Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

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Grauman’s Chinese Theatre

Overview: Opened in 1927, the distinct and unforgettable Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (or, Chinese Theatre as locals say) has become one of Hollywood’s most beloved theatres. Not only does the historic theatre draw millions of tourists to see and feel the experience it provides, but many locals make sure the Chinese Theatre is the first screen they view new movie releases.

Taking a cue from traditional Chinese architecture, the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre has a sloping roof, dragon statues guarding the entrance and ornate masks. The ground of the courtyard in the front also has handprints, footprints and signatures of famous stars forever immortalized in concrete. The extraordinary detail and decor inside the Chinese Theatre is something else. In the lobby hang semi-lanterns and other Chinese decor. There are statues of Chinese figures as well. The detailed decor continues into the theatre room, which is enormous and grand with columns, high ceilings.

The popularity of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre brings the star bacon. It’s home to big time events such as red carpet movie premieres (Ocean’s 13 for example), press junkets and has hosted a few Academy Awards shows. Even though you see the forecourt of the Chinese Theatre filled with tourists and movie-goers on any given day, you will know when something extraordinary is happening. There will be a celestial sea of camera flashes from a mob of tourists, fans and press. Something is happening: it’s usually a red carpet movie premiere, where the stars of the movie shine and interact with their fans.

The Grauman’s Chinese Theatre enjoys surreal popularity. It’s second only to the actual Hollywood Stars Walk of Fame. On the Mann Theatres website, it’s quoted that “to visit Los Angeles and not see the Chinese is like visiting China and not seeing the Great Wall.” This is how popular the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is.

It’s well worth paying a dollar more than the average theatre to see a movie and to have that real, Hollywood movie-going experience at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

Location: 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, California 90028
Site: www.manntheatres.com
Ph: (323) 464-8111

Cost: Evening Shows: $12.75/adult, $8.75/kids, $8.50/seniors

Accessibility: The theatre is wheelchair accessible. There are reserved sections for wheelchairs in the back of the theatre. If you decide to sit closer, know ahead of time that the theatre has a fairly steep decline and an awkward one at that. You must wheel down the side aisles which are fairly steep but then if you find a section or row you’d like sit in, you must turn 90 degrees at which point you’ll lean sideways. Then, you go down another little ramp to get to the row or section. Plus, the arms of the chairs do not lift up.

Getting There: www.metro.net, www.bigbluebus.com, www.ladottransit.com