, but only a few were captured in the Coconut Grove photos. It was probably the most popular place during the years 1930 to 1940 and had been frequented by the biggest names in the entertainment industry like Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Lisa Minnelli, Lena Horne, Martin and Lewis, Bing Crosby, Dorothy Dandridge, Supremes, Evelyn Knight, Mervin Griffin, Richard Pryor and Perry Como. The Ambassador hotel was designed by the Pasadena architect Myron Hunt and some of the photos of the angles of the interior of this great hotel were actually printed and preserved. This collection of Coconut Grove photos can only be seen on the website and cannot be downloaded without the permission of the site's administrator. Other rare shots in the collection of the Coconut Grove photos also include those of Bette Davis, Sonja Henie, Jean Harlow and William Powell. These popular people were caught dining and having a great time in the splendid hotel, together with the other guests. If only the pictures of the other guests like, the different presidents who visited the place and the famous senator, Robert F. Kennedy, were taken, these Coconut Groove photos would have been more spectacular. These Coconut Grove photos are all printed in black and white and can be used for personal or commercial purpose for a corresponding fee. Even though these photos are as old as ninety years and more, still the quality and the memory of the place are still intact. These photos are so rare and can barely be seen in other sites on the internet, so if you want to view the images, simply go to hollywoodphotographs.com. All the photographs are available for sale.

Chinese Theatre photos

2011-07-19T20:58:00-07:00

CHINESE THEATER PHOTOS CHINESE THEATER The Chinese Theater is probably the most well known theater in the world today. Construction began in January 1926 by Charles E. Toberman for Sid Grauman. The theater opened May 18, 1927 with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille's film The King of Kings. Some of Hollywood’s brightest stars attended the premiere, including Ernest Torrence who played the apostle Peter in the movie. During the course of construction Grauman was walking across the theater's forecourt when he was confronted by his chief cement mason, Jean Klossner, who scolded Sid for walking in the freshly laid cement. After making peace with Klossner, Sid asked Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Norma Talmadge to come to the theater at once. Upon their arrival, he had them place their footprints in the new curbstone. However, the cement was nearly dry, causing the impressions too faint. In April, just three weeks before the completion of construction, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks were again invited back this time to formally place their hand and footprints and signatures in the center of the theater's forecourt. A few days later, Grauman had Talmadge make similar impressions next to those made by Pickford and Fairbanks. Knowing that the theater's grand opening was to occur on May 18, 1927, Norma Talmadge scribbled that date above her signature instead of the actual date she made the impressions. Since then, scores of celebrities have had their hand and footprints and signature enshrined in the famous courtyard. Over the course of the next eighty plus years, scores of Hollywood’s brightest celebrities have placed their hand and footprints in the theater’s forecourt. Stars such as Jean Harlow, Humphrey Bogart, Gary Cooper, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Steve McQueen, Jack Nicholson and Clark Gable. The last celebrity to be inducted into the Chinese Theater’s forecourt was when Jennifer Aniston placed his hand, footprints and signature into the wet cement on July 7, 2011. Just a few months before that, Peter O’Toole did just the same thing. Movie premieres were major events at the Chinese Theaters. Premieres such as Hells Angels, Babes in Arms, The Sullivans, Shane, The Robe, and many more were held at the famous theater. Sid Grauman sold his share to William Fox's Fox Theaters chain in 1929, but remained as the theater's Managing Director until his death in 1950. The theater was leased in 1973 by Ted Mann who changed the name to Mann’s Chinese Theater. In 2000, Mann filed bankruptcy and the Mann Theaters were sold to a partnership of Warner Bros. and Paramount Pictures The theater was renamed Grauman’s Chinese Theater. During the past eight years, thousand’s of Chinese Theater photos have been taken of, not only, the theater but also the scores hand and footprint ceremonies. Today, the vast majority of these photographs are considered historic. There are more Chinese Theater photos on the hollywoodphotographs.com web site than any other collection in the world. Beginning with photos showing the groundbreaking of the theater, the collection has images of the theater’s construction, pictures of the front of the theater, numerous premieres, and tourist visiting the theater. All these photos are in the “Chinese Theater” category of the collection. Photographs of the hand and footprint ceremonies are in the “Hand and Footprint” category of the web site. All Chinese Theater and hand and footprint ceremony photos are available for purchase.

Hollywood Canteen History

2011-06-27T18:19:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN HISTORY STARTING & BUILDING THE HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN If the Hollywood Canteen was still open, it would be 59 years old, in October 2011. Even though it only lasted for three years, the Canteen had quite a history. Founded by Bette Davis and John Garfield, and with the assistance of Dr. Jules Stein, the Hollywood Canteen opened its doors on October 3, 1942 with a grand opening ceremony that rivaled the best of Hollywood movie premieres. Hundreds of Hollywood Canteen photographs were take by scores of Hollywood’s best photographers After weeks of searching for a usable building, Bette Davis and John Garfield a dilapidated place that once had been a barn in the heart of Hollywood. Located at 1451 N. Cahuenga Avenue, just south of Sunset Blvd., the structure had been a series of ill-fated nightclubs. The last was a cabaret-type theater called the Red Barn where drinks and dinner were served, followed by floor shows and stock melodramas. The Red Barn closed its doors in 1937 and remained vacant until August 25, 1942 when Bette and John leased it for $100 a month for the duration of the war. Under the supervision of Al Ybarra, all of Hollywoods motion picture guilds, unions and trades unanimously volunteered their services to remodel the building. From plumbers, electricians, painters, carpenters, laborers, prop men, set decorators, etc all pitched in to transform the old nightclub into a place where servicemen could visit when came to Hollywood. One of the most tireless volunteers was Jules Stein's wife, Doris who was responsible for making sure there was a sufficient number of hostesses each night to dance and chat with servicemen. By the time the Canteen opened its doors, almost every celebrity in Hollywood signed up as a volunteer. The new Hollywood Canteen building was ready to be occupied. It was unanimously agreed that the Hollywood Canteen would be for the exclusive use of enlisted servicemen no officers were allowed in. The servicemen's uniform was his ticket to admission. It was also decided that the only persons allowed to volunteer were those who work in some facet of the entertainment business (radio, stage or motion picture industry). It was figured that approximately three hundred volunteers would be needed nightly. These would include junior and senior hostesses, busboys, kitchen help, stage staff, band members, and celebrities who would hand out sandwiches, coffee as well provide entertainment. As the word spread about the Canteen, thousands of people signed up as volunteers celebrities, studio secretaries and receptionists, make-up artists, cartoonists, set decorators, part-time actors, and other employees of the motion picture studios. The Hollywood Canteen's operation was divided into three primary activities dancing with the servicemen, providing food and drinks (no alcoholic beverages allowed) and entertainment. HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN DANCING Dancing with such movie stars as Marlene Dietrich, Rita Hayworth or Deanna Durbin was the highlight of every serviceman’s visit to the Canteen. In addition to the many celebrities who were available to dance each night, there were scores of junior hostesses who, after working all day at the motion picture studios, danced with the servicemen. Because there were more soldiers than hostesses, it was not uncommon for a hostess to dance with two or three servicemen each dance. Of all the types of dances, the jitterbug was definitely the most popular. It was not uncommon for celebrity dancers like Faye McKenzie and Jane Withers to dance the jitterbug for hours each night. The guys were so crazy about it, as one hostess remarked, “They just jitterbugged you to jelly.” The term, “Jitterbug,” had many variations, such as the Lindy Hop, Shag, New Yorker, Collegiate, Hurricane, Boogie Woogie, Suzy Q, and Bombing – and all were exploding at the Canteen. One night, on a cleared dance floor, Jane Withers put on a Jitterbug exhibition with five eager young men – who were all totally exhausted by the time they had finished. Later, when bandleader Kay Kyser, called on Jane to repeat the entire routine up on the stage, she hopped right to it with the same crackling Withers gusto. Hostess and professional dancer Diane Meredith recalls that everyone would step back and make a circle around the really great jitterbuggers to applaud and cheer them on. “Sometimes I was one of them,” she says. “ I was not that agile to be flown into the air, but I did a lot of the movements pretty well because we’d been trained to do them.” HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN FOOD Bette Davis solicited Chef Joseph Milani's help in securing all the food that would be needed to supply the Hollywood Canteen for the duration of the war. Over fifty percent of the Canteen’s food and supplies was donated by thirty-five benevolent companies in Southern California. The remaining fifty percent was purchased outright or acquired with ration points. The preparation of the food and beverages was left to the Kitchen and Snack crew which was supervised by Mary Ford, wife of film director, John Ford. In addition to such routine work as making thousands of sandwiches and cutting cakes into hundreds of small pieces, they had to finish washing the previous night’s dishes. Later in the afternoon, more volunteers showed up to make the coffee and stock the snack bar with candy, raisins, cigarettes (smoking was permitted outside), and similar items. While all of this was going on, others were sweeping the floors, washing tables, and setting the stage for that night’s activities. Mary Ford was at the Canteen early in the morning to be sure that her committee would be on top of things. And she was never above scrubbing tables herself. All the food was free and was served by some of Hollywood’s most celebrated stars including Linda Darnell, Basil Rathbone and Buster Keaton. HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN ENTERTAINMENT By far, the most anticipated event each night was the “on stage” entertainment. Servicemen were treated to performances by Hollywood’s most popular stars. Over the course of its three years, the Hollywood Canteen entertained millions of servicemen with the best singers, dancers, actors, actresses, comedians and radio personalities in show business. Such singers as Ginny Simms, Jane Powell, Martha Tilton, Deanna Durbin, Jeanette MacDonald, Patricia Morrison, Frances Langford, Dinah Shore, Frank Sinatra, Dennis Morgan,and Judy Garland wowed the boys whenever they appeared. Betty Hutton, Roy Rogers and the Andrew Sisters kept things lively. In her distinctive style, Lena Horne enthralled everyone with hits like “Stormy Weather.” When she wasn’t overseas herself, Marlene Dietrich was up on that Canteen stage as often as possible. In addition, the footwork styles and distinctive personalities of dancers like Fay McKenzie, Ann Miller, Ted Lewis, Ray Bolger, Bill Robinson, the Nicholas Brothers, Joan McCracken, Veloz and Yolanda dazled the visiting servicemen. The Hollywood Canteen’s eclectic roster of comedians included Bob Hope, Eddie Cantor, Joe E. Brown, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Danny Kaye, Red Skelton and Ken Murray and Marie Wilson. The Canteen had the perfect audience for Abbott and Costello’s “Who’s On First?” sketch. HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN AUTOGRAPHS Visiting servicemen were constantly asking for, and receiving, autographs from all of the volunteer celebrities. From Hedy Lamar to Spencer Tracy, all the movie stars were delighted to provide autographs to anyone who asked. Holidays, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Easter were especially popular because the traditional meals were served and it was a place where servicemen could go and be in a 'homey' atmosphere. With the war over, in mid 1945, fewer and fewer servicemen visited the Canteen. When it was announced that the Hollywood Canteen would close on Thanksgiving night, in 1945, hundreds and hundreds of volunteers and servicemen showed up for the last time. Over the course of its three year existence, the Hollywood Canteen had over 3 million servicemen come through its doors. It was truly Hollywood's finest home-front contribution to the war. HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN PHOTOGRAPHS The largest collection of photographs of the Hollywood Canteen is on the web site hollywoodphotographs.com. There are over 275 historic images of servicemen dancing with celebrities, movie stars signing autographs, soldiers watching the best of Hollywood's entertainers and night to night activities. To mark the Hollywood Canteen’s 60th birthday, authors Bruce Torrence and Lisa Mitchell hope to have their book, titled “The Hollywood Canteen” published.

