Chinese Theatre Cover-up

Back when I worked at Starline Tours, one of my favorite things was helping tourists get that perfect photo in front of the Chinese Theatre. When you get down close to the ground you can get a great shot upward that gets the whole front of the theatre.............................Not any more.

In an effort to make some extra $$, owners Elie Samaha and Donald Kushner have come up with a unique idea: Green screen the Chinese and have you pay for it.

If you want to enter the forecourt, you are directed to enter thru the "FREE" entrance and stand in front of the green screen to have your picture taken, then you can roam the forecourt to see "all" the handprints. 

After you are finished you can purchase photos at the booth.

Photo package pricing

An "official" photo in front of the green screen

While I applaud them for their ingenuity to get people to pay for a photo that they used to be able to take for free, what bothers me is.............The Cover up!!
If you want pictures of the Icons Bette Davis, Lucas and Spielberg, Betty Grable, Elizabeth Taylor or Edward Arnold.....well, that's too bad 'cause they're under the carpet!

Steven Spielberg & George Lucas

Betty Grable

Bette Davis

Elizabeth Taylor & Rock Hudson

Bottom line, if you have pictures of these Hollywood landmarks - savor them!

Oscar is coming!!! Oscar is coming!!!

Well it's Oscar time here in Hollywood and that means closing Hollywood Blvd. and welcoming every television Channel on earth!
This Sunday The Academy Awards will be given out at the Kodak Theatre.
In the past they would close the street about 3 or 4 weeks ahead of time but, now that they have down to 1 week, it seems the Oscars may move out of the Kodak. 
So if it's a last Hurrah, I should show what happens that you don't get to see on TV.

It all starts with removing the light poles.
That's a 2 day thing.               Watch Hollywood Blvd. from here. 

Then the bleachers to hold the hundreds of fans. If you ever wanted to be one of the lucky ones. You submit your application to the Academy. Bookmark this link and in the middle of  Sept. registration opens for 1 week.

Once the street is closed to all traffic, the bridge used by the media for that special look "Down the Red Carpet" is erected.









                                                After the chain link fence is put up to separate the Red Carpet from the real world, the place looks like a prison.

It's too early in the week for any outside media, they should start showing up once the carpet is in place. For now the local stations get as much in as they can.

Personally I can't wait for the statues to go up. I will continue to update as the week unfolds.

The Picasa album is here.

Holiday Lights: Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Hancock Park & Burbank

I Love Christmas!! That said, one thing I miss from Philly is an abundance of Christmas lights.

Paramount Studios, Hollywood

There are the ones you would expect to see like Rodeo Dr. and the Studios.

Cartier, Rodeo Dr

You would think the Really good ones would be in Beverly Hills or Hancock Park, but no...............Burbank, Ca. 

Florence Ave, Burbank

Yes, "Beautiful Downtown Burbank" Burbank. Not really downtown but Florence Ave. More to the point Dick Norton.
                          
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