Jerry from the Netherlands alerted me to a Tumblr account that focused on photos of theaters and cinemas – https://theatretalks.tumblr.com/ – on which he found a bunch of marvelous snapshots by someone who visited Grauman’s Chinese Theatre with her friend Beryl in August 1927, just three months after it opened. This one in particular caught my eye. Beryl is standing near the Hollywood Blvd curb out front of Grauman’s and behind her is an employee dressed in (what I assume to be) traditional Chinese garb. I’ve ever heard of, read about, or seen photos of what I assume was one of Sid Grauman’s (many) PR schemes to publicize his grand, new theater. Which is fine, but pity the poor schlemiel whose job it was to stand there all day and…do what? Just stand there?
** UPDATE ** Andie P says: “Stand there to open the doors of autos driven by chauffeurs, to assist the people to exit. At the time they had matinees plus live dancers before the movie.”
Here some more photos from that visit:
Also included is a photo of what I assume is the program that the two women got when they took in a show at Grauman’s Chinese:
Those are great pictures. I love seeing these types of snapshots of people’s everyday lives. Thank you for sharing!
I’m glad to hear you enjoy these sorts of snapshots as much as I do.
The movie Wings opened on August 12, 1927. Was it at Grauman’s Chinese Theater?
Not according to the authoritative website on Grauman’s Chinese:
http://www.graumanschinese.org/1927-1928.html
I didn’t know that people used to write on the photo side of postcards. “Beryl in Hollywood” sounds like the name of a slim, witty novel of a young woman’s adventures, possibly written by Kay Thompson.
You’re right! It does! Either Kay Thompson or Anita Loos.