Hollystory VII: The Grauman's Chinese Theatre Footprints Legend
2006-Nov-8 by KYJoe
Sidney Grauman is The Man when it comes to seminal and spectacular Hollywood movie theatres. After moving from Frisco where he entertained thousands showing movies in a circus tent only days after the 1906 earthquake, Grauman first opened the Million Dollar Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks, and D.W. Griffith were only a few of the many early Hollywood illuminaries who turned out for the opening.
In 1922 Grauman opened the Egyptian Theatre and five years later, the Chinese Theatre. So the story goes, towards the end of the construction of the theatre, Grauman and star Norma Talmadge accidentally stepped into wet cement as they were exiting the building. That mis-step was one of the most fortuitous of all time as it paved the way (sorry- had to do it) for what was to become and still is the means of recognizing a star.
The New & Improved Chinese
Besides the theatres and footprints, "Grauman was credited with devising the red carpet and spotlight premiere, inventing advanced-ticket sales for the movies, and perfecting the pre-feature presentation." (boxoffice.com)
Even before The Witches of Eastwick, A Few Good Men and Batman, Jack got his footprints.
Guess they knew somethin then.
