Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [59]
GRAUMAN’S CHINESE THEATRE
Ever wondered what it’s like to be in George Clooney’s shoes? Just find his footprints in the forecourt of this world-famous movie palace (Map; 323-463-9576; www.manntheatres.com; 6925 Hollywood Blvd). The exotic pagoda theater – complete with temple bells and stone Heaven Dogs from China – has shown movies since 1927 when Cecil B DeMille’s The King of Kings first flickered across the screen; it’s still a studio favorite for star-studded premieres. To see the inside, buy a movie ticket or join a half-hour guided tour (adult/child & senior $12/8) offered throughout the day. Check in at the gift shop.
Most Tinseltown tourists are just content to find out how big Arnold’s feet really are or to search for Jimmy Durante’s nose, Betty Grable’s legs or Whoopi Goldberg’s braids. Douglas Fairbanks Sr, Mary Pickford (who both co-owned the theater with Grauman) and Norma Talmadge started the tradition back in 1927 and box-office superstars still get the nod today. Recent honorees have included Matt Damon, Brad Pitt and Daniel Radcliffe. Again, see www.hollywoodchamber.net for who’s up next.
See also Click here for further information.
* * *
TOURING HOLLYWOOD BLVD
Most of the sights described in this section line up neatly along a 1-mile stretch of Hollywood Blvd between La Brea Ave and Vine St. To learn more about major and minor landmarks, look for the red signs installed in front them, or join a walking tour operated by Red Line Tours.
* * *
HOLLYWOOD & HIGHLAND
It’s perhaps apropos that a Disneyfied shopping mall would be the spark plug for Hollywood Blvd’s rebirth. A perfect marriage of kitsch and commerce, the main showpiece of Hollywood & Highland (Map; 323-817-0200; www.hollywoodandhighland.com; 6801 Hollywood Blvd; admission free; 10am-10pm Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm Sun) is a triumphal arch inspired by DW Griffith’s 1916 movie Intolerance. Guarded by giant elephants, it’s as preposterous as it is impressive and frames some nice views of the Hollywood Sign. Next door, the Academy Awards are handed out at the Kodak Theatre (Map; 323-308-6363; www.kodaktheatre.com; tours adult/child, senior & student $15/10; 10:30am-4pm Jun-Aug, 10:30am-2:30pm Sep-May), which also hosts other big events such as the American Idol finals, the Daytime Emmies, the ESPY awards and the Miss USA pageant. On the tour you get to sniff around the auditorium, admire a VIP room and see an Oscar statuette. Obtaining online discount coupons will help take some sting out of the rather steep admission price.
* * *
YOUR 15 MINUTES OF FAME
Come on, haven’t you always dreamed of seeing your silly mug on TV or in the movies? Well, LA has a way of making dreams come true, but you have to do your homework before coming to town. Here are some leads to get you started.
Be in a Studio Audience – Sitcoms and game shows usually tape between August and March before live audiences. To nab free tickets, check with TV Tickets (www.tvtix.com) or Audiences Unlimited ( 818-753-3470; www.tvtickets.com). The latter also has a booth in the Entertainment Center at Universal Studios Hollywood. CBS (Map; 323-575-2624; www.cbs.com; 7800 Beverly Blvd) handles its own ticketing; the office is off Fairfax past the open green gate and is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (Click here for further information). For tickets to the Tonight Show at NBC (Map; 818-840-3537; 3000 W Alameda Ave, Burbank), call or check www.nbc.com/nbc/footer/Tickets.shtml. Tickets to Jimmy Kimmel Live, which conveniently tapes at the El Capitan Entertainment Center (Map; 800-866-5466 9849 or www.1iota.com; 6840 Hollywood Blvd). If you don’t have tickets, you may still be able to sneak in just before the 6pm taping. Just ask one of the ushers outside the theater (if they don’t ask you first!). Most