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Reaching for the stars
at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
HOLLYWOOD

I would only often read about the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in entertainment news, like when there is a movie premiere. It’s a glittery and snazzy place, frequented by celebrities–big and small. As well as the wannabes.

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Thanks to my cousins in California, I had the chance to visit this place, at least out in front. It was during the time that I did not have my own digital camera, but I’m happy that my cousins were able to snap some photos so at least I have memories of this trip that happened back in 2003.

Anyway, I was awestruck, of course, and made the most of the moment posing in front of the theater as well as on the floor, where there are writings on the cement tiles–some written by celebrities. When you are common folk, you try to be near whatever celebrities have used or touched, somehow making you feel close to them. haha Cheap thrill.

While we were there, we saw celeb look-alikes who are dressed up like their famous counterparts. You can have photos taken with them for a fee. It depended upon the actor, but some asked for $20-$50 just to have a photo with them. That is part of the experience when you are in Hollywood. We just tried to sneak some photos of them from afar, as we did not really have a budget to pay for every single actor we meet along the way. Imagine, having to spend so much in pesos just for a single photo?! Sorry, I still convert dollar values into pesos.

Before we left, my cousins bought me a ceramic picture frame that captures the lights and glamour of Hollywood. It was very pretty. That was a very memorable visit for me.

From wikipedia:

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is a movie theater at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. It is on the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Chinese Theatre was commissioned following the success of the nearby Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre which opened in 1922. Built over 18 months, from January 1926 by a partnership headed by Sid Grauman, the theater opened May 18, 1927, with the premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s film The King of Kings. It has since been home to many premieres, including the 1977 launch of George Lucas’s Star Wars, as well as birthday parties, corporate junkets and three Academy Awards ceremonies. Among the theater’s most distinctive features are the concrete blocks set in the forecourt, which bear the signatures, footprints, and handprints of popular motion picture personalities from the 1920s to the present day.