World Famous Chinese Theatre

The Chinese Theater

One of the most recognized building in Hollywood is The Chinese Theater. Impresario Sid Grauman spared no expense in building his lavish Movie Palace. The Chinese Theater is an American Icon. Synonymous with Tinsel Town since it was built, the Chinese is undoubtedly the most famous movie theater in the world.

The theaters ornate exterior resembles a Chinese pagoda. A huge carved dragon stand above two stone Temples Dog’s guarding the entrance. These and other artifacts including bells and pagodas were imported from China.

The most recognizable part of the theater is not its architecture but the signatures, hand and footprints of popular motion picture personalities from the 1920s to today, set in the forecourt.

On any given day dozens of visitors from around the world gaze at the more than 300 famous foot, and hand prints. Visitors step into the hand and footprints comparing their hands and feet to those of Marilyn Monroe, Tom Hans and hundreds of others.

Since it opened the Chinese has hosted hundreds of glittering premieres and three Academy Awards ceremonies. It is the only Movie Palace that has continuously shown first run motion pictures over the last 100 years.

The theater’s interior decor is dazzling. The lobby has an elaborate mural and a huge intricate Chinese chandelier. The original auditorium seated 2,200 patrons. The ceiling boasts a spectacular, ornate Chinese design. Exotic statues, vases and friezes add to the Asian motifs and lavish ambiance.

Sid Grauman owned another fabled and themed movie palace, the nearby Egyptian Theatre. After his success with the Egyptian Theater Sid Grauman and his partners which included Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks began construction on the Chinese Theater.

Grauman imagined a movie palace that would entrance audiences with a Hollywood version of ancient China palace. He spared no expense in getting the best artists, best best designers. Built to resemble a giant, red Chinese pagoda, construction took 18 months.

The landmark movie palace first opened on May 18.1927, with Ceil B de Mill’s “King of Kings”. This glamorous symbol of Hollywood golden age has been hosting movies, stars and film fans ever since.

The legend of the inspiration of the footprints in the forecourt is credited to silent film star Norma Talmadge who accidentally stepping into wet concrete during construction.

Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford’s signatures followed with the opening of the theater in 1927. Over the decades the tradition has continued, today there are about 300 signatures in the forecourt. The foot prints are what made the Chinese Theatre such a sensation. An estimated five million tourist are drawn to the forecourt every year from around the world.

Movies have changed since show-man Sid Grauman first opened the Chinese in 1927. Technology has evolved over the decades, first with the introduction of sound in 1928. In the 1950s, in an effort to compete with the popularity of television Hollywood introduced wide screen movie projection including 70mm format was introduced in 1954.

Hollywood went digital in the 1980s with the introduction of Dolby and THX digital sound. the venue itself underwent a full restoration in 2001.

And while the building and foot prints are historic, the sound and projection technology has been continually updated to continue to be one of the best motion pictures experiences in the world.

In a partnership with IMAX and the Chinese Theatre, the auditorium underwent a huge renovation in 2013 to install stadium seating and a state-of-the-art projection system. After extensive renovations the Chinese Theatre became the first theatre in Hollywood be converted to wide screen laser projection, with an enormous curved screen spanning from floor to ceiling.

The auditorium can seat 932 guests making it one of the largest commercial movie screens in the country and a world class cinematic experience.

Outside the theater is one of the best free experiences you can have in Hollywood. Street performers costumed as Captain Jack Sparrow, or Spiderman greet visitors offering themselves as living props for your souvenir photo for a few dollars.

Crowds of thousands still flock to premiers at the Chinese Theater with fans lining the streets hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite movie star. The Chinese Theater is one of the most culturally important buildings and a popular destination in Los Angeles. You don’t want to miss it.