Hollywood Canteen Volunteers

2011-08-08T08:13:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN VOLUNTEERS For servicemen coming to Hollywood, during the second world war, the Hollywood Canteen was the place to go. Word spread like wildfire and it wasn’t uncommon to see hundreds of soldiers standing in line to get into the Canteen. Fashioned after New York’s Stage Door Canteen, which was started on March 4, 1942, the hollywood Canteen was founded by Betty Davis and John Garfield. After obtaining the assistance from Dr. Jules Stein, who agreed to act as the Hollywood Canteen’s financial advisor, a Board of Directors was appointed with Betty elected President, and a building was leased and remodeled. SELECTING VOLUNTEERS The next thing was to solicit help from hundreds of volunteers. Jules Stein‘ wife, Doris, was appointed to head up the Hostess Committee. It was agreed that all volunteers had to work in the entertainment business. Whether the person worked as a secretary at a movie studio, a technician in the radio studio, a carpenter at a studio, or a famous movie star, all were eligible and welcomed as volunteers. It was figured that three hundred volunteers were needed each night. These would include junior and senior hostesses, busboys, kitchen help, doormen, cloakroom clerks, stage staff, band members, and celebrities who would hand out sandwiches and coffee, dance with the servicemen, sign autographs and provide entertainment. While all of the volunteers were carefully selected, particular attention was paid to the dancing hostesses as they would have the closest contact with the servicemen. As per FBI requirements, all volunteers had to be fingerprinted, photographed and an ID card issued. Even though wearing them wasn’t mandatory, armbands with “HC” written in blue piping, were issued to all hostesses. After the word got out that volunteers were needed, thousands of entertainment industry workers lined up to contribute their time. Two of the first to sign up were Joan Leslie and Loretta Young. Joan was one of Hollywood Canteen’s most regular and popular volunteers, as she showed up every week. The first nightly shift would work from & pm to 9:30 pm and the second shift from 9:30 to midnight. There would be two Officers of the Day, one for each shift, to greet the servicemen and to see that the evening’s activities ran smoothly. The hostesses, grouped into junior and senior categories included actresses, studio secretaries, wardrobe ladies and other female industry employees. Both junior and senior hostesses were there to greet the visiting servicemen, dance, chat and serve them food and coffee. Actresses that regularly volunteered included Rita Hayworth, Fay McKenzie, Paulette Goddard, Marlene Dietrich, Jane Withers, Linda Darnell, Jeanette McDonald and scores of others. BIG BANDS In addition to all the other categories of volunteers, music bands had to mustered into service -- and there was no shortage of such volunteers. Kay Kyser and his band were “regulars” every week-end. Other bands included Guy Lombardo, Tommy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, Rudy Valee and many others. Canteen rules applied to all volunteers, but hostesses had to follow additional specific guidelines. The young women were strictly prohibited from leaving the Canteen premises with servicemen at any time. Nor were they allowed to give our their telephone numbers. Any violation of these rules meant immediate expulsion from the ranks of the Hollywood Canteen. Most of Hollywood’s most talented male actors also volunteered their services. Not only did they get up on stage and entertain the servicemen, they acted as busboys, served in the kitchen and signed autographs. Some of the most active male volunteers included Bob Hope, Basil Rathborne, Eddie Cantor, Danny Kaye and scores more. HOLLYWOOD CANTEEN PHOTOGRAPHS During the three years existence of the Hollywood Canteen, thousands of photographs were taken by professional photographers (Joseph Jasgur was the Canteen’s official photographer) as well as the visiting servicemen. The largest collection of Hollywood Canteen photographs is hollywoodphotographs.com. All Hollywood Canteen images are available for purchase. Simply log into hollywoodphotographs.com and view all the pictures.

Hollywood Sign Images

2011-07-19T21:07:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD SIGN IMAGES LARGEST ADVERTISING SIGN The Hollywoodland sign was first erected in 1923 and originally read 'HOLLYWOODLAND'. Its purpose was to advertise the name of a new housing development in the hills above the Hollywood district of Los Angeles. H.J. Whitley had already used a sign to advertise his development Whitley Heights, which was located between Highland Avenue and Vine Avenue. He suggested to his friend Harry Chandler, the owner of the Los Angeles Times newspaper, that the land syndicate in which he was involved make a similar sign to advertise their land. Real estate developers Woodruff and Shoults called their development 'Hollywoodland' and advertised it as a 'superb environment without excessive cost on the Hollywood side of the hills'. (An unrelated film named Hollywoodland was made in 2006.They contracted the Crescent Sign Company to erect thirteen letters on the hillside, each facing south. The sign company owner, Thomas Fisk Goff (1890-1984) designed the sign. Each letter of the sign was 30 feet wide and 50-feet high, and was studded with some 4000 light bulbs (The lighting of the sign was discontinued in the late 1920s). The sign was officially dedicated on July 13, 1923. It was not intended to be permanent. In September 1932, Broadway actress Peg Entwistle, a resident of Beachwood Canyon, committed suicide by jumping to her death from the letter H. HOLLYWOODLAND TO HOLLYWOOD By the late 1940s, the sign was almost twenty years old and in terrible disrepair. In 1949 the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce began a contract with the City of Los Angeles Parks Department to repair and rebuild the sign. The contract stipulated that 'LAND' be removed to spell 'Hollywood' and reflect the district, not the 'Hollywoodland' housing development. The Parks Department dictated that all subsequent illumination would be at the cost of the Chamber, so the Chamber opted not to replace the light bulbs. The 1949 effort gave it new life, but the sign's unprotected wood and sheet metal structure continued to deteriorate. Finally, in the late 1970s, the sign was almost completely deteriorated. SAVE THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN In 1978, in large part because of the public campaign to restore the landmark, the Chamber set out to replace the intensely deteriorated sign with a more permanent structure. Nine donors gave $27,700 each (totaling $249,300) to sponsor replacement letters made of steel, guaranteed to last for many years. Among those who made donations of $27,700 was singer Alice Cooper and Playboy publisher, Hugh Hefner.The new letters were 45 feet tall and ranged from 31 to 39 feet wide. The new version of the sign was unveiled on Hollywood's 75th anniversary, November 14, 1978, before a live television audience of 60 million people. PURCHASING HOLLYWOOD SIGN IMAGES The largest collection of both Hollywoodland sign images and Hollywood sign images is hollywoodphotographs.com. With scores of images, the collection is available to anyone with a computer. All the Hollywood sign images are available for sale. Simply, log onto hollywoodphotographs.com and look through the images under the Hollywood Sign category.

