Most shots of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre are taken at street level, which is understandable because that’s where the eye candy is. This one gives us a bird’s-eye perspective, which shows us what the area looked like beyond the world-famous forecourt. This photo was taken in 1927, the year that it opened, and we can see how the area was still filled with lots and lots of trees. 90% of them are gone now, replaced by stores and apartment buildings and parking lots. But the theater itself is still there and still thriving, which is an L.A. miracle, if you ask me.
A very minor historic note – that long, rectangular box against the stage house is where the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ was installed. The sound travelled from there, down a long “tone chute” and emerged through the elaborate medallion at the center of the auditorium. Those who remember hearing the organ said it had a distant sound. I wonder why?
A very minor historic note – that long, rectangular box against the stage house is where the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ was installed. The sound travelled from there, down a long “tone chute” and emerged through the elaborate medallion at the center of the auditorium. Those who remember hearing the organ said it had a distant sound. I wonder why?
Thanks for that, Jim. I hadn’t even noticed it but I’m sure a lot of thought went into designing and installing those organs.