This iconic, opulent theater hosts movie premieres & immortalizes hand- & footprints of the stars.

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TCL Chinese Theatre

TCL Chinese Theatre, a landmark on Hollywood Boulevard, distinguishes itself not merely as a movie palace, but as a living tapestry of cinematic history. Its forecourt, famously imprinted with the handprints, footprints, and signatures of Hollywood legends, is a unique chronicle of stardom. Beyond the celebrated prints, keen observers will note the occasional inclusion of objects – Harold Lloyd's eyeglasses, for instance – adding a personal touch to the concrete. The theatre's architecture, a flamboyant expression of Chinese design, was conceived by Meyer & Holler, who, despite lacking direct experience in Chinese architecture, drew inspiration from books and imagination, resulting in a distinctive, if somewhat stylized, interpretation. Sid Grauman, the theatre's visionary, personally selected many of the stars to be immortalized in the forecourt, creating a tradition that continues, albeit with evolving criteria. The theatre's original name, Grauman's Chinese Theatre, reflects his pivotal role in its creation and enduring legacy.

Introduction

Designed by Raymond M. Kennedy of Meyer & Holler, the TCL Chinese Theatre showcases an Exotic Revival style, originally budgeted at US$2.1 million. The exterior's focal point is a 90-foot-tall pagoda, supported by red pillars and crowned with a bronze roof. Traditional Chinese elements are abundant, including a 30-foot-tall stone-carved dragon mural and Ming dynasty-era guardian lion statues flanking the entrance, imported with special permission from the U.S. government. Moon Quon, a Chinese poet and filmmaker, supervised a team of Chinese artisans in creating the theater's traditional decorations.

Inside, the auditorium features a sixty-foot-wide ornate doily on its ceiling, adorned with silver dragon emblems and gold medallions, with a bronze chandelier shaped like a lantern hanging from its center. The color scheme emphasizes various shades of red, accented with bronze, gold, stone, and silver. Originally, the auditorium included a large stage divided into sections that could be lowered into a pit for quick set changes. Unusually for its time, the theater lacked a general-admission balcony, opting instead for four private box suites.

The TCL Chinese Theatre was the first commercial movie theater to incorporate air conditioning, with vents concealed behind imported decorative pillars. A three-manual, 17-rank Wurlitzer organ was originally installed, its pipes positioned above the proscenium to create the illusion of sound descending from the heavens. Keye Luke, a Chinese American actor, contributed murals to the lobby's design. Renovations in 2000-2001, overseen by Behr Browers Architects, included seismic upgrades, modernized sound and projection systems, and restoration of the exterior to its original appearance.

Architectural Design

The Forecourt of the Stars at TCL Chinese Theatre is famed for nearly 200 celebrity handprints, footprints, and autographs immortalized in concrete blocks. Visitors can engage with Hollywood history by touching the imprints of stars like Marilyn Monroe and Tom Hanks, and even the legs of Betty Grable, Jimmy Durante’s nose, and the wands of the Harry Potter trio.

The tradition began in 1927 with silent film star Norma Talmadge, who accidentally stepped onto wet cement. Sid Grauman then formalized the idea, inviting stars to leave their marks, with Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks being among the first to participate in April 1927. Grauman also imprinted his own handprint and autograph, dated 1927, which remains today.

While the theater's official story credits Talmadge, Grauman himself claimed he conceived the idea after stepping in soft concrete. Not all celebrity prints make it to the forecourt; some, like those of Alvin and the Chipmunks, were created for promotional purposes but not permanently installed due to space limitations. Beyond human celebrities, R2-D2's wheels and C-3PO's feet are also imprinted in the forecourt. The forecourt embodies the idea that "the show starts on the sidewalk," transporting patrons into Hollywood's glamour even before entering the theater.

Forecourt of the Stars

The TCL Chinese Theatre, since its opening in 1927, has undergone several significant renovations aimed at preserving its historical integrity while integrating modern cinematic technology. A major $7 million renovation in 2000-2001 focused on upgrading amenities, revealing obscured architectural details, and restoring the exterior to its original grandeur. This project also reinstated its original name, "Grauman's Chinese Theatre."

In 2013, the theatre underwent another transformation to accommodate a state-of-the-art IMAX facility. This conversion involved installing new technology, re-raking the auditorium floor to incorporate stadium-style seating, and adding an extra-wide screen with advanced sound and projection systems. Despite these modernizations, the owners ensured that the renovations adhered to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, with the Los Angeles Historic Theatre Foundation endorsing the plans.

The renovations faced the challenge of maintaining the theatre's legacy as a premier movie palace while making it a top-grossing IMAX venue. The strategy involved converting the theatre into one of the largest IMAX theaters in the world, all while restoring historic character-defining features. These efforts have allowed the TCL Chinese Theatre to remain a leading first-run film venue and a major tourist destination, hosting millions of visitors annually. The theatre continues to be a pioneer in exhibition, being the first commercial theatre to feature the new IMAX Laser experience.

Historic Renovations

The TCL Chinese Theatre stands as a cornerstone of Hollywood premiere history, having hosted a multitude of significant debuts since its opening on May 18, 1927, with Cecil B. DeMille's "The King of Kings." Its status as a preferred location for movie premieres has persisted, drawing Hollywood's brightest stars to its red carpet. The theater's architecture, featuring a Chinese pagoda and artifacts, creates a unique and glamorous environment for these events.

The tradition of celebrity handprints and footprints in the Forecourt of the Stars adds another layer to its premiere history. This started serendipitously and evolved into a celebrated ritual, immortalizing actors and filmmakers. Movie premieres at the TCL Chinese Theatre offer attendees the chance to witness the excitement firsthand, with potential celebrity sightings.

Beyond premieres, the TCL Chinese Theatre plays a key role during film festivals in Los Angeles, showcasing restored classic films and contemporary cinema. The theater's IMAX auditorium, one of the largest in the world, enhances the premiere experience with stunning visuals and immersive sound. The TCL Chinese Theatre remains a landmark for experiencing the magic of Hollywood's golden era.

TCL Chinese Theatre

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