Hollywood Sign Pictures

2011-07-19T21:08:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD SIGN PICTURES BUILDING THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN The Hollywood Sign is a famous landmark in the Hollywood Hills area of Mount Lee, Santa Monica Mountains, in Los Angeles, California spelling out the name of the area in 50-foot tall and 35 ft. wide white letters. It was created as an advertisement in 1923, but garnered increasing recognition after the sign was left up. The sign was a frequent target of pranks and vandalism but has since undergone restoration, including a security system to deter vandalism. The sign is now protected and promoted by the Hollywood Sign Trust, a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to physically maintain, repair and secure the sign, to educate the world about its historical and cultural importance, and to raise the funds necessary to accomplish these projects. Hollywood sign pictures are available for purchase to put in you home or office.From the ground, the contours of the hills give the sign its well-known 'wavy' appearance. When observed at a comparable altitude, as in the photo to the right, the letters appear straight-across. The sign was first erected in 1923 and originally read 'HOLLYWOODLAND'. Its purpose was to advertise the name of a new Hollywoodland housing development in the hills above the Hollywood district of Los Angeles. H.J. Whitley had already used a sign to advertise his development Whitley Heights, which was located between Highland Avenue and Vine Avenue. He suggested to his friend Harry Chandler, the owner of the Los Angeles Times newspaper, that the land syndicate in which he was involved make a similar sign to advertise their land. Real estate developers Woodruff and Shoults called their development. For the first few years the sign was lighted by about 4000 incandescent light bulbs. Over the next twenty five years the sign fell into disrepair. In 1949, the last four letters were removed and the sign refurbished to read HOLLYWOOD. WHERE TO PURCHASE HOLLYWOOD SIGN PICTURES Since the original sign was erected, in 1923, there have been thousands and thousands of Hollywood Sign pictures taken. The largest number of Hollywoodland and Hollywood Sign pictures are on the hollywoodphotographs.com website. Simply, log onto the website and browse the scored of picture under the category titled Hollywood Sign. Some of the pictures include photos of the construction of the original HOLLYWOODLAND sign, an image of Peg Entwhistle, who jumped off the letter 'H' in 1932 and many many more. Hollywood sign pictures can be purchase as either digital images or as actual photos. Digital images can be sent as email attachments while actual photographs can be mailed a day or two after the order has been placed.

The Hollywood Sign Icon

2011-07-03T18:39:00-07:00

HOLLYWOOD SIGN STILL HOLLYWOOD’S BEST ICON Thanks to Hugh Hefner and scores of private and public donations, the property around the famous Hollywood Sign was saved from the development of luxury homes. $12.5 million was raised, in 2010, to purchase the property from Fox River Financial Resources and protect it, forever, from further development. For almost ninety years, the sign has been vandalized, modified, revitalized and immortalized -- and, after all that, it remains one of Hollywood’s most recognized icons. The largest collection of Hollywood Sign photographs is on hollywoodphotographs.com. BUILDING THE HOLLYWOODLAND SIGN Long before the sign was altered to simply read “Hollywood”, it read Hollywoodland and was an advertising sign for the residential development called Hollywoodland, which was located just below the sign. Erected in 1923, each letter was 30 feet wide and 50 feet high and constructed using telephone poles, cables and faced with sheet metal. Each letter was studded with incandescent light bulbs (about 4,000 in total) so it would it would be easily seen at night. Until lighting the sign was discontinued, in the late 1920s, Albert Kothe would climb ladders to change the burned-out light bulbs. THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN GIRL In 1932, Peg Entwistle, a New York stage actress, became the symbol of the dark side of the Hollywood dream. Emboldened by her Broadway success, the ambitious young actress soon set her sights on the silver screen. She packed her bags for Hollywood and moved in with her uncle on Beachwood Drive - virtually in the shadow of the Hollywood Sign. Unfortunately, Peg failed to make a splash and received little recognition from the studios. She spent most of the brutally hot summer of ’32 hanging around her uncle’s house, waiting for a phone call that never came. Finally, on the evening of September 18th, Peg told her uncle that she was going to meet some friends at a nearby drug store, but this was a sad lie. Instead, she made the arduous hike up the canyon hill to the Hollywood Sign, her one-time beacon of hope but now a symbol of failure and rejection. She climbed 50 feet up a workman’s ladder to the top of the letter “H” and jumped to her death. Peg Entwhistle - dubbed by the tabloids as “The Hollywood Sign Girl” - was only 24 years old. SIGN GETS MODIFIED Over the course of the Hollywood Sign's illustrious existence, it has been modified, many times by pranksters. One of the first modifications took place in 1973, when someone draped a large banner of Leon Russell over the entire letter 'D'. Below his image was the words 'Save The Sign'. The most prolific sign modifiers was Danny Finegood. The first time Danny played a word game with the Hollywood Sign was on January 1, 1976, when he hung curtains over some of the letters to make it read 'Hollyweed'. It was on this date that California relaxed its marijuana laws. Danny and some of his friends obscured consonants to coin 'Holywood' on Easter 1977. Ten years later, Danny and friends, modified the sign to read 'Ollywood' to protest the hero worship of Marine Lt. Col. Oliver North during the Iran-Contra hearings. In his final round of wordplay with the Hollywood Sign, Danny made a political statement against the Gulf War by draping plastic sheeting over the 50-foot-high letters to form 'Oil War', in the early 1990s. The last time the sign was altered was in February 2010 when activists altered the sign to read 'SAVE THE PEAK'. This was done by those who supported the purchase of the land surrrounding so as to protect it from real estate development. Others have modified the sign but none were as creative as Danny Finegood. Today, the sign is fairly well protected from pranksters because of fences and security cameras. There are signs on Beachwood Dr., in Hollywoodland, informing the public that there is no access to the Hollywood Sign. SIGN DETERIORATION & RENOVATION By the late 1940s, the sign was almost twenty years old and in terrible disrepair. In 1949 the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce began a contract with the City of Los Angeles Parks Department to repair and rebuild the sign. The contract stipulated that 'LAND' be removed to spell 'Hollywood' and reflect the district, not the 'Hollywoodland' housing development. The Parks Department dictated that all subsequent illumination would be at the cost of the Chamber, so the Chamber opted not to replace the light bulbs. The 1949 effort gave it new life, but the sign's unprotected wood and sheet metal structure continued to deteriorate. Eventually the first O splintered and broke, resembling a lowercase u, and the third O fell down completely, leaving the severely dilapidated sign reading 'HuLLYWOD' SAVE THE SIGN In 1978, in large part because of the public campaign to restore the landmark, the Chamber set out to replace the intensely deteriorated sign with a more permanent structure. Nine donors gave $27,700 each (totaling $249,300) to sponsor replacement letters made of steel, guaranteed to last for many years. Among those who made donations of $27,700 was singer Alice Cooper and Playboy publisher, Hugh Hefner. The new Hollywood Sign letters were 45feet (14m) tall and ranged from 31 to 39 feet wide. The new version of the sign was unveiled on Hollywood's 75th anniversary, November 14, 1978, before a live television audience of 60 million people. A little after twenty five years later, the sign needed a face-lift. Refurbishment, donated by Bay Cal Commercial Painting, began again in November 2005, as workers stripped the letters back to their metal base and repainted them white. THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN TRUST In 1992, the California Attorney General granted distinct legal rights and responsibilities to three official agencies - the City of Los Angeles (which owns the land the Sign stands on), the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (which owns the licensing rights for the Sign's image), and the Hollywood Sign Trust (formed to maintain, repair and provide capital improvements to the Sign for the benefit of the public - with the larger mission of helping to preserve Hollywood's standing as the worldwide center of motion pictures and cinema arts). PLAYBOY TO THE RESCUE In 2009, Fox River Financial Resources Inc., which owned the 138 acres behind the Hollywood Sign, put the property up for sale. Developers have been eyeing the hillside, once owned by Howard Hughes, for luxury mansions, but a nonprofit land-conservation group was given the chance to buy the land for $12.5 million. As the April 30, 2010 deadline neared, the group was nearly $1 million short. Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy Magazine, anted up $900,000, which helped the campaign cross the finish line. On Monday, the Trust for Public Land announced that, thanks to Hefner's gift and an additional $500,000 from the Tiffany & Co. Foundation, Aileen Getty and many other donors, it finally had the $12.5 million needed to buy Cahuenga Peak from Fox River Financial Resources Inc. The 138-acre property, which offers a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the Los Angeles Basin and the San Fernando Valley, now will become part of Griffith Park. To see the largest collection of Hollywood Sign photographs, go to hollywoodphotographs.com

Hollywood's Movie Studios Today

2011-08-01T14:16:00-07:00

Hollywood Studios Today Although the advent of new technology and out of state incentives has helped spread filmmaking across the country, Hollywood still claims studios that have stood since the early days of cinema. Although changing hands and names in the past century, they retain the history and glory of the nascent filmmaking era. The first and the last major motion-picture studio in Hollywood, Paramount Pictures on Melrose Avenue has produced movies at its current location since 1926, with roots firmly planted by Adolph Zukor as far back as 1912 including “Sunset Boulevard”, “Psycho”, “White Christmas”, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, and “The Godfather”. Television shows including “Dr. Phil,” “Glee,” and “NCIS: LA” are currently being produced on the Paramount studio lot. On 62 acres, it is like a town complete with a water tower and a “Main Street.” RALEIGH STUDIOS In 1915, Famous Players Fiction Studios began operations on Melrose Avenue with a Mary Pickford production - one of the first features to be filmed at what later became Clune Film Producing Co. Raleigh Enterprises purchased the lot in 1979, which is today the production site of “Private Practice,” “Castle,” and “The Closer.” HOLLYWOOD CENTER STUDIOS Hollywood Center Studios on Las Palmas Avenue, built in 1919, was built and owned by Charles E. Toberman and was originally named Hollywood Studios. Later it became known as Metropolitan Studios and it was here that it became the filming site for Howard Hughes’ “Hell’s Angels”, starring Jean Harlow. “I Love Lucy” was shot there in the 1950’s, and George Burns kept an office on the premises. The Disney shows “The Suite Life On Deck” and “Sonny With A Chance” are both filmed on this sixteen-acre lot. Tim Mahoney, CEO of Hollywood Center Studios since 1984, oversaw the infrastructure transformation from filmmaking site to television studio. The history of the lot has been a benefit for doing business. “The feedback we get from people is that they sense that they’re sort of living that history, even though all of the equipment is modern, and all of our studios now are HD,” Mahoney said. “So it’s sort of a blend of nostalgia and high-tech.” REN MAR STUDIOS Ren Mar Studios on North Cahuenga Blvd. features five sound stages, lighting and rental equipment, and offices for rental. Beginning in 1915, it was a Metro Pictures’ backlot, and saw the production of films featuring Ramon Navarro, Marlon Brando, and Gary Cooper. From 1953 to 1967, it was known as Desilu Cahuenga Studios, and hosted such shows as “I Love Lucy,” “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “I Spy.” Since 1974, Ren Mar has been independently owned and operated, the taping site of “Ally McBeal” and “Lizzie McGuire.” SUNSET GOWER AND SUNSET BRONSON STUDIOS Newly named, Sunset Gower and Sunset Bronson studios have enjoyed similar longevity in Hollywood. Sunset Gower Studios began when Warner brothers, Sam and Jack, purchased a farm on Sunset Boulevard between Van Ness and Bronson in 1919, where they filmed the “Rin Tin Tin” film series and notably produced the first “talkie” film - “The Jazz Singer” -here in 1927. Warner Bros. moved east toward Burbank and Paramount purchased the studios in 1954, establishing the first TV station KTLA. “Family Feud,” “Judge Judy,” and “Hannah Montana” have all been taped at Sunset Bronson Studios and it’s still home to KTLA, now part of Tribune Broadcasting. In 1922, Harry Cohn leased a property on Sunset Boulevard which became officially known as Columbia Pictures in 1934. Frank Capra filmed “It Happened One Night” there that year, the first film to win all top five prizes at the Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay. “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” and “Funny Girl” were also produced at this location. Screen Gems, Columbia’s television arm, opened there in 1948. Since its purchase by the Pick Vanoff Company in 1977, the property has been known as Sunset Gower Studios, and its sound stages have played host to a number of films and TV shows, including “Sliver”, “Dexter,” and “Heroes.” Both Sunset Bronson and Sunset Gower properties were purchased by Hudson Capital in 2007. Christopher Barton, executive vice president of Hudson Capital, acknowledged the studios have faced difficulties in the past few years due to the uncertainty facing its entertainment industry tenants - production companies, casting agencies, special effects companies, etc. Since the purchase of the studios, Hudson Capital has invested in changes to the property including completing the construction of the Technicolor Building in 2008. “There are a lot of benefits to a place people find charming and interesting, and I think it promotes the sense of community and creates a synergy among all these different types of entertainment companies that are based here,” Barton said. THE LOT A bit further west, Formosa Avenue is home to “The Lot,” known early on as the Pickford-Fairbanks Studio, and later expanded by Samuel Goldwyn and Joseph Schenck. Goldwyn and Mary Pickford had a bitter dispute over the property that ended when Goldwyn outbid Pickford at auction in 1955. Until 1980, the lot was known as The Samuel Goldwyn Studio, and classics such as “Some Like It Hot” and “West Side Story” were filmed there. From 1980 to 1999, Warner Bros. owned the studio, but it now is owned and leased by BA Studios. Recent projects brought to life at “The Lot” include the second season of HBO’s “True Blood,” “Miss Congeniality 2”, “The Majestic”, and “The Green Mile”. JIM HENSON STUDIO The Charlie Chaplin Studio on La Brea Avenue was built in 1917, the site of the actor’s independent productions, including “The Kid” (1921), “The Gold Rush” (1925), “City Lights” (1931) and “The Great Dictator” (1940). His last film shot there was “Limelight” (1952). He sold the studio in 1953 and such shows as the George Reeves “The Adventures of Superman” series, “The Red Skelton Show”, and the original “Perry Mason” were produced there. In 1966 it became the home of A&M Records and Tijuana Brass Enterprises, Inc. The Jim Henson Company took up residence there in February 2000. Charlie Chaplin's concrete footprints can still be found in front of Sound Stage #3. HOLLYWOOD MOVIE STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHS One of the largest collections of Hollywood Movie Studio photographs can be found at hollywoodphotographs.com. There are over 1500 photographs of all of Hollywood's famous and historic movie studios. In addition, there are hundreds of historic photos of movie making at Hollywood's studios.

Hollywood Celebrates Its 100th Birthday

2011-08-03T10:07:00-07:00

100 Years Old, A Century of Hollywood HOLLYWOOD'S NAME The distinction of giving Hollywood its name goes to Daeida Wilcox. She and her real estate developing husband, Harvey Wilcox, came from Kansas to Los Angeles in 1883 and in 1886 purchased 120 acres in the Cahuenga Valley at, what is now, Hollywood Blvd. and Cahuenga Ave. The following year, Daeida traveled by train to her old home in the east. On the train, Mrs. Wilcox met a woman who described her summer home, which she called Hollywood. Daeida was so enamored with the name that, when she returned home, she prevailed on her husband to name their property Hollywood. The following year, in 1887, Mr. Wilcox recorded the areas first real estate subdivision, which he appropriately called HOLLYWOOD. HOLLYWOOD BECOMES A CITY Shortly after the turn of the century, the residents of the Cahuenga Valley were faced with three pressing problems. The streets were not getting the attention in proportion to the tax being levied by the county; a lack of school facilities and a growing sentiment for prohibition. In August, 1903, a petition was submitted to the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors requesting the incorporation of the City of Hollywood. The election for city hood was held on November 14, 1903 with voting lasting until 5:00 PM. After all the ballots were counted, the vote was eighty-eight for incorporation and seventy-seven against. Hollywood became a city of the sixth class with geographic boundaries extending from Normandie on the east, to Fairfax on the west, and from the top of the Santa Monica Mountains on the north to DeLongpre and Fountain avenues on the south. City hood for Hollywood only lasted six years. Hollywood's population had grown too rapidly for the then existing water and municipal facilities. Annexation to the City of Los Angeles would assure the burgeoning community of adequate water, sewage and municipal services. The election, held in 1910, was an overwhelming victory for annexation. HOLLYWOOD'S FIRST MOVIE STUDIO The distinction of having established the first motion picture studio in Hollywood goes to the Nestor Film Company of Bayonne, New Jersey and Staten Island, New York. The company was started by David Horsley and Charles Gorman in 1907 and was originally called the Cenatur Film Company. Their first picture was 'The Cowboy's Escapade', a one reeler released in September, 1908. They produced a series of short films during the next two years but were frequently harassed by the Trust's detectives. Not wishing to continue the challenge, Gorman sold his interest to his partner's brother, William. The Brothers reorganized the company and the Nestor Film Company was born. On October 27, 1911, a troupe of forty members of this film company arrived in Los Angeles to produce the 'Nestor' brand of films. 100 YEARS LATER A century of Hollywood! Who would have dared to imagine that the real estate plan the good Harvey Wilcox filed would become a storied place as famous as Rome or Rio or London, known and celebrated in the farthest corners of the globe? It was all a delightful, serendipitous historical accident: a blissful, unforeseeable coincidence of climate, scenery, robust entrepreneurship and a new technology for mass entertainment. The colonel's brave little venture had hardly found its feet when the movies found it. Hollywood as a place of legend rests on a foundation of What Ifs. What if the Motion Picture Patents Co., trying to enforce a monopoly on cameras, had not driven fledgling film companies like Nestor’s Film Company west? What if D. W. Griffith had not led the way by bringing his entourage to make films in Los Angeles in the winter of 1910, when it was too cold and dark in New York? And what if Jesse L. Lasky and Cecil B. DeMille, put off by the snow-covered mountains in Flagstaff, Ariz., had not continued west to make the first Hollywood feature-length film, 'The Squaw Man' at their Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Co. studio at Selma St. & Vine St. But the What Ifs all came up positive. And Hollywood, which might have fulfilled the Wilcoxes' practical dreams of a tidy, prosperous suburb with a little mercantile activity, a little farming and orcharding, became instead the Hollywood we've sung hoorays for. It became not only a piece of geography but the fabled and fabulous symbol of all American film making, a locale of legend and looniness, a magical fountain of slapstick and melodrama, a factory town for an art form. It was - and to an amazing degree, still is - the face that America sends to the world, for better and occasionally for worse. There are stars in the sidewalks and ghosts in the woodwork. And as much as Hollywood has changed, there are still plenty of visible reminders that bespeak the grand assertiveness of the golden years: the cinemas in Middle Eastern mode, worthy of a sheik or Croesus; the Mediterranean-style apartment buildings; the multinational eateries that have nourished the stars. The memories and the tales are most often glamorous: the star-studded premieres on Hollywood Boulevard, with searchlights vectoring the night skies, and fans in the bleachers craning for glimpses of the mighty; the footprints of the celebrities in the forecourt of the Chinese Theater. The years before television, when the movies reigned unchallenged over the public fancy everywhere, were the glory days for Hollywood. In the glittery nightclubs along Sunset, it was possible to imagine that the glamour Hollywood put on the screen was merely borrowed from its private life. The writers of legend, who were themselves to become legends, hung out at Musso & Frank, a landmark that outlived Scott and Ben and Charlie. The Vine Street Brown Derby Restaurant, now alas only a memory, was a kind of upscale industry commissary, open round-the-clock, seven days a week in its busiest years, with a celebrity in every banquet, or so it seemed. Even then, the industry was not confined to Hollywood proper. Studios stretched from, Republic Studios and Universal Studios in the Valley to MGM Studios and Hal Roach Studios in Culver City. Hollywood itself had Columbia Studios on Gower (the former Poverty Row), Paramount Studios, then as now, on Melrose, Fox Studios on Sunset and Goldwyn Studios on Formosa. Older Los Angeles often looked askance at the film people (Gypsies and parvenus from Elsewhere, it was thought). The Los Angeles Country Club was famous for refusing to admit actors, even those who could afford to join. That sense of rejection probably increased a sense of community in the industry and in geographic Hollywood, with its rather hazy boundaries. Yet Hollywood can claim the credit - or must accept the blame - for having been a significant force in the phenomenal growth of Southern California in the '30s and after. Historic Hollywood Photographs, Photos and Images The largest collection of Hollywood photographs and images is hollywoodphotographs.com

Whitley Heights is a Shining Star in Hollywood

2011-08-04T05:06:00-07:00

WHITLEY HEIGHTS IS HOLLYWOOD'S SHINING STAR WHITLEY HEIGHTS Traveling along Franklin Avenue, the east/west thoroughfare north of Hollywood Blvd., you might not notice the most historic enclave of 1920s residences from the Golden Era of silent films and speakeasies, aka The Roaring Twenties, rising above Franklin Avenue. And roar they did in those days of high living, laughter and a new industry that seemed to have no bounds. Ethel Barrymore, Charlie Chaplin, Marion Davies, W.C. Fields, Harold Lloyd, Carole Lombard, Rudolph Valentino and many others lived and held legendary parties that marked an era and the early Hollywood film industry. Named for the developer Howard Johnston “H.J.” Whitley, Whitley Heights was considered his crowning achievement. He had employed architect A.A. Barnes to create a Mediterranean village and to ensure its authenticity sent him on a tour to study the architecture and landscaping of Spain and Italy. The beauty and seclusion of Whitley Heights’ architecture and terrain quickly made it the most desired residential area of the Hollywood elite of the day. Fashionable Hollywood Boulevard with its shops, restaurants and nightlife lay at their feet. The studios that employed them were also just a brief automobile trip away. Paramount Studios, Columbia Pictures, 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros were a few miles away. While the names of filmdom’s past and the lifestyle they enjoyed are scintillating indeed, the story of H. J. Whitley is a story in its own right. Born in Toronto, Canada in 1847, Whitley moved to Chicago where he founded a number of enterprises including a hardware store and a candy store. He became interested in land development and was elected to the board of the Chicago Rock Island Railroad. During the westward construction of frontier railroads from the late 1870s to the early 1890s, he founded scores of towns in the Oklahoma Territory, Dakotas, Texas and California. It is estimated that he founded over 140 towns in his lifetime. In each town, he built a bank and a hotel, schools, churches, parks and other civic improvements followed. HOLLYWOOD HOTEL In the mid 1880s, HJ arrived in Southern California. He was well known as a land developer and many tried to follow on his coattails. As president and major share holder of the Los Angeles Pacific Boulevard and Development Company, he orchestrated the building of the Hollywood Hotel, and construction of a bank which were located on the corners of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland. According to Margaret Virginia “Gigi” Whitley's memoir, her husband, H.J., known as the 'Father of Hollywood,' coined the Hollywood name while on their honeymoon in 1886. The story goes that the name caught on and was documented by H. H. Wilcox when he subdivided his 160 acre farm in 1887 and registered it as the Hollywood Tract. However, historians credit Wilcox's wife, Daeida, for the naming. Whitley did not limit his land holdings to Hollywood. From the moment Whitley saw the San Fernando Valley, he was engaged in another venture. By 1909 Whitley had pulled together a group of the most powerful men in Los Angeles. They purchased a 47,500 acre ranch for $2,500,000 from wheat magnate Isaac Newton Van Nuys that comprised nearly the entire southern half of the San Fernando Valley. From this land, he built the towns of Van Nuys, Reseda (formerly Marian) and Canoga Park (formerly Owensmouth) But it was the beauty of Hollywood that held his fascination and his heart. He had a quest to make a very fine residential development on the hill of his share of the Hollywood property. He had to bring new ideas to create a premiere development on the side of the hill in the fast changing times. This was at the end of the Victorian culture. Homes were built with the living up stairs for the views of the ocean and valley. He employed architects to go and study the hill developments of Spain and Italy. He sought to create a masterpiece of architecture to be preserved for all times. In 1982 the U.S. Government named Whitley Heights a National Historic District. Today, Whitley Heights is all that remains to remind us of those halcyon days and the triumph of building a dream. Rising above the humdrum of Hollywood, one knows they have come upon a very special place when they happen upon the winding streets of Whitley Heights. Progress took part of the Heights when the Hollywood Freeway was built in the mid 1950’s, but it still retains its charm and it’s not hard to imagine the clinking of cocktail glasses and music of the notorious Jazz Age wafting from the open windows onto flower-filled courtyards below. Wonderful Whitley Height photographs, Whitley Heights photos and Whitley Heights Images can be seen at hollywoodphotographs.com. All are available for purchase

Hollywoodland

2011-07-30T09:57:00-07:00

HOLLYWOODLAND One of the most popular tourist attractions in Hollywood, California isn't a place, but a sign. The Hollywood Sign, created in 1923 to promote the new real estate development Hollywoodland, is the most visible representation of an elegant neighborhood now known as Beachwood Canyon. Hollywoodland contains many special features and sophisticated homes that attract artists and celebrities, and has served as a filming location for movies and television shows. The neighborhood possesses a real history and beauty, resembling a charming European hillside town. BEGINNINGS Early residents of what is now Beachwood Canyon raised crops in the 1880s. In 1905, streetcar tycoons and brothers-in-law Eli P. Clark and M. H. Sherman acquired 640 acres at the very top of the canyon. In honor of William Shakespeare's 300th birthday in April 1916, the community staged an outsized production of Julius Caesar in the center of Beachwood Canyon. Such actors as Douglas Fairbanks, DeWolf Hopper, Theodore Roberts, and Tully Marshall starred in the presentation, along with Hollywood High School's football team and hundreds of others. Clark and Sherman formed a partnership in 1923 with Harry Chandler, the publisher of the Los Angeles Times, and respected real estate developers Tracy E. Shoults and S. H. Woodruff, to create an exclusive hillside community, with Chandler providing free advertising through stories in the newspaper, and Shoults and Woodruff lending stellar reputations as developers of Los Angeles upscale Windsor and Marlborough Square tracts. The partnership announced the opening of Hollywoodland in the March 31, 1923 edition of the Los Angeles Times, promoting it as the first themed hillside residential development in the United States. Advertisements claimed the neighborhood 'the supreme achievement in community building,' and promoted its European atmosphere. AMENITIES Developers Shoults and Woodruff planned special amenities to help lure buyers. Head architect John L. DeLario designed a small series of shops at Hollywoodland's entrance that featured two markets, a cleaners, barbershop, and beauty salon. In addition, two stone gates were constructed below 2690 W. Beachwood Drive. Granite quarried in the area was employed in constructing hillside and roadway retaining walls and neighborhood stairways. At the top of Beachwood Drive, developers built Hollywoodland Stables, a place where residents could board or rent horses. Miles of bridle trails were constructed connecting to Griffith Park trails. Putting green and tennis courts were built near the top of the area. To beautify the neighborhood, horticulturalist and landscape architect Theodore Payne was hired to plant wildflowers. The partners also inaugurated a jitney service to ferry residents from their homes to Hollywoodland's entrance, where they boarded buses that whisked them into Hollywood or downtown Los Angeles. PROMOTION Billboards promoting real estate developments proliferated around Los Angeles, but Hollywoodland's outshone them all. Advertising man John Roche designed letters 50 feet high and 30 feet wide spelling out the name Hollywoodland to dwarf any other sign in the area. The Hollywoodland Sign was constructed of lightweight materials such as chicken wire, pipes, telephone poles, and sheet metal, and was completed in July 1923. The Sign was lined by 4,000 20-watt light bulbs placed eight inches apart that spelled out 'Holly,' 'Wood,' 'Land,' 'Hollywoodland' continuously when lit at night. On clear nights, it was supposedly visible all the way to Catalina Island. The Hollywoodland Sign became notorious on September 18, 1932, when actress Peg Entwistle committed suicide by jumping off of it. Maintenance of the Sign ended in 1939, and it soon grew disheveled from peeling paint and missing sheet metal sections. The Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department, owners of the land around the Hollywoodland Sign since 1945, wanted to demolish it in 1949. After outspoken public protests, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce acquired the Sign, removed the word 'land,' and rechristened it the 'Hollywood Sign.' RESIDENTS Artists, musicians, and actors have called Hollywoodland home over the years because of its sophisticated atmosphere and somewhat secluded location. Graphics designer Romain di Tirtoff, also known as Erte, was the first celebrity resident of the neighborhood. Actors as diverse as Bela Lugosi, Robert Montgomery, Gale Sondergaard, Ned Beatty, Spring Byington. Jon Cryer, and Kathy Bates have lived here. Such artists as writer James M. Cain, writer Aldous Huxley, screenwriter/director Herbert Biberman, film director Norman Z. McLeod, and composers Max Steiner and Miklos Rozsa have also called it home. Musicians like Benny Carter, Stan Kenton, Peter Tork, Madonna, and Moby have also resided in the area. MOVIES The area has also hosted numerous movie and television shoots over the years. Invasion of the Body Snatchers, It Conquered the World, House of the Damned, Down Three Dark Streets, Hollywood Boulevard, The Limey, Return From Witch Mountain, Mulholland Drive, and the upcoming feature The Artist have filmed in Hollywoodland. Television shows like Monk and The Closer have also filmed here. Throughout the years, many films have included quick shots of the Hollywood Sign in them as location signifiers or comic footnotes, including Hollywood Blvd., Earthquake, Superman, Mighty Joe Young, The Truman Show, The Day After Tomorrow, and this summer's Friends With Benefits. HOLLYWOODLAND, HOLLYWOODLAND SIGN AND HOLLYWOOD SIGN PHOTOGRAPHS The largest collection of these photographs is hollywoodphotographs.com. Beginning with Hollywoodland photos, taken in 1923, the collection has scores of images of the building of Hollywoodland and the Hollywoodland Sign. There are, also, many photos of the Hollywood Sign.

John Bengstson's Book 'Silent Visions' Is a Masterpiece of Research

2011-07-18T19:26:00-07:00

John Bengston has tracked down the original locations for the three biggest comedy stars of the silent era. His books are a treasure trove for historians and film lovers, reminding us that these early films are not just masterpieces of comedy but also remarkable time capsules of early 20th century America. His Silent Visions: Discovering Early Hollywood and New York Through the Films of Harold Lloyd is a follow-up to his Silent Echoes: Discovering Early Hollywood Through the Films of Buster Keaton and Silent Traces: Discovering Early Hollywood Through the Films of Charlie Chaplin. He is often able to show how particular locations appear over and over again — he even located both Harold Lloyd and Bruce Willis at the same place, seven decades apart. His blog about Keaton, Chaplin, and Lloyd is a treat. He was kind enough to answer my questions about Harold Lloyd and what he discovered in his research. Harold Lloyd was immensely popular; as popular as Chaplin in many polls, and more prolific. As a result, Lloyd sold more tickets during the Golden Age of Comedy than any other comedian, and retired as one of Hollywood’s wealthiest men. Lloyd owned all of his films outright, and completely controlled their distribution. Lloyd was concerned about how his films would be received in later years, and did not want them shown cut up on television interrupted by beer commercials. So at a time when other silent comedians began enjoying a renaissance, Lloyd’s films were generally unavailable. The ironic consequence of Lloyd’s efforts to preserve his legacy was that it kept his films out of reach from a generation of film fans, breaking the chain of public recognition. For years then Lloyd’s films have not garnered the attention they deserved. Lloyd’s films are now available on DVD, and comedy fans unfamiliar with his work are in for a real treat. Lloyd famously did his own stunts (usually without any safety equipment) and one early accident severely damaged his right hand. How did he compensate in his stunts and how did he camouflage the injury on screen? Lloyd performed numerous stunt climbing sequences throughout his career, even though he only had one complete hand. In a freak accident, Lloyd lost nearly half of his right hand posing for a gag publicity photo by pretending to light a cigarette with the sputtering fuse of a fake bomb. Inexplicably the property bomb contained a real charge that discharged moments after Harold lowered it away from his face. Although the accident was news at the time, Lloyd worked hard to preserve the illusion that he was not injured, wearing a tightly fitted glove over a prosthetic thumb and finger when filming. Lloyd also cleverly staged scenes to favor his left hand, filmed mirror reflections of his left hand as his “right,” and used hand doubles for certain closeups. When posing for news photos in public, Lloyd usually adopted a causal stance with his right hand in his pocket. Can you explain a little bit about your research techniques? What were your resources for tracking down buildings that no longer exist? Do any records exist from the making of the films? When I began this research 15 years ago, I had little choice but to visit Southern California libraries and photo archives in person. Today I make most of my discoveries sitting at my home computer, hundreds of miles from Los Angeles. With the Internet it is now possible to search vintage photo archives, highly detailed real estate atlases and fire insurance maps, 1920s newspapers and telephone directories, and even historic aerial photos online. Further, with Google Street View and Bing Map’s Bird’s Eye View, one can hop across town to see how these film locations look today, without having to fight traffic. When attempting to solve a location, I start with obvious things like street signs and the names of business establishments in the background. Sometimes the street will have an unusual curve, or a staggered intersection. The angle of the sun usually tells you the direction of the street, and landmarks such as trolley tracks, parks, and churches provide other clues. My only clue for discovering the church Buster Keaton used in Seven Chances (1925) was noticing that it stood at the southeast corner of a “T” intersection, but armed with a few vintage maps that was sufficient. I am now so familiar with how Los Angeles appeared in the 1920s that I can identify many scenes that contain no outward clues at all. What did Lloyd look for in selecting locations? Did he use any more than once? Lloyd’s favorite place to film was at Third and Grand, atop Bunker Hill in Los Angeles, where he filmed scenes for seven different movies, all just one block from the top end of the Angels Flight funicular railway. This charming neighborhood was completely obliterated during the 1960s urban redevelopment movement, and is now populated with glass office towers. The section of Third Street on Bunker Hill was situated above the Third Street Tunnel. Since through traffic could use the tunnel instead, it was convenient to shut down Third Street above the tunnel for filming chases and stunts. Did many appear in films by other performers as well? You compare Lloyd’s use of the boat in Coney Island to Keaton’s — how did that reflect their different styles and approaches? Los Angeles and especially Hollywood were still relatively small cities at the time Harold Lloyd began his film career in 1915. Because at the time there were only a limited number of commercial districts, residential neighborhoods, train stations, public parks, and so forth to choose from, it was common for the great silent comedians to cross paths when filming, almost by necessity. Chaplin and Keaton filmed frequently in the Skid Row and Chinatown parts of town, while Lloyd filmed extensively in the bustling financial and business districts of downtown Los Angeles. This makes sense, as Lloyd played more of a middle-class Everyman character. Was there one location that was especially tough to track down? How did you finally find it? I visited New York 25 years ago, but did not travel there to research the book. I was able to confirm dozens of vintage New York City locations appearing in Harold Lloyd’s 1928 feature Speedy by using the Internet to cross-check vintage maps and archival photos with contemporary views on Google Street View. But some street scenes eluded me until I realized they were not filmed in New York at all, but were filmed on Flower Street in downtown Los Angeles instead. Speedy has several sequences where the film jumps back and forth between scenes filmed in the two cities. We’re not supposed to notice this. To me it makes me appreciate the skill of Lloyd and his talented crew even more. Do you have a favorite Lloyd film or stunt? Who was his best co-star? It would be difficult for anyone to surpass Harold hanging from the hands of a skyscraper clock in Safety Last! (1923). That sequence was filmed using a special set built on the roof of a tall building. Yet in a continuous shot from an earlier film, Ask Father (1919), Harold actually climbs the first three floors of the former International Bank Building in downtown Los Angeles. Which buildings in his films still exist for people to visit (or to show up in current films and television) today? Harold used eight different buildings in the Historic Core of downtown Los Angeles to film his various stunt climbing movies, seven of which are still standing. But the greatest number of surviving building locations, by far, stands along Rampart Boulevard between 3rd Street and 6th Street in Los Angeles, where Lloyd filmed several elaborate stunt/chase sequences appearing in For Heaven’s Sake (1926). The street is lined with two dozen or more apartment blocks all built between 1924-1924, and which are nearly all still standing. One of the largest collections of Hollywood studio photographs is hollywoodphotographs.com.

Historic Hollywood studio is updated with new buildings

2011-07-18T21:07:00-07:00

HISTORIC HOLLYWOOD STUDIO GETS NEW SOUNDSTAGE A clutch of city officials and film industry promoters gathered Monday morning on the same lot in East Hollywood where Mary Pickford once worked to celebrate a rare occurrence: the opening of a new soundstage in Los Angeles. Hollywood-based Occidental Entertainment Group Holdings, which owns a dozen local soundstages and other entertainment businesses, unveiled a 14,000-square-foot, 54-foot high soundstage on the historic Occidental Studios lot, along with 6,000 square feet of hair and makeup facilities, dressing rooms and office space. That’s hardly extraordinary in a city that boasts about 300 soundstages, many of them much larger. But the opening is unusual because so few production facilities have been built from the ground up in L.A. since feature filming activity peaked in the late 1990s -- before production began to take flight from Southern California to cheaper locales. “We made the decision to build this stage when concerns over runaway production were running rampant,’’ said Craig Darian, chief executive of Occidental Entertainment Group. “But we just have an abiding view that Los Angeles is always going to be the center of the entertainment industry. This is a vote of confidence in our industry.” The company invested $12 million to finance the new soundstage, which was originally intended to accomodate a former tenant, the Showtime series “United States of Tara.” The series taped its pilot and first season at Occidental but later moved to CBS Studio Center on Radford Avenue because Occidental couldn’t open the new stage in time. Though “Tara” was recently canceled, Darian said the experience convinced him that the demand for new soundstages in L.A. remained strong, despite growing competition from such states as Georgia, Michigan, Louisiana and New York that are also vying for the same TV and film business. A recent survey from FilmL.A. Inc. found that L.A.’s share of all pilot production fell to 51% in the most recent season, down from 58% last year and 82% from six years ago. Occidental hasn’t been immune to the slowdown. Executives said the company’s entertainment revenues -- about $20 million a year -- have been virtually flat the last two years. But they predict activity will pick up thanks to an increase in local cable TV production and the effect of California’s film tax incentive program, which helped fuel a 15% jump in on-location shoots last year. “I think it’s a good roll of the dice for us,” said Ricky Stoutland, president of Occidental Studios. “We’re just hoping the California Film Commission is going to start drawing more production.” Sam Nicassio, president of Los Angeles Center Studios, the downtown studio that is home to AMC’s series “Mad Men,” said demand for soundstage space was tight. “I think you’re seeing larger budgets on cable TV networks that didn’t have budgets before,’’ he said, adding that all six of the studio’s soundstages are booked. STUDIO HAS HISTORIC PAST Built in 1913, Occidental Studios is among the oldest continually operating studios in Hollywood, used by pioneering filmmakers Cecil B. De Mille, D.W. Griffith and Mary Pickford, who worked there as an actress and filmmaker in its early years. One of the largest collections of Hollywood movie studios is hollywoodphotographs.com. There are over 1500 photos of about ninety historic studios. Over the years the studio changed hands several times. In the early 1920s, it was occupied by Realart Studios. In the 1930's it became Multicolor Films. In the 1970s is was occupied by VCI Studios The 3 1/2-acre lot on Occidental Boulevard between Beverly and Santa Monica boulevards was acquired by Occidental Entertainment Group’s founder, Albert Sweet, in 1990 and includes three other stages and 35,000 square feet of production offices. Occidential owns commercial real estate nationwide as well as office buildings and soundstages in Hollywood and Van Nuys that are frequently used by Disney, NBC, MTV Networks and FX, whose TV series “Sons of Anarchy” is based at another Occidental studio in North Hollywood. Occidental isn’t the only developer trying to capitalize on the uptick in local filming. Triliad Development, a Thousand Oaks real estate group, has submitted plans to develop a state-of-the-art, $170-million production complex in Moorpark in Ventura County with a dozen stages over the next two years. “I think there is a lot of talent in the area and building something from the ground up that could accommodate the needs of the new digital age of filmmaking is something that could benefit the industry, “ said Valerie Draeger, Triliad president.

In Hollywood, They Got It Wrong

2011-07-18T18:49:00-07:00

IN HOLLYWOOD, THEY GOT IT WRONG The sign at 'Hollywood Historic Site No. 38' has its facts wrong, Brian Christie says. And he ought to know, he says, because the Christie Hotel, Hollywood's first 'modern' luxury hotel, was built by his great-grandfather, Haldane H. Christie. Until now, it was believed the hotel was built and owned by Al and Charles Christie who were instrumental in establishing the first movie studio in Hollywood. If the historical record can be believed, Christie has rich family roots. The 52-year-old West Hills resident has traced them back to 1740, when Capt. John Christie was born in Scotland and later migrated to the United States where he fought in the Revolutionary War. The captain's son was captured by Native Americans in what is now Pennsylvania and held for 18 months until he was released for ransom, Christie said. 'They traded him for a couple of jugs of whiskey,' he said. 'Of course, how accurate that information is I don't know.' Christie has good reason to be wary. For nearly two years, he has struggled to set the record straight about his great-grandfather's Hollywood history. Haldane H. Christie was a pioneering auto parts manufacturer who started out producing axles and springs. In 1914, he sold his Michigan-based car top company to Henry Ford and moved to Los Angeles. Here, he quickly became a real estate developer specializing in property along Hollywood Boulevard and in the Hollywood Hills. In 1920, he commissioned construction of Hollywood's first 'modern' luxury hotel at the southwest corner of Hollywood Boulevard and McCadden Place. The eight-story Georgian Revival building with steeply pitched gable roofs was considered Hollywood's first skyscraper when it opened in 1922. Architect Arthur R. Kelly, best known at the time for his residential designs, created three brick towers connected to ground-level shops. The Christie Hotel boasted amenities that included steam heat and individual bathrooms for each of its 100 guest rooms — a first for Hollywood. It quickly became popular with those in town to work in the area's fast-growing film industry as well as with locals. Haldane Christie continued his ownership of the hotel and his realty work until his death in 1941 at age 71. In 1945, the place was renamed the Drake Hotel and later became the Hollywood Inn. These days, the structure is owned by the Church of Scientology. The largest collection of Hollywood Hotel photographs is hollywoodphotographs.com In 2009, Brian Christie drove his parents from their Victorville home to Hollywood to take a photograph of them in front of the former family-owned hotel. That's when he saw the historic marker standing next to Hollywood Boulevard that identifies the hotel as 'Hollywood Historic Site No. 38.'

Millennium Hollywood Proposed Around Capitol Records Tower

2011-07-05T03:46:00-07:00

MILLENNIUM HOLLYWOOD TO RISE UP AROUND CAPITOL RECORDS TOWER Two New York real estate developers unveiled on Friday their plans for Millennium Hollywood, a nearly $1 billion mixed-use project that would rise up around the iconic Capitol Records Tower on Vine Street in historic Hollywood. The historic tower, completed in 1956, also houses the famous Capitol Studios, where generations of artists including Capitol label co-founder Johnny Mercer, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and the Beach Boys recorded music. The Tower, which was the first circular office building in the country, is located on the east side of Vine Street, just north of the intersection of Hollywood Blvd & Vine St. Photographs of historic Hollywood can be seen at hollywoodphotographs.com. The roughly 1 million-square-foot development would include residences, a hotel, office space, restaurants and retail space. The proposed project from developers Millennium Partners and Argent Ventures requires city of Los Angeles approval in order to move forward; it typically takes about two years to gain authorization for such a project. It would be built on a surface parking lot next to the famed 13-story circular tower, and on another parking lot across Vine Street, next to the Avalon nightclub, formerly the home of Ken Murray's Blackouts. Though the developers purchased the tower at 1750 Vine St. in 2006, their initial plan to develop the property around it was halted by the recession. From the time Millennium and Argent acquired the 4.5-acre site, some in Hollywood’s preservation community have expressed concern that new development near the tower might obscure it from view. The building is protected from demolition or significant alteration because it is part of the National Register of Historic Places’ Hollywood Boulevard commercial and entertainment district. Millennium and Argent said in a statement that their plans would preserve the building, and views of it. “Our utmost goal was to preserve this world famous landmark,” said Philip Aarons, founding partner of Millennium, in a statement. “We take our responsibility as steward of this civic treasure very seriously, and that’s why we have spent considerable time and energy crafting this plan for a forward thinking and vibrant project that is respectful of the Capitol Records Tower and the role it plays in Hollywood.” MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT Plans for the project include 492 residences, a 200-room hotel, and as much as 150,000 square feet of office space, among other features. Much of the development would be concentrated in two towers, with the taller building rising 48 stories. There have been a handful of large mixed-use developments to open in Hollywood during the last decade. The $615 million Hollywood & Highland Center (formerly the site of the Hollywood Hotel), which includes a shopping mall, hotel and the Kodak Theatre, opened in 2001. And the $600-million W Hollywood Hotel & Residences, situated near the intersection of Hollywood and Vine, opened in early 2010.

William & Kate expected to dazzle in Hollywood

2011-07-07T17:45:00-07:00

THE ROYAL COUPLE WILL TURN HOLLYWOOD’S HEAD Prince William and his new wife, Kate, make their debut on the world's largest celebrity stage on Friday with a brief California visit that combines the glitz of Hollywood with the grit of Skid Row in Los Angeles. In a town stuffed with A-list stars, William and Kate already shine the brightest and their three-day trip to Los Angeles has sent celebrity media into a frenzy. 'We have never had a royal couple that have so much celebrity as these two. American girls are obsessed with Kate Middleton -- what she wears, what she does and the fact she was an ordinary girl who managed to bag a prince. Searches on Yahoo! for the royal newlyweds are up 354 percent this week, fueled by their much photographed first overseas visit to Canada, the online search engine said. But with Britain in the middle of an austerity drive, William and Kate will keep a lid on the celebrity side of the U.S. visit while elevating the charity work. 'If they came to Hollywood and had dinner with Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise and hung out with David and Victoria Beckham and then went shoe shopping, that is definitely something they would be criticized for,' Bromley told Reuters. That royal restraint, however, hasn't stopped Los Angeles entertainment news outlets from airing special royal features three days ahead of their Friday arrival in Los Angeles. And the California tourist board capitalized on the visit to run promotions for the state's castles, and other tourist attractions, that are 'fit for a king.' POLO ON THE COAST The new Duchess of Cambridge may be making her debut on the world stage, and her first ever visit to the United States. But veteran British royal watcher Andrew Morton, says Kate has taken to her new role 'like a swan to water.' Morton sees the California trip primarily as 'a chance for William and Catherine to pass around the begging bowl for their charities.' In contrast to the flag-waving crowds and walkabouts in Canada, a Saturday charity polo match in the coastal town of Santa Barbara is expected to be the best chance for royal fans in California to get a look at the pair. 'There will be far more closed events. I suspect Angelenos will have very little opportunity to mingle with the royals unless they have paid a hefty check,' said Morton, author of 'Catherine and William: Their Story.' The only star-heavy event in a schedule that includes a visit to a Los Angeles kids' inner city arts project in the gritty Skid Row district, a meeting with military families and a new media trade panel, is a black tie, $25,000 per table dinner organized by the British Academy for Film and Television (BAFTA) of which William is president. The BAFTA gala on Saturday will bring 42 young, British, emerging actors, directors, writers and videogame designers together with Hollywood studio executives. 'The goal is not to meet celebrities. The goal is to connect young British talent with Hollywood decision-makers,' the couple's private secretary Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton said when the event was announced. But organizers say there will also be a celebrity red carpet on the night and the guest list featuring 'hot young things to (Hollywood) legends.' Tom Hanks and Nicole Kidman are reported to be among those with an invitation. That is music to the ears of American celebrity magazines. 'A picture of Brad (Pitt), Angelina (Jolie), William and Kate having dinner together would be my dream celebrity scenario -- a perfect juncture between royalty and celebrity,' said Bromley.

Peter O'Toole Immortalized in Grauman's Chinese Theater Forecourt

2011-07-07T03:55:00-07:00

PETER TOOLE IMMORTALIZED IN GRAUMAN’S CHINESE THEATER FORECOURT He was Lawrence of Arabia, Beckett and the man of the year in My Favorite Year. On April 30, 2011, he was immortalized in cement among the gallery of over 200 other films stars in the forecourt of Grauman’s Chinese Theater. He is the one and only Peter O’Toole. Angelica Houston, Jane Powell, Barbara Hershey and other celebrities and a large group of his fans from the past 50 years came to see Peter place his hands and footprints into a specially mixed “gold dust” color of cement. The first of it’s kind, in the 80 year history of this Hollywood tradition, took place in 1927 with Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. The gold dust represents his epic appearance in 1962′s Lawrence Of Arabia, his first and most epic film. Peter was flanked by two of his children, who came into his life well after the age of 50. Peter has outlived many of his talented and rogue contemporaries including Richard Harris, Richard Burton and Peter Finch. Many hilarious YouTube episodes from David Letterman, Jay Leno and other shows chronic Peter’s unique style, sense of humor and drinking stories of his legendary past. One of the biggest events at this years Turner Classic Movie Festival, TCM’s Robert Osborne hosted the ceremony. On camera, Peter said at one time he actually worked for a cement company. Off camera he laughed and told stories of the many times he had “hit the cement” after a long night of drinking. While thousands of Oscars have been received since the 1920′s, less than 250 stars have been asked to stand in cement at The Chinese Theater. A very special tribute for a very special celebrity, Peter O’Toole. HISTORY OF THE HAND AND FOOTPRINTS AT THE CHINESE THEATER The hand and footprint ceremonies had its beginning in 1927, during the final days of construction of Grauman’s Chinese Theater. During the course of construction, a accident occurred that later evolved to one of Hollywood's greatest tourist attractions: placing of celebrities' hand and footprints in the forecourt of the Chinese Theater. There have been many stories as to the origin of the tradition, and all can be dismissed as folklore. The most popular of these fabricated tales suggests that the idea for the hand and footprints was sparked when Sid Grauman witnessed Norma Talmadge step into fresh cement as she got out of her car while visiting the theater. It has also been the popular belief that Norma Talmadge was the first celebrity to place hand and footprints in the theater's forecourt. The true story, which lacks the glamour of the other tales, is that Sid Grauman was walking across the theater's forecourt when he was confronted by his chief cement mason, Jean Klossner, who scolded Sid for walking in the freshly laid cement. After making peace with Klossner, Sid asked Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Norma Talmadge to come to the theater at once. Upon their arrival, he had them place their footprints in the new curbstone. However, the cement was nearly dry, causing the impressions too faint. In April, just three weeks before the completion of construction, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks were again invited back this time to formally place their hand and footprints and signatures in the center of the theater's forecourt. Thus, they became the first to formally make impression of there extremities in cement at the Chinese Theater. A few days later, Grauman had Talmadge make similar impressions next to those made by Pickford and Fairbanks. Knowing that the theater's grand opening was to occur on May 18, 1927, Norma Talmadge scribbled that date above her signature instead of the actual date she made the impressions. Since then, over two hundred of celebrities have had their hand and footprints and signature enshrined in the famous courtyard. The largest collection of Grauman's Chinese Theater and hand and footprint ceremonies is at hollywoodphotographs.com.

American Legion Post 43 to Host Hollywood Chamber Mixer

2011-07-05T16:00:00-07:00

AMERICAN LEGION POST 43 TO HOST HOLLYWOOD CHAMBER MIXER The American Legion Post 43 will generously host the Hollywood Chamber’s Business After Hours mixer in July. Join us and learn about the history of this landmark as you network and make new business connections. The mixer will be held at 2035 North Highland Ave., from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 14th. Admission is $10 for members and $20 for future-members, which includes two beverages, and hors d’oeuvres. HISTORY OF LEGION POST 43 AND HOLLYWOOD LEGION STADIUM Hollywood Post 43 has a long and storied history in Hollywood. It was formed in 1919 at the Toberman Hall at 6416 Hollywood Blvd. Starting in 1920, Post 43 ran the Hollywood Legion Boxing Stadium at Selma and El Centro. At the end of WWI, Mr. P.J. Beveridge offered the property at Selma Ave. and El Centro Ave., to the Legion,at pre-war prices, for a recreation field and clubhouse. A steady stream of income was necessary to maintain the club quarters and Mr. Walter Long suggested a boxing arena be built. In 1922, the Legion erected an outdoor stadium with wooden bleachers. A year or so later, the stadium was roofed and heated. This structure remained on the site until a new arena was built and opened in September 1938. The list of boxing and wrestling notables who appeared at the Hollywood Legion Stadium, from the mid 20’s on, seemed endless. Included among the champions were heavyweights James L. Braddock and Joe Lewis; lightweights 'Slapsy' Maxie Rosenbloom and Archie Moore; and middleweights Bobo Olson and Caferino Garcia. Maxie Rosenbloom owned Slapsy Maxie's nigntclub on Wilshire Blvd., in Los Angeles. HOLLYWOOD STARS WERE REGULAR SPECTATORS The stadium, with its seating of around 6000, was the richest in the country and the Legion managed to pay off the cost of the arena in two years. The Hollywood Legion Stadium was so popular with the movie crowd that the spectators didn’t know whether to watch the boxing or stare at the movie stars. Al Jolson, Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart and Betty Grable were only a few of the scores of celebrities who regularly attended the fights. Mae West often gave wrist watches to fighters she liked. Pat O’Brien formed a wrestling club called the Gay Blades. ATTENDANCE BEGINS TO DWINDLE In 1952, the arena welcomed in television, a move that many Legionnaires and boxing buffs later denounced, insisting that telecasts of the fights would cause gate receipts to dwindle. During the late fifties, the public’s interest in boxing started to wane and the Hollywood Legion Stadium began to suffer from poor attendance. finally television threw in the towel. The last televised fight from the stadium was on September 12, 1959.The following year, the famous stadium was filled in with concrete and converted to Brunswick’s Hollywood Legions Lanes, Hollywood’s finest bowling alley. NEW AMERICAN LEGION CLUBHOUSE The proceed from the Hollywood Legion Stadium were used to build its 33,000-sq.ft. Egyptian Revival-Moroccan Deco Memorial Clubhouse finished in 1929. Post 43 is a C-19 veteran service organization that currently has 487 members from the wars and conflicts. Its mission is to not only host member meetings and social occasions, but as a rental facility is used for weddings, bar mitzvahs, film, TV, commercials, music videos, etc. Its members have 18 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame including four for member Gene Autry. The mixer will include a tour of the facility including its four room Military & Hollywood History Museum. Very active in veterans affairs and volunteerism, Post 43 helps to guide its membership and non-member veterans to continue to be active in their communities while also receiving assistance with health, education, and end of life situations. American Legion Post 43 is located at 2035 N. Highland Ave., in Hollywood. Historic photographs of the American Legion Post 43 and of the Hollywood Legion Stadium can be seen on hollywoodphotographs.com.

Cirque du Soleil Opens in Historic Hollywood

2011-07-04T13:40:00-07:00

HISTORIC HOLLYWOOD WELCOMES CIRQUE DU SOLEIL The cast of 'Iris,' Cirque du Soleil's new movie-themed show at the famed Kodak Theatre here, took the stage on June 16, 2011 to preview the upcoming production's mix of elite acrobatics, audio visual technology, and live music and dance for a select crew of press, corporate reps, and local government officials. FORMER HOLLYWOOD HOTEL The Kodak Theater is located in the heart of historic Hollywood, at the corner of Hollywood Blvd. & Highland Ave. and was the former home of the famous Hollywood Hotel. 'IRIS' PRODUCTION Cirque artists performed 20 minutes of the massive stage production--Cirque's 27th to date--for the eager crowd. When 'Iris' opens later this year, it will settle into the Kodak Theatre as a permanent attraction, stepping aside whenever the Academy Awards or other shows require the space. After opening comments from Cirque executives, the audience enjoyed what could prove to be the opening of the finished production. Performers filled the stage in mini-vignettes highlighting the invention of cinema and the earliest days of Hollywood. A human kinescope danced amid aspiring starlets, blue-collar crew workers, silent film stars, and well-dressed executives. Technological magic merged with the human elements. Independently animated and radio-controlled 'creatures' like studio lights and cameras danced with their human counterparts. The opening number climaxed with an aerial act of two male rigging dancers literally flying about and bouncing off the walls of the Kodak Theatre. Imagery captured during the invention of black-and-white moving pictures played in loops projected around the stage set against the backdrop of a soundtrack by film composer Danny Elfman. The final clip, a classic gangster mini-movie, gave way to Cirque's high-tech visual trickery when its characters stepped 'through' the screen and emerged onstage. A cops-and-robbers chase atop the rooftops of New York along a row of trampolines topped off the show. The lighting for 'Iris' relies on modern techniques of projecting imagery against translucent fabrics and periodically mixing stark light and shadows to transform the stage area into the illusion of a two-dimensional moving image. The exact tools being used are top secret and likely will remain so as the show rolls out, but the sheer size of the set pieces and the proliferation of technology hints at the massive amount of machinery hidden backstage. While most of the production remains under wraps, the short demo already showed that the same massive, animated stage and set piece movements from former Cirque shows are once again in play. Using automated positioning systems, the set pieces for the large installed Cirque shows are monitored and will cease moving immediately if the piece is off by as little as millimeters. Such systems protect the Cirque performers, no matter how many tons a set piece weighs. Written and directed by Philippe DeCoufle, the show opens in Hollywood on July 21. To see wonderful historic photographs of Hollywood, please visit hollywoodphotographs.com