Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood is a popular movie theater and cultural attraction known for its Chinese pagoda design and famous autographed cement tiles. It was built in the 1920s and designated a historic landmark in 1968. The theater is a frequent venue for movie premieres and is located on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Sid Grauman popularized the idea of star-studded previews to promote movies and theaters.
Grauman’s Chinese Theater is a famous cultural attraction located in Hollywood, California. The theater is widely regarded as one of the most popular movie theaters in the world and is a frequent venue for movie premieres and other major Hollywood events. In addition to the theater itself, many visitors flock to Grauman’s to see autographs made by famous movie stars in the concrete of the forecourt.
The story of Grauman’s Chinese Theater began in the 1920s when Sid Grauman first conceived the idea of building a movie theater in the shape of a giant Chinese pagoda, to complement other fabulously decorated movie theaters in Hollywood. By the May 18, 1927 premiere of “King of Kings,” the theater was finished, complete with cultural artifacts from China and lavish carvings, paintings, and textile designs. Grauman’s other projects included the Egyptian Theater, a few blocks away from the Chinese Theater site.
Grauman’s Chinese Theater forecourt is probably the building’s most famous feature, with two giant red columns supporting a towering roof. A large sculpture of a dragon sits above the doors, while two dogs of heaven from China guard the doors. The cement tiles in the courtyard are signed by famous actors and actresses and many of the tiles are also marked with hands and footprints. In some cases, more unusual keepsakes can be found, such as Harry Potter star wand prints, Betty Grable’s leg, Equestrian Star hoof prints, R2D2 wheel marks, and cigar footprints.
The distinctive building was designated a historic and cultural landmark in 1968, in recognition of its place in Hollywood history. The theater is located on Hollywood’s “Walk of Fame,” which immortalises famous movie stars with sidewalk plaques along Hollywood Boulevard. Visitors to Hollywood often cross the Walk of Fame and try to visit Grauman’s Chinese Theater as well, to admire the extensive decorations, which were recently renovated in 2001.
By convention, Grauman’s Chinese Theater is one of the most sought-after locations for Hollywood movie premieres. This isn’t very surprising, since Sid Grauman popularized the idea of star-studded previews to promote movies and the theaters where they were shown. The famous facade of Grauman’s can often be seen in the coverage of film premieres and is also present in ceremonies to immortalize the autographs of film stars in the concrete of the forecourt.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
