The Chinese Theatre in Hollywood is the most famous movie theatre in the world. Millions of visitors flock here each year, most of them drawn by its legendary forecourt with its footprints of the stars. Yet the Chinese Theatre is also a fine place to see a movie in its own right, a spectacular movie palace with a unique history.
Grauman's Chinese Theatre opened over 70 years ago, with the 1927 debut of the original silent version of "King of Kings," produced by Cecil B. DeMille. Since then, the Chinese Theatre has been the site of more gala Hollywood movie premieres than any other theatre. (In 1939, for instance, over 10,000 spectators showed up for the world premiere of "The Wizard of Oz.)
Back in the 1940's, Grauman's Chinese Theatre also hosted the annual Academy Award ceremonies. And the theatre has appeared in quite a few movies itself, including the opening scene of 1952's beloved musical "Singing in the Rain," and at the climax of the recent action-adventure "Speed." More recently, it played a major role in the remake of the "Mighty Joe Young," in a scene where the giant gorilla climbs up the side of the theatre and perches atop its ornate roof.
It's been featured on TV sitcoms as well - remember the episode of "I Love Lucy" where Lucy stole the cement block bearing John Wayne's footprints? Or how about the episode of "The Beverly Hillbillies" where Jed and Jethro thought that the forecourt had been vandalized by the stars, and were caught trying to pave over the "evidence " with wet cement!
---www.seeing-stars.com
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