Perhaps the most famous theater in the world, the Chinese Theater is a 'must see' stop for any visitor to Los Angeles. It is the place where Hollywood really does seem to come alive. Home to some of the entertainment industry's grandest movie premieres, as well as the legendary 'Forecourt of the Stars', the theater has become the personification of show business glamour. It's no wonder that it has become one of the most visited attractions in all of Los Angeles.
Built in 1927, the theater is one of the last great moviehouses where the outward presentation is as important as the interior's. The theater was designed to emulate the great structures built in ancient China. It's elaborate architectural design features a jade green bronze roof that stands almost 70 feet high and custom built marquees that capture the feel of old Hollywood. However, even though the design of the theater itself is enough to make it a unique attraction it is the hand and footprints in cement of the 'Forecourt of the Stars' that has made the theater so special.
The forecourt's history goes back to the theater's very beginning. Sid Grauman, Hollywood showman and builder of the the Chinese, wanted to do something special for the theater's grand opening. When he invited silent film stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks to put their handprints in the concrete as part of the opening, the ceremony was such a sensation it emerged into a full blown tradition. The forecourt has now become a landmark of movie history featuring hundreds of screen legends from John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart to more recent stars such as Tom Hanks, Mel Gibson and Jim Carrey. The theater still has its handprint ceremeonies roughly about 3 to 4 times a year although there is no set schedule for the event(usually in conjunction with a star's latest movie opening).
To many people's surprise, the theater is still, in fact, a fully functional movie theater open to the general public. If you have the time, seeing a movie at the Chinese Theater is worth it. It features a truly unique moviegoing experience. The auditorium contains one of the largest screens in southern California with a state of art THX and Dolby digital sound system.
Seating close to 1500 people, the crowds at the Chinese theater are more enthusiastic than at other theaters, particularly on an opening night. They have a tendency to cheer or boo out loud at the movie.. Not to worry though, the audience also knows to quiet down so you can hear the movie. This is the the place where the dedicated movie fan goes to see a movie. There's a reason Star Wars fans chose to camp out for over a month in 1999 just to get tickets to the opening night showing of 'The Phantom Menace' at the theater. To them, there was no other place to see it. The enviroment for seeing a movie at the Chinese is something you will not be able to find anyplace else in the world . As one fan camped out for tickets said, 'This is quite simply the greatest movie the theater in the world.'